The delegates at its Supreme Council Session in June 1949 adopted a resolution to establish a national charitable program that was named the Humanitarian Foundation.
In 1951, their first project was “Aid for the Cerebral Palsy Child”. In 1953 they adopted the Enchanted Lantern to recognize contributions. For each $50 tax-deductible donation, the giver receives an Enchanted Lantern Certificate, and a Gold Enchanted Lantern pin to display proudly on his or her lapel.
In the Early days of Masonry and the Grotto, the owner of a local business would hang this type of lantern in front of his store to notify of a meeting that night. For the Grotto, the Enchanted Lantern signifies a “Beacon of Hope” for the Cerebral Palsy Child.
From 1953 to 1970 the main thrust of the charitable trust was the Cerebral Palsy child. Grotto members became involved with their local United Cerebral Palsy chapters and in 1957 the first annual $25,000 contribution was made to United Cerebral Palsy research.
In 1969 the Humanitarian Foundation Trustees, realizing that the momentum from the 1950’s to 1960’s expanded their scope by adopting the Dentistry for the Handicapped Child. In 1969 they met and agreed the Grotto would establish a dental clinic for the handicapped at Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
In 1973, the Extension Program of the Dentistry for the Handicapped began, when the Trustees realized many children who did not live in the Chicago area could be treated locally and at less cost and without the burden of traveling and housing for the parent and child. In 1987 the Northeast Medical College of Ohio also became a national treatment center.
Today the Humanitarian Foundation, not only remembers the “forgotten child” suffering from cerebral palsy with the annual contribution to research, but also combines a unique partnership with qualified dentists throughout the United States and Canada. The program is designed to help special children, under the age of 18, receive the best dental care possible.
Those handicaps covered by the program are:
1 – Cerebral Palsy
2 – Muscular Dystrophy
3 – Mentally Challenged (covers from profound to 2 years delayed,
but must be clarified by the child’s physician
or a physician referred psychologist.)
4 – Myasthenia Gravis
If treatment is authorized prior to the 18th birthday, treatment will be completed. The program does not cover Medicaid/Medical Card patients, as the Grotto is the secondary carrier, and you cannot bill after Medicaid has been issued.
In June 1998, at the Supreme Council Session, the Humanitarian Foundation Trustees announced that the Charitable Trust Fund was now in excess of $17,000,000 and growing. Only the interest generated from the Trust can be used to cover the cost of these programs.
Members generate the money that is placed in the Trust, along with their family and friends though the Enchanted Lantern program and through Gifts, Wills and Bequests Programs. The Gifts, Wills and Bequests Program handles the gifts and estate contributions given by members and friends, who wish to continue helping these “special children” long after they are gone. With the Enchanted Lantern Program and the Gifts, Wills and Bequests Committee, it is our hope the Foundation will grow even larger, so we can continue to help put smiles on the faces of these “special children”.
Nazir Grotto has a “Doctor of Smiles” who is responsible to make arrangements for this care, which begins locally, or in some cases travels to the home based on the child and family needs.
If you know of a child in our local area that is in need of dental care, who suffers from any of these diseases, we encourage you to contact the Nazir Grotto office at (330) 588-8323.
