Freemasons For Dummies: MSA Issues South Carolina Disaster Relief Appeal

Monday, September 24, 2018

MSA Issues South Carolina Disaster Relief Appeal

Cleanup and assessments of damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence along the East Coast have continued in the affected areas. The Masonic Service Association of North America announced a Disaster Relief Appeal for North Carolina nine days ago. Today, MSA's Simon LaPlace now reports that Grand Master Michael D. Smith, Sr. of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina has also requested the MSA issue a Disaster Relief Appeal for his state due to the hurricane and extensive flooding of South Carolina.

As always, Grand Lodge secretaries and lodges are encouraged to circulate this message.

The announcement reads as follows:

APPEAL FOR RELIEF – SOUTH CAROLINA

MSA has received the following from the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, MW Gerald L. Carver:

"The Eastern Part of South Carolina is now having devastating flooding from the flow of Hurricane Florence water from North Carolina through the rivers in the Eastern Part of the State. Three Lodges have already been flooded, and several Brethren and many other South Carolinians have had to leave their homes which are now flooded. Unfortunately, the worst is yet to come with the rivers cresting later this week. Also, the pollution from the North Carolina pig farms and chicken houses is and will be causing major pollution in the flooded South Carolina Rivers which flow through cities and towns along the inter-coastal waterway where hundreds if not thousands have been ordered to evacuate in anticipation of the flooding later this week. Our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Michael D. Smith, Sr requests that you make an appeal to our Sister Grand Jurisdictions on behalf of the South Carolina Brethren."

Accordingly, the Masonic Service Association is announcing a Disaster Relief Appeal for the Grand Lodge of South Carolina.

Even ten days after the hurricane, the rivers have not crested yet, and Brothers and their homes and Lodges have seen tremendous damage. In some areas, water is expected to rise over ten feet, and it is feared more will die as a consequence. Please contribute whatever you can for these distressed worthy Brothers.

The Disaster Relief Appeal for North Carolina continues. The same conditions are impacting their Brethren.

MSA deducts no part of your contribution for administrative expenses. All expenses, charges by PayPal, bookkeeping, or cost of acknowledgment letters, everything, is absorbed by MSA in its operating budget. Your entire gross donation is sent to the affected jurisdiction. That's the way it's always been, and that's the way it will continue.

Donations can be made online at www.msana.com.

Please forward any donations you feel appropriate to help in this stricken jurisdiction to MSA. Please make checks payable to MSA Disaster Relief Fund and send to 3905 National Drive, STE 280, Burtonsville, MD 20866.