For Henderson Lodge No. 477, supporting the community, especially its students, has long been central to the Lodge’s mission. Through partnerships with local schools and the Masonic Home of Missouri through the Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program, the Lodge continues to support opportunities that help students thrive.
That commitment is carried forward by Lodge Brothers, such as Worshipful Brother Chad Porter, a 20-year Mason, whose involvement reflects both a family legacy and a deep dedication to community service.
Encouraged by memories of his late grandfather, who was a Mason and Shriner, Chad joined Henderson Lodge after learning more about the Fraternity. After being raised to Master Mason, Brother Chad’s grandmother gifted him his grandfather’s Masonic Ring, representing a Brother’s commitment to the Fraternity. Later, when Chad joined the Shriners, she also passed along his grandfather’s Fez – the organization’s signature red hat.
Supporting Students Through CAP
For more than a decade, Henderson Lodge has partnered with Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District to support students through its Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Through CAP, the Lodge has contributed more than $15,000 to provide shoes for students in need.
This past year, Henderson Lodge expanded its school support in a new direction.
Inspired by the efforts of Ash Grove Lodge No. 100 in supporting their local school’s music program, Brother Chad began conversations about how Henderson Lodge could help the Logan-Rogersville High School music program.
“My daughters are both active in the music program, so I thought that’d be a neat idea,” Chad said.
Pictured is the Logan-Rogersville High School Marching Band after winning Grand Champion at a marching band competition hosted by the University of Missouri – Warrensburg.
After meeting with the school’s band director, the Lodge learned that the program hoped to add additional sousaphones – large brass instruments essential to marching band performances, but often difficult to come by.
“School sports get a lot of funding, where the band programs are kind of on the back burner,” Brother Chad said. It was a good opportunity to help the band program out with some of this.”
Pictured is the Logan-Rogersville High School Marching Band during a performance. The large brass instruments at the back are sousaphones.
Rallying Community Support
Henderson Lodge raised funds to support their initiative through raffles that benefit their charity fund. In the future, the Lodge hopes to expand their fundraising efforts to include a community car show.
By selling raffle tickets beyond the Lodge and promoting these events on Facebook, the Lodge increased awareness of both the fundraiser and the Lodge’s broader mission. Their involvement with the Rogersville Chamber of Commerce further strengthens their community connections.
“Getting these organizations involved gets the whole community interacting,” Chad said.
In the future, the Lodge’s goal is to interact even more with the community, getting more people interested in what they do and growing their membership.
As part of their ongoing partnership with the Masonic Home through CAP, the Lodge shared their idea with Tisha Woodard, Partnership Programs Coordinator. Once their CAP application was approved, the Lodge was able to utilize CAP’s matching funds – turning their $2,200 contribution into $6,600, and allowing the school to purchase at least one, and possibly two, sousaphones for the music program.
Pictured from left to right are the Logan-Rogersville High School band director, WB Chad Porter of Henderson Lodge No. 477, a student drum major, and a representative of Logan-Rogersville High School during a check presentation supporting the school’s band program.
For Brother Chad and his Lodge, the most rewarding part of supporting the school through this new initiative is seeing the impact on students in the music program.
“They’re very talented at what they do,” Chad said. “Helping out our local school district is helping them get those instruments.”
Giving Back
Henderson Lodge encourages other Lodges and Chapters to look for opportunities in their own communities, raise funds, and partner with the Masonic Home through Creating-A-Partnership to amplify their impact.
“We’re a charitable organization,” Chad said. “We’re here to help.”
By identifying a need and working together with the Masonic Home, Lodges and Chapters can make a lasting difference in the lives of children in their communities.
