By Ben Cox
Photos/Ben Cox
Jacksonville’s Harmony Masonic Lodge No. 3 is one of the oldest Freemason lodges in Illinois, which played a pivotal role when the current Grand Lodge of Illinois was chartered in downtown Jacksonville in 1860.
The fraternity’s core values of brotherly love, relief and truth are a part of all of their charitable efforts. Each year, minus the years of the pandemic, the local lodge has held a spaghetti dinner to not only feed the community but also to raise money for its charitable efforts in the area.
Harmony Masonic Lodge No. 3 Worshipful Master Jeremy Coumbes says that the turnout from the community was great, “We served approximately 250 meals both dine-in and carryout.” The suggested donation per meal was $10. Attendees received spaghetti, garlic bread, desserts, and water or tea. While the lodge has been growing in number in recent months, members’ wives were also volunteers for the meal. The sit down portion of the meal was held in the basement of the Masonic Center at 345 West College Ave. in Jacksonville.
A portion of the proceeds will go toward a part of the lodge’s larger fundraising efforts in support of local charities, such as the Children’s Dyslexia Center in Springfield, the Jacksonville Area Community Food Center, Midwest Youth Services, Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation and more.
A portion of the proceeds will also go toward their own scholarships. Harmony Masonic Lodge No. 3 offers the Newton Bateman Scholarship. This scholarship provides a one-time $500 scholarship to graduating seniors from Jacksonville High School, Routt Catholic High School or Westfair Christian Academy who plan to pursue a degree in science, math or technology at any four-year accredited college or university.
“After some lower turnouts since the pandemic, it was great to see a large crowd come through the line in support this year” said Coumbes. “It was great to see all the new faces both in new members and new attendees at this year’s event.”
