July 10, 2013|By Yvonne Wenger, The Baltimore Sun. Erika Brannock is still adjusting to life with new physical challenges after the Boston Marathon bombing, but she now has a fully accessible bathroom, thanks to renovations by the Freemasons of Maryland.

Brethren,

Many areas of the Southeast were recently struck by a series of devastating tornadoes. Several Grand Lodges suffered loss of life and enormous property damage. The states hit the hardest were Alabama and Tennessee. As Masons, we are concerned about the well-being of the residents of these communities, particularly our brethren and their families.

Having received a request for relief from their respective Grand Lodges, the Grand Lodge of California has established a relief fund for the disasters in Alabama and Tennessee. All contributions will be sent to the Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA). The MSA will then forward all donations directly to the Grand Lodge F&AM of Alabama and the Grand Lodge F&AM of Tennessee.

If your members, lodge, families, or friends would like to make a contribution, please make your check payable to the MSA Disaster Relief Fund and mail it to:

Grand Lodge of California
Office of Philanthropy
Attn: Denise Avila
1111 California St
San Francisco, CA 94108

Please indicate on your check how you wish for your gift to be distributed (Alabama or Tennessee). If no designation is made the funds will be divided equally between Alabama and Tennessee.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Adam Kendall of the Masonic Service Bureau at 415/292-9137 or akendall@freemason.org.

Please open your hearts to the victims of these disasters, and give what you can to help.

Sincerely and fraternally,

William J. Bray III
Grand Master