Rebuilding the Lodge

This is the final update for the Go Fund Me campaign in support of Rebuilding the Lodge for C.W. Lawrence and Luther Kimbrough lodges in Greensboro, NC as they recover from the loss of their lodge building. A check was presented to the lodges for their building fund at the October 9th meeting of C.W. Lawrence Lodge. The following is a letter of thanks from Worshipful Master Larry C. Burnett who requested that I forward the letter along to those who contributed...


How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Dear Brother Orr,

Words cannot express my sincere gratitude to you and the Brothers all over the world for the generous donation to our lodge. The storm on April 15th totally destroyed our lodge and devastated our entire community.

Our future plans include rebuilding in Southeast Greensboro and continuing our support in the surrounding community. Your generous donation of $3,000 will allow us to begin this important process and will also impact our future endeavors. Thank you for your kind gesture.

Sincerely,

Larry C. Burnett
Worshipful Master
CW Lawrence Lodge 837


Thank You to Everyone Who Contributed!

The Story:

On April 15, 2018, the east side of Greensboro, NC was hit by an F2 tornado that registered 135 mph and passed right through the masonic lodge located at 3715 Sunnycrest Avenue, destroying the building. 

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The building was the home of Climax Lodge #832, C W Lawrence Masonic Lodge #837 and Luther Kimbrough Lodge #838 PHA. The building was also the home of Order of the Eastern Stars Genesis Chapter #673 and Rebecca Chapter #656.  This property was one of the worst hit locations in the path of the tornado. 

AERIAL VIDEOS:

Let's show these folks some love by helping them recover from this disaster and get back on their feet.  Donations will go to the organizations that met in the building to help them with rebuilding efforts and expenses to continue operating during their recovery.

ADDITIONAL PICTURES:

ABOUT THE ORGANIZER OF THIS CAMPAIGN:

I am a member of Mosaic Lodge # 762 in Chapel Hill, NC and a member of Thomas M. Holt Lodge #462 in Graham, NC, both under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. 

The idea for this campaign was born out of my experience with this storm and it's aftermath...

When the storm hit on Sunday afternoon, I was with some brothers at the Greensbor Masonic Temple on E. Market St (which is about 3 miles west of the destroyed lodge building).  When I left to go home, I had no idea that a tornado had passed through the city just east of me.  As I went to leave the city, my path was blocked by fallen trees on Gate City Blvd.  Due to extensive damage, I found myself stuck in the area where the tornado had directly hit.  Without being able to leave until some roadways were cleared, I began walking the neighborhood, checking on residents and taking photos of some of the worst damage and posting them to social media.  Through a strange mixture of timing, good data signal and fate, the photos I posted began going viral and I started receiving requests from local and national media organizations for permission to use the photos.  At last count, the photo album had been shared nearly 40,000 times.  

When I learned that the lodge had been destroyed, I went to the site with camera and drone to add images of the damage to the lodge to the photo album that was being spread across Facebook.  The viral nature of the photo album presented a unique opportunity to start a Go Fund Me campaign with the potential for wide distribution. 

The campaign was also created as a means to reach out, particularly to other masons and friends of masons, through social media as a platform for demonstrating the strength and support found in the harmony of the masonic brotherhood.  

As the campaign runs it's course and we move toward the goal, the plan is to release the funds to the impacted lodges in coordination with officers of the lodges and under the advisement of their Grand Lodge.

Thank you for reading.  Your donations are greatly appreciated.

Love & Light,

Marcus Orr