A few months ago, Ministry Village at Olive and Ms. Vanessa Bettis, the Director of Women’s Recovery Ministries at the Charis House, were honored to receive the Family Values Award from the Valley of Pensacola order of the Scottish Rite Masons.

The Scottish Rite is a Masonic organization and one of the oldest fraternal organizations in the world. According to their website, “the values of Freemasonry are passed from generation to generation, Mason to Mason, in a timeless and tireless effort to make good men better. These degrees provide a framework that affects every aspect of modern life and are based on the values of brotherly love, relief, and truth.” Affiliated organizations include The Shrine (Shriners); York Rite; Grotto; Eastern Star, DeMolay International, Job’s Daughter’s, International Order of Rainbow for Girls and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. The Valley of Pensacola was founded in 1905 as Omar Lodge of Perfection in Escambia Lodge #15 on Garden & Palafox Streets. It is currently located at the Pensacola Masonic Center. It is part of the Orient of Florida.

Drayton Smith, Executive Director of MVO, was notified in May that MVO and Ms. Vanessa Bettis were nominated for the Scottish Rite’s Family Values Award. This award recognizes the importance of family values, and places a spotlight on people and organizations in our community who make a difference through giving, community service and volunteerism.

Ms. Vanessa was honored to be recognized. “Motivation gets you started, and inspiration keeps you going. It is an honor to be recognized by our fellow community volunteers.”

Congratulations, Ms. Vanessa! Thank you for representing our organization well throughout our community by shining the light of Jesus for everyone to see!