Crookston Masonic Lodge and Masonic Charities Donate More Than $50,000 to Honor Flight and $3,856 to Rotary Club
On Wednesday afternoon, the Crookston Masonic Lodge presented two checks: $50,174.72 to the Minnesota/North Dakota Honor Flight and $3,856 to the Crookston Rotary Club.
Supporting the North Dakota/Minnesota Honor Flight
The Crookston Masons hosted a free-will pancake and waffle breakfast fundraiser at their lodge, collecting over $25,000 through community donations and sponsorships from local businesses, including:
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Christian Brothers Ford, Christian Motors, Christian Cars Online
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Phil Thompson and Associates
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Bagley Co-op
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DAV
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Crookston VFW and Auxiliary
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Crookston American Legion and Auxiliary
With a dollar-for-dollar match from Minnesota Masonic Charities, the total donation reached $50,174.72.
“Through our sponsors and the breakfast, with pancakes, waffles, and French toast, we were able to raise about $25,000. Minnesota Masonic Charities matched it, which made this possible,” said Crookston Mason Lester Wilkens. “When we first hit $27,000 a few years back, I thought that was impossible. Then we raised $35,000, and now, over three years, we’ve passed $110,000 for the men and women who served.”
The Honor Flight program provides veterans with a free trip to Washington, D.C., covering all costs, and welcomes them home as heroes.
“Many of us remember how veterans were treated when they came back,” Wilkens added. “That’s why we’re willing to go above and beyond to support them.”
Each Honor Flight costs between $1,500 and $1,800 per veteran. Last Easter Sunday, 220 veterans participated in the trip.
Those wishing to support the program can contact Wilkens at 218-289-1956.
The Masons emphasized that whenever they host a breakfast fundraiser, all proceeds go directly back into the community.
“If you see a sign for a pancake breakfast, come on in. We don’t keep anything—it all goes toward kids’ programs and the Honor Flight,” said Wilkens.
Contribution to the Crookston Rotary Club
Alongside the Honor Flight donation, the Crookston Masons also presented a check for $3,856 to the Crookston Rotary Club. The funds will support the Crookston High School Student of the Month scholarship and the University of Minnesota Crookston Student of the Quarter award.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to help our community,” Wilkens explained. “This way, Rotary can fund these scholarship programs without overextending their own resources.”
The funds came from an April dinner theater fundraiser, held in partnership with the UMC Music Theater Department. The evening featured performances by three student actors, while Masonic brothers prepared the meal.
“It was a great event with over 100 attendees,” said Crookston Mason and UMC Theater Director George French. “Everyone had fun, and we plan to bring it back this spring to continue supporting Rotary’s student programs.”
The dinner theater raised $1,928, which was then matched by Masonic Charities for a total of $3,856.
