The Villages Masonic Lodge last week “passed” well-known Villages stage performer Alex Santoriello to the Degree of Fellow Craft.
Santoriello, who has starred in Villages productions including “Man of La Mancha,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Evita,” was welcomed into the Degree by a large group of local Masons, including Brother Ken McBride, a good friend and fellow performer.
Members of The Villages Masonic Lodge raise a considerable amount of money for local charities each year, including the Wildwood Soup Kitchen, Hospice, Boy Scouts, DeMolay and Rainbow Girls. Masons also contribute to The Villages Elementary School of Lady Lake, the Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa and the Masonic Nursing Home.
Masonry is the world’s oldest and largest fraternity, with about four million members worldwide. Masons give millions of dollars every month to causes that range from operating children’s hospitals, treating eye diseases, funding medical research, providing treatment for childhood language disorders, contributing to local community service programs and providing care to Masons and their families at Masonic homes.