Austin Council No. 2 Organizes Successful Clothes Drive for the Less Fortunate

Austin, TX - October 12, 2024 - In an inspiring show of community service, Austin Council No. 2, part of the Most Illustrious Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas, has completed its largest charitable endeavor in recent years. This year's effort, a statewide clothes drive spearheaded by the Most Illustrious Grand Master, Dr. Aaron W. Tyksinski, gathered over 2,100 pieces of clothing, shoes, and accessories to benefit those in need.
The drive began in April, following a vote by the Austin Council No. 2 to participate in this initiative. Over the following months, members collected new and lightly used items from their neighborhoods, with donations also coming from other Masonic bodies, including Hill City Lodge No. 456, Parsons Lodge No. 222, Onion Creek Lodge No. 220, Ben Hur Shrine Temple, and local chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Social Order of the Beauceant.
Key organizers for the project were Mark Anthony Huerta, Nate W. Stilwell (Thrice Illustrious Master), and J. Robert Darrell (Past Thrice Illustrious Master). With the support of many other Austin Council Members and volunteers, they sorted the donations at the historic Lone Star Chapter Building in downtown Austin. A highlight of the effort came from an Austin Council Member, Forest Cruse, Sr., and his wife, who contributed significantly to the donation total.
On a warm October morning, members of the Austin Council donned their regalia before delivering the 2,100 items to the Salvation Army Family Store on South Congress Avenue. The donation, valued at over $24,749, filled five large bins, marking the most successful charitable effort the council has undertaken in years.
Thrice Illustrious Master Nate W. Stilwell said of the drive: "This project allowed our local Masonic family of organizations to come together on a common cause, something that hasn't happened in many years. We hope these items will comfort those in our community who need it most, especially as cooler weather approaches."

Austin Council No. 2
311 W. 7th St.
Austin, TX 78701

Email: recorder@austincouncil.org
Phone: 210-373-7882

Austin Council No. 2, chartered in 1907, continues to serve as a guardian of Cryptic Masonry in Texas' capital city. Those interested in learning more about the organization and its charitable work are encouraged to contact the council at recorder@austincouncil.org or 210-373-7882.

This release was published on openPR.