Saving our Youth – The Masonic Model

Grand Master Jess Raines and First Lady Kelly made MMSAP, the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program, their preferred Masonic Charity for the year, and the Brethren and our Lodges responded with many generous gifts. In every District in Ohio the Masons stepped forward with contributions. Also in every District in Ohio, the local chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Riders Association presented a check to First Lady Kelly Raines. This generosity was greatly appreciated, and in the coming years these gifts will be put to good use in schools across Ohio. All monetary gifts for MMSAP are placed in a designated fund in the Grand Lodge Charitable Foundation.

Grand Master Raines and Kelly made MMSAP their charity of choice after tragedy hit close to home – a neighboring student, who was a close acquaintance of their sons, committed suicide. They realized that they, like all good people, had to do something to help children in need and to make their schools and communities safer places to live.

The Masonic Model is a program originated by the National Masonic Foundation for Children. It was first introduced to Ohio by MWB C. Michael Watson when he was Grand Master. Since that time, the Masons of Ohio have financially supported every MMSAP workshop and seminar in Ohio.

MMSAP provides schools with professional training that can be directed at faculty, staff, or students in our schools, and it deals with today’s hardest issues: youth suicide, drugs, broken homes, bullying, domestic violence, gangs, and the like. The costs of the program run into the thousands of dollars for a single event with that cost borne entirely by the MMSAP Fund in the Grand Lodge Charitable Foundation. At each district reception the Grand Master would encourage those present to tell their local school officials about the availability of this program.

The Grand Master and Kelly have attended MMSAP training sessions during the year, and watched as their own son participated in a Unity Day seminar. Every student in the class participated in a series of exercises that helped them deal with the social problems faced daily in school and create a stronger culture of mutual support and caring and unity. Kelly wrote:

“Having had the opportunity to observe the various MMSAP trainings I know firsthand Ohio Masons are making a difference. I have never been more proud of the Masons and the work they do then when I observed Unity Day and saw the impact the program had on the students. If you had witnessed what I did that day, you would want every student to take part in Unity Day.”

The Grand Master and Kelly thank the Masons of Ohio for their support of MMSAP and urge them to continue to support this program in the future. By doing so, you will help save lives. What more can you do? Send your financial gifts to the Grand Lodge Charitable Foundation, tell your friends and neighbors about it, and ask your local schools to contact the Grand Lodge for more information.