All of the above are worthwhile organisations, but what separates them?
There are a number of good, effective and honourable charities in England such as the Lions and Round Table. It might surprise you to learn there is usually one big difference between that type of charity organization and Freemasons In general terms the Lions or Round Table collect money from the world at large for good causes. Freemasons don’t, .I am quite sure you have never seen a Freemason waving a collecting bucket in public! All the money donated by Freemasons, almost without exception comes from Freemasons themselves. It will almost certainly surprise you to learn then, that of all UK charities only the National Lottery gives more to charity here than the Freemasons do. Freemasons in the past have been notoriously bad about telling you the good things they do. I do know that to some Freemasons they want all their charity to be secret on the basis that if people know, that is your reward here on earth. Nevertheless these days Freemasons publish very detailed accounts. These accounts show that for well over half a century Freemasons have given a million pounds each year to the Royal College of Surgeons for the betterment of mankind. You would also be very hard pressed to find a hospice anywhere in the country which is not being generously supported by Masonic funds.
They do say that charity begins at home and Freemasons are very good at taking care of their own. This is evidenced by such things as the Masonic Boys and Girls schools here in the UK. These schools generally take the children of Masons who have died. Without charge or cost to other members of the family these boarding schools provide each such child with full board and education to the age of 18