The story of the H.S. Baird Masonic Lodge in Sturgeon Bay recently writing over $9000 in checks to local causes recently actually started at the very pandemic. One of its biggest fundraisers, its annual Steamboat Dinner, was forced to switch to carry out, delivery, and drive-through due to the mandatory closure of businesses and other indoor public gathering places. Despite the change, the Masons had their biggest year ever. Ed Klein from the H.S. Baird Masonic Lodge says they knew then they had to give back in a big way.

With help from the Wisconsin Masonic Lodge Foundation, the organization was able to give $1,250 grants to the school districts of Sturgeon Bay, Gibraltar, Sevastopol, Southern Door, and Algoma to help fund COVID-19 related purchases. It also donated $1000 to Feed Wisconsin in Madison, Feed My People in Door County, and the Kewaunee County Food Pantry. Klein says they are still planning to host their Steamboat Dinner on March 13th, but indoor seating will once again not be available.

Photo submitted by Ed Klein