Charity is the chief of every social virtue
and the distinguishing characteristic of Masons.
Charity lies at the very foundation of Freemasonry. In the United States alone, the family of Freemasonry gives over $2 million each day to charitable causes of all kinds. The charities of the York Rite are among the most respected both in and outside the fraternity.
Royal Arch Research Assistance
Royal Arch Research Assistance (R.A.R.A.) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt foundation incorporated in the State of Kentucky in 1974. It is governed by a Board of Directors who are all Royal Arch Masons. The General Grand High Priest is the President. The Board Secretary receives all contributions, keeps records, and sends out receipts, certificates, and awards. Each works with the R.A.R.A. Representatives and the Ambassadors for each state, together with the Regional Deputy General Grand High Priest to coordinate Chapter. In this way, the Grand Chapters in their Regions will be encouraged to participate publicly to demonstrate our community involvement. Through greater visibility to the public, the hope is to generate a greater commitment to this endeavor and promote Royal Arch Masonry. There are three Regional Coordinators to provide public relations and fundraising assistance under the direction of the Executive Director.
What is Central Auditory Processing Disorder? Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) is a hearing deficiency that does not allow those afflicted to distinguish sounds that can be heard by those with regular hearing. When a sound occurs, the sound is taken into the inner ear and delivered to the brain and the brain translates what is being heard. When a person is deaf, the part of the ear that delivers the sound to the brain does not function. When a person has central auditory processing Disorder (CAPD), the part of the brain that translates what the ear delivers does not function properly. The person with CAPD can hear sounds, but how the brain translates the sound is incorrect, and the result is a garbled message. People who have CAPD have normal hearing, so they are not considered hearing impaired. The neurological processing of the sounds they hear is impaired, which is why it’s called a processing disorder. Research is developing paths of opportunity to correct this problem, and your Royal Arch Research Assistance (R.A.R.A.) contributions support these efforts.
If you think your child is having trouble hearing or understanding when people talk, have an audiologist (hearing specialist) exam your child. Only audiologists can diagnose auditory processing disorder.
What can you do? You can join our cause through your support of R.A.R.A. activities. Why? Simply and directly—Because as Royal Arch Masons, WE CARE!
Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation
The Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation (CMMRF) is an amazing charity in Cryptic Masonry. The CMMRF helps advance the research into Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology. The primary recipient of the donations is the Indiana Center Vascular Biology and Medicine (ICVBM) located at the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Richard Roudebush Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN.
The CMMRF was started under the governance of Ben Mandlebaum, Most Puissant General Grand Master of the General Grand Council, Cryptic Masons International. It was incorporated in the state of Oklahoma on March 6, 1986. The CMMRF is run by a Board of Trustees along with a President and Executive Secretary. The General Grand Master serves as the President during his triennial.
Initially, the CMMRF focused on the cause and a cure for atherosclerosis and its complications. They started to incorporate adult stem cell therapies. Currently researching strokes, Osteoarthritis, Pancreatitis, Acute Kidney Injury, Diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Congestive Heart Failure, Juvenile Diabetes, Peripheral Artery Disease, and lingering wounds. One of the most notable patents that have come from this research is the “Closer”. The vascular Closer is a device that is used over 500,000 times a year with surgeries on arteries. There are research videos available for download on the CMMRF website.
Each year CMMRF continues to grow in financial assets. As of December 31, 2017, the CMMRF has received $5,698,149.04 in contributions. CMMRF has $3,788,565.90 in financial assets. CMMRF has given the Indiana University School of Medicine $4,589,464.86. Cryptic Masons have given Grants equaling $4,685,464.86 from 1978 to the present time. Income from investments helps to fund these grants.
In recognition for contributing, the CMMRF gives lapel pins for donations of $50, $100, $150, $300, $500, and $750. Certificates are also issued for donations of $25, $50, $100, and $500 as well as for Cryptic Councils who have 100% participation. A plaque is also issued for donations of $1,000. After the first $1,000 donation, an individual will receive a gold-filled Nine Arch pin with a diamond chip for each additional $1,000. To celebrate the chartering of the CMMRF, the Board of Trustees declares March 6th, as CMMRF DAY each year, calling on all Cryptic Masons to donate nine dollars ($9) as a tribute to this philanthropy and its great works.
Knights Templar Eye Foundation
The mission of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc., is to assist those who face the loss of sight due to the need for surgical treatment without regard to race, color, creed, age, sex, or national origin provided they are unable to pay or receive adequate assistance form current government agencies or similar sources. The foundation also provides funds for research in curing diseases of the eye and is a national co-sponsor of the Seniors EyeCare program, a public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. This program helps seniors over 65 years of age who do not have an Ophthalmologist.
Holy Land Pilgrimage Fund
The Oklahoma Holy Land Pilgrimage Fund is used to pay the expenses of sending a Minister to the Holy Land under the sponsorship of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. Each year, the Grand Commandery of Oklahoma strives to send at least two Ministers to this most significant of religious places in the world. The Grand Commandery has now established an endowment fund to support the Holy Land Pilgrimage Program. Donors who contribute no less than $1,000 (which may be paid in yearly installments) will be recognized with a certificate of participation, a plaque, a lapel button, and a meritorious jewel that can be worn on the uniform upon completion of the $1,000 commitment. Contributions to this fund can be made by using the Grand Commandery of Oklahoma – HLP Endowment Donation Form.
Knights Templar Educational Foundation
Award for Scholastic Achievement
The Knights Templar Educational Foundation offers four scholarships per calendar year for scholastic achievements. Scholarships apply to any accredited college or university, within or outside of Oklahoma. State accredited Trade or Vocational schools are eligible. Scholarships awarded will be deposited with the applicant’s school of choice. It may be drawn on for tuition, books, supplies, and other educational costs. Download Application and Information Packet (PDF).
DeMolay Leadership Workshop
The Grand Commandery annually sponsors a youth leadership workshop each January for Oklahoma DeMolays. The workshop is designed to teach leadership skills to young men ages 12 through 20 who belong to DeMolay—a youth order sponsored by Masons. The workshop includes programs, motivational speakers, adult mentors, and fun activities during a weekend retreat. At the closing banquet, the Grand Commander presents a personally engraved Knight Templar sword to the young man who has been selected as the Oklahoma DeMolay of the Year.
