Masonic Lodge collecting care packages for local national guard unit

By Adam Strunk

With members deployed from Newton’s local National Guard unit, the Newton Masonic Lodge No. 142 decided to collect donations and letters to create care packages for the unit, which contains many local faces.

Lodge member Matt Hockett has been organizing the drive. He said the National Guard asked that he didn’t give details on the names or deployment of the guard members. However, he said with the number of local residents affected, the group wanted to do something nice for the troops.
“It hit home for us and it’s something we’ve been talking about doing for a while,” he said. “We wanted to see what we could do for the guys and we wanted to do something for the whole unit.”

He said so far, the lodge has put together 8-10 care packages.

On top of that, he said the lodge has received between three and four dozen cards from area students, thanking the deployed guard members for their service.

The group will be collecting items, such as non-perishable goods, magazines, toiletries, candy and socks, through the weekend, including at their booth, set up at the United Way Chili Cook-off.

“With five to six days left, we hope to flood them with letters from home,” he said.

He said the group hopes to fill 24 care packages.
Those interested in donating can find a full list of items on the Masonic Lodges Facebook page.

Donations can be dropped off at the Newton RE/MAX Office, Dr. Brett Rouf’s Dental Office in Newton and the Newton North Dillons.

Those looking for more information can contact Hockett at 316-281-5053.

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