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With about 350 IWSMRA members attending, many people
in the community have heard the motorcyclists riding through town.
People have seen members of the group around town at restaurants and
various businesses. Some members said people have stopped and asked
them questions about the group and what they do.
Several members have been sleeping in tents or
campers at the fairgrounds, while others stayed in one of the area
hotels.
The IWSMRA was established in 1998. The Motorcycle roads website
describes the mission of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association
as “an International Masonic Motorcycle Association comprised of
Freemasons who aid and assist widows and orphans of Master Masons
and supports local charities and educational institutions within
each Chapter's local area.”
With some members being part of the Shriners’
association, various chapters also provide financial support to the
Shriners Children’s Hospital.
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Illinois Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association State
President Jonathan Book said, “this is our state rally. He described
the rally as a family reunion of sorts “where we get together to
fellowship and enjoy ourselves.”
Book said all association members are Master Masons and belong to
Masonic Lodges. There are 27 Illinois Widows Sons Masonic Riders
Association chapters throughout the state of Illinois.
Of the 27 chapters, Book said some are in the Northern part of the
state near the Wisconsin border. Other chapters are in the Southern
Illinois area near the Kentucky border. The Central Illinois Region
also has several chapters.
What Book said the chapters do is “raise money to care for
disadvantaged children, widows and orphans” in addition to
supporting local organizations.
At the rallies, Book said, “every chapter brings an item, and we do
bucket raffles.” Each year, the group raises a couple thousand
dollars from the bucket raffles. Book said all the money raised from
the bucket raffles goes to the Macon, Illinois Eastern Star activity
fund.
Throughout the year, Book said each chapter does its own charity
rides and fundraisers. The fundraisers bring in at least $70,000 in
financial contributions from direct fundraising. When indirect
financial contributions are added in, Book said the amount raised
each year is over $100,000.
On Saturday, there were Illinois Widows Sons Masonic
Riders Association members from various chapters enjoying food and
fellowship. The association provides valuable services by raising
funds all year to help provide care for disadvantaged children,
widows, orphans and various local organizations. Their hard work is
undoubtedly appreciated by those who benefit from the funds raised.
[Angela Reiners] |
