Quote Originally Posted by Fenster View Post
What groups do you belong too and why do it?
I belong to the Masons and the Shriners. I do it because my grandmother was a patient at a Shriner's hospital in the 1930's and without their help she wouldn't have had the chance at a normal life, my Dad and Uncle wouldn't be here, and neither my older brother nor myself would be here. I do it because I am grateful for the opportunity at life I have been given and wish to pay it forward to others and I do it because it is altruistic, it is good, and I'm not actually the asshole most assume me to be.

The Masons (in my state, but also in others) support a Children's Home which used to be an orphanage (due to the Civil War and Great Depression). The Children's Home sends the kids to school, provides food, shelter, loving House Parents, and also provides funds for those kids who wish to go to college. The Mason's also support a retirement center to provide for the elderly who may not have the means or family to support them. There are other side projects we pick up as well, but those are the main charities.

The Shrine has hospitals worldwide, they provide FREE surgeries for various orthopedic ailments, cleft lip, cleft palate, burns, etc. They have the world's very best doctors and they will accept and treat any child. And it makes a hell of a difference.