For nearly twenty years, Right Worshipful Brother Ken O’Dell has seen Richland Lodge No. 385 live out Masonic values through hands-on service in the community. In his role as Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer, he has witnessed how the Lodge’s collective efforts have helped address real needs for children and families in their community.
Those efforts have been supported through a long-standing relationship with the Masonic Home of Missouri. For more than a decade, Richland Lodge No. 385 has participated in the Masonic Home’s Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program.
Recognizing an Opportunity to Help
Richland Lodge recently partnered with Live 2 Give Hope through the Masonic Home’s CAP Program. The opportunity grew out of a conversation Brother Ken had with a fellow Lodge Brother – a supporter of the organization who recently donated funds to help a family in need of car seats.
As Brother Ken learned more about Live 2 Give Hope and its programs, it became clear that the Lodge and the Masonic Home could work together to make a meaningful difference in the lives they serve.
Live 2 Give Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Laclede County, Missouri, dedicated to empowering individuals and families by meeting immediate needs while building pathways toward a stronger future. With a particular focus on those involved in the child welfare system, the organization offers hope through connection, dignity, and practical support.
To determine how the Lodge could provide support, Ken contacted the Masonic Home’s Partnership Program Coordinator to see whether Live 2 Give Hope qualified for the CAP Program. Once eligibility was confirmed, the next steps were clear.
“We jumped on that real quick because it’s kind of heartbreaking,” Brother Ken said. “To see the kids that come in and the smiles that place puts on those kids’ faces and the difference they make in our community for children.”
Richland Lodge No. 385 presented a CAP check of $3,000.00 to Live 2 Give Hope to help purchase essential items for children.
Amplifying the Impact
The Lodge hosts an annual charity golf tournament to raise funds for their charitable efforts. It is a nine-hole golf tournament and 14-teams play to give back. According to Brother Ken, this is their sole fundraiser for the year.
Players gathered together at Richland Lodge’s annual charity golf tournament on August 2, 2025.
Richland Lodge No. 385 contributed $1,000 to Live 2 Give Hope, which the Masonic Home matched 2:1 through CAP — totaling $3,000. The funds will support a program Live 2 Give Hope offers: The Fostering Hope Closet.
“We are deeply grateful to the Masonic Home for their generous $3,000 donation in support of the Fostering Hope Closet,” Laura Gartin, Live 2 Give Hope’s Program Director said.
The Fostering Hope Closet is a free, one-stop resource for foster, kinship, guardianship, and adoptive families in Laclede and surrounding counties, offering access to clothing, beds, hygiene items, towels, and other essential items.
“This gift provides practical help and meaningful encouragement to foster and kinship families, giving caregivers a much-needed break while ensuring children have access to essential items and a sense of dignity,” Laura said. “Partnerships like this strengthen families and make a lasting impact in our community.”
A Broader Commitment to Community
For Richland Lodge, this partnership with Live 2 Give Hope, reflects a broader commitment to service. For several years, the Lodge has supported local schools, like Swedeborg R-III, Richland R-4, and Laquey R-V through CAP projects, meeting children’s needs by providing clothing, shoes, hygiene items, school supplies, and more.
Brothers from Richland Lodge No. 385 presented a CAP check to Swedeborg R-III on December 13, 2025 to assist with purchasing warm clothing for their students.
Brother Ken speaks highly of the CAP Program and the impact that comes from working together with the Masonic Home.
“There’s nobody else out there that does what you guys [The Masonic Home] do for schools – for kids,” Ken said. “If we can make a difference in a child’s life, it’s well worth us putting the effort into raising money for you guys to be able to do that 2 to 1 match. You can’t beat that.”
Brother Ken often encourages other Lodges to take the same first step Richland Lodge did — looking around and asking what their community truly needs.
In recent years, Richland Lodge has made a concerted effort to stay active locally, participating in community events and volunteering by ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.
Brothers of Richland Lodge and other volunteers pose for a photo during their volunteer shift for the Salvation Army bell ringing. The Lodge recently was recognized by their local Salvation Army as 1st place Bell-Ringers.
“I mean, it’s unbelievable what could be done if a Lodge would put a little effort into getting out and getting to know their community and what is needed,” Brother Ken said.
Reflecting on past Creating-A-Partnership projects, Ken shared how seeing the direct impact on children makes the work worthwhile.
“When you have a child come up to you and say, ‘Look how fast I can run in my new shoes’, and they run, or they break your heart and tell you they’ve never had a brand new pair of shoes,” Brother Ken said. “It’s the reactions from the children that makes it worth everything that we do.”
Brother Ken says the partnership with the schools has also helped increase the Lodge’s visibility and connection within the community.
“People appreciate what we’re doing in our own backyard,” Ken said.
Through the Creating-A-Partnership Program, Richland Lodge No. 385 continues to place children at the heart of its service. By responding to real needs, whether it is shoes, clothing, or basic supplies, the Lodge helps ensure that children feel cared for, supported, and ready to thrive, both in and beyond the classroom.
