“A Night at the Heritage Center: Gala Highlights and a New Dream”

 “Honoring 105 Years of Care and Unveiling a Vision for the Future”

On September 27th, the Masonic Heritage Center in Bloomington, MN welcomed guests to the 20th Annual Minnesota Masonic Charities Gala. A celebration not only of two decades of giving, but of a legacy 105 years in the making.

This year’s Gala focused on raising critical funds for the Minnesota Masonic Home, a place where compassion and dignity have guided care for generations. For over a century, the Home has been a sanctuary for residents and families, offering trusted care when comfort and connection matter most. 

But this year, the evening carried something more: a dream.

CEO John Schwitz shared a bold new vision, to build a dedicated space on campus where Brothers of the Craft and Sisters of the Eastern Star could live together in their twilight years, surrounded by fellowship and exceptional care. It’s a vision rooted in tradition, but reaching toward the future: a Masonic community where shared values become shared lives.

To explore this possibility, the Second Century Committee has been formed. Their charge? To seek out the best path forward, honoring the past while building something enduring for those yet to come.

The Gala was more than a fundraiser. It was a moment of renewal, a reminder that charity, like light, grows brighter when shared. And that the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood don’t fade with time; they deepen.

Here’s to the next century of care, connection, and community.