Peter Howell Elementary School:

In full support of the Public School, System Epes Randolph Lodge No. 32 has "adopted" the Peter Howell Elementary School. In this role the Lodge provides mentors to assist the students requiring additional remedial reading skills. Peter Howell was a prominent Mason in our community and served as the first Master of Epes Randolph Lodge No. 32 in the year 1922. In this regards the Lodge provides the following:

Mentors/coaches for individual students to assists them in reading, mathematics and writing.
Setting up, and operating a booth, in the annual school carnival.
Attending the school's volunteer breakfast. 
Providing financial assistance for the students to attend special programs such as the opera, etc.
Providing the American flag in each class room and two large flags for the office and assembly hall(s).
Providing "teacher's grants" on an as needed basis
Providing the Arizona flag for their assembly hall
Assisting students in completing essay contests

Bikes for Books Program:

This program is a subsidiary support program for the Peter Howell Elementary School. The "Bikes for Books" program encourages students to increase their reading skills. Bicycles are awarded to outstanding students who have excelled in this area. Appropriate size bicycles, for both girls and boys, in various grades, are presented at no cost to the school by the Lodge.

Arizona Tax Credit Donations:

Each individual (or family) may contribute upwards of $250 of any tax due the Arizona State Department of Revenue to a recognized tax deductible organization such as Peter Howell Elementary School. Example: If you owe $300 in state taxes you may deduct $250 dollars and donate that sum to the Peter Howell School (or any other recognized non-profit organization) and then you would owe the state only $50.00 dollars.

Grand Lodge Public School Contests:

The Grand Lodge encourages its lodges to participate in several programs in support of the public schools. There are three areas involved:

(1) Essay Contest: Topics are provided each year and each student is afforded the opportunity to submit an essay. The grades are broken down into three categories. The essays are judged and cash awards are provided for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each class group on the Southern Arizona level. Winners in each category are forwarded for consideration in the State-wide contest where additional awards and recognition are provided.

(3) Classroom Grant: This program is designed to supplement funds for a teacher's special goal for her or his current class. The grants range from $50 to several hundred dollars.

Grand Lodge Scholarship Program:

The Grand Lodge offers scholarships to the son, daughter, grandson or granddaughter of an Arizona Master Mason, or be an Arizona member (or an Arizona senior/majority member) of DeMolay, Rainbow for Girls or Job's Daughters. The applicant must use the scholarship monies to attend a tax-supported Arizona institution of higher learning as a full-time student in an undergraduate program carrying and completing a minimum of 12 semester hours. Applications may be obtained from the Lodge Secretary but must be completed and turned in no later than February 15th.

Masonic Charities of Arizona:

The Masonic Charities of Arizona is a recognized non-profit organization (501c (3) which gives grants to other deserving public organizations. Epes Randolph Lodge makes an "automatic" contribution in the memory of our deceased brothers.

Arizona Masonic Student Assistance Program:

More commonly referred to as the "Children at Risk" program of the Arizona Masonic Foundation for Children we sponsor one or more teachers, or staff, of a public school to attend a specialized program at no cost to the school, other than for obtaining substitute teachers. Typically, a team of four (4) teachers/staff are sent as a "team" and they function as a team upon their return to their respective school. The cost for sending one "team" is $1,200 and these funds are generally raised on a volunteer basis by the members of the Lodge.

Thanksgiving Food Baskets:

Each year the Lodge contributes numerous food baskets providing full meals for less fortunate families, particularly those with children, for the Thanksgiving holiday period. Generally, recommendations come from the staff of the Peter Howell Elementary School;  however, others are considered.

Christmas Food and Toy Baskets:

Each year the Lodge provides a food basket accompanied by gifts for a needy family at Christmas time. The gifts for the children are age appropriate. Generally, the recommendation comes from the staff of the Peter Howell Elementary School; however, others may be considered.

DeMolay:

The Lodge sponsors the DeMolay Chapter of the Arizona DeMolay. We support them in providing grants to send DeMolays to the International DeMolay Leadership Training Conference. The members who attend reports back to the Lodge as to their accomplishments. In addition, the DeMolay customarily provide a program each year for the Lodge members to include the ladies.
 
Youth Organizations:

The Lodge annually supports all the youth organizations, DeMolay (see above) and the Rainbow for Girls and Job's Daughters. We contribute annually to their various programs by placing an ad in their booklet. In addition, we have one Bethel (Job/s Daughters) assist us with our Stated meetings for which we pay them. In addition to this, we always respond to special requests for assistance, i.e., assisting a girl to attend the national meeting of their respective organization.

KUATV:

At least once a year, and more often when scheduled, we volunteer to answer the telephones during their semi-annual fund raising efforts. KUATV is a public broadcasting system and depends upon contributions for much of their funding.

CHIP's (Children Identification Program):

This program was implemented in 2008 and provides free of charge services to parents and legal guardians who desire to participate in the program. This program is offered through the Grand Lodge and to local lodges. (See section on CHIP's)

Play Ball:

We provide volunteers during February and March of each year at the local Baseball Park operating a concession stand.

Public Installations:

Each of our installations are open to he public. At each installation we announce and present the following awards:

Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Firefighter of the Year
Educator of the Year
Mason of the Year

Selection and awarding a Law Enforcement Officer, Fireman of the Year and/or an Educator of the Year is selected by the various departments. Presentation and announcement are customarily presented at the annual installation of officers.

Updated last: April 25, 2010