Masons Learn:  Spreading the Cement

Jon. Anderson, W:.M:. Olympia Lodge, No. 1

 As Freemasons, we are taught the use of the Trowel.  This is an instrument used by operative Masons to spread the cement which binds the building into one common mass.  But, we as speculative Masons are taught to use it for the more noble and glorious purpose of spreading the cement of Brotherly Love and affection – that cement which binds us into one sacred band or society of friends, among whom no contention should exist.

 On Saturday, September 11^th, Masons from Olympia Lodge #1 and Evergreen State Lodge #68 had a chance to use that trowel.  They gathered at a project in west Olympia that each Lodge had supported in its early stages with a donation to begin the purchase of materials.  Now, at a later stage, the Lodge members volunteered some “hard labor” – and the Master Masons learned to use the trowel – to stucco the exterior!

 This work came about through the efforts of W:.B:. Jerry Fugich of Evergreen State #68, construction supervisor for South Puget Sound Habitat For Humanity.  South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity is an  organization dedicated to providing decent, safe and affordable homes for low-income families to purchase, recognizing that home-ownership is fundamental to building strong communities.  

The mission of South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity is to serve God by engaging the community in empowering people with the hope and opportunity that comes from building and owning their own homes. 

Families are selected for housing based on three criteria:  current housing need, the ability and commitment to make monthly mortgage payments, and a willingness to act as full partners with South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity in community outreach, fundraising and construction of homes.

Habitat coordinates for the partner families all the permits, labor and materials needed for their home.  Each family is responsible for 500 hours of labor to build their own home.  They call that contribution “sweat equity,” and it serves as the family’s down payment.  Partner families act as full members of the Habitat team, working side-by-side with volunteers from throughout the community to build their own homes and the homes of others.  Through this meaningful process, families invest themselves in their new homes, develop the skills they’ll need to maintain their homes, increase their self-confidence, and discover the gift of community service.

When their home is completed, the partner family purchases it at cost, with a no-interest, 20-year mortgage that Habitat carries.  The homeowners’ monthly payments then go toward the construction of more housing for other families in the community.  More information is available on the SPS Habitat’s web page at:  www.spshabitat.org

The Habitat for Humanity partner family for this project is Karim Benmouloud and wife Amina, who are the proud parents of two young children: a boy, Walid age 5 and a girl, Deena age one.  They are partnering on the “Evergreen Sustainable House”, 1104 Brawne on the West side of Olympia.   The Benmouloud family advocate is Jose Gomez, a long time friend of the family and one of the professors at The Evergreen State College.

 Karim and his wife are from Algeria and have lived in the Olympia area for about 10 years.  He is very familiar with snow, as the region of Algeria that he grew-up in is very mountainous and he told us that in the winter they had snow up to their knees; however the summers are much hotter then here in western Washington.  Karim is a graduate of The Evergreen State College and presently is a state employee working for Washington State Department of Labor and Industry.  He first heard about Habitat for Humanity through his work place.  Amina is presently attending college at South Puget Sound Community College.

“Habitat” has been working with Karim for the last few months on both his family’s house, and one of the Miller Ave. houses.  Karim is a very caring person, and enlightened us about the cultural aspects of life in Algeria.  He is a very hard worker, and has already completed several hundred hours of sweat equity toward their future home.

 The Masons who volunteered that Saturday included Don Wertman, W:.M:.  of Evergreen State #68, and Olympia members Jon. Anderson, Don Bulloch, Dave Rider, Jay Stewart, and Larry Dickson.  This was an instance of Masons making a difference in their community, and was a lot of fun, to boot.  As our Closing Charge recommends:  “Do Good Unto All!”