Latham Lodge No. 401 Donates $17,930 to the Latham Voluntary Fire Department

Kansas Masonic Foundation Supports Local Kansas Masonic Lodge With Fire Department Donation

Latham, Kansas (February 27, 2026)—The Kansas Masonic Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to benefiting Kansas communities, has partnered with Latham Lodge No. 401 to donate $17,930 to the Latham Voluntary Fire Department, a volunteer fire department serving the community and the surrounding area of Butler County. 

Founded in 1913, Latham Lodge No. 401 is a Kansas Masonic lodge dedicated to Freemasonry, the oldest surviving fraternal organization in the world. The lodge has 27 active members who remain heavily involved in the local community by making donations to nearby churches, sponsoring students at the Kansas Masonic All-State Marching Band Camp, participating in local Trunk-or-Treat events, and supporting local children during the holiday season. The Brothers at Latham Lodge No. 401 also maintain the playground at the local park to ensure community youth have a suitable place to play year-round. 

“The Latham Voluntary Fire Department answers the call day or night to protect our community. Covering a vast stretch of the Flint Hills, their team often travels significant distances to respond to grass and structure fires across miles of open pasture, and local ranchers depend on these firefighters and their equipment to safeguard grazing land and protect valuable livestock,” said Latham Lodge No. 401 Secretary Harold Brewer. “As a volunteer department, they rely heavily on community support and donations to maintain up-to-date gear and emergency equipment. We have proudly supported this group for several years and were honored to help fund the construction of a new fire barn to house their truck.”

To continue serving the local community, the Brothers at Latham Lodge No. 401 have teamed up with the Kansas Masonic Foundation to donate $17,930 to the Latham Volunteer Fire Department. In addition to serving the surrounding rural area, this department stands ready to respond whenever a fire threatens the town of Latham, a close-knit community of approximately 200 residents. The Brothers at Latham Lodge No. 401 have been donating to the organization for the past nine years, with this year’s funds helping to keep their equipment up to date. A formal donation announcement will occur on March 24, 2026.

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, please click here.

About the Grand Lodge of Kansas:
The Grand Lodge of Kansas is the governing body of Freemasonry in Kansas, established on March 17, 1856, five years prior to Kansas’ statehood. Freemasonry is the oldest, largest, and most widely recognized fraternal organization in the world. Freemasons are men, aged 18 and over, of good character who strive to improve themselves and make the world a better place. Kansas Freemasonry encompasses nearly 11,000 Kansas Masons and 170 Lodges across the state. For more information, please visit kansasmason.org.