Cape Coral Lodge No. 367 of Cape Coral, Florida, celebrated its third annual “Kids Matter” Day on January 30, 2010. The event is a Masonic open-house and festival involving all Masonic bodies in the area, the Cape Coral Police Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, and other local participating businesses and government agencies.

There were free hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn, and soft drinks for every child. Slides, bounce-houses, Shrine clowns, face painters, and rides—along with SWAT Team, Police Armored Vehicle, K-9 Team—and this year’s endearing attraction, a friendly robotic boat named “Coastie”, brought in by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, made this “day at the Masonic Lodge” a fun day to remember for children and parents alike.

The Flag Building Ceremony presented in the lodge room by the National Sojourners was also a favorite. While they enjoyed this fun-filled day, parents had the opportunity to obtain a Florida Department of Motor Vehicles Picture ID, and an identification kit consisting of fingerprints and an audio/video DVD for each child. Approximately 400 children attended to enjoy the carnival-like event and about 100 took advantage of the Child ID program.

Once again, the Brethren proved that a “Blue Lodge” can play a leadership role in the forefront of a major community event. This year’s event organizers were Senior Warden Mathew Blaisdell assisted by Bro. Mark Goodman, and they deserve tremendous credit for their hard work and magnificent job performance.  Bro. James Sheehan again excelled in running the Child Id stations. Cape Coral Lodge wishes to recognize Ill. Ed Cotton, Potentate of Araba Shrine of Fort Myers, his Divan, and all the Shrine Clowns and rides that helped make this day so special for the children.  Special thanks are also extended to Face Painting Artist Tara Phillips, the Ladies of the Shrine Abara Court No. 80, the Daughters of the Nile Tabitha Temple No. 139, Worthy Matron Marge Van Dine and the Ladies of Loyalty Chapter 309 OES, the National Sojourners “Builders of the Flag” of Southwest Florida, Ill. Al Jones, 33°, Personal Representative, the Fort Myers Valley of the Scottish Rite and all the other Masonic groups who helped make this day another “good day for Freemasonry.”

A heartfelt thanks goes to the Brethren and Ladies of Cape Coral Lodge, who have proven they can do just about anything that benefits Freemasonry and the community!

Submitted by Herm Cardona; Photos by Christine Lisiecki

Photos: Top, Little Girl Meets Coastie the Robot; Second: Cape Coral K-9 Unit with Crowd; Third: Mom with Shrine clown.