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Masons collecting toys for holiday celebration
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — For many people, holidays mean getting together, sharing food and conversation, and opening some great gifts.
For needy children in the area, the upcoming holidays will hold all of that because of some hard-working, dedicated members of Olive Branch Lodge No.16 of Free & Accepted Masons.
For the second year, the lodge, which has its headquarters on Dutch Lane Road, will host a holiday brunch for children whose families might not be able to purchase gifts. The event will be held Dec. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Last year's holiday brunch, according to lodge member Dan Xavier, who is again heading up the event, was a "huge success," bringing in more than 700 gifts for the 300 local children who attended the brunch. The event saw 500 guests in all last year.
Xavier is hoping that this year's toy drive will be just as successful.
According to Xavier, who is also a member of the Freehold Borough Board of Education, "Freemasonry is a unique institution that has been a major part of community life in America for over 250 years.
"It is America's largest and oldest fraternity, and one that continues to be an important part of many men's personal lives and growth," he said. "The fraternity of Masons is an organization of men bound together with a philosophy of moral standards, mutual understanding and brotherhood, in which all men are on an equal level. They care about the future as well as the past and do what they can, both alone and with others, to make the future good for everyone." Freehold Borough Councilman Marc Levine, also a member of the lodge, was very involved in last year's event and is again active in the effort.
"In Freemasonry, 'all men meet on the level,' " Le Vine explained. "We are all equal regardless of income, professional standing and anything else that some use to consider themselves better than others. Our toy drives are successful because everyone, without exception, stands in the same cold, wind and wet each weekend before the holidays, ringing the bells of holiday giving. We are all very happy and proud to be working together as 'brothers' toward the same goal of helping create some holiday cheer for the children of the Freehold area."
On tap again this year is a brunch supplied by lodge members and their wives that will include bagels, donuts, sandwiches, coffee and soda. Music of the holiday season will fill the air at the lodge, and classic holiday
movies will be shown on a big-screen TV, providing a festive atmosphere for all in attendance.
"It's all about the holidays," Xavier said. "It's all about giving back to the community."
And no holiday brunch would really be complete
without a visit from the jolly man in the red suit, so Santa Claus will be stopping by with gifts for the little ones.
Many local merchants are helping to make this event another success, including Especially For You Florist and Gift Shop, ShopRite supermarket, Freeman Funeral Home, Higgins Memorial Home, ShopRite Liquors, Park Avenue Grill, J&H Dinettes, Vinnie's Pizzeria, Escondido's, La Cippolina, Manhattan Bagel, The Brewer's Apprentice, Cozmo's Hair Salon, Wonderland Smoke Shop, and Joe's Barber Shop.
Xavier said local merchants have once again been very generous in helping to provide gifts.
Lodge members have been out on weekends in front of ShopRite Liquors collecting new, unwrapped toys for the drive. Wrapping paper and accessories as well as any monetary donations are always gratefully appreciated. The next scheduled donation collections will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 22, 28 and 29.
When asked how he came up with the idea of a holiday brunch, Xavier replied, "I wanted to make a difference in our community. I love Freehold Borough.
"Some people try to do things and others sit by and complain," he explained. "The world needs more 'doers.' I can't sit and not be a doer. I think people need to give back and do something to bring about a change rather than allow things to remain the status quo."
For more information on the event, call 732-431-2234.
Masons collecting toys for holiday celebration
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — For many people, holidays mean getting together, sharing food and conversation, and opening some great gifts.
For needy children in the area, the upcoming holidays will hold all of that because of some hard-working, dedicated members of Olive Branch Lodge No.16 of Free & Accepted Masons.
For the second year, the lodge, which has its headquarters on Dutch Lane Road, will host a holiday brunch for children whose families might not be able to purchase gifts. The event will be held Dec. 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Last year's holiday brunch, according to lodge member Dan Xavier, who is again heading up the event, was a "huge success," bringing in more than 700 gifts for the 300 local children who attended the brunch. The event saw 500 guests in all last year.
Xavier is hoping that this year's toy drive will be just as successful.
According to Xavier, who is also a member of the Freehold Borough Board of Education, "Freemasonry is a unique institution that has been a major part of community life in America for over 250 years.
"It is America's largest and oldest fraternity, and one that continues to be an important part of many men's personal lives and growth," he said. "The fraternity of Masons is an organization of men bound together with a philosophy of moral standards, mutual understanding and brotherhood, in which all men are on an equal level. They care about the future as well as the past and do what they can, both alone and with others, to make the future good for everyone." Freehold Borough Councilman Marc Levine, also a member of the lodge, was very involved in last year's event and is again active in the effort.
"In Freemasonry, 'all men meet on the level,' " Le Vine explained. "We are all equal regardless of income, professional standing and anything else that some use to consider themselves better than others. Our toy drives are successful because everyone, without exception, stands in the same cold, wind and wet each weekend before the holidays, ringing the bells of holiday giving. We are all very happy and proud to be working together as 'brothers' toward the same goal of helping create some holiday cheer for the children of the Freehold area."
On tap again this year is a brunch supplied by lodge members and their wives that will include bagels, donuts, sandwiches, coffee and soda. Music of the holiday season will fill the air at the lodge, and classic holiday
movies will be shown on a big-screen TV, providing a festive atmosphere for all in attendance.
"It's all about the holidays," Xavier said. "It's all about giving back to the community."
And no holiday brunch would really be complete
without a visit from the jolly man in the red suit, so Santa Claus will be stopping by with gifts for the little ones.
Many local merchants are helping to make this event another success, including Especially For You Florist and Gift Shop, ShopRite supermarket, Freeman Funeral Home, Higgins Memorial Home, ShopRite Liquors, Park Avenue Grill, J&H Dinettes, Vinnie's Pizzeria, Escondido's, La Cippolina, Manhattan Bagel, The Brewer's Apprentice, Cozmo's Hair Salon, Wonderland Smoke Shop, and Joe's Barber Shop.
Xavier said local merchants have once again been very generous in helping to provide gifts.
Lodge members have been out on weekends in front of ShopRite Liquors collecting new, unwrapped toys for the drive. Wrapping paper and accessories as well as any monetary donations are always gratefully appreciated. The next scheduled donation collections will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 22, 28 and 29.
When asked how he came up with the idea of a holiday brunch, Xavier replied, "I wanted to make a difference in our community. I love Freehold Borough.
"Some people try to do things and others sit by and complain," he explained. "The world needs more 'doers.' I can't sit and not be a doer. I think people need to give back and do something to bring about a change rather than allow things to remain the status quo."
For more information on the event, call 732-431-2234.