The annual St. Lawrence Masonic Citrus Sale is underway. Lodges in every community are taking orders for boxes of naval oranges, Florida temples, and red grapefruit for delivery a couple of weeks later. An annual favorite is the citrus sampler, with 24 navel oranges and 12 red grapefruit for $27.

The citrus is sold by the 2/5 bushel carton, and includes California navels for $18, Florida temples for $16, and Florida grapefruit for $17, and the sampler.

Orders will be taken until Feb. 15. Delivery is expected on March 3.

To order your fruit, contact any Mason or Lodge in St. Lawrence County, or any of the following members:

Massena: John Schneider, 250-1765, Everett Hampton, 769-3282

Norwood: Howard Busch, 328-4933

Parishville: Glenn Collins, 265-9196

Colton: Carl Parrotte, 262-2526

Waddington: Darrin Corrigeux, 769-2524

Edwards: Eli Tracy, 347-2283

Gouverneur: Stephen Tharaldsen, 287-4603

Canton: Dave Paradis, 265-6979

Hammond: Tim Pitcher, 324-5825

Every Brother Mason from each of the 11 Lodges is involved during this drive, answering phones and collecting funds in preparation for the truckload that will arrive in early March. On the delivery day, they converge at the site en masse, and carefully unload the cargo and sort each box by Lodge. Once it is brought back to their community, they set about making deliveries to the hundreds of eager customers. With this assortment of juicy citrus from California and Florida, they hope to raise enough money to help support the many various charitable works that Masons do, all of which stays right here in St. Lawrence County.

St. Lawrence Masonic Charities is the central organization behind the fruit sale. Their various charities include funding for equipment and supplies for the popular New York Masonic Safety ID Program and Blood Drives held free of charge in local schools and at public events throughout the county, which are manned by many of the same Masons who help with fundraising. Other charities include storm relief centers, libraries, historical associations, and many more. The organization holds two major fundraisers per year, the Apple Sale in the fall and the Citrus Sale in February.

As far back as 1977, the Masons of St. Lawrence County have raised many thousands of dollars to help support local community charities. Some beneficiaries have included food pantries, volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, children’s clinics, libraries, hospitals, and veterans groups.