Economic Stimulus Raffle at Harlem Lodge

The Universal Square Club of Boyer Lodge #1 of Free & Accepted Masons presents its first annual Economic Stimulus Raffle. The raffle’s drawing will be held Saturday, August 22, 2009, 9pm, at The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 454 West 155th Street, New York City.

Only 300 tickets are available for this raffle whose prizes are as follows: Grand Prize, $10,000; Second Prize, $2,500; Third Prize, $1,000; and Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Prizes are $500 each. Tickets for this Economic Stimulus Raffle are $100 each and one or more persons may purchase a single ticket. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Partial proceeds from the Economic Stimulus Raffle will assist in funding Boyer Lodge #1’s youth development and community outreach programs. In addition to its youth mentoring program, Boyer Lodge #1 has distributed hundreds of toys to needy children in New York City through its Toys-For-Tots initiative; and, the last six years, it has sponsored fees for youth attending summer sessions at Camp Eureka in Roscoe, NY. The camp, which is owned by the Prince Hall Masons of New York State and managed by Eureka Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, boasts a comprehensive Environmental Science Program. The program is administered by Philson A. A. Warner, an applied scientist and the founding director of Cornell University’s Cooperative Extension Hydroponics, Aquaculture, Aquaponics Learning Lab. He also serves as Boyer Lodge #1’s worshipful master.

Warner states, “With six cash prizes ranging from $10,000 to $500 and only 300 tickets available for purchase, the odds of winning are tremendous. Most importantly, the money raised from this first annual Economic Stimulus Raffle will allow the Lodge to continue and expand its work of providing much needed community and educational services during this time of economic uncertainty.”

Boyer Lodge #1 was founded February 16, 1812 and is the oldest Prince Hall Lodge in the World. In addition to being the mother lodge of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of New York, it is the third oldest continuing black institution in the state following Mother A.M.E. Zion Church and The Abyssinian Baptist Church, respectively. Boyer Lodge is named in honor of the Republic of Haiti’s first president, Jean Pierre Boyer. Boyer is considered a hero for his leadership as a soldier-statesman during the Haitian Revolution. In 2012 Boyer Lodge #1 will celebrate its 200th Anniversary.

For more information about Boyer Lodge #1’s Economic Stimulus Raffle or to purchase tickets, please contact Worshipful Master Philson Warner, 646-320-6027; Senior Warden Pablo Rojas, 917-301-1528; or Junior Warden Adelso Rodriguez, 646-796-6676.

JUST THE FACTS

WHAT:The Universal Square Club of Boyer Lodge #1 of Free & Accepted Masons

First Annual $15,000 Economic Stimulus Raffle Drawing

WHEN: Saturday, August 22, 2009, 9pm

WHERE:The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, 454 West 155th Street, New York, NY 10032

TICKETS:

* $100 each
* ONLY 300 available
* One or more persons may purchase a single ticket
* NO tickets will be sold at the door

PRIZES:

* Grand Prize: $10,000
* Second Prize: $2,500
* Third Prize: $1,000
* Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Prizes: $500 each

PROCEEDS:

Partial proceeds will be used to support Boyer Lodge #1’s youth development and community outreach programs.

Economic Stimulus Raffle Tickets:

* Worshipful Master Philson Warner: 646-320-6027
* Senior Warden Pablo Rojas: 917-301-1528
* Junior Warden Adelso Rodriguez: 646-796-6676