Page 33 - Sojourner Newsletter-Summer 2025 _V2

Volume 102, Issue 3 33
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN CHAPTER #16 National Sojourners,
Valley Forge Camp. Heroes performed the “ Toast to the Flag” and led
the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag at the Masonic Baby Shower held at
LuLu Shriners in Plymouth Meeting, PA.

Begun in 2008 by Pennsylvania Right Worshipful Grand Master Stephen
Gardner the original program was called “Change for the Troops” and
provided prepaid phone cards to all troops being deployed overseas from
the tri-state area, (PA, DE, NJ). Now called “Help for our Heroes” the
program provides baby showers to over fifty expecting mothers and their
families providing much that is needed to raise their baby/babies for the
first year or so. Also provided are adaptive bikes for veterans with
injuries, home repairs and improvements for the families of deployed
troops.

To date Pennsylvania Masons have contributed $1,600,000 to this
program financing at least two baby showers per year. Bro. (Maj) Gary
M. Portnoy, USAF, (Ret.)

Len Bezar USCG

(L-r ): MSGT David Gillespie USA, ret.,
Maj Gary M. Portnoy, USAF, ret.,
SGM Anthony Carroll, USA, ret. (President-Camp
Commander),
TSGT Allen Dick, USA,
SN Len Bezar, USCG