The Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M.

Charities

The Grand Lodge of Texas provides care for the widows and children of its deceased or troubled members through the Texas Masonic Retirement Center in Arlington and the Texas Masonic Home and School in Fort Worth.

Applications and additional information for either institution may be obtained by writing...

Superintendent

Texas Masonic Home and School

P.O. Box 15040

Fort Worth, TX 76119

(817) 531-9300 or (214) 429-6071

Admission of Widows to the Texas Masonic Retirement Center

An application must be completed and approved by the lodge of which the deceased husband was a member. The vote of the lodge may be at either a called or stated meeting. Facts not known by the widow's lodge may be certified by the lodge nearest the residence of the widow.

The Board of Directors has established the following general requirements for the admission of widows to the Texas Masonic Retirement Center through the Masonic Home and School:

Only the widow of a deceased Master Mason in good standing in a Texas lodge at the date of his death will be admitted.
If married more than once, a widow's last husband must have been a Mason.
A widow whose age and physical condition are such that she can earn a living will not be admitted.
If there is sufficient property to care for a widow, or if her children are able and willing to care for her, she will not be admitted.
Transportation to and from the Home must be provided without any expense to the Home.
Property owned by the widow must be assigned to the Texas Masonic Home and School.
Upon the death of a widow, the sponsoring lodge is responsible for assisting with funeral expense only if there is a desire to be of assistance

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD A WIDOW BE
SENT TO THE RETIREMENT CENTER
until the lodge making application has been notified by the Superintendent
that the applicant is eligible and the Retirement Center prepared to receive her.

Admission of Children or Young People to the Texas Masonic Home and School

Applications for admission of children and young people into the Texas Masonic Home and School must be made by a Texas Masonic Lodge. The vote of the lodge may be at either a called or stated meeting. Facts not known by this lodge may be certified by the lodge nearest the residence of the child. The priority for the admission of needy and qualified children shall be as follows:

All needy and qualified children and grandchildren of Master Masons in Texas shall receive first consideration for admission.
All needy and qualified great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews of Master Masons in Texas shall receive consideration for admission provided adequate space is available and their admission would not be cause to deny the admission of needy and qualified children and grandchildren of Master Masons in Texas.
Any needy and qualified child who is a resident of the State of Texas and who is recommended by at least five (5) members of a Texas Lodge, whose application is investigated by a Committee of five (5) members of the recommending Lodge, no one of such investigators shall be a recommended; and approved by a majority of the members present at a Stated Meeting of the recommending Lodge, provided that adequate space is available and such admission would not be cause to deny the admission of a child, grandchild, great-grandchild, step-child, niece of nephew of a Master Mason in Texas. (See Article 157, revised 1989.)

Legally adopted children and young people are given the same admission consideration as those who have a natural relationship. A step relationship will not be given the same consideration.
Children or young people who are at least five years of age and not more than twelve years of age may be considered for admission to the Home and School upon proper application to the superintendent. Those who are less than five years of age or past twelve years of age may be considered for admission only upon approval of the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the superintendent.
The function of the Home and School is to rear and educate normal children and young people. Children who have serious physical, emotional or learning difficulties, or who are morally delinquent, are not eligible for admission.
The Home and School does not enroll children or young people for pay or on a temporary basis. However, Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits and all other forms of child support and funds that are the entitlement of students shall be assigned to the Texas Masonic Home and School and placed in the General Fund toward the support and maintenance of students.
After an application has been voted on and approved by the sponsoring lodge and received by the superintendent, a visit to the campus and a conference is scheduled. Usually students may come for the visit prepared to stay so that, if everything is in order, admission can follow immediately.

Further questions should be directed to:

Superintendent

Texas Masonic Home and School

P.O. Box 15040

Fort Worth, TX 76119

(817) 531-9300 or (214) 429-6071

The Appendant Bodies

The charity and service activities of the appendant bodies of Masonry are the direct application of that Masonic purpose, "to cultivate the exercise of charity in its best and broadest sense and generally . . . to promote the happiness of mankind." You can be furnished with literature from each appendant order describing its particular charity or service.

For information, it is suggested that you write to the address listed:

Eastern Star

The Eastern Star Home

Grand Secretary

O.E.S. Office Building

1111 E. Division

Arlington, Texas 76011

Scottish Rite

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital

2222 Welborn Street

Dallas, Texas 75219

(214) 559-7605

Scottish Rite Dormitory

210 W. 27th Street

Austin, Texas 78705

(512) 476-9131

The Scottish Rite Educational & Fellowship Program of Texas

P.O. Box 3080

Waco, Texas 76707

(817) 754-3942

The Lee Lockwood Texas Scottish Rite Library and Museum

2801 W. Waco Drive (P.O. Box 3080, 76707)

Waco, Texas 76710

Shrine

Hospitals for Children and Burns Institutes: Contact the Recorder of any Shrine Temple or through the Shrine Club

York Rite

Texas Masonic Retirement Center

1501 West Division

Arlington, Texas 76012
www.texasmasonicretirementcenter.org

The Knights Templar Eye Foundation

P.O. Box 296

Waco, Texas 76703

Knights Templar Education Foundation Masonic Temple

P.O. Box 1320

Fort Worth, Texas 76101

Grotto

Mystic Order Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm

6161 Busch Blvd., Suite 201

Columbus, Ohio 43229

Donations and Bequests

Texas Masons are justly proud of the many charitable organizations which are operated by members of the Masonic family in our state. All of them are made possible through the generosity of Masons and non-Masons who believe in what we are trying to accomplish.

For your information, there are a number of methods which can be utilized to achieve the purpose of the gift. Some of these are: A Will; Outright Gifts; A Living Trust; A Term Trust or Life Insurance.

If you wish to become a donor to any of our charities the official names are as follows:

Masonic Home and School of Texas P.O. Box 15040 Fort Worth, Texas 76119

Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas

Texas Masonic Retirement Center

1501 West Division Street

Arlington, Texas 76012

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital

2222 Welborn Street

Dallas, Texas 75219

The Scottish Rite Foundation of Texas

P.O. Box 3080

Waco, Texas 76707

The Scottish Rite Educational & Fellowship Program of Texas

P.O. Box 3080

Waco, Texas 76707

The Scottish Rite Education Association of Texas

210 West 27th Street

Austin, Texas 78705

Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 579

Springfield, Illinois 62705

Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, A Corporation

P.O. Box 25356

Tampa, Florida 33607

(A specific hospital may be designated)

Mystic Order Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm

6161 Busch Blvd., Suite 201

Columbus, Ohio 43229

Sam Houston Hall of Fame

(Grand Lodge Library and Museum)

P.O. Box 446

Waco, Texas 76703