Change for the Troops
Cotner Lodge No. 297, A.·.F.·. & A.·.M.·. is one of several lodges participating in Change for the Troops - the major new program being initiated in 2010 by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska. This is a program whereby we can purchase phone cards for each and every Nebraska serviceman and woman who is deploying to Iraq and/or Afghanistan. In order to fund the purchase of these cards, the Worshipful Master will leave his hat on the altar at the conclusion of every Cotner Lodge meeting and requests all members and visitors to throw their loose change in the hat. At the end of the month, Cotner Lodge remits that money to the Grand Lodge office.
This program was originally started by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania; they have witnessed phenomenal success with it. In a two-year period, that Grand Lodge raised nearly $300,000. We have had a great response so far, raising over $2,500 (primarily from Annual Communication and Installation). I know that Nebraska Masons, while not as numerous as those in Pennsylvania, are as motivated and generous as our Pennsylvania brethren, and while we may not raise the amount that they did, we can certainly raise a substantial sum.
