Freemasonry & Charity

Freemasons are encouraged to give freely to those in need by financial assistance, moral support or manpower, without detriment to themselves or their families. Freemasonry generally collects money for charity from within its organisation and its members, and from functions and events promoted within the membership. Individual Lodges also raise funds which are usually distributed to local good causes of their own choice. Western Division Freemasons are very much part of the local community where we provide considerable charitable support.

Recent Work

Little Angels Children's Haven

On Saturday, 25th July, Lord Roberts Lodge, in a joint venture with Strand Lodge, donated the proceeds of a raffle to Little Angels Children’s Haven in Somerset West.  The raffle raised R26,000.

This forms part of an ongoing relationship between the two Lodges and Little Angels.  Both Lodges support the home throughout the year with donations, an annual Christmas Appeal and gift boxes for the children.  Volunteers from the Lodges also form part of a delivery team which collects surplus foods from Woolworths every weekend, in conjunction with Food Forward SA.

Recent Work

WOODSIDE SPECIAL CARE CENTRE

October 2025

Members of the Metropolitan Lodge supported the Woodside Special Care Centre by replacing the floor in the children’s playroom, donating beanies for the children, and books to help raise R40,000. Jim Blain, the Lodge Secretary, said, “The old flooring consisted of carpet tiles that were difficult to clean, so we replaced it with vinyl flooring, which is easy to wash to maintain cleanliness and hygiene,” Marlene Blain, Jim’s wife, knitted 55 beanies for the kids.

Books donated by Metropolitan Lodge being delivered at Woodside

New floor for the children’s playroom

Some of the 55 beanies knitted by Marlene Blain

David Hoffman, Worshipful Master of Metropolitan Lodge delivering  the books

Would you like to know more about Freemasonry? Why not get in touch?

ONE to ONE IN CAPE TOWN

Freemasons in Cape Town support the annual ONE to ONE community initiative, a fair arranged exclusively for the intellectually disabled where volunteers become a “friend” to the disabled guest and sharing the enjoyment and excitement on a one-to-one basis. The rocking horse is a huge favourite.

TEDDY BEARS FOR RAY OF SUNSHINE HOUSE

Presentation of Teddy Bears to the children of Ray of Sunshine House, Dassenberg, Atlantis by the Freemasons of the Western Cape as part of the national initiative.

On behalf of the Freemasons, Nick Briatore handed over the Bears to Merle Ray of Ray of Sunshine House.

LITTLE ANGELS CHILDREN’S HAVEN RECEIVED R28 000 from DISTRICT GRAND LODGE

Lord Roberts Lodge in Somerset West, on behalf of District, presented R28 000 to Little Angels from funds raised at the Mad Hatters Charity Auction.
Pictured: Lily Breuing Ellis, Chair (centre) and Tanya de Jager, House Manager with Nick Briatore, the Charity Steward of Lord Roberts Lodge.

KING GEORGE V LODGE (VICTORIA WEST) RAISED R15 000 for CHARITY

A well turned out Veteran Motor Show was held recently in Victoria West. Masons of the King George V Lodge raised R15 000 for the local old age home. The donations was much appreciated by the staff running the home.

ONE TO ONE

Freemasons again supported the annual ONE to ONE community initiative on Sunday 19 August 2018, a fair arranged exclusively for the intellectually disabled where volunteers become a “friend” to the disabled guest and sharing the enjoyment and excitement on a one-to-one basis.
The Freemasons rocking horse was again very popular as was fishing with magnets.  

CAPE TOWN SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND

In 2017 Freemasons of the Western Division raised one million Rand for the Cape Town Society for the Blind  and additional money was raised for other deserving causes across our District.

In photo: Jim Duggan (the then District Grand Master) hands over the keys for the first of two vehicles donated by Freemasons to Elize Marais of the Cape Town Society for the Blind.