Charity is the byproduct of Freemasonry in practice.

In 1772 Masonic philosopher William Preston wrote,

“To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Freemasons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds, is the great aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections.”

That principle is as important today as it was 240 years ago. Freemasonry in North Carolina extends to hundreds of worthy causes and quietly benefits thousands through fundraisers, blood drives, scholarship grants, and even personal phone calls and front porch visits—charity manifests itself in many forms.

In addition to the many local charities sponsored by local lodges across the state, the Grand Lodge of North Carolina supports two charities in particular—the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford and WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community in Greensboro.