email : Webview : Al Rai`e Saleh Hurricane Relief

Dear Nobles,

I’m writing you regarding a very serious and ongoing situation involving Al Rai`e Saleh Shriners, our temple in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

On September 20, 2017, the island was devastated by Hurricane Maria. After this intense category 4 storm passed, the island was 100 percent without power. Obtaining food, clean water and many requirements of day-to-day life quickly became a real struggle.

As Imperial Potentate, I felt compelled to visit our nobility in Puerto Rico during this ongoing crisis, and share our compassion and concern. I traveled to the island recently, spent a day with our brothers and personally witnessed some of the terrible damage caused by this storm. Our fellow nobles and their families continue to cope with the loss of homes, businesses, comfort and safety. As you can imagine, the obvious, visible physical destruction is only part of the story. The emotional toll and effects of this horrible, powerful storm will last a lifetime.

While conditions on Puerto Rico have improved since the hurricane made landfall, a full return to normalcy will take months, or even years, to accomplish. Basic transportation, utility and communications services remain compromised. In speaking with our nobles during my recent trip, I learned that as much as 50 percent of the power has been restored, mostly in the cities, with rural areas coming on-line at a slower pace. Internet service has been inconsistent and cell coverage spotty and unreliable. Many roads and bridges have been severely damaged or destroyed.

Fortunately, the temple largely escaped the ravages of the storm. However, many of its members were impacted significantly. The current situation makes it functionally impossible for the temple to obtain dues revenue. Without that revenue, the temple will exhaust its available funds and struggle to meet its operational financial obligations.

The leadership of Shriners International has had numerous discussions regarding how to financially assist Al Rai`e Saleh. We know that many nobles would appreciate an opportunity to contribute and provide help, especially if they were aware of the extent of this ongoing crisis. It was determined that fraternal contributions to the temple would be the best way to provide operational assistance.

Shriners are known for their generosity and compassion. Please consider making a donation to help Al Rai`e Saleh during this difficult time. While the financial needs of this temple are not enormous, they are urgent. If even 1 percent of our nobility responds to this emergency call for relief, Al Rai`e Saleh will be able to get back on its feet and continue its work.

Please make your checks payable to Al Rai`e Saleh Shriners and note “Hurricane Relief” in the memo field of the check. Mail your check to:

Al Rai`e Saleh Shriners
P. O. Box 361120
San Juan, PR 00936-1120

A first class U. S. Mail stamp is all that is required for a standard business envelope.

This appeal is strictly for purposes related to the operational needs of the temple. If you wish to provide financial relief to individual Masons and Shriners who need assistance, please visit the Masonic Services Association website, msana.com/msappeals.asp.

Shriners International, in cooperation with the Grand Lodge of Puerto Rico and the Masonic Service Association has provided more than $200,000 for the relief of Masons in Puerto Rico. However, the need remains.

Contributions made to the Masonic Service Association are charitable. Please be reminded that contributions to Al Rai`e Saleh are not charitable, but are a true expression of brotherly love.

Thank you for your help and concern. We appreciate all that you do for our brotherhood.

Fraternally,

Gary J. Bergenske
Imperial Potentate

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