Page 31 - MFM Jan Feb 2024

The coolness factor is high as students in Evergreen The mission of the Montana Masonic Foundation
School’s Crossroads Program play the guitar, but (MMF) looks forward and backward. We preserve our
teacher Anita Hillis knows that as they strum, organization’s and our state’s history, learning from
they’re also mastering perseverance, working hard, the past and building on our heritage. We invest in
and fi nding joy in accomplishment. our future, providing opportunities for students to
develop the reading skills that well benefi t them for
Nearly two years after the Montana Masonic a lifetime. We support music, drama, science, and
Foundation provided a grant to help the school put libraries in our public schools, and we enhance the
guitars into student’s hands, Anita reported back experiences of our Masonic youths.
that the students had really connected with the
instruments. Through the MMF, we as Masons live our values,
shape our communities, and tell our stories.
“The Masons have made a big diff erence in the lives
of these young people,” she said. The MMF was founded in 1960 with gifts from
generous donors and has grown with steadfast
“When I started teaching at Crossroads, they didn’t support, the mission evolving as needs changed
have a music program. The Masonic grant was a through the last six decades. For the community, it’s
godsend,” she said. “The guitars were perfectly a valuable grant maker and civic leader, addressing
suited to meet the educational needs of these some of our communities’ most pressing needs.
seventh and eighth graders. They immediately
started watching online tutorials of their favorite We hope the impact of Masons through MMF sparks
songs and teaching each other melodies and licks. your interest and inspires your passion. The MMF
They performed in a concert, and one student even exists only because of Masons like you. Help us tell
prepared a solo of the ‘Star Spangled Banner.’ the story and write the next chapter.

Montana Freemason Page 31 Jan/Feb 2024 Volume 100 No.1