My comment regarding charity was directed at the BL. Every appendant body has a charity, but what would happen if the BL was able to boast the numbers that the Shrine does? Each jurisdiction has it's own charity, but if the collective of jurisdictions found a common one to also participate in, that might really say something for BL Masonry.
The reason the Shrine does so well is that it is nation wide in it's collection of funds for it's charities. Every jurisdiction participates. Change that dynamic to the BL, and we might have something... Just thinking out loud here... :1-wink:
I understand. I see it a lot more difficult for each Blue Lodge to get those numbers up there. If each BL did something local, it would also boost perception of us in the community.
But I honestly do not see it happening on a BL level. Typically in a BL there is not enough interest in it from membership. Not to mention the Shrine gets a lot of its donations also from wills, trusts and endowments. If you ever take a tour of our hospital here in Tampa, we have a wall with names of people who have donated well over 6 figures too. The person who gave me my tour told me he had a bet running with someone on who could get the largest donation. Well he was giving a tour one time to a widow. When he showed her the wall, she asked why her and her husbands name was not on there. They found out the donation was set upon both of their passing away. While there she called up her lawyer to get the money released the next day. I forget the exact figure, but it was in the 7 figures. How often do you hear someone donation 7 figures for the BL to use?
The Shrine has the publicity. Many in the BL do not seem to want anything to do with that.
It would be great if the BL would do more. I've often suggested car washes, haunted house, pumpkin carving, or other things to raise money for charity through my BL. My answer over all the years is that it would not be successful as the GL does not allow us to advertise anything like that or some other excuse. I still try to bring something up, talk to other members and try and get them to bring it up. But how long will the average person try? I've been trying since 2007. Heck, people avoided me last year at this time and all I wanted them to do is sign a card for widows.