Tuscarawas Masons provide holiday party for SEI individuals

Along with their many annual community service projects, members of Tuscarawas Masonic Lodge No. 59 hosted their fifth annual Christmas party for individuals served by Starlight Enterprises Inc., which supports people with developmental disabilities in Tuscarawas and Carroll counties.

The event began as a personal tribute.

“My brother, Chip Lewis, went to Starlight his whole life, and I just decided after he passed it was time to do a Christmas party for the kids,” said Jim Lewis, a member of the Dover-based lodge. “I call them the kids because they are my kids in a roundabout way, and it’s just grown each year.”

Each year, between 75 and 100 individuals attend the party, which features pizza, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, gifts and music provided by a DJ who also offers karaoke.

Clay Pancher of Kaboom Entertainment volunteered his time to provide music and entertainment. Lewis said many attendees recognize Pancher from previous years.

“They can sing and dance, they look forward to this, and they have a great time,” Lewis said.

Lewis serves as chairman of the annual event and said watching the joy of the attendees has made the celebration deeply meaningful to him.

“They get so excited, and it’s just a wonderful feeling inside to see their pleasure,” he said. “I consider this my Christmas day.”

Each attendee received a large gift bag filled with items such as books, Christmas hats, candy and small toys.

“We are so thankful for the Tuscarawas Masonic Lodge,” said Tonya Thomas, CEO of Starlight Enterprises. “They have sponsored this party for the last five years, and Jim Lewis has been so kind. They donate pizza and gifts every year, and everyone is having a blast.”

Chip Lewis, for whom the event was inspired, was a member of the Tuscarawas Masonic Lodge and especially enjoyed the lodge’s long-standing support of Special Olympics. In his memory, the lodge established the Chip Fund, which members hope to use in the future to assist individuals with disabilities.

The lodge is also planning to participate in a program that provides volunteers to visit nursing home residents who have no family, checking in every few months to ensure their needs are being met.

“There is a tremendous need for that in Tuscarawas County,” Lewis said.

Additional upcoming projects include the purchase of a professional puppet theater, which the lodge plans to use in 2026 for performances for children, and continued support of the local women’s shelter, including purchasing Christmas gifts for children there.

The Tuscarawas Lodge also awards approximately 15 scholarships each year to area students.

Freemasonry originated in England in 1717, and the Tuscarawas Lodge has existed for 204 years. The lodge has been located at 735 N. Wooster Ave. in Dover since 1957, after previously operating downtown. It has approximately 340 members from across Tuscarawas County and surrounding areas and meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

Shriners, who operate Shriners Hospitals for Children, are members of the Masons, and the organization’s women’s auxiliary is known as the Eastern Star. The Masons also sponsor youth groups, including Job’s Daughters for girls and other organizations for boys, aimed at developing character, communication skills and lifelong friendships.

While the lodge supports many causes throughout the year, members say the Christmas party for individuals with disabilities remains one of the most meaningful ways they strive to include and uplift everyone in the community.