For Worshipful Brother Greg Leftwich, service is not an abstract idea — it is deeply personal. A member of St. John’s Lodge No. 28 in Hannibal since 2010, Greg’s journey in Freemasonry and community involvement is rooted in gratitude and a powerful desire to give back.
Brother Greg’s path toward Masonry began through his family’s experiences with Shriners Hospitals for Children. His son, Gage, lived with an ultra-rare genetic disorder called NGLY1 deficiency. NGLY1 is a degenerative congenital disorder that delays speech and motor skills. At the time of his diagnosis, Gage was only the ninth person in the world known to have the disease. Doctors told Greg and his family that Gage might not live past the age of two. Instead, they were blessed with 22 years.
Throughout Gage’s life, organizations like Shriners Hospitals provided critical care and support — not just for him, but for Greg’s entire family. When Greg’s daughter later suffered a broken leg, the same network of compassion stepped in once again. Those experiences left a lasting impression.
“I thought I need to try to give back,” Brother Greg said simply.
That desire led him not only into Freemasonry, but also into years of service within his Lodge. Brother Greg has served twice as Worshipful Master and currently holds the position of Senior Warden. Yet one of his most meaningful efforts reaches beyond Lodge walls and into the broader community.
Honoring a Life Through Movement
In 2020, as races across the country were canceled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, a group of local runners found a new way to stay connected. They came together to participate in a virtual endurance race, raising awareness for children with disabilities. Funds raised through the event were dedicated to purchasing specialized running strollers for children who were unable to run on their own.
Gage and his family were part of this group, and through a specially designed wheelchair, he was able to take part alongside the runners. Those shared miles became more than just a race — they were moments of inclusion, joy, and community.
After Gage’s passing in 2022, the same close-knit group of runners wanted to honor his life in a way that truly reflected who he was. For years, they had pushed Gage in races, running beside him and ensuring he was always included.
Out of that experience came an endurance race with a purpose.
The result was the Team Gage Beast Endurance Race, also known as the Gage Leftwich Memorial Race, a four-hour continuous running event where participants aim to complete as many laps — or miles — as possible. The race serves as both a memorial and a fundraiser, with all proceeds dedicated to supporting Mississippi Valley School.
Mississippi Valley School is a part of Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled and is where Gage attended school.
What began as a small, grassroots effort has steadily grown each year, bringing together runners, volunteers, and supporters united by a shared goal: giving back to children who need it most.
The first annual race was held in 2022, followed by a second in 2024, and the most recent race took place on May 31, 2025. The event is held at the Hannibal Regional Hospital Healthy Way track — a meaningful location where Gage once ran alongside the group. Each lap on the track equals one mile.
“It started slowly and it’s just building,” Brother Greg said. “This year we had almost 60 to 70 runners, hoping to build that to 100 or so runners for the year.”
The 2025 Team Gage Beast Endurance Race – Gage Leftwich Memorial Race participants gather for a photo before starting the race.
Lodge Support Makes the Difference
As a Mason, Greg saw an opportunity to bring his Lodge into the effort. He presented the idea to St. John’s Lodge, and the response was immediate.
“I brought it up to the Lodge. The Lodge was gracious enough to think it was a great idea, so they wanted to partner with that,” Brother Greg said. “Especially with the money going back to a local community, and I think it’s just a way to get our name out into the community — show them we’re out there doing good things.”
The Lodge partnered with the race by donating time, manpower, and resources — volunteering at the event, providing food and drinks, and ensuring a safe, welcoming environment for runners.
Volunteers from St. John’s Lodge No. 28 provided food and drinks under their tent at the 2025 race for the participants.
Every dollar raised goes toward adaptive and electronic aid for students who need it most — equipment that helps children communicate, move, learn, and thrive.
Expanding Impact Through CAP
In recent years, the reach of that generosity has expanded even further through a partnership with the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program. What began as a modest fundraising effort quickly grew into something far more impactful.
For Mississippi Valley School, the impact was immediate and meaningful. According to Greg, school administrators were stunned, having never before received donations of that size.
“They [St. John’s Lodge] have worked with our Schools Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for the past two years through the Creating-A-Partnership Program,” Connie Billings, Principal for Mississippi Valley School. “To assist us with purchasing sensory materials and equipment, adaptive seating equipment and other adaptive equipment that benefits our students in meeting their learning goals.”
Connie shared how she, the PTO, and school are appreciative of the Lodge’s support.
“It is so beneficial for our students,” Connie said.
That momentum continued in December, when the Lodge raised $2,000. Through CAP’s matching funds, that amount grew to a $6,000 donation to Mississippi Valley School’s PTO. These funds will be used to purchase iPads and other adaptive aids for children with disabilities.
“Since Gage had gone to school there, it is a wonderful program, a wonderful school, to see the great things that they do with the kids,” Brother Greg said. “You can’t put it into words, even as a parent of a handicapped child to see what other people are doing, to assist you, it’s almost indescribable.”
Members of St. John’s Lodge No. 28 presented a Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) check to Mississippi Valley School on January 14, 2026. Pictured left to right: Brother Adam Gilliam, Principal for Mississippi Valley School Connie Billings; Worshipful Brother Greg Leftwich; Jennifer Leftwich; Eric Davis; and Worshipful Brother Jeff Williams.
Partnering with the Masonic Home and the Community
During the first couple of years of the race, the Lodge did not partner with the Masonic Home’s CAP Program due to not knowing about the program.
“It was brought to our attention that this was available,” Brother Greg said.
Another Mason notified the Lodge of what the Masonic Home’s CAP Program could offer and how it could help them do “bigger things for the school.”
After learning more about the program, the Lodge decided to move forward, noting that the process was far easier than they initially expected. The ability to multiply their fundraising efforts allowed them to make a much greater impact on the school and the families it serves.
Brother Greg encourages any Lodge or Chapter considering CAP to take that step. Seeing the impact it has had on the community, he said, is “a great way to get your name out there”.
Looking Ahead
The Team Gage Beast Endurance Race continues to grow each year, building awareness, strengthening partnerships, and creating meaningful change for students at Mississippi Valley State School. The funds raised by this race will go to Masonic Home of Missouri’s Creating-A-Partnership Program to help Mississippi Valley State School continue providing essential supplies for children with disabilities.
Their next race will take place on June 7th. For more details, check out their Facebook page.
