Roman-Hatheway Lodge #223, F.&A.M. took great pleasure in awarding a New York State Masonic   Grand Lodge Certificate of Appreciation for Excellence in Service to the Community to Chief Kevin C. Beach, representing the Rome Police Department, and an additional award to the entire Rome Police Department for their exceptional service to the city during the past year of the COVID-19 period.  This prestigious honor is awarded to those individuals and/or organizations, who make a significant contribution to the community above and beyond what normally might be expected of them. 

Freemasonry is a unique institution that has been a major part of the Rome community life for over 210 years.  Roman-Hatheway Lodge #223 is Rome's oldest fraternal organization and one that continues to be an important part of our city.  Lodge members take pride in acknowledging and participating in Masonic charities, our most visible activity.  The majority of their giving goes to people who are not associated with the Masonic fraternity at all.  Though our charitable efforts vary from year to year; during the last year of the COVID-19 period the Lodge has donated over $1,500 to the Rome Rescue Mission, and $500 dollars to the Veteran’s Outreach Center.  The Lodge has generally included advancement of education through $500 in scholarships to two Rome Free Academy graduates each year for many years.   The Lodge and its members have donated to the Oneida County Dyslexia Center; the Shriner's Hospitals for Children; the Masonic Brotherhood Fund; the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory in Utica; the New York Masonic Safety Identification Program; and other charitable causes within our community totaling over $3,400 this past year alone.  Roman-Hatheway Lodge’s award nominations were submitted to a state wide awards committee for review and approval and once approved by a committee of distinguished men,  signed by the Grand Master of Masonry for New York State and then The Grand Lodge Certificate of Appreciation for Excellence in Service to the Community can be awarded.