Masonic Lodge honors volunteers

The Masonic Lodge of Thompson Falls are giving back to volunteers in the community, as they do every year. Every year they invite their beneficiary groups to a luncheon. However, with COVID-19 the Masons had to find another way. In order to follow guidelines, the Masons decided to give $200 to each group instead. They sent out information, suggesting that the groups throw their own celebration, but the money is to be used at the discretion of the recipients.

The Masons Lodge #70 recognized the teachers and staff of Thompson Falls Elementary, Trout Creek School and Noxon Elementary. They also recognized the Thompson Falls Volunteer Fire Department, the Trout Creek Rural Fire Department, the Noxon Fire Department, the Heron Fire Department Volunteers Fund, the Thompson Falls Volunteer Ambulance, the Noxon Volunteer Ambulance and the Heron Volunteer Ambulance Personnel Fund, the Sheriff’s Relief Fund, Community Harvest Food Bank in Thompson Falls and the Noxon Food Bank.

In total, the Masons will be giving away $2,400 thanking local volunteer groups and organizations. This will be the second time the Masons have recognized groups in this way, having done the same thing last year because of the onset of the coronavirus. According to Cal Dunks, secretary and treasurer of the Thompson Falls Masonic Lodge, “It’s just a way of telling them thank you before Christmas.” The Masons also donate to local schools every spring. Last year they donated seven Kindles to Thompson Falls Elementary, Trout Creek School and Noxon Elementary.