"First, I scout the outer lot to see if anyone needs a ride in," the Pasco Masonic Lodge Past Master said Friday. "Then, when they're coming out, people tend to load themselves down with packages. The last thing they want to do is walk 100 miles to their cars."

Running four golfcarts in two-hour shirts, volunteers from Masonic Lodges across the Mid-Columbia are out cruising the mall, looking for the tired, the lost, the shoppers yearning to get out of the cold.

"We had a lady last week who got lost, and we ended up driving her all the way to the other side of the building," he said. "Then there was a guy having trouble getting his car started, and I helped him get a jump start" from mall security.

This is the second year for the volunteer shuttle service, which is free. Donations will be given to children's charities.

Kim Harvey, mall marketing manager, said the shuttle is back due to popular demand. "We love the Masonic Shuttle," she said. "They're the most wonderful group, and shoppers think they're fantastic."

Not only that, but the golf carts with the rotating yellow lights on the roof also can be a crime deterrent, she said.

Campbell recalled one intervention last year.

"We had a guy driving at night, out there by the Bon, and he comes across this silver pickup with three guys getting into it," he said. "So he pulls up with his flashing light, and they take off running."

It turned out the men had been attempting to break into the pickup, he said. That was made clear when the owner, getting a shuttle ride some minutes later, wondered what all the police were doing around his truck.

"We're an extra set of eyes," Campbell said.

Gene and Sylvia Gibson took advantage of the service Friday afternoon. They were on their way out of The Bon-Macy's with holiday gifts when Campbell picked them up.

"We're out by the sign," Gene Gibson said, pointing to their car at the lot's far edge. "Hey, this is great -- although I could use the exercise."

"Well, thanks a lot," Sylvia Gibson said as she hopped off at the car. "We'll have to do this again."

from John L. Booth, Public Relations Committee:

I would like to point out this project would not be possible but for the extraordinary efforts of three men in particular: Worshipful Brother Iman Wintz of Kennewick Lodge,, No. 153; Senior Warden Gene Spaulding of Kennewick Lodge, No. 153, and Worshipful Brother John C. Booth of Grandview Lodge, No. 191.

There are far too many members of the Lodges in our District to single out everyone, but every member who participates in this project deserves some recognition, from the brother who picks up the carts on Sunday evening and stores them in his shop then delivers them again on Friday at noon; to the ladies who volunteer to spend two hours driving a cart in the numbing cold. Another thanks should go to the friend of a brother Mason for the free use of these four carts. All members of our Fraternity should be proud of this accomplishment.

Making a Difference

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