Grand Lodge District Projects for the 150th Celebrations

District	Project Detail
Algoma District	The Charitable Project selected for Algoma District is "Camp Quality" which is a retreat for children with cancer or survivors of cancer. It is a week long summer camp held at the United Church Camp at Loon Lake on the outskirts of Thunder Bay for one week in August. Approximately 30 children from the district attend this camp annually so that they might enjoy summer activities such as swimming, boating , canoeing , wiener roasts etc. Each child is accompanied by a volunteer companion for the week. Health care professionals such as nurses, doctors also volunteer their time to look after the kids. It costs approximately $1000 per child to accommodate a child for the week and it is the goal of the Masonic Community in Algoma District to significantly contribute to the operations for the 2005 camp. It is estimated that the district has to date raised approximately $10,000. toward their goal and it is our sincere hope that the Masonic Community will be able to cover the costs of all children attending the 2005 Summer "Camp Quality" venue.
Brant District	Our District decided to support the Brant Children’s Safety Village as our Project for the sesquicentennial. The Committee is now under the auspices of our Masters Past Masters and Wardens Assoc. We are reasonably close to our goal of $11000 + being approx $1000 per lodge.
Chatham District	Great Ride N Stride event for the Canadian Cancer Society. To be held on April 24th, 2005 at 2:00 pm at Tecumseh Park in Chatham. This event is supported by all 11 Lodges of the Chatham District.
Frontenac District	The Frontenac District Project is the Alzheimer’s Society of Kingston and Area. Our Goal is to raise over $10,000.00 This is a devastating disease. We as Masons can make life a little easier for patients and family members with our financial assistance. Members can make cheque payable to – The Masonic Foundation of Ontario No. 2225
Georgian North District	This is the second year of our major fund raising drive to support the 150th Anniversary. Our goal is to raise $15,000 to aid research in the areas of Breast and Prostate Cancer. We anticipate meeting our goal and will be approaching our Masonic Foundation Board for their support in late May or early June. We urge of members of Georgian North District to support this endeavour in the same manner they have supported other worth while charitable projects in the Past
Muskoka-Parry Sound District	The Sesquicentennial Celebration events in our District will continue through-out the year. Our goal was to raise $10,000 towards Supporting the Fight Against Breast Cancer. To date we have held a District Masonic Picnic, Sunset Cruise on Georgian Bay and Grand Master Reception, 125th Anniversary, Walk-a-Thon, Curling Bonspiel, Golf Tourney, Ladies Night Dance, with all funds directed towards our support for Breast Cancer Research. We went over the top with over $12,000 being raised.
Niagara A District	There are several projects on the go in Niagara A to celebrate the 150th so far. 1. Coronation Lodge #502 sold 150th ball caps at $20.00 each. 2. Amity Lodge #32 in Dunnville installed a wheelchair ramp for the local library at the lodges expense. 3. Niagara Lodge #2 in Niagara on the Lake is having an open house in conjunction with "Doors Open Niagara" on October 16th and 17th. It is expected that there will be over 40,000 people take the tour over the 2 days. Many Masons and Non-masons both Canadian and American. 4. The Blue Ribbon Gala For Prostate Cancer project to raise money for the new Prostate Cancer center in the new Niagara Regional Health Center to be built in St. Catharines was held on Sept. 24, 2004. With the assistance of the Niagara Parks Commission they purchased a set of very high quality golf clubs and proceeded to raffle them off. They raised $7,047. which was then topped off by the Masonic Foundation by $1500. and a 25% matching portion of $1,771.75 to make a total of $10,308.75. 5. Grantham Lodge #697 is arranging a Gala Ball to honour the 150th Anniversary and raise funds for "Women's Place" in St. Catharines. 6. St. Andrews #661 is organizing up to 200 Masonic Brethren and their families as volunteers for the Special Olympics being held in St. Catharines this summer. The information is available on http://www.Niagaramasons.com 7. ST. Georges Lodge #15 has arranged for the Niagara Parks Commission to display in flowers, the 150th Logo in Victoria Park in Niagara Falls. The garden will be in bloom from May to October of 2005. It will be seen by between 10 and 14 million visitors to Niagara Falls. We invite Masons for Ontario, and around to world to visit and have a picture taken at the site. It will only be there this Summer.
Niagara B District	The members of Niagara B are holding a draw to support the Woolcott Wing which is a Seniors extended care hospital in Welland, Ontario. Our hope is to sell 2000 tickets at five dollars each and present the Woolcott Wing with ten thousand dollars early in 2005. Our draw is for two nights for two people in Niagara on the Lake. Dinners for both nights included.
North Huron District	North Huron District held a rededication of the Cornerstone of Trinity Anglican Church in Blyth, Ontario as a way of marking the 150th Anniversary, on Sunday May 15, 2005. The cornerstone of the church was laid with Masonic Honours in 1878 with over 2000 people present (many of them Brothers from the Various Lodges in this part of Ontario, along with the Grand Master of the Day). Immediately preceding this rededication ceremony will be the North Huron District Divine Service, with the current Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Huron (the Rt. Rev. Bruce H.W. Howe) officiating and retired Suffragan (assistant) Bishop of Huron, Bishop Bro. Robert Townsend as the preacher.
Ottawa 2 District	Our Masons are supporting the Parkinsons Society-Ottawa. Parkinsons, which has been brought to the forefront by notables such as Mohammed Ali and Michael J Fox, is a progressive neuro-degenerative disorder which affects movement or the control of movement, including speech and ''body language''. It affects about 100,000 Canadians from all ethnic backgrounds and may be found in young people of 30-40 years, with the highest incidence in people over 60 years. It is generally treated through medication and rehabilitation ...recent research discoveries suggest that a cure may be found in the foreseeable future. Our Project involves the acquisition of state-of-the-art portable Audio-Visual Package and a tent with associated equipment to help in the delivery of the Society's programs, presentations, activities and fund-raising. The proposed activity should leave a lasting legacy and positive impact in the Greater Ottawa Community.
Peterborough District	Our District 150th Anniversary Charitable Project is well under way with enthusiastic participation from each Lodge. We are supporting St. Joseph’s at Fleming, a new and innovative concept in long term health care for the elderly located on the Campus of Fleming College in Peterborough. The first long term care facility to partner with a learning institution, St. Joseph’s at Fleming is also home to Fleming College’s Institute for Healthy Aging, and the Fleming Child Care Centre. St. Joseph's at Fleming is an unprecedented endeavour, the result of a partnership between Marycrest Home for the Aged, Anson House, and Fleming College. The Historic decision to amalgamate, combines over 236 years of experience as well respected providers of long-term care, and, true to their past, continued focus on dignity and quality of life with an emphasis on multi-denominational pastoral care, will not waiver. Their unique partnership creates a truly intergenerational environment, providing rich learning opportunities, through more than twenty five programs, to staff and students from Fleming College and promoting learning and research about the best practices in geriatric and long-term care. Our goal is to provide a donation of $15000.00 to this unique project with the assistance of the 150th Anniversary incentive of $3500.00 provided by the Masonic Foundation. The $11500.00 to be raised by the 12 District Lodges, works out to approximately $960.00.00 per Lodge.
Prince Edward District	Our great hope is to supply A.L.S. (Lou Gehrigs Disease) afflicted patients with equipment to make their life more comfortable. A.L.S. has no cure to date. Complete immobility and death often occur within 3-5 years. Most drugs and equipment required are not covered by social programs. Our aim is to raise $60,000.00 to purchase equipment to be used in our local chapter of A.L.S. We are asking the Brethren of the district to sell tickets on an All Terrain Vehicle complete with a trailer and a second prize of a weekend for 2 in the Niagara Region. To date (Dec. 31) we have raised by ticket sales $36,820.00. Also, the brethren, if they so desire, will be able to make donations to our project. For those reading this on the site and who wish to make a donation, please forward the cheque to Mr. Douglas Plumpton (District Chairman), R.R. #5, Belleville, Ontario. K8N 4Z5. and mark your cheque with Project #2248 and a receipt will be issued for any amount of $10.00 or more.
St. Lawrence District	“Masons Behind Autism” To celebrate their 150th Anniversary this year, the Freemasons of St. Lawrence District have chosen to support Autism as their District Project. A fundraising goal of $25,000.00 has been established, and these funds will be spent within our area to enhance, promote and increase the awareness and understanding of Autism within our District, and to enhance the well-being of individuals with autism.
St. Thomas District	Our District is sponsoring. The St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (Specific piece of equipment for the urology dept.); The Child and Family Counseling Unit for Elgin County; Glencoe District High School; Caradoc South Public School; Melbourne Public Library. Amongst the events and projects we have initiated in raising funds are the specially struck "Trillium pin" with the 150th anniversary of Masonry in Ontario, emblazoned in it. We are offering the pin as a momentum with a $10.00 donation to the Masonic Foundation. This pin can be viewed on the St. Thomas Masonic Web site. http://www.stthomasfreemasonry.com Other projects within the district last week at the Rodney Fair, West Elgin Lodge No. 386 had a dunk tank which raised $1,800.00, St. David's Lodge 302 will be having a St. David's feast in early October, to date there is over $2,500.00 in the bank for the Foundation Fund, with lots more earmarked.
Sudbury-Manitoulin District	1. The District Charity Fund Raising Project is for the purpose of setting up the Sudbury Laurentian Medical School Bursaries in the name of the Sudbury-Manitoulin District Masons. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to aid first year Medical Students attending Sudbury Laurentian University in the Sudbury area to study and complete their medical degree. 2. The prostrate Cancer Awareness project is an awareness campaign as prostrate cancer affects families at one time or another. 3. The Sudbury-Manitoulin District's 150th Anniversary District Divine Service and Family Dinner will be held on Sunday April 10th, 2005. The Divine Service will be held at United Church on Robinson Street in Little Current at 2:30pm. the Doric Lodge will host the family dinner after the Divine Service.
Waterloo District	We will be supporting the C.O.D.R.P. – Central Ontario Developmental Riding Program at Pride Stables. Pride Stables offers therapeutic horseback riding lessons to people with disabilities and are members of the Ontario Therapeutic Riding Association (OnTRA), and the Association of Riding Establishments of Ontario, in partnership with the Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF). People are recommended to our program by their physicians, physiotherapists and teachers. Lessons are held in 8 week sessions, during the fall, winter, spring and summer. Over 300 riders from Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and surrounding areas, utilize the facility weekly, helped by more than 250 volunteers. A series of District activities support our district charity such as: District Fish Fry, Dart Tournament, Curling Bonspiel and Golf Tournament. Each individual lodge has been encouraged to plan their own activity such as an open house or picnic etc. to add to the celebration. The District Chairman for the Sesquicentennial is also planning a Table Lodge for the New Year to add a special flavour to the year.
Wilson North District	Our project for the 150th celebration. We have chosen the Woodstock General Hospital's Building Fund for the New Hospital as our Fundraising Project for 2004-2005.
Wilson South District	We, in Wilson South District have chosen to help the two hospitals in our District. The Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital with fund for Ultra Sound Machine – Physiotherapy and the Norfolk General Hospital in Simcoe help the funding of the new C.T. Scanner. In so doing we not only help ourselves but also the other peoples in the communities. This project is a good image of what Masons are all about.. The Wilson South 150th committee send over 950 returns envelop pre-stamp to the bros and asking for donation of minimum of $10.00 to support our district project. We hope this project will raise over $12,000.00. What better way to promote masonry in our communities.