MSA Issues Hurricane Helene Disaster Appeals for Grand Lodges of Florida, North, and South Carolina, As Hurricane Milton Heads For Florida

by Christopher Hodapp

The Masonic Service Association of North America has officially issued Disaster Relief Appeals for the grand lodges of Florida, North, and South Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene two weeks ago. MSA Administrator Craig Davis, PGM, has posted the following information on the MSANA website:

South Carolina Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Appeal

Grand Master Steven D. Hames has requested the Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA) to issue this Disaster Relief Appeal. The situation in South Carolina is quite dire. The brothers in South Carolina after being hit by the storm Helene have suffered a great deal of loss of property. Power continues to be in the outage and repair phase in areas of the upstate where the families have lost their entire supply of fresh food. Grocery stores have lost all food that needed to be refrigerated. Homes have been destroyed and or damaged where they cannot be occupied until repaired or replaced.

The brothers South Carolina are now using their own energy to help the citizens of their communities try and recover while trying to recover from their personal loss. 

Florida Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Appeal

Grand Master Donald W. Cowart has requested the Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA) to issue this Disaster Relief Appeal. Following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Grand Lodge has many lodges that could not afford the insurance outlay of funds. Now alas they are in need of assistance. 

North Carolina Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief Appeal

Grand Master Bobby Rideout has requested the Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA) to issue this Disaster Relief Appeal. The situation in North Carolina is quite dire. Whole 
communities have been washed away in floods and landslides.

PLEASE NOTE: Check with your own grand lodge to see if they are collecting donations as part of an MSA Appeal, just to prevent confusion as to whom is donating to what.

When remitting funds directly to MSA, please mark donations specifically to "Florida, North, OR South Carolina Disaster Appeal." They are 3 separate funds, so you need to specify which one you are donating to.

To donate directly to the MSA Appeals by mail, make checks payable to MSA Disaster Relief Fund and send them to:

Masonic Service Association
813 1st Ave SE, Suite 357
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

(NOTE: MSA is no longer in Maryland – this is the correct address!) 

MSA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. 

You can also donate online HERE.

The Masonic Service Association is arguably the best and most effective way to provide financial assistance to Masons in the stricken areas. MSA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. That is important to remember, especially if you, your company, or foundation are making a large donation and are in need of a tax deduction in return. The charitable arm of the Masonic Service Association was specifically established for the purpose of raising tax deductible donations, and to effectively distribute and account for the funds provided to Masons who receive assistance. Your entire donation will be sent to the affected jurisdiction. MSA deducts nothing for administrative expenses or expenses of any kind. Meaning if you donate $100.00, all $100.00 gets to the specific grand lodge issuing the appeal.

As of October 7th,  the current death toll across the 6 states hit by the Category 5 hurricane has reached at least 230, and continues to rise as officials and volunteers race to recover bodies and remove as much debris as possible. 

If the destruction from Helene hasn't been terrible enough, time is of the essence. Hurricane Milton has just increased in intensity to a Category 5 hurricane as of Tuesday morning. It's headed for landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast, almost exactly where Helene came ashore, and workers are desperately attempting to clear wreckage from the first storm. The fear is that the debris will become deadly projectiles as this second storm slams into Florida.