Masons continue to support local youth

Karen Donato, Special to The County
3 years ago

HOULTON, Maine — Students at Houlton Elementary School gathered to watch a special Zoom presentation on June 4 as Principal Candace Crane welcomed members of the Masonic Lodge No. 96.

The Masons presented bikes to several Houlton Elementary School students for their participation in ‘Books for Bikes’ program. 

The event began in 2011 when the Houlton chapter gave six bikes. This year they gave several dozen bikes and helmets to the winners at schools in and around the greater Houlton area. Through the years they have presented 250 bikes. 

In order to be eligible, younger students read books with an adult at home and submitted a coupon for each book read, while older students recorded minutes spent reading at home. The elementary students read a total of 3,771 books, a great accomplishment. 

Chairman David Rairdon made the presentations at the school assisted by Bryan Shaw, Jack Galda, Jody Anderson, Mike Cummings and Kai Libby the Worshipful Master. Rairdon encouraged students to wear their helmets,  to walk their bikes across roadways and always tell their parents where they intended to ride their bikes.