Join Hands Day is a national day of action sponsored by America’s fraternal benefit societies. This annual event generates awareness about what volunteerism can do in communities across the nation, while also bringing youth and adults together to build lasting friendships across generations. It is a day that brings communities together to strengthen bonds with each other as we work together to aid others.

Hermann Sons was founded on the principle of mutual aid. From the very beginning when German men gathered together to support each other and their families until today when we join hands across the state in civic awareness - members agree that our purpose for being is to strengthen communities.

Hermann Sons has been a supporter of Join Hands Day for years. Although Join Hands Day is officially the first Saturday in May, many of our lodges will bring youth and adults together to plan, organize and implement community activities in the months preceding and following.

I went to my first Join Hands Day event this weekend. Comfort Lodge sponsored a golf tournament to benefit the Hermann Sons-Camp Grief Support Session. Comfort Lodge members joined hands with Comfort ISD Athletics to sponsor this event. Members from Kerrville, Harmonia and Pershing lodges also were on hand to offer support. The event raised more than $2,500 - enough to sponsor five children.

Over the next few months other lodges will be sponsoring charity events across the state. Many will be raising money for our focused service cause of grief support services while others will be supporting their favorite local charities. Regardless, Hermann Sons continues to be a strong source of volunteerism and community support across Texas.

If you and your family want to get involved in organized good deeds in your community or if you know of a charitable entity that needs our help, reach out to your local Hermann Sons president or community coordinator. Now is the time that our local lodges are planning their projects and they need and want your help.