Valley Masonic Lodge Begins Children’s Book Drive

VAN NUYS, CA -- Clarence F. Smith Daylight Lodge No. 866, Free and Accepted Masons of California (“CFS Daylight” or “the Lodge”) has begun a book drive for new or gently used children’s books (K-12).

According to the Lodge’s Book Drive Coordinator, Master Mason David I. Karp: “This book drive fulfills several objectives of Freemasonry in general and CFS Daylight Lodge in particular, i.e.: to realize the fraternity’s charitable goals; to encourage literacy and Masonry’s support of public education; and to raise the public’s awareness of the fraternity and the good work Masons do.”

Thus far, the Lodge has made inquiry of a few potential recipients, including but not limited to the following: Los Angeles Unified School District Homeless Education Office/Program (K-12)*; Burbank Unified School District Around the Bell Program (K-5) and/or After School Education Safety program (1-8); Los Angeles Public Library. No commitments from these entitles have been received as of this writing but the hope is that they, or others, will welcome the opportunity to help the Lodge fulfill its objectives by agreeing to receive the books, or some of them, that the Lodge collects.

[*As of 2/14/22, LAUSD has agreed to receive books to help the Lodge help their students.]

The public is invited to visit the Lodge to drop off book donations. The Lodge meets on the first four Saturdays of the Month, 10AM, upstairs, at the Van Nuys Masonic Center, 14750 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405. Please first contact the Lodge’s Book Drive Coordinator, Brother David I. Karp, at davidikarp@karpmediation.com to arrange such a visit.

There is no end to this book drive, as the Lodge sees it right now: Donations may be made by the members of the Lodge, other Masons, and the public. Furthermore, inquiries by potential book recipients – i.e., public schools, nearby school districts, libraries, governmental offices that provide resources to underprivileged or homeless youths, etc. -- are welcome as well. If the reader knows of potential recipients or is associated with an entity that would welcome the Lodge’s donations, please contact the Book Drive Coordinator as set forth above.

Masonry is the world’s first and largest fraternal organization. It is based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to help make the world a better place. Freemasonry welcomes men of all ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs, age 18 or older, who meet the qualifications.

CFS Daylight Lodge, a small lodge formed in 2017, is composed of a diverse group of such members who share the same values and ideals and who enjoy one another’s company.

One of Freemasonry’s traditions is that the fraternity does not solicit members or ask men to join. Men must seek membership on their own initiative. Nevertheless, the Lodge welcomes visitors, but not in closed meetings, who would like to get to know the members and what the Lodge does, and even to bring book donations.

Contact:

David I. Karp, Newsletter Editor and Book Drive Coordinator

Clarence F. Smith Daylight Lodge No. 866

818-515-9361

davidikarp@karpmediation.com

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