Through Collection Of Coats, Freemasons Support Scouting

Hiram Lodge, No. 18 in Sandy Hook recently sponsored Cub Scout Pack 470 in its Warm Coat program in recognition of the Boy Scouts of America’s 100 Years of Scouting Anniversary.

On February 8, 1919, the Boy Scouts of America was founded in America by William D. Boyce along with other outstanding civic leaders. Since that date, Scouting in the United States has flourished as one of the finest youth organizations in the world. Scouting and Freemasonry share common values, as many of Scouting’s founding fathers were Freemasons, including Mr Boyce.

Across the nation this year, Scouting units are celebrating their 100th anniversary by promoting local community service projects. Pack 470, with its usual initiative, was one of the first Scout units in the nation to initiate its Warm Coat program, which recently collected and donated more than 200 winter coats to the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. In support to Pack 470, Hiram Lodge collected an additional 85 coats and donated them to the Salvation Army located in Danbury.

Hiram Lodge, No. 18 also received help from Star Scout Michael Ballwig of Troop 9 in Danbury, who designed, constructed, and painted two huge cardboard boxes that collected the donations of winter coats for men, women, and children. Brother Al Ballwig, an officer of Hiram Lodge, served as the chief coordinator of the donations.

Masons and Connecticut Yankee Council also express their appreciation to Dr Antonia Fotinopoulos, Pack 470’s committee chair, whose leadership initiated the this worthwhile community service project that contributed to the services of the Bridgeport Rescue Mission and to the Salvation Army in Danbury.

Community supporters also included Women Involved in Newtown (WIN), Head O’Meadow School, Newtown Middle School, and Reed Intermediate School.