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FRYEBURG — Under the umbrella of the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation’s Masons Assisting Communities program, the foundation announced a major grant of $25,000 provided by the Masons of Pythagorean Lodge to the town of Fryeburg, saving the community teen center — a popular pilot program launched during the pandemic, serving teens from Fryeburg and the surrounding towns of Stoneham, Stow, Lovell, Sweden, Brownfield and Denmark as well as those in Chatham, N.H.
The Teen Center brings kids together from all backgrounds and has been growing leaps and bounds, up from 122 last fall to more than 300 now. “The success was bittersweet, as the town was faced with a funding dilemma and no obvious solutions,” according to Katie Haley, Fryeburg town manager.
When Freemason, Eric Bloomberg of the Phythagorean Lodge #11 learned the Teen Center was facing closure due to lack of funding, he jumped into action spearheading the initiative to keep the center open through the generosity and community support of the Masons.
“I am so grateful that Eric took the time and initiative to come speak to me about community needs and that the Masons of Pythagorean Lodge were so supportive of Fryeburg Recreation’s mission to provide programming that is inclusive for all,” Haley said. “The generosity of the Masons has been overwhelming and could not be more appreciated.”
The $25,000 grant will help keep the teen center open for another year, giving kids from all backgrounds in the community an opportunity to interact with each other. “At the Teen Center we see kids opening up about challenges they are experiencing and getting support from their peers,” shared Rick Buzzell from the Fryeburg Recreation Department. “We see kids that haven’t talked to one another for years coming together and putting differences behind them….I am thankful the Masons helped the town keep the Teen Center doors open’,.
‘In my 33 years as a Mason, I have never been prouder of my brothers making a more courageous decision than this one. Knowing [what] the impact of closing the Teen Center would have on our community, our Lodge Trustees quickly and unanimously approved funding the program with a grant of $25,000, and the plan is to not stop there. With the help of the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation, through their matching grants program, we hope to raise more money to ensure the Teen Center remains a viable alternative for the youth in our communities,” stated Rob Newton, Mason and Fryeburg Masonic trustee.
The new ‘MAC – Masons Assisting Communities’ program, empowers Maine Masons to do even more this year in partnership with organizations and nonprofits in their communities. The Foundation is raising awareness of the expanded matching grants program through the new ‘MAC’ initiative and is encouraging all community organizations and nonprofits that would like assistance to contact their local Masonic Lodge. If they need help finding a lodge they should visit MaineMCF.org.
“This is an exciting time for the foundation, as the trustees have committed additional funding to ensure that local Masonic Lodges have the resources they need to continue to be leaders in their communities and provide assistance where it is needed most,” noted Susan Scacchi, executive director of the foundation. “We encourage nonprofits and towns to reach out to their nearby Masonic Lodges for volunteers and support; together we will make a difference.”
The Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation seeks to provide support for individuals in need, build strong, inclusive communities in Maine and enrich the lives of all Maine residents.
