Social WelfareEmporia Lodge No.12 Donates $2,000 to SOS Kansas

Emporia, Kansas (November 18, 2022)—The Kansas Masonic Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to benefiting Kansas communities, has partnered with Emporia Lodge No. 12 to donate $2,000 to SOS Kansas, an organization advocating for those affected by sexual and domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, child abuse, and neglect. 

Founded in 1864, Emporia Lodge No. 12 is a Kansas Masonic lodge dedicated to Freemasonry, the oldest surviving fraternal organization in the world. The lodge has nearly 200 members and regularly makes charitable contributions to the local community, including awarding over $100,000 in scholarships to local area students, making a $30,000 contribution to the Emporia High School Marching Band to purchase new band and orchestra equipment, funding over 50 students’ trips to the Kansas Masonic All-State High School Marching Band Camp, purchasing a thermo-imaging camera for the Emporia Fire Department, pledging $125,000 to the Kansas Masonic Foundation, and sponsoring the 2021 No Coast Film Festival. Additionally, the Brothers at Emporia Lodge No.12 have donated to the Building Kansas Campaign to support literacy, cancer patients, veterans, and community PRIDE programs.

“Our lodge focuses on excellence in esoteric work and is very involved in the community,” said Emporia Lodge No. 12 Secretary Dave Hendricks. “Many of our members belong to other civic organizations, and we have donated over $700,000 to local and Masonic organizations since 1997.”

Continuing with their involvement in the local community, the Brothers at Emporia Lodge No.12 have teamed up with the Kansas Masonic Foundation to donate $2,000 to SOS Kansas. The organization previously rented space from the Emporia Lodge No.12 building, and since moving out, the lodge has decided to continue supporting them financially by making a $3,000 pledge payable over three years. This year, Phi Delta Theta, a local fraternity at Emporia State University, approached the lodge about a financial partnership with their Annual Homecoming Pole Sit to support SOS Kansas. The lodge agreed to support the fraternity by contributing up to $2,000 of their 2022 goal. The funds donated by the lodge in collaboration with the Kansas Masonic Foundation will help provide educational programs and support to victims of domestic violence. A formal donation announcement will take place in the coming weeks. 

About the Kansas Masonic Foundation:
As the philanthropic arm of Kansas Masons, the Kansas Masonic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to benefiting Kansas communities and supporting fellow Masons and their families. Since its inception, the foundation has invested more than $50 million in Kansas communities and individuals through funding academic, scientific, and charitable endeavors. For additional information about the Kansas Masonic Foundation and to get involved, click here.