Jack A. Hendee, 32°
1180 N. Main Street, Apt. 101A–164, Bishop, California 93514–2472
capjacks@schat.com

When each of us contributes a little, much can be accomplished.

"Grandpa, Mom and Dad said I could stay with you and Grandma tonight because they will be late getting out of the Lodge, but that I had to bring my homework."

"That's good Billy, you get right at it. When you finish, you and I can go out to Grandpa's workshop, and maybe we'll build a bird house."

"Well, Gramps, here's my problem. The teacher gave us all a new and different word to study and report on, but I've never heard of the word given to me, and I can't even say it."

"My, my, what is this word that's so mysterious?"

"Here, look at it," said Billy.

"Oh, I see. The word is philanthropy. Even good speakers have stumbled over that one. Let's break it down: fi-lan'-thre-pi. Not too bad if you say it that way, is it?"

"Gotcha, Gramps, but what does it mean?"

"Well, it means you are a person interested in the well-being of others. If you were rich, you would donate lots of money. We sure aren't rich folks, but we can donate something and, best of all, our time helping others who maybe can't help themselves."

"How do you donate your time, Gramps?"

"Well, Billy, do you remember a couple of weeks ago when your Dad and I and some of the boys from our Lodge built a wheelchair ramp for Mrs. Stevens? That was a philanthropic project. We all pitched in to help, and it really cost us nothing but time, and now that lady doesn't need to be carried in and out of her home. She is delighted, and we all felt real good in helping her. That is the true spirit of philanthropy. It merely means helping others in any way you can.

"Also, when we go to church, we always put something in the collection plate. It may be a little or a lot, but the church, being a philanthropy, sees that the donations are put to good use. When your Mom and Dad got you a new bike, you gave your old one to your pal Mel, didn't you? Why, that was a great philanthropic act. You acted out of kindness for another.

"In our Masonic organizations, when all the members donate a small amount, we become the biggest philanthropy in the world, so we do good across America and worldwide with practically no effort at all. It's so easy and very satisfying to know that any and all of us can do so much by acting together."

"Gee, Grandpa, what a big word for such a small effort. I think I'll write my homework paper and say that if a lot of people pitch in to do good, then philanthropy is easy, and there is a lot of good pride in doing it."

"Billy, you are growing up just fine if you always remember that thought and can pass it on to others. And, when you finish that paper, I'll bet Grandma has some pie and ice cream for us. That will be her philanthropic way of making us happy."

Hmmmm—Grandpa mused. Philanthropy does indeed begin at home, and it spreads its good out from there.

Jack A. Hendee is an Iowan by birth and a Californian since 1952. He was raised a Master Mason in Lorenzo Lodge No. 709 (now merged with Acacia Lodge No. 243), Hayward, Calif., in 1959 and is a member of the York Rite, Scottish Rite, and Al Bahr Shrine, all in San Diego. He retired from a career in marketing, sales, and distribution. A former member of Boys and Girls Mental Health Society, he now pursues several hobbies: writing, fishing, ham radio, photography, and boating where he holds a U.S.C.G. Master's License. He is much too busy in all Masonic Bodies but looking for more to do.