Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI

The Brethren of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison presented their Quarry Award to Brother James Anderson and spouse Rebecca Price on June 23, 2010 at a Loved Ones at the Table event at the Café Continental. This was the first time the Quarry Award has been given by the Lodge and is in recognition of outstanding work in the quarries of life.

As Freemasons we are taught first to build the Temple of the soul. We are also taught to work in the quarries of life. In doing that work we are often and best motivated by charity, which may properly be denominated the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason’s heart. In this spirit the Quarry Award was developed by Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 and presented to James and Rebecca for their charitable fundraising efforts.

James’ father, Richard Anderson, suffered from non-Hodgkins lymphoma. James and Rebecca did fundraising for research for a cure for this disease. They did so by running in the 2009 Seattle Rock N Roll Marathon on behalf of Team in Training and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and raised funds by taking pledges for their run. This took months of training during which they juggled their full-time jobs and caring for their 4 year old son as well as James’ ailing father, often with the help of neighbors and friends. They raised an incredible amount of over $10,000.00!

The Quarry Award is in the form of a finished ashlar with an engraved plaque on it. A stone ashlar comes in rough form from a quarry. When the stone is rendered to a smoothed finish it then represents for Freemasons the refinement and development of good character and values. It is representative of ideals to strive for in personal and public life. This is a “finished” ashlar, rather than a “perfect” ashlar. Perfection is not of this world, and there are usually a few faults in every human endeavor. The Quarry Award finished ashlar has a few chips in it. This is by design because our work to attain the ideals it represents is never done.

James and Rebecca continue to run marathons and long distance runs to raise funds for charitable events. The attendees at the Loved Ones at the Table event rose and toasted to the honor of James and Rebecca on the occasion of their receiving the Quarry Award. James is the Secretary of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 and is also a member of Commonwealth Lodge #325. He is a Surgical Recovery Specialist for the University of Wisconsin Hospital Organ Procurement Organization. Rebecca is the Recreation/Aquatics Supervisor for the City of Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department.

Photo: James Anderson of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 and his wife, Rebecca Price received the Quarry Award at a Lodge Loved Ones at the Table event at the Café Continental in Madison on June 23rd.