We all know the Masonic fraternity, as a whole is very community minded and charitable organization, donating close to $3 million dollars a day to charity.

    On a local level, our Lodge was searching for yet another way to help better serve the residents of our area of southeast Oakland County and help promote Masonry.

    The Scholarship Committee decided a way to accomplish this goal would be to establish a scholarship to assist local residents who desired to attend the Oakland Police and Fire Academies in order to prepare themselves for a life of service in the Public Safety sector. The Committee felt that our investment now in these future police officers and firefighters would pay benefits to the community for many years to come.

     The Committee contacted Oakland Community College and subsequently met with Jill Dunphy ( A Masonic woman by the way ) from the college’s Foundation & Scholarship Department. Our idea was enthusiastically received and an endowed scholarship was recommended.  An initial plan was discussed and developed with Jill Dunphy’s assistance. A tour was then arranged for the Committee at the Combined Regional Emergency Services Training (C.R.E.S.T.) facility in Auburn Hills. ( click here to view ) slow loading.

    We were so impressed with the facility, the staff and the College’s enthusiasm for our project that, after our tour, the committee went back to our general membership with a strong recommendation to approve the plan to establish an endowed scholarship in the Lodge’s name to benefit students attending the Police and Fire Academies. A vote was cast, and a unanimous decision was made to establish the endowed scholarship with a onetime donation. The scholarship to be named The Northwood Ancient Craft 551 of Free and Accepted Masons of Madison Heights Mi. Police and Fire Academy Scholarship. This scholarship will alternate between candidates at the Oakland Fire Training Institute and the Police Academy with candidates selected by the respective Academy directors on the basis of need and sincerity. Both directors are aware of our Masonic values and pledged to keep them in mind during the selection.

    The Committee was invited to the C.R.E.S.T. facility on July 28^th 2006 for an open house, picnic and check presentation ceremony. Brother Ron Aldridge, JW and Committee Chair presented a large "ceremonial " check to Oakland Community College Chancellor Dr. Mary Spangler who graciously thanked the Lodge for this generous endeavor. There were about 100 O.C.C. employees, administrators and trustees in attendance.

    CREST and O.C.C. Scholarship personnel then gave the Committee an extensive "hands-on" tour of the facility. The tour included extinguishing a simulated car fire, entering a smoke filled building in order to find a "victim", a K-9 demonstration and a simulated shooting scenario. Brothers, it was one of the highlights of our Masonic lives.

    We would like to add that virtually anyone is allowed to donate to this endowment fund (there is no minimum or maximun). If you, your lodge, business, family or friends would like to contribute toward the education of these new cadets please contact Oakland Community College, Executive Director of Advancement, Cheryl Kozell, at 248-341-2131 or by contacting our committee chairman at: webmaster@nac551.com. Or click on this link to OCC.  please note Northwood Ancient Craft endowment fund on your donation. It is tax deductable.

    We did receive great publicity for both our lodge and the fraternity in the Royal Oak Daily Tribune, Oakland Press and the Detroit Free Press.

     Scholarship Committee:

    JW Ron Aldridge Chairman, WM Ray Doyscher, SW Don Novak, Secretary Jim Sparks and Treasurer Bob Jones.

Please click here for a slideshow of the event. ( slow loading )

If you don't have Power point viewer click her it's free from Microsoft.