The D.A.R.E. (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) van in Bensalem Twp. is not only an outstanding mobile educational aid in the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, it's a prize-winner, having won four trophies already. The most prestigious being first place in state competition and second place nationally. One can't miss the royal purple vehicle emblazoned with appropriate logos, including the square and compasses.

In the beginning of 2000, Thomas M. Vasek, W.M. of Harry A. Houseman Lodge No. 717, Somerton, suggested to Kenneth W. Bleiler, D.D.G.M. that all ten of the lodges in Masonic District D unite in a special project to support D.A.R.E. It all came about when the Bensalem Police Department said that it was willing to convert one of its patrol vans to become a D.A.R.E. vehicle and Bro. Vasek's wife, Donna, who is the D.A.R.E. officer in the township, asked if lodges would be interested in the project. All of the lodges showed a keen interest and a total of $18,000 was collected ­ enough to allow for the job to be done right. Representative officers of the lodges in District D are pictured with the van. Bro. Vasek is at right with his children.

The van was on display at the site of the June Quarterly Communication in Elysburg and has been on display at numerous schools, lodges, and public places all summer and at Autumn Day at the Masonic Homes in Elizabethtown. It is at the lodge hall for every meeting of Harry A. Houseman Lodge.