The Kitimat General Hospital Foundation is in high spirits, having received a sizable $10,000 donation from the Royal Arch Masons for the purchase of specialty chairs tailored for physiotherapy and ultrasound procedures.
Distinguishing their charitable gestures, the Royal Arch Masons’ foundation focuses on supporting rural hospital foundations. Their grants, which can reach up to $10,000, specifically target standalone needs, diverging from major project fundraisers or big-ticket purchases.
“We try to help out with the smaller things, as long as it’s a standalone item,” Grand Superintendent Gordon Hamer said.
This is the first time the Royal Arch Masons’ (RAM) have been able to hand out the donation. While some hospital foundations have been denied due to misalignment with the RAM’s criteria, Hamer attributes these decisions to mere communication hiccups. He remains optimistic about a surge in suitable applications in the future.
The Royal Arch Masons are a senior branch of the regular Masons, with membership throughout the Northwest and with lodges in Terrace and Prince Rupert.