The First Annual Minnesota Masonic Charities Pillars Society Brunch

 

On October 27, 2024, Minnesota Masonic Charites held its first annual Pillars Society Brunch in the Dan Patch Hall at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center in Bloomington, Minnesota.

The Pillars Society is a community of generous and dedicated donors who believe in and are committed to the mission of Minnesota Masonic Charities.

The Pillars Society was created in 2006 as a special distinction reserved for supporters who have given $1,000 or more thru cash donations, estate planning or deferred giving.

There are five levels of membership in the giving in outright gifts, planned gifts or bequests which range from Craftsman with a gift of $1000 to Platinum with a gift of $500,000. Other levels are Bronze with at gift of $25,000, Silver a gift of $100,000 and Gold with a gift of $250,000.

Being a member of the Pillars Society, I have a sense of fulfillment knowing that my contributions will help to ensure the future of the charitable work of Minnesota Masonic Charities.

Below is a sample of the partnerships, endeavors, and research that the Minnesota Masonic charities support.

The Minnesota Masonic Home - Established in 1918 the 194-bed facility is on an 80-acre campus situated on the bluffs of the Minnesota river in Bloomington, Minnesota. The award-winning home is a resident-centered facility that provides short term rehabilitation and long-term care.

The Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota.

The M Health Fairview-Masonic Children’s Hospital.

The Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain.

The Minnesota Masonic Children’s Clinic for Communication Disorders.

The Minnesota Masonic Scholarship Program -to date the MMS has given $13 million in scholarships to Minnesota graduating high school students. Future projections are for $1 million to be given away soon with the emphasis on those seeking studies in Nursing, Agriculture, Law Enforcement and Education.

Mission Grants – these are grants given to establish organizations who are working on critical issues and provide valuable services in our Minnesota Communities. Here is just a small sampling of some of those organizations:

The Crescent Cove Respite and Hospice Home – they provide extended care and support to children and young adults that face a shortened life expectancy.

The MAV-V and Eagles Healing Nest – these are organizations which are dedicated to addressing the needs of our Minnesota Veterans.

Matching Grants for Minnesota Masonic Lodges and Order of the Eastern Start Chapters - This program is an opportunity for Lodges and Order of Eastern Star Chapters who are fundraising for a charity event in their community to double their fundraising dollars. Grants are provided up to $10,000 per grant with a limit of $25,000 per masonic organization in a calendar year.

After enjoying a delightful brunch, the attendees were treated to an engaging murder mystery play titled: “Murder at the Dan Patch Racetrack.”

The murder mystery play was a fun adventure. It combined corny humor with suspenseful storytelling, and active audience participation to determine who the identity of the murderer.

As amateur detectives we interacted with the quirky characters, gathering clues, and following twisted plots lines, as the whodunit played out before us.

The play was written and directed by professional Paul Warshauer specifically for the brunch attendees.

The cast of characters included members of Minnesota Masonic Charities and the Grand Lodge.

I can say it was a delightful experience full of laughter and charm watching my fellow masons entertain the attendees and “act” their parts and hats off to all for an outstanding performance with little advance preparation.

The Murder at the Dan Patch Stables was an enjoyable experience, and I hope there is another murder mystery next year.

John Schwietz, CEO of Minnesota Masonic Charities, did divulge a new upcoming giving initiative by the Minnesota Masonic Charities to serve the community. I am unable to disclose any details yet but stay tuned as an announcement will be made soon and I will be writing about that in another post. 

 

 

 

The Cast and the table of participants who deduced the Case