BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE AUTAUGA NEWS
One good turn deserves another.
With three Millbrook City League baseball teams headed to the World Series, fundraising efforts to cover expenses have been active in recent weeks.
In an effort to help cover those travel expenses, the Millbrook Masonic Hampden Sidney Lodge #67 has offered its assistance.
Originally, the members were going to donate $500 to the 6U team. However, Assistant Coach Ross Terrell said the decision was made to instead give that money to the 10U team that qualified for the World Series tournament.
On Tuesday, the EAN met with Masonic Lodge Secretary Larry Spears and Terrell to discuss the donation, which will go a long way to help with expenses.
The 6U team this year had a very good season, but a loss at the Oxford State Tourney ended their hopes of a World Series trip. However, Terrell said the team made to help a fellow team with the 10U group, coached by John Jamison.
Jamison said he is extremely grateful for the donation. The team is set to leave July 9 for Baton Rouge, La. to compete. He said he expects the tournament to be a great experience for the kids. In their downtime, he wants his players to also have great experiences with their family and other players.
“We want everything to be taken care of, and the goal is for parents to not have to come out of pocket for all expenses,” he said.
An upcoming fundraiser it tentatively set for Friday for the 10U group at the four-way in Coosada along Airport Road from 3-5 p.m. Players and coaches will be taking any donations people would like to make.
While the 6U team did not fulfil their aspirations this year, Terrell said he is extremely appreciative to the Masons, who he called “silent heroes” of the community. He appreciates them agreeing to change the donation to help another team. “The Masons do so much for our community, usually quietly. We very much appreciate them supporting us.”
More about the Hampden Sidney Lodge
The Hampden Sidney Lodge was first established in 1843 and officially recognized in 1845. The original building was located on what is now Main Street in Millbrook, on the site now occupied by the St. Michael’s and All Angels Parish House. Today the Lodge is located further south on Main Street in the same building as Cloverdale Jewelers, and other businesses. The Lodge owns the entire building but leases out space to multiple businesses.
Spears said the Lodge is a benevolent organization and it participates in community outreach to help WELCOME, area schools, the Millbrook Senior Center and many other local, worthy organizations. Josh Ginther is the head of the Millbrook Lodge.
Inside the building is something of a museum covering 179 years of Lodge history.
On a shelf within the main room is the original Bible from 1843 on display which was used by the Lodge when it was first founded.
Today there are over 70 members of the Millbrook organization. The group is always welcoming of new potential members. Anyone interested need only speak to a current member to be considered for membership.
“To be one, you have to ask one,” Spears explained. “Our mission is to make good men better.”
Millbrook is also the home of the State headquarters for Alabama Masons, where the Grand Lodge is located off Hwy. 14.
For more information about the Grand Lodge located in Millbrook, visit https://www.glofal.com/
To follow the Hampden Sidney Lodge of Millbrook, see https://www.facebook.com/HampdenSidneyLodge67
