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Masonic Lodge gives back to community
Editor’s note: This is the second article in a series highlighting Kearney civic organizations that give back to the city and its residents.
By Carrie Alexander
When the Masonic Lodge renewed its Kearney chapter three years ago the members hoped they would be able to continue the Masons’ legendary service in Kearney. As members of an organization that prides itself on its charitable contributions, they have not only met but exceeded their goal.
“People were wanting us to start a lodge back up in Kearney since all of the townships around us have one,” Kearney Lodge’s Worshipful Master Don Gilkerson said. “Kearney was experiencing a lot of growth and we felt we could be of service.”
The Masons have a long history rooted deep in helping their neighbors. Since the 18th century they have been known for helping others, including the widows and orphans of their co-workers who were killed building castles in Europe. As the colonies began forming in America, the Masons formed lodges here and became influential members in their communities by being involved in charity work, politics and human rights. Of the 39 men who signed the U.S. Constitution, 13 were Masons.
Today, the Masons get involved in raising funds for the Shriners Hospital, a children’s hospital that treats children with conditions such as spinal cord injuries and burns for no cost to the family, as well as programs closer to home such as the MOCHIP program that collects a child’s personal information in case the child is lost or kidnapped.
“We try to support anything that comes up in our community,” Gilkerson said.
The Masons also avoid fundraising within their community because they want to only give back, not take away. They do this by donating their own money, educating and through funds from the Grand Lodge.
Gilkerson said one of the Kearney Lodge’s long-term goals was to build a meeting facility that they could share with the community. Years ago, the Masons owned the building on the southwest corner of Jefferson and Washington streets where their emblem can still be seen today.
“We’ve talked about creating a building to share,” Gilkerson said. “Not just for Masonic organizations but for other nonprofit organizations. We want it to be a community gathering place.”
While a building is still far in the future, they hope to encourage other men to get involved and help out their community.
“One of our biggest goals is to make good men better men,” Gilkerson said. “We know that we all believe different things, and by gathering together it creates a better understanding of each other. It just comes down to fellowship and community service shared between men. It’s amazing how many great people are out there, and being a Mason has provided me with the opportunity to meet them.
Gilkerson said he wanted to extinguish the idea that the Masonic lodge was a religion or had occult connections. He said that although a requirement of being a Mason was a belief in God, they did not push their beliefs upon anyone.
“We’re not a religious organization, and we do not have a doctrine,” Gilkerson said. “We’re nondenominational, but one of our requirements is that you believe in God; how you do that is up to you. The thing about being a Mason is the brotherhood. No matter what part of the country you’re in, if you can find a Mason, you can find a friend.”
Kearney Masonic Lodge
The Kearney Lodge meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month.
For questions, comments, suggestions or membership information, contact Don Gilkerson at gilkersondon@yahoo.com.
Staff writer Carrie Alexander can be reached at 628-6010 or carriealexander@npgco.com.
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By Carrie Alexander
When the Masonic Lodge renewed its Kearney chapter three years ago the members hoped they would be able to continue the Masons’ legendary service in Kearney. As members of an organization that prides itself on its charitable contributions, they have not only met but exceeded their goal.
“People were wanting us to start a lodge back up in Kearney since all of the townships around us have one,” Kearney Lodge’s Worshipful Master Don Gilkerson said. “Kearney was experiencing a lot of growth and we felt we could be of service.”
The Masons have a long history rooted deep in helping their neighbors. Since the 18th century they have been known for helping others, including the widows and orphans of their co-workers who were killed building castles in Europe. As the colonies began forming in America, the Masons formed lodges here and became influential members in their communities by being involved in charity work, politics and human rights. Of the 39 men who signed the U.S. Constitution, 13 were Masons.
Today, the Masons get involved in raising funds for the Shriners Hospital, a children’s hospital that treats children with conditions such as spinal cord injuries and burns for no cost to the family, as well as programs closer to home such as the MOCHIP program that collects a child’s personal information in case the child is lost or kidnapped.
“We try to support anything that comes up in our community,” Gilkerson said.
The Masons also avoid fundraising within their community because they want to only give back, not take away. They do this by donating their own money, educating and through funds from the Grand Lodge.
Gilkerson said one of the Kearney Lodge’s long-term goals was to build a meeting facility that they could share with the community. Years ago, the Masons owned the building on the southwest corner of Jefferson and Washington streets where their emblem can still be seen today.
“We’ve talked about creating a building to share,” Gilkerson said. “Not just for Masonic organizations but for other nonprofit organizations. We want it to be a community gathering place.”
While a building is still far in the future, they hope to encourage other men to get involved and help out their community.
“One of our biggest goals is to make good men better men,” Gilkerson said. “We know that we all believe different things, and by gathering together it creates a better understanding of each other. It just comes down to fellowship and community service shared between men. It’s amazing how many great people are out there, and being a Mason has provided me with the opportunity to meet them.
Gilkerson said he wanted to extinguish the idea that the Masonic lodge was a religion or had occult connections. He said that although a requirement of being a Mason was a belief in God, they did not push their beliefs upon anyone.
“We’re not a religious organization, and we do not have a doctrine,” Gilkerson said. “We’re nondenominational, but one of our requirements is that you believe in God; how you do that is up to you. The thing about being a Mason is the brotherhood. No matter what part of the country you’re in, if you can find a Mason, you can find a friend.”
Kearney Masonic Lodge
The Kearney Lodge meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month.
For questions, comments, suggestions or membership information, contact Don Gilkerson at gilkersondon@yahoo.com.
Staff writer Carrie Alexander can be reached at 628-6010 or carriealexander@npgco.com.