140 year of Shriners

140 year of Shriners

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Shriners Receive Boost from Tavern Association

By KFBB News Team

During today's lunchtime fiesta at Amigo Lounge, The Cascade County Tavern Association presented the Shriners with a check for $11,140.

The Tavern Association raised the money by raffling off a Harley motorcylce and hosting a pre-game tailgate party at this year's Montana East-West Shrine Game.

The money donated today will be added into the East-West Game's fundraising total, and used to support the Shriner's Childrens Hospital in Spokane.

While the Shriners don't have the exact total amount raised so far, they say this year's Shrine game has been a success.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Springs Shriners feed Care and Share fundraiser


DEBBIE KELLEY The Gazette

The Shriners are known for entertaining children at parades and healing children at their hospitals.

But members of the fraternal order step up to the plate whenever and wherever they see a need.

Billy Swartz, who belongs to the Al Kaly Shriners of Southern Colorado, read about the difficulty Care and Share Food Bank was having in raising money for a “Truckloads of Hope” campaign that launched July 1. After a month, the fundraiser had only raised $2,100 from businesses and organizations, with a $150,000 goal looming.

Swartz got busy.

“We thought there was something we could do,” he said.

He recruited 10 fellow Shriners to pitch in $100 each for a total donation of $1,100. The men, wearing their traditional red fezzes, delivered the contribution to the food bank Thursday.

The poor economy has increased demand for food by about 30 percent, said Lori Kapu, interim chief executive for Care and Share, which supplies 435 homeless shelters, soup kitchens and food pantries with nonperishable food items, frozen food and fresh fruits and vegetables.

To help fill the shelves during the summer, when fewer donations typically are made, the food bank turned to businesses and organizations, asking them to sponsor a truckload of food, which costs about $1,000 and supplies about 30,000 meals.

Care and Share officials said the campaign has raised about $10,000 so far.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Shriners International Golf Invitational

Invitational lets you play the same course as the PGA TOUR pros


Extend your stay in Las Vegas after the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and play the same course in championship condition, utilizing the same pin placements as the final round!

The entry fee for The Shriners Invitational Golf Tournament includes lunch, on-course refreshments, after-play reception with food and beverages, commemorative gift, and eight admission badges to the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, Oct. 12-18 at TPC Summerlin.

Location: TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada
Date: Monday, October 19, 2009
Time: Registration from 10-11 a.m., lunch at 11 a.m., shotgun start at noon
Entry fee: $1,000 per foursome for Shriners, $1,500 per foursome, general public

Reserve your spot today and register online or call (702) 873-1010 or visit www.jtshrinersopen.com. Space is limited.

TLC to play at Timberlake/ Shriners Concert

TLC to Play First U.S. Concert in 7 Years
By Mark Gray

TLC, the record-breaking, four-time R&B Grammy winners who were a mainstay on the Billboard charts in the 1990s, are set to play a show on U.S. soil for the first time in seven years – as part of a benefit concert hosted by Justin Timberlake.

Playing the "Justin Timberlake and Friends" concert, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, the two remaining members of TLC – Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes was killed in a 2002 car accident – will play Las Vegas's Mandalay Bay Events Center on Oct. 17.

Along with Timberlake and TLC, country sweetheart Taylor Swift and vocalists Alicia Keys and Ciara have also been added to the ticket. Tickets go on sale Saturday.

The benefit concert highlights a weeklong golf tournament to be hosted by Timberlake in Sin City Oct. 11-18 – the 2009 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

Timberlake, 28, is in the second year of a five-year partnership with Shriners to host the golf tournament and benefit concert.

Friday, August 21, 2009

New Chief of Staff at Shriners Hospital for Children-LA


Norman Y. Otsuka, M.D., has been appointed chief of staff of Shriners Hospitals for Children — Los Angeles. Dr. Otsuka has worked at the hospital for more than 10 years as assistant chief of staff, as well as a staff orthopaedic surgeon.

“It is a great opportunity to take care of children. These are challenging times, but we are up to the challenge and look forward to continuing the mission of the Shriners Hospitals for Children health care system,” said Dr. Otsuka, who specializes in general pediatric orthopaedic surgery with a concentration on lower extremities, cerebral palsy and foot conditions.

“My goals for the hospital are to rebuild the medical staff, continue to improve the academic rotation with residents from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and recruit more local patients from Southern California,” said Dr. Otsuka.

“I am proud to be able to be part of the mission of Shriners Hospitals for Children, and I look forward to serving for many, many years to come.”

Dr. Otsuka came to Shriners Hospitals for Children after serving as the chief of pediatric orthopedic service at University of California, San Francisco Children’s Medical Center.

Dr. Otsuka earned his medical degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He completed his residency at the University of Toronto and completed a fellowship at Children’s Hospital, Boston through Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Otsuka is a clinical professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles and serves on its residency admissions committee. He is a former member of the board of directors of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a current member of the executive committee on the section of orthopaedics of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and an examiner for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Recycle Electronic Devices, Help Shriners Hospitals for Children

Community Invited to Recycling Event at Sacramento Shriners HC on Aug. 22

Do you have old cell phones taking up valuable drawer space? Still wondering what to do with the old computer thats still sitting in your garage? What about the worn out copier hiding in your office closet?

On Saturday, Aug. 22, Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California invites you to E-rase your E-Waste. Those wishing to rid their homes and offices of the clutter of old, outdated electronic devices, may bring their old electronic equipment to a recycling event from 9 a.m. 5 p.m., at the Sacramento Shriners Hospital, 2425 Stockton Boulevard. Items accepted for recycling include televisions, monitors, computers, computer peripherals, copies, fax machines, VCR players, audio equipment, microwaves and more. Car batteries, large appliances, lawn mowers and yard equipment will not be accepted for recycling, according to event organizer Argosy E-cycling.

There is no fee for the recycling. The suggested donation for those who choose to erase their electronic waste is $5 per vehicle. All donations will benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California.

For further information call (916) 453-2008 or go online to www.ecycleit.com

Shriners' hospital starts next construction phase

Medical wing open; now family quarters, offices will be built
By Mary Vorsino Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer

Shriners Hospitals for Children in Honolulu yesterday kicked off the second phase of a $73 million capital improvement project, with the removal of a mobile operating trailer used to help provide surgery to children at the facility during construction.
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The hospital recently completed its medical wing, which has two operating rooms, 24 inpatient beds, 13 exam rooms and recreation, physical therapy and radiology rooms. The next phase of work will concentrate on installing a family quarters building and administrative offices.

Once completed, the hospital will boast about 150,000 square feet of floor space — about 40 percent more space than the old hospital. Officials say that will allow the facility to meet a growing need for services, especially among kids from the Neighbor Islands.

Construction on the new facility is set to wrap up by next summer.

Employees and patients moved into the new medical wing two weeks ago.

With the removal of the mobile operating trailer, crews can start demolition work to make way for the second phase of construction. The $1.4 million operating trailer had been parked at the side of the hospital. It went into use about two years ago, when construction started.

Shriners purchased the trailer on the Mainland and shipped it to O'ahu, after being unable to find operating space at other area hospitals. The trailer was moved from the hospital yesterday and will be shipped back to the Mainland for use at another Shriners facility.

Shriners officials say the trailer is better than some operating rooms in hospitals.

"It is a top-notch, state-of-the-art operating room on wheels," said Gene Bracewell, the Shriners' board treasurer. "We never had to tell a child we can't take care of your services."

Construction of the $73 million hospital started in August 2007.

Shriners has committed $59 million toward the work.

The rest, about $14 million, will come from donations.

So far, Shriners has raised about $11 million from businesses, foundations and the public.

Shriners officials say they're confident they'll be able to raise the rest by the end of the year.

The hospital specializes in pediatric orthopedics.

It sees more than 600 new children a year from across the state, Pacific and Asia.

Children are provided with free medical care, regardless of their parents' ability to pay.
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The cast of "Slava's Snowshow" dazzled children at Shriners hospital with a special performance. It included paper snow, flying balls and clowns. The group is performing at the Hawaii Theater through Sunday.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Shriners Shipping out aloha to Micronesi


By Paul Drewes for video & pic. go to KHNL.com

HONOLULU (KHNL) - Even as the old Shriner's Hospital is torn down, it will still be giving back to communities across Micronesia. As care packages in containers are shipped from our state.

Its moving day at Shriner's Hospital. Old or unused equipment is carted out of this building before it comes down, to make way for their new facility.

"This is the last of the hospital we are going to demolish and we're donating surplus equipment that we are not going to use at the new hospital," said Barbara Lacaden, with Shriner's Hospital.

Old exam tables, x-ray view boxes, even furniture are all being packed up and shipped out. This effort keeps our island a little greener, and makes a big impact on countries in Micronesia.

"All of this stuff being loaded into containers would go to our landfill. Instead we are diverting it to countries that could really use it," said Glenn Wakai, with Reach out Pacific.

Why are these old food service equipment and even work desks so critical to many islands in the pacific? Because they have so little to begin with.

"When you go to a hospital in Palau you're asked to bring your own sheets to the hospital. Could you imagine having that situation in Hawaii?" asked Wakai.

Instead the newly constructed Shriner's Hospital is being fitted with brand new high tech medical equipment. But even as the old one is demolished, Shriner's didn't want let anything go to waste.

"Shriner's has a commitment policy to not resell but find organizations that can reuse the equipment we have," said Lacaden.

Reach out Pacific, a local non profit, does exactly that. They have already sent out more than $350,000 worth of surplus medical and educational equipment to Samoa, Guam, and the Philippines. Now these supplies will be sent to Palau and Pohnpei, to make a difference in Micronesia.

"I'm so glad it can be used elsewhere," added Lacaden.

Along with the medical and office supplies being loaded up, there are also school supplies. Including thousands of books loaded onto a pair of containers that will be shipped to Micronesia free by Matson.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Donor replaces stolen Duck money

A donor has replaced money stolen from the Shriners Hospital booth Saturday in Riverfront Park. But people who bought Duck Race tickets during Kids Day need new ones.

Curley Werner, of El Katif Shrine, said a Post Falls man who saw a report about the theft on TV came into the Shriners office and wrote a check for $500. The donor was a disabled veteran who asked to remain anonymous.

The thief also took ticket stubs that had the Shriners’ half of the entries purchased for the Duck Race. People who bought the tickets can trade their halves of the stubs for new numbers, Werner said. Call the Shriners at (509) 624-2762.

Jim Camden

Benefit Golf Tournament for Shriners Hospitals for Children

The Fairways Golf Course and Odom Corporation—MillerCoors is holding the 1st Annual Benefit Golf Tournament for the Shriners Hospitals for Children—Spokane. The tournament will begin at 9AM, registration starting at 8AM, with all proceeds raised going to the hospital.
The benefit will consist of an 18-hole, four-man scramble, shotgun format with K.P. and long drive contests as well as hole-in-one prizes. It will be followed by a fundraiser raffle, awards party, and a dinner featuring our famous grilled steaks.

This tournament is the first of its kind at The Fairways Golf Course since being under the new ownership of Buster Heitman. “Two of my children have greatly benefited from the great care and compassion shown by the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

We have been working hard improving the golf course and the facilities and we are excited to host this tournament.
The Shriners Hospitals does wonderful work and we are proud to do a small part in thanking them for all they do for this community.” -Buster Heitman, Owner

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Pulling for the Shrine in 2009: Potentate pays official visit

P;umas County News-for complete story go to- http://www.plumasnews.com/news_story.edi

Alicia Knadler Indian Valley Editor 8/11/2009

Ben Ali Shrine members from Plumas and Lassen counties converged in Susanville last month for the state visit of Potentate Chuck Brooks and his contingent of officers, or Divan as they are known, from their headquarters in Sacramento.

Members were especially pleased to welcome little Kayla of Janesville, who was a patient at the Shriners Hospital for Children.

Shriners hospitals around the country are supported by the efforts of such club members, who ceaselessly organize fundraisers that combine family and fraternal fun with philanthropy.

Children have traditionally received free care for orthopedic needs and burns from these hospitals, and several local children like Kayla have benefited.

The Shriners Hospital for children in Sacramento is where children may receive expert care for orthopedics and burns.

There is never a charge to the patient or parents for any medical care or services provided at a Shriners hospital. Any child under the age of 18 may be treated at a Shriners hospital if there is a reasonable possibility the child's condition can be helped.

In an emergency situation, the treating physician can call the hospital chief of staff to arrange emergency medical care for a burned child. The number for the hospital in Sacramento is (916) 453-2111.

In 1997, a new Shriners hospital opened in Sacramento, where children may receive burn treatments in addition to orthopedic and spinal-cord injury care.

The doctors and staff at Shriners hospitals are considered pioneers in burn treatment, and many of the advances in burn care have been the result of their work.
In addition to offering a wide range of specialized medical and rehabilitation services, Shriners hospitals use a family-centered treatment approach that provides multiple benefits for the patients. The philosophy stresses that while medicine might heal the child's body, tending to the child's sense of well-being is equally important to his or her recovery.

The 2009 Potentate Chuck Brooks talked to Lassen and Plumas members about the economic challenges faced by the hospitals. With expenses rising and fundraiser revenues diminishing in a tough economy, the hospitals are losing about $1 million a day.

The losses are being paid for from the endowment principal, Brooks explained, which means even less revenue from interest during years to come.
We voted with out hearts and not our heads to keep them all 22 Units open, Brooks said.

There is a lot of work to do in fundraising and membership recruitment. Hence his motto, Pulling for the Shrine in 2009. Brooks also encouraged the formation of more Masonic youth clubs that offer opportunities in community service and leadership development.

Upcoming activities:
There are several fraternal and family-style activities and fundraisers on the Ben Ali and local Shrine clubs calendars.

Members of the Ben Ali Shrine and Scottish Rite will host their annual family picnic Sunday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. The fun, food and games will be served to families and friends at the Ben Ali Picnic Area at 3262 Marysville Blvd. in Sacramento.

The annual Shriners Day at the Circus will be Sunday, Aug. 30, in Sacramento, and discount tickets will be available through Saturday, Aug. 15.

The 2009 Golf Ball Drop fundraiser will be Friday, Sept. 11, at the Tuscan Ridge Golf Club in Paradise. Up to 3,000 numbered golf balls will be dropped over a designated cup and flag on the driving range, and 10 cash prizes will be awarded, based on the gross sales of balls. Deadline to buy balls is Tuesday, Sept. 1.


The Nevada City Constitution Day Parade will be Sunday, Sept. 13, and the Command Parade Directive includes participation from a number of Shrine clubs, including the Keystone Cops, Ben Ali Clowns, Classic Autos, Pipes and Drums, the Million Dollar Band, the Cameleers and many other units.

Members of the Nevada Lodge No. 13 will serve a pre-parade meal, and parade assembly will be at the top of the hill on East Broad Street at 1 p.m., one hour before the start.

Information for Ben Ali activities and the opportunity to buy balls is available online at ben-ali-shriners.org or by phone to (916) 920-4107.

Shriners meeting with health Ministry ‘very encouraging’

By Lucy Millett

THE MEDICAL liaison for a US hospital met with a spokesman for the Minister for Health yesterday, seeking financial help to operate on Cypriot children suffering from scoliosis.

Shriners Hospitals for Children have been treating Cypriot children with orthopaedic problems free of charge for thirty years. Children deemed in need treatment are sent to Massachusetts at the expense of the Paraskevaides Foundation.

However, due to the current economic climate, the leadership of the Shriners Hospitals can no longer afford to provide the surgical hardware needed for the scoliosis operations.

George Christodoulou, the medical liaison between Cyprus, the Paraskevaides Foundation and the Shriners Hospitals, met with Mr Vakanas, spokesman for the Ministry of Health, to discuss meeting these costs. Christodoulou said he was ‘very pleased with the outcome of the meeting.’

He explained “The ministry have requested that a medical record come from us and an application form from the parents of the children. This is so that they can process the money needed for the surgical hardware.” He said the ministry were ‘very helpful’ and the meeting was ‘very encouraging.’ Christodoulou stressed that “all other medical expenses remain free.”

He added that he hopes the parents of children with scoliosis would be made aware of this development so that they can take the necessary steps to improve their children’s quality of life.

Mr Nasos Athanasiou, spokesman for the Paraskevaides Foundation, said: “I am very optimistic about the help from the Cyprus government. As I understand it the ministry have promised to help, provided that the parents bring papers to justify this assistance. This will no doubt depend on the financial situation of the family. I am sure that the ministry will make the parents aware of what they have to do to apply for assistance.”

He added that the Foundation will continue to fund the children’s travel expenses “for as long as the need is there.” Christodoulou said of the Paraskevaides Foundation: “Everything we do for these Cypriot children is all thanks to them. Without them this programme would not exist.”

Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine which can be extremely painful. Severe cases of scoliosis can lead to diminished lung capacity, increased pressure on the heart and restricted physical activity. In adolescents scoliosis can cause the hip and leg proportions to become misaligned. According to Christodoulou Cyprus has the highest per capita rate of scoliosis worldwide. The surgery for scoliosis involves placing a rod either side of the spine to straighten it. These rods, which cost between $13 000 and $25 000 (€9000 to €17500) are the surgical hardware in question.

Shriners Hospitals have helped more than 3,000 Cypriot children free of charge since 1980 but since the global recession they have had to cut their budget to keep six of their hospitals open. This resulted in the need for financial assistance to pay for the platinum parts needed to straighten the spines of scoliosis patients.

Shriners Hospitals are dedicated to making a difference in the lives have children. Since 1922 they have helped more than 865,000 children, free of charge.

Last week Athanasiou commented ‘It is a mark of the times that for the first time in 30 years Shriners have had to ask for financial help.’

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Help Neded at La Dolce Vita, Black Horse

Gentlemen:Urgent plea from the organizers of La Dolce Vita. For this Friday Aug.14th

Your assistance with filling the remaining 20 open volunteer positions is now critical. The hospital has signed up thirteen with another seven pending. But we are still short the other half (20). Tina Brunello at (916) 453-2018 is managing the list. She can also be emailed at tbrunello@shrinenet.org. The organizers need to have every slot confirmed by close of business on Wednesday or first thing Thursday morning. Jodi Ellis will contact people directly with information - so people need to provide telephone numbers and email.

We are both dependent on and sincerely grateful for your help. With questions, feel free to call me at (916) 541-4898. Thanks so much!Alan

Monday, August 10, 2009

Thief steals from Shriners and ultimately kids


Curly Werner
The names, numbers and addresses of those who bought tickets are in the stolen duffel bag. The names, numbers and addresses of those who bought tickets are in the stolen duffel bag.

SPOKANE -- It's a crime that Shriners say is a senseless act against the children of Spokane and now they need the city's help tracking down a duffel bag.

The El Katif Shriners say they were selling raffle tickets for the popular duck race in Riverfront Park on Saturday when a thief made it off with a duffel bag full of $400 worth of cash and raffle tickets.

Von Chimienti said he put the now missing duffel bag into the back of his truck. Chimienti believes whoever took the bag must have watched him throw it in his truck.

"I looked in the back... the blue bag's gone...where'd it go?," Chimienti recalled. "I knew I didn't lose it between here and there."

Chimienti said he failed to lock his truck after he put the duffel inside, still fellow Shriner Curly Werner doesn't understand who would commit such an offense.

"Making off with a contribution to the Shriners Hospital, of all the dumb things to do," exclaimed Werner. "Robbing banks is one thing, but stealing from kids is something else, I'm sorry there are people like that."

Werner and Chimienti say they're worried about the raffle ticket stubs that were in the bag. The stubs contain the names, phone numbers and addresses of the 45 people who bought raffle tickets.

The theft comes just days after the officials announce the layoff of nine Shriners Hospital employees in an effort to keep all 22 of it's locations open.

The hospital, which has been financially strapped, will also reduce the hours of 13 other employees.

If you have any information about the crime or the bag's whereabouts, you are asked to call the Shriners at (509)624-2762.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Shriners Hops at Moxee


GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic
Shriner Bob Crosier greets youngsters as he drives in the Moxee Hop Festival Parade in Moxee, Wash. Aug. 8, 2009. The annual two-day festival includes live entertainment, a 5K fun run and walk and fireworks.

The Masada Shriners and their tiny cars, requisite to any parade.

"We're here to show people we're still around and that it's all about the kids," said Donald Lansing, potentate of the Yakima unit.

Lansing noted that next month, Shriners' hospitals mark their 85th year of providing care for severely injured children.

Monday, August 3, 2009

HOG Run Aug.30th


The Golden State Glendale HOG(Harley Owners Group)and Al Malaikah Shrine Motor Patrol invite everyone to join them for a great day for a great cause!

A cool ride. Lucky poker hand, door prizes, 50/50, live band and a delicious lunch.
Registration 7am to 9am Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium 665 West Jefferson Blvd.(between Hover & Figuroa) $25.00 person run pins to the first 300 entrants.
Finish at Glendale Harley Davidson Buell 3717 San Fernando Rd. Glendale. Call Bob at (323)855-0024 or Rod (661)252-5294 for more information.
Cars are welcome and encouraged.
The Annual Porker run to Benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children and the Golden State Glendale HOG

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Bowl-A-Thon helps Shriners Hospital

Washington Voices The Spokesman-Review

SPOKANE COUNTY – Supporters of Shriners Hospital for Children were relieved when the announcement came that the hospital would not be closed for the present. But Spokane Valley resident Carol Gibson said it’s important to continue to generate funds for the nonprofit institution. “Even though the hospital remains open, we’re still raising funds to help with patient care, especially for uninsured patients,” she said.

On Saturday, the community joined Gibson and other supporters at Lilac Lanes, 1112 E. Magnesium Road, from 6 to 9 p.m. for a Bowl-A-Thon. The proceeds going to Spokane Shriners Hospital. The cost was $25 per person or $40 per family, and included shoe rental.

Pro Paintball team Explicit spends the day at Shriners Childrens Hospital

July 31, 2009 by Brandon
Professional paintball team San Francisco Explicit recently spent an afternoon at Shriners Hospital in Sacramento, CA giving back to those in need. The team spent time with the kids and donated board games and answered tons of questions. This is paintball news that deserves attention as it involves both children in need and the promotion of paintball to the outside community. Many of you may recognize SF Explicit from both the extraordinary job they’ve done promoting paintball all while raising awareness for those both in and outside of our sport. Read on as Jana Kruska and Rob Montiero of San Francisco Explicit recount their experience.


Rob Montiero on the Shriners Children’s Hospital visit;

SF EXPLICIT joined the staff to discuss our visit with the kids who were already waiting upstairs for us. The staff held a Q & A session so that the kids would have a better understanding of what we do and who we all were. It was awesome how very interested they all were about paintball. After Q & A we all had the opportunity to join in on several different activities that were going on with the kids, such as…painting, video games, cards which UNO we noticed was definitely a kid favorite. Some of the kids were confined to a bed or a wheel chair while others were able to walk around, but this didn’t seem to matter to them, they were all so curious about us. It was so amazing interacting with all of them, tons of questions, lots of laughs, and we definitely got a beatdown in a card game of UNO.

We would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to Shriners Children’s Hospital and their staff for giving us the opportunity to spend part of the day with them and sharing their lives with us. What an amazing experience it was. These kids definitely left a lasting impression on all of us and would only hope we left all of them feeling the same way.

A special thank you to Planet Eclipse, DGX, Rockstar and HA Logistics for donating T-shirts, Hats, and a dozen new board games. Thanks to Kahlen Limjoco from Make It To Sunday, Mike O’Malley from Rockstar and the Rockstar Factory Team for joining us on this visit.