32° Scottish Rite Freemasons are known across the country for their commitment to charity and community service. Our Brothers perform countless acts of service, big and small, each day to help improve the lives of those around them. They’ve also been known to get creative in their charitable efforts from time to time.
A Mason on a Mission
Earlier this year, Brother L. Arby Humphrey, 33°, participated in a truly unique fundraising effort when he rappelled down the side of a building approximately 100 feet above the ground. The "Read, Write, and Rappel Over the Edge for Dyslexia" fundraiser took place at Banbury Place in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, with the goal of raising money for The Children’s Dyslexia Center of Upper Wisconsin.
Brother L. Arby Humphrey, 33°
Brother Humphrey has been a member of the Acacia-Itaska Masonic Lodge in Superior Wisconsin for 25 years. He is a Past Grand Master of Wisconsin, an active member of the 32° Scottish Rite Freemasons and a current member of the board of governors for the Children’s Dyslexia Center.
“The Children’s Dyslexia Center does such wonderful work,” said Brother Humphrey. “When you get involved and volunteer you see how great the impact it is. Kids come in depressed, defiant, angry and within a short time they gain confidence and the smiles are back on their faces.”
“Over the Edge” participants were tasked with raising $1,000 for the center by gathering sponsors. Arby - who alone raised $2,500 - was joined by an inspiring cast of volunteers, including a local news reporter, a 77-year-old woman, and a young boy who is a current student of the CDC. In total, the event raised approximately $25,000 for the center. Those funds will be used to support the operations and resources for the center.
A Communal Effort
This is hardly Brother Humphrey’s first time chipping in to help the CDC. He and his wife Cindy have been committed to promoting the work of the organizations for years. At last year’s Annual Meeting, along with the other women and members of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, Brother Humphrey Arby and Lady Cindy helped lead an effort that raised $10,000 to create a remote tutoring program for children.
Many children need to travel up to two hours to Eau Claire to attend their tutoring sessions. Providing the CDC the resources and personnel to conduct remote tutoring can have a life changing impact for these students.
Said Brother Humphrey of the CDC and other Scottish Rite charities, “When you get involved, you personally get more out of it than you put into it.”
The Children’s Dyslexia Center of Upper Wisconsin serves the children in the entire greater Chippewa Valley from as far as two hours away. The CDC is a locally funded, non-profit organization that provides multisensory, direct-instruction services to children 18 years and younger who struggle with the challenges of dyslexia at no cost to the families. In addition to providing free tutoring, the center provides free training in the Structured Language/Orton-Gillingham method of instruction on a regular basis to individuals interested in helping children succeed.
Dyslexia, which is a language-based learning disability, affects as many as 1 in 5 people – many of whom are of average or above average intelligence and excel dramatically when given the resources to do so.
Donate now
Interested in supporting the mission of the Children’s Dyslexia Center? Make a donation here.