A Lifetime in Service
Worshipful Brother Gary Bay, a member of Fraternal Lodge No. 363, has dedicated the past 45 years to his Lodge and the people it serves, building a legacy rooted in care for others.
Inspired by his father, who was a Mason, and encouraged by a friend to petition, Gary joined the Fraternity and quickly found a lifelong connection to service.
Over the years, he has worn many hats within the Lodge. Today, he serves as Treasurer, a role he has held for most of his time in Masonry. Also, he acts as the Lodge’s Masonic Home Representative, being the bridge between their Lodge and the Masonic Home.
Supporting Children Through CAP
For nearly two decades, Fraternal Lodge has been an active participant in the Masonic Home’s Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program, focusing their efforts on supporting local schools and children in need. Their commitment is rooted in a clear understanding of the challenges families face in rural communities.
“We just see the needs in the community,” Gary said. “Rural areas that we live in, there are just a lot of families that are having a rough time making ends meet, the parents are not reliable, so you try to make up for those absences.”
This awareness has driven the Lodge’s long-standing fundraising efforts. For many years, the Lodge has hosted monthly breakfasts and dinners to build a savings account dedicated to charitable giving. Those funds were set aside intentionally, ready to be used for CAP projects, Partnering To Honor (PTH) efforts, or other benevolent initiatives as needs arose.
Through these efforts, the Lodge has supported programs such as the Buddy Backpack Program, which provides food for students over the weekend, the Book Buddy Program that sends books home with students, and essential school supplies, including clothing, shoes, and hygiene items.
Gary Bay, Treasurer and Masonic Home Rep for Fraternal Lodge No. 363, presents Patrick Clark, Backpack Program Coordinator for Gray Summit Methodist Church, with a $3,000 check to serve Robertsville and Franklin County schools.
Responding to Local Needs
Brother Gary emphasized the importance of continuing the strong relationships earlier Lodge officers had built with local schools. Fraternal Lodge works closely with school counselors to better understand and respond to the most pressing needs facing students.
Recently, the Lodge donated $500 through a CAP application to the Meramec Valley R-III School District. With the Masonic Home’s match, the total contribution grew to $1,500 — providing clothing, shoes, and hygiene items to support approximately 200 students.
“It’s just a way that Lodges should be progressing with benevolent giving,” Gary said. “You’re pretty fortunate when you can put food on the table, and you have grandkids, you take care of and so forth and so on, but there are a lot of families that can’t, so we just feel responsible for helping the community.”
In addition to CAP, Brother Gary shared that the Lodge has previously participated in the Masonic Home’s PTH Program, helping send veterans on Honor Flights. In recent years, however, the Lodge has intentionally focused more of its energy on helping children and families within their immediate community.
Fraternal Lodge No. 363 also remains attentive to needs beyond what the Masonic Home can assist with. For several years, members have participated in “Adopt A Family,” working with a local group connected to the school district. Lodge members shop together for clothing and toys and provide gift certificates, including local cinema passes, allowing families to enjoy time together during the holidays.
Gary presents a CAP check of $1,500 to Taylor Kolley (left) and Shana Raeker (right), Robertsville School Counselors. The funds will go towards shoes, clothes, and hygiene items for Robertsville and Nike Schools in the Meramec Valley RIII School District
A Simple and Rewarding Process
WB Gary describes the Creating-A-Partnership Program as an accessible and meaningful way for Lodges to give back.
The program’s matching component has been especially impactful for smaller Lodges navigating changes in membership and capacity.
“That makes the cost to the Lodge better, especially in our case, where our funds are going to dry up over the next three or four years,” Brother Gary said, noting the challenges that come with aging membership, declining numbers, and health concerns.
Still, he encourages Lodges and Chapters to give when they are able.
“It is very rewarding,” Gary said. “In my opinion, it makes you sleep at night.”
The Impact of Service
For Gary and the members of Fraternal Lodge No. 363, the heart of CAP lies in the difference it makes for children and families.
“You feel like you’ve accomplished something,” Gary said. “You help the community and help these kids, because hopefully they’ll remember that.”
Reflecting on the Lodge’s long-standing partnership with the Masonic Home, Gary says, “It’s part of what Masonry is all about — Brotherly Love, Relief, and Charity.”
