Essex Mark, "Meals on Wheels"
"The last serving! (almost)"
"The last serving! (almost)"
The initiative to provide a good quality, pre cooked and delivered to the door meal is, of course, now well known and much publicised but, as we draw to the end of the initial proposed period, we should like to take the opportunity to fill in some of the story, facts and figures behind the initiative as well as promote a short video showing a number of aspects from the programme. The Covid-19 pandemic has been a tremendous strain on many and an unprecedented situation in modern times bringing new hurdles to overcome. Freemasons are proud to have come together and provide of their time, money and effort to help those in need.
At the end of his Advancement, the new Mark Master Mason is given an emotive address in which he is told, amongst other principles, that "among Mark Master Masons you will ever find friends, who will administer relief to your distress and comfort in your affliction", it is this section of our ritual that is meant to make a lasting impression on the new mark man and is often quoted as the basis of us being "the friendly Degree".
With that in mind, as the PGM says in his introduction to our video which is posted below, and with R.W.Bro. Sheern being a man of action, he approached the Mark Benevolent Fund with a view to securing funding for a Sunday lunch for our elderly, vulnerable or shielding members and the families or relatives thereof. As ever, the MBF was up to the challenge and an initial sum of £23,750 was agreed upon which, together with a further grant from them and from our own Essex Mark Welfare Fund, ended up just below £30,000.
In total, around 2,200 meals have been supplied to around 200 recipients from elderly parents through our own vulnerable members to those infirm and unable to get out to shop and those more vulnerable to the virus through existing concerns or just alone and in need of a high point in the week. Shortly after we had commenced the programme it was expanded to include delivery to Hamilton Court in South Woodham Ferrers which is a residential complex for the elderly run by the Masonic Housing Association but not restricted to Freemasons or their relatives but to all qualifying applicants. We are proud that the number of volunteers needed was not only oversubscribed but that all areas of our Province were covered by volunteers all giving of their time to deliver the meals. At the same time, strict guidance on social distancing and food handling was given and adhered to.
The Provincial Grand Master, and his executive, are delighted by the response from not only Mark Men, but also those members of the Craft (who are yet to join The Mark!) and to the Masonic motorcycling group, The Widows Sons, who have given their time to help and extends his sincere thanks to all.
At the end of his Advancement, the new Mark Master Mason is given an emotive address in which he is told, amongst other principles, that "among Mark Master Masons you will ever find friends, who will administer relief to your distress and comfort in your affliction", it is this section of our ritual that is meant to make a lasting impression on the new mark man and is often quoted as the basis of us being "the friendly Degree".
With that in mind, as the PGM says in his introduction to our video which is posted below, and with R.W.Bro. Sheern being a man of action, he approached the Mark Benevolent Fund with a view to securing funding for a Sunday lunch for our elderly, vulnerable or shielding members and the families or relatives thereof. As ever, the MBF was up to the challenge and an initial sum of £23,750 was agreed upon which, together with a further grant from them and from our own Essex Mark Welfare Fund, ended up just below £30,000.
In total, around 2,200 meals have been supplied to around 200 recipients from elderly parents through our own vulnerable members to those infirm and unable to get out to shop and those more vulnerable to the virus through existing concerns or just alone and in need of a high point in the week. Shortly after we had commenced the programme it was expanded to include delivery to Hamilton Court in South Woodham Ferrers which is a residential complex for the elderly run by the Masonic Housing Association but not restricted to Freemasons or their relatives but to all qualifying applicants. We are proud that the number of volunteers needed was not only oversubscribed but that all areas of our Province were covered by volunteers all giving of their time to deliver the meals. At the same time, strict guidance on social distancing and food handling was given and adhered to.
The Provincial Grand Master, and his executive, are delighted by the response from not only Mark Men, but also those members of the Craft (who are yet to join The Mark!) and to the Masonic motorcycling group, The Widows Sons, who have given their time to help and extends his sincere thanks to all.
