March 2019

When Don Travis joined Montebello DeMolay Chapter in 1954, he had no idea his Masonic career would lead him where he is now. Thanks to his help, and the help of dozens of his brothers from Montebello and Whittier lodges, Don has helped disburse at least three hundred thousand dollars over the years in scholarships and related programs to deserving local youth. “I love watching these kids, with their dreams for their future, and I’m just happy to help them get there” Don says. To him, it’s obvious why supporting public education is so important: “the kids are our future—this is a great way we can give back to the community.”

Originally a member of Montebello Lodge No. 451, Don and the rest of his lodge joined with their brothers from Whittier in 1999 to form the consolidated Montebello-Whittier Lodge No. 323. Each lodge has a long history of supporting their local public schools, and after they consolidated their resources, they were able to make an even greater impact. Don explains how his lodge went about giving back to their local youth.

Supporting students through scholarships

• Each year our lodge gives out $1,000 scholarships to six public high school seniors—three from Whittier and three from Montebello school districts. This program has existed in one form or another since the late 1980s. We approach the principals every year and ask them to provide us with applicants for consideration. A committee of three readers chooses the final awardees.
• In addition to $6,000 in scholarships, we also award another $4,000 in scholarships to local Masonic youth who are graduating high school. Also, thanks to the generous support of one of our brothers who willed us money, we are able to give out another $2,000 in scholarships specifically to students who intend to enter a trade school. All recipients must attend our June stated meeting dinner to accept their awards.
• We’re able to afford these gifts because we set up a scholarship fund after Montebello Lodge was forced to sell its building after an earthquake in 1987. Between the interest and dividends accrued, and the generous support of brothers who willed us funds, we’re able to continue these scholarship programs.

Alternative, less costly forms of support

• Our lodge also funds the Junior Citizen Award program administered by Montebello High Twelve Club No. 422. High Twelve is an organization of Master Masons who meet at noon each week to support Masonic causes, especially those relating to our youth. For the past four decades, the club has been providing a Junior Citizens award each month. This award honors a student, selected by the school, from one of three different high schools in the Montebello School District. No money is disbursed, but the honored student gets a plaque and public recognition for his/her work. Montebello Whittier Lodge pays for the plaques and lunches.
• The biggest of our school programs is our annual Lodge Public Schools Night. We reach out to principals from up to eight middle schools in the area and ask them to pick seven of their most worthy students to be honored. We host all these students and their families to celebrate their academic success. Each student walks away with a certificate and a book on the United States Constitution.

Supporting teachers

• Another program we offered for a while was a grant-funding program in the amount of up to $10,000 to schools in Montebello an another $10,000 to schools in Whittier.
• We set up a committee to review applications from teachers and school administrators for needs not covered in their annual budget. The committee would review each request and determine if it fit our profile of possibilities. Ultimately the lodge membership voted for the final awardees.
• Over the time span we were involved in this program we purchased a white board, a computer package, a long list of needed library books, Lavaliere microphones, etc.

The importance of recognition—for the awardee and the lodge

• Each of our scholarship and award programs involved bringing the students either to lodge during a stated meeting or to the High Twelve luncheon. Not only do the students feel proud being honored so publicly, but the Masons get to see the results of their efforts. They get to see where their money is going to and it makes them feel good.