Press release
Athens Masonic Lodge #165 presented a check for $3,000 to the Athens Independent School District on Monday, October 22, 2018. The check was presented during the Monthly School Board Meeting, and was in support of the District’s adoption of a new, scientifically validated, dyslexia teaching program developed by the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Five AISD teachers have already begun training to implement the program.
Attendees from the Athens Masonic Lodge were Randy Daniel, Michael Burton, Kyle Tidmore, and Jeffrey Almrud. The check was accepted by School Board President and Mason Rob Risko. Administrators and dyslexia program teachers in attendance for the check presentation were Brook Brock, Jami Ivy, Erica Rodriguez, Angela St. Valentine, Sara Chamblee, Sara Davidson and Sheri Leamon.
During the check presentation Brook Brock, AISD Director of Special Populations, recounted the Mason’s actions leading up to the day’s check presentation by the Athens Masonic Lodge and thanked the Lodge for their hard work. Jeff Almrud, Chairman of the Mason’s Dyslexia Committee, said, “We are so excited to help connect AISD and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children to get this program started here in Athens. We believe this program will greatly benefit the children who participate and the entire Athens community.”
The program started with an AISD-Athens Lodge “meet and greet” luncheon at Athens ISD on March 9, 2018. On May 1, a Kick-off BBQ Dinner with AISD, Masons, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and State and local Dignitaries was held at the Athens Masonic Lodge. The Lodge held a Chili Cook-off Fundraiser during the Old Fiddler’s Reunion on May 26, 2018. $6,000 was raised for Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Center for Dyslexia, and Athens ISD Dyslexia program. The Masons will present a check for $3,000 to the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children on Friday, December 7, 2018 at the Hospital in Dallas.
Athens Masonic Lodge #165 is a men’s fraternal organization that conducts charitable work in the Athens area. The Lodge has been active in Athens since 1854.