Ariel Lodge and the Masonic Charities
This work continues today through donations to both national and local charities, with Ariel Lodge members in particular raising money to aid these charities.
What IS TLC?
Teddies for Loving Care was established within the Province of Essex in 2000 as a Freemasonry in the Community initiative.
TLC’s simple objective is for Freemasons to provide teddy bears, principally to Hospital Accident and Emergency units, but also to others in need. For the medical and administration staff to give, at their discretion, to children admitted who are in severe distress. Here the staff feel that a teddy to cuddle will help alleviate that distress and assist them in their urgent work.
Each teddy carries a tag “Donated by local Freemasons” and the pure nature of the appeal has benefitted Freemasonry. There is no doubt that as a result of this small and simple gesture, there is an increasing public awareness of the contribution being made within the local community by Brethren; as well as a greater understanding of the moral principles on which Freemasonry is founded.
Each child that receives a teddy is of course allowed to take the teddy home.