BRIDGTON — The Bridgton Community Center received a check for $2,000 from the Maine Masonic Charitable Association on March 25.

The association distributed grants of $2,000 each to 24 501c3 tax-exempt organizations in the state. There was also one successful write-in winner.

The 24 winners from each district included groups who are concerned with animal welfare, education, child and elder care, food assistance, health and hospice, nature preservation and military veterans support. The complete list can be found at www.MasonicCharitableFoundation.org. There were more than 65,000 votes registered in February for the respective organizations.

This was the first effort to offer public grants. The Masons also serve communities by offering matching grants for bikes, books, youth activities, community betterment, Project Graduation and child identification programs.

The 16th Masonic District consists of eight lodges. Each lodge submitted an organization to the selection committee, which narrowed it to three organizations and they were submitted and approved by Grand Lodge of Maine. The winner was the Bridgton Community Center, Depot Street. The center serves the town and the surrounding communities.

For more information on the charitable foundation or Free Masonry contact Mark Rustin, grand secretary, at 843-1086 , 855-843-1086 or grandsectretry@mainemason.org.