The Masonic Lodge recently donated $6,000 to Poplar Bluff Schools, split between Eugene Field and Lake Road Elementary, to go toward clothing items for students in need.
A group of staff members at Lake Road went shopping before school one morning in December for almost 50 students identified, reported counselor Valerie Duncan. Eugene Field used the majority of funds to purchase children’s shoes, undergarments, outerwear and winter accessories to stock its giving closet in the nurse’s office, according to counselor Esther Luna.
“It truly makes a huge difference at our school,” Eugene Field Principal Jennifer Taylor commented on the organization’s Facebook post. “We are blessed to be supported by our community.”
The recurring donation has been made possible by the annual Poplar Bluff Masonic Youth Father-Daughter Ball fundraiser attended by hundreds in October at the Black River Coliseum. Since 2006, officials estimate that the Masonic Lodge has contributed approximately $35,000 to the two schools combined, chosen based on free and reduced lunch rates. The Masonic Home of Missouri supplies a 2:1 match, turning every local dollar raised to $3 through its Creating A Partnership program.
In total last month, Poplar Bluff Lodge No. 209 of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons distributed a record-high $18,000 among several area school systems, along with $5,900 to the Shriners Children’s St. Louis transportation fund, according to Terry Yarbrough, Masonic Home representative. The remaining proceeds support the Order of Rainbow for Girls and the Divine Chapter Order of DeMolay, which is open to young men.
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Cutline: (Left to right) Master Councilor Nicholas Ramsey; Past Master Councilor Christopher Coleman; Worshipful Master Jonathan Coleman; Eugene Field counselor Esther Luna; Masonic Home representative Terry Yarbrough; and Associate Worthy advisers Dakota Snow and Madison Fitzwater.