Author: mattsolo799

The Brother’s of Widow’s Son No 7 continued annual Thanksgiving support to our widows and the community. 

On November 21st, Brothers showed up in impressive numbers for the Paramount Baptist Church Turkey Distribution, loading vehicles and delivering dinners to homebound members.  

On November 24th, 10 Turkey Dinners were delivered to Rehoboth Baptist Church. Special thank you to all who supported both monetarily and physically. 

On June 5, 2020 Widow’s Son Lodge No. 7 assisted the MWPHGLDC and the MDPTA, with delivering a little over 250 food baskets to families living in local Maryland Cities. 

Worshipful Master Matthew Williams, in collaboration with Martha Chapter #11’s Worthy Matron Jeanette Steward, continued to demonstrate dedication in supporting those impacted by this pandemic. On Thursday, May 28^th, the brothers and sisters donated 1,100 masks + $200 to Children’s National Hospital of Washington. Children’s Donation Committee were in awe of the effort, as masks are very hard to obtain, even for a hospital.

Breast Care for Washington (www.breastcaredc.org) is specifically designed to overcome current barriers that prevent low-income, medically underserved women from receiving high quality breast care. Located in the heart of Ward 8, Breast Care for Washington (BCW) is the first and only breast cancer screening facility east of the Anacostia River to offer 3D mammography. 3D mammography (also called breast tomosynthesis) is a new technology in the fight against breast cancer that allows doctors to examine your breast one layer at a time. 3D mammography uses high-powered computing to convert digital breast images into a stack of very thin layers or “slices” –building what is essentially a 3D mammogram.

WM Matthew Williams and JW Brian Williams were introduced to BCW last year, by their Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Brother and Hampton University classmate, Keith Reed. Brother Reed (Sons of Solomon No. 166, MWUGL of Florida PHA), currently Hologic’s Senior Director of Sales Enablement, visited DC in 2019 to donate several ~$400k 3D Mammography machines to BCW and speak to Congress on the importance of proactive screenings within the African American community.

As a result of this networking connection, on February 28, the brothers of Widow’s Son #7 supported the Annual Ladies Night In 2020 – Mardi Gras. “Because Women’s Health Deserves a Party”, is designed to provide a fun, pampering atmosphere while promoting breast cancer awareness and screenings. Over 80 women attended to receive free massages, facials, eye lashes and make-up, screenings, and a host of other pampering services. The event was held at BCW’s HQ collocated with the Community of Hope’s Conway Health and Resource Center. Community of Hope also serves the Ward 8 community, providing medical, dental, and behavioral services, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. The wife of Widow’s Son’s SW Brian Brock, Dr. Shayla Graham-Brock, volunteered for many years at Community of Hope, providing family medical services to those in need.

This event and our new partnership with Breast Cancer of Washington demonstrates the power of networking, leveraging relationships to practice charity. Ritualistic work is great, but how we serve others that are unfamiliar and uninstructed in the terms of Worshipful Master or Junior Warden, is how Freemasonry lives and sheds its beneficent influence upon mankind.