Minnesota Masonic Charities 17th Annual Gala

Photo by Tom Hendrickson

On September 24, 2022, the Minnesota Masonic Charities held its 17^th Annual Gala in the historic Dan Patch Hall at the Minnesota Masonic Home.

The Dan Patch Hall was lavishly decorated which created a very welcoming atmosphere for the sellout crowd of 180 guests.

This year’s theme was “Boundless Realms”. This come from the Masonic Ritual in which the first three rungs of Jacobs Ladder are Faith, Hope and Charity. The greatest of these is Charity, for Charity extends beyond the grave, through the boundless realms of eternity.

After dinner, which tasted as good as it looks, the CEO of Minnesota Masonic Charities and Past Grand Master Eric Neetenbeck, presented a wonderful and inspiring video highlighting MMC’s recipients, both past and present, and its philanthropic good works.

Following the video Eric introduced the musical entertainment for the evening. An Ad Hoc musical trio the “Music Memories” featuring our very own legendary Don Severson as the drummer.

Photo by Tom Hendrickson

Don is the 1978 Past Grand Master of Minnesota Masons and he is our oldest living past Grandmaster.

At the end of the evening Eric made his closing remarks that I found touching. That Minnesota Masonic Charities has given well over one hundred million dollars over the past ten years. There are other organizations that give more, but our giving makes an immeasurable impact on the citizens and communities of Minnesota in so many ways.

Minnesota Masonic Charities has and continues to see a need to do more and stands ready to fill that need.

All who gathered celebrated charities mission of charity being the greater service to mankind.