From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged. This work continues today. Through its ever-present goal to help to improve the social, cultural, and economic conditions of the Greater Buffalo region, Ionic Lodge has been able to reach over 25,000 individuals and families within the Greater Buffalo region through its programming and community outreach efforts. Ionic Lodge provides the following services to meet the needs of the community:
Order of the Knights of Pythagoras (Youth Program)
Order of the Knights of Pythagoras is a mentoring program for young men who reside within the Buffalo community between the ages of 9 through 18. The program nurtures in the areas of Leadership, Responsibility, and Brotherhood while instilling the values of Integrity. The program strives to build a permanent partnership between Masons, the Youth, their Parents, and the Community; while promoting principles, community service, and training for youth as they become the leaders of today as well as tomorrow.
Ionic Lodge Brother Josh Wilbon Collegiate Scholarship Fund
The Ionic Lodge Collegiate Scholarship Fund annually awards one to two scholarship(s), in the amount of $500 each, to young males and females within the Buffalo community. The purpose of scholarship is to provide financial assistance to high school students and/or matriculating undergraduate students in pursuit of self-improvement through education. It is the lodge’s fervent prayer that the award is received with a spirit of thanksgiving and utilized to support the aspirations of its recipient. Over the past 10 years, Ionic Lodge has awarded over $10,000 in scholarships.
Annual Holiday Basket Giveaway
The Annual Holiday Basket Giveaway is distributed during the winter holiday season to families in need. Families are selected to receive a basket filled with perishable and non-perishable food items. Baskets are distributed during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons to families (preference given to families of widows and/or orphans).
Family Fun-Day Community Cookout
The Family Fun-Day Community Cookout is an annual celebration in which a complimentary barbeque is held for the community at an area park. Traditionally this celebration is held at Western New York. It is a moment to enjoy quality time with family and fellowship with others with some old fashioned fun, games and entertainment. The event features games, clowns, a jump house, as well as the McGruff® Safe Kids children identification and fingerprinting program. For adults, there is also an antique and classic car show, as well as onsite health screenings (such as blood pressure readings) and health related information for men.
Voluntary Immediate Relief Fund
The Voluntary Immediate Relief Fund is a memorial fund established for widows and families of brethren who have passed or fallen gravely-ill. The fund provides financial assistance to those during their time of need.
Charitable Contributions and Community Service
Ionic Lodge continues to fulfill its principle of relief by rendering aid to those in need through strategically supporting national and local charities. Through financial contributions and volunteering of time, its members are able to help make a difference in the lives of those in distress. Within the Greater Buffalo region, the organization has made a host of charitable contributions to Child and Family Services of Western New York, the Western New York Kidney Foundation, the Sickle Cell & Hemoglobinopathy Center of Western New York at Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and Women and Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Nationally, Ionic Lodge has supported the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Upstate New York and the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Ionic Lodge also participates in community clean up within the city of Buffalo and co-sponsors community health days with initiatives focused on men’s health and wellness.