January 15, 2005
A Special Thanksgiving
The morning had an icy chill, as wisps of snow still clung to the grass. A broken bicycle lay on its side on the porch. A puzzled face peered out of the window at the stranger that climbed the steps, looking for the address. After the knock, a long silence followed, then locks clattered open and the door opened slightly. The small, tired-looking woman looked at the stranger, then at the bags he held in his hand. "Happy Thanksgiving," he said, smiling, and handing her the sacks with the styrofoam containers that held a small feast for her and her children. She blinked, and looked momentarily bewildered, then the face brightened with gratitude. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you, and God bless you!"
The Grand Architect of the Universe had indeed been hard at work that special day.
Thanksgiving Day started in the wee, predawn hours of the morning at the Prince Hall Masonic Temple at 2201 N. Central Avenue in Indianapolis. Although no longer the home of Oriental Lodge #500 F&AM, its original owner, this majestic building nevertheless continues to be filled with fellowship, fraternity and true brotherhood. Each year since 1983, the eight Lodges of the Central Districts of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Indiana have gathered to cook, serve and deliver Thanksgiving dinners to homeless, sick and shut-in members of the Indianapolis community. This year, Broad Ripple #643 was honored to join with our PHA brethren in this outstanding program. A dozen members of Broad Ripple and several of their ladies were on hand to help bring almost 450 turkey dinners with all of the traditional trimmings to needy families all over Indianapolis—almost twice as many as last year's event.
The phone started ringing at 9:00AM, and deliveries came and went all morning, to every part of town. So many brethren and OES ladies worked together on this day that they are literally too numerous to mention, but the preparation, serving and delivery of so much food was performed with friendship, fun and, most of all, cooperation in pursuit of a common goal: Freemasons working side by side to help our fellow men.
Special thanks to Wbro. Michael Ricketts, WM of Fidelity Lodge #55 for his kind invitation; to MWBro. Michael Chappell, DDGM of the Central Districts; to the members and Masters of Central #1, Trinity #18, Waterford #13, Meridian #33, Southern Cross #39, Fidelity #55, Sumner A. Furness #61, and C.R. Richardson #69, PHA for hosting and organizing this huge event; to the many members and Grand Lodge officers from both organizations who helped smooth the way for this and future cooperation; to our members Kurt Massey and Will Saylor for their work the previous Tuesday cooking turkeys and dressing as part of our donation, and one of our newest members, Wayne Pinkerton, for providing several hams; and most especially to Sister Anne Robinson, District Deputy Worthy Matron, Central District PHA, who ran the tightest kitchen this side of the Navy.
While it certainly took money to provide for so many people, it was the more important donation of time and hard work that made this day a bountiful success to folks in need. WM Lee Hargitt and the members of Broad Ripple all look forward to next year's event, and what we hope will become a long tradition.
For more photos, CLICK HERE.
Posted by at January 15, 2005 01:25 AM