Canton Freemasons Village Lodge No. 29 Donates to Fire Department

Editor’s note: We published this story earlier in the week, but here it is again in case you missed it.

The town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department recently accepted a donation of $1,000 from the Freemasons Village Lodge No. 29 in Collinsville.

The funds were raised during a May 23 tag sale and raffle sponsored by the lodge.

“We are so fortunate to live in a community that understands and supports the critical and dangerous work of our volunteer firefighters and EMTs,” said Chief Richard Hutchings in a prepared statement. “Our budget covers just the essentials. So, funds raised on our behalf by generous organizations like the Masons Village Lodge #29, are
especially appreciated and will be used to enhance our ability to keep both our members and the community safe.”

George Frascarelli, past Master of Freemasons Village Lodge No. 29, said in a statement, “We pass the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department’s Collinsville fire station every day and we know how valuable they are to our community. So, we thought we should do something for them to show our appreciation.”

He continued, “Our Lodge wanted to do something other than writing a check for a charity. Having a tag sale with a teacup raffle and soliciting for donations, would serve two purposes. First, we would raise money, and second we’d get the brothers out soliciting local businesses for donations. The tag sale and raffle netted us $662. Then, the Lodge donated additional funds to round up to a cool one thousand dollars. I would say it was a very successful tag sale and raffle. Everyone had fun participating and hopefully we can make it an annual event.”

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the town of Canton Volunteer Fire and EMS Department can visit www.cantonfireandems.org, or drop by the Collinsville, North Canton, or Canton firehouses Monday evenings during the department’s weekly practice drill at 7 p.m.

Photo: Front Row (Left to Right): Town of Canton Volunteer Fire & EMS Department Chief Richard Hutchings accepts $1,000 donation from past Master of Freemasons Village Lodge No. 29 George Frascarelli. Back Row (Left to Right): Fire Captain Steve LaPointe, Fire Captain Scott Goeben, EMS Chief John Bunnell, EMS Captain Ryan Kerr, Greg Vaughn, Nick Aligizakis (Master of Lodge) holding son Daniel, Chris Ozog, Fire Captain Wayne Goeben, Jake Minard. Also attending but not in photo, Jason Black. Photo courtesy of the town of Canton Facebook page.