Shown in the photos are David Winthrop, Past Master of Ocean Lodge #89; Glenn Cantor, Worshipful Master of Ocean Lodge #89; Adam Reich, Past Master of Asbury Jordan Lodge #142; Lynn Reich, Vice Chair, Friends of MCCAC; Angela Juffey, Chair, Friends of MCCAC; Laurie Gerhardt, Secretary, Friends of MCCAC; Dr. Martin Krupnick, Treasurer, Friends of MCCAC; and Roger Busico, Senior Warden of Ocean Lodge #89.
In 2012, the Brothers of Asbury Jordan Lodge #142 F. & A. M. in Neptune, NJ made the difficult decision to sell their building and merge with nearby Ocean Lodge #89 F. & A. M. in Spring Lake Heights, NJ. During that process, the Brothers earmarked a portion of the sale to be donated to five Masonic and five community organizations in the area. Faith, hope and charity are the three principle tenants of the Masonic Fraternity and the Brothers of Asbury Jordan felt that these donations would not only give back to the community in which they were proud members, but would also allow the memory of the Lodge to be honored for years to come.
Fast-forward to 2017, the sale and merger were completed and the Brothers were finally able to begin dispersing the charitable donations to the previously selected organizations. The Friends of the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center was one of those selected organizations and, on January 25th, members of Ocean Lodge #89 and Asbury Jordan Lodge #142 presented the Friends of the MCCAC with a donation in the amount of $25,000 to assist the organization with their ongoing efforts in helping and caring for the children of Monmouth County who are victims of sexual and physical abuse. The Brothers of the Lodge were greatly impressed by the work the Friends of the MCCAC does and were grateful to be able to support such an important endeavor.