School receives grant for library

Ekalaka Public Schools recently received a grant in the amount of $898 from the Montana Masonic Foundation for new iPads at the school library.

Freemasons Pat Strickland, Doug Bonsell, and Marty Reierson were at the school on Tuesday to present a check to the district. All three are members of Ekalaka Lodge #120; the latter is also a member of the lodge in Forsyth as well as the grand marshal with the grand lodge of Montana.

Strickland says that one of the basic precepts of freemasonry is education. "We want to do our part to help with local schools," he said.

Present on behalf of the school to receive the grant check were Clerk/Business Manager Brittani Brence, District Secretary Misty Erfman, and Librarian/Paraprofessional Casey Whitney.

The Montana Masonic Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization committed to local causes. It has sponsored reading achievement programs including "Bikes for Books" and "Kindles for Kids" throughout Montana Public Schools for years.

Proudly supporting public education in communities across the state of Montana is a primary purpose of the Montana Masonic Foundation.

The foundation's educational grant program is designed to provide teachers, student aides, and principals in Montana's Public Schools an opportunity to apply for a grant to assist under-funded programs in areas such as music, drama, science and libraries. Grant money can also go to other areas of student enhancement or learning that have suffered cut-backs, or are experiencing start-up concerns.

Since 2015, the foundation has distributed over $600,000 to public schools - and over $100,000 in 2023 alone.

In 2018, Ekalaka Public Schools received a $3,000 grant for the music department to get new instruments.

Established in 1960, the Montana Masonic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that dispenses charity (public and private); encourages and promotes free public education and schools through endowments, grants, scholarships; as well as hosts a Masonic Library & Museum.