Masons donate $15,000 to Victoria's Quilts

Here is a wonderful story by my colleague Jenn McBride:

On Saturday, Dec. 13, members of the Masonic Foundation of Ontario honoured the efforts of Heather Fraser, president of the Peterborough Chapter of Victoria's Quilts, with a $15,000 donation.

"The recognized charity of Victoria's Quilts Canada truly makes a difference to its recipients, those fighting cancer," says M.W. Bro. Allan J. Petriso, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario.

Freemasonry is the oldest fraternity in the world, offering charitable assistance to worthy foundations for more than 300 years.

"Charity is the strongest virtue masons practice," Mr. Petrisor says.

Ms Fraser was truly overwhelmed with the donation.

"We are a group of women that depend totally on donations," she says. "For us to get this means I don't have to worry."

R.W. Bro. Robert Collins McBride discovered the quilt program during a trip to the Palliative Care Unit at the Peterborough hospital to visit Keith Packman, a member of Keene Lodge No. 374. Mr. Packman proudly showed him the quilt and told him about the importance of receiving such a gift.

When Mr. McBride, Peterborough District Deputy Grand Master 2007-08, met another friend who also had been touched by Victoria's Quilts, he knew he had found a charity that truly made a difference in the lives of community members.

Mr. McBride and W. Bro. Rob Herrington, District Masonic Foundation Chairman 2007-08, agreed to make Victoria's Quilts - Comforting People with Cancer their charity of choice and encouraged other foundation members to join in on the support for such a great cause. The money was gathered from many fundraising celebrations with a target of $15,000.

Over the past two and a half years, Ms Fraser and more than 100 volunteers have made and delivered 820 free quilts to those battling cancer in the Peterborough area. A common side-effect of chemotherapy is constantly feeling cold, so these quilts comfort patients and warm them.

"The quilts are to show people that when they are lonely, there are people thinking and helping them," Ms Fraser says.

The Masons' generous donation will supply the non-profit organization of Victoria's Quilts with a new quilting machine and numerous bolts of fabric.

"We'll make many more quilts," an emotional Ms Fraser says.

Anyone can request a quilt for a Peterborough-area person undergoing cancer treatment by calling 875-5596