140 year of Shriners

140 year of Shriners

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

A HOLIDAY LETTER FROM NOBLE JOE

A HOLIDAY LETTER FROM NOBLE JOE ALVARADO

Brother Nobles,

We sometimes forget who we are, where we come from, and what we do. We know there are two sides to the Las Vegas Shriners and our wonderful families  – the fun side with funny hats, tassels, clowns making balloon animals and driving tiny cars in parades – and the serious side which helps children with complicated orthopedic or plastic surgery needs. Our primary mission is and always has been to become the best at transforming children’s lives by providing exceptional world class  healthcare to children within a very compassionate, family-centered care environment; provide for the education of healthcare professionals; and conduct research to discover new knowledge that improves the quality of care and quality of life of children and families. This mission is without regard to race, color, creed, sex, disability, origin or ability to pay. Few Las Vegans realize that our Zelzah Shrine Temple and the Shriners Hospitals for Children Los Angeles sponsors  several  outreach clinics for children. Doctors  and staff from the Shriners Hospital for Children Los Angeles travel to Las Vegas to apply world class medical treatment to our communities children. In addition to the clinics, hundreds of children are seen via teleconferencing sessions. You can put a group of ten people together anywhere in the United States and someone has been touched or helped by the Shriners. Presently we have over 400 little souls on our medical care rolls. We don't treat sick people, we fix young lives.

I am proud to remind my Brothers of the good we do and why we should look at each child treated as a personal triumph. Katie is a special one of those to me. We heard about Katie from a Brother Noble who met her family at a church. Katie was about 11 or twelve , Her illness was extremely severe Scoliosis. The original diagnosis was that her body was twisted to 90 degrees. It later turned out to be more than 100 degrees. She could not participate in sports, and as the illness worsened, she was limited in many of the normal functions of everyday life due to the compression on her ribs on her lungs. Katie describes how she was bullied and how the Jocks at her school would  hit her on the Hump for luck before a game.

We found that this young lady had a great amount of courage and a strong will to get better. Our Temple sent Katie and her mother to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Los Angeles. And after looking her over they sent her and her mother  to Shriners Hospitals’ for Children Sacramento. Katie received treatment and surgery and post-operative care. Within three months, this amazing young lady walked into a room where we had assembled, straight as an Arrow, and told her story of the Life changing metamorphosis that had resulted  from our Shrine’s small part in this wonderful process.

I now have a lifetime friend who after the operation and her recovery who entrusted me with the fact that a boy had asked her on her first date, and then even more important that someone had asked  her to her first dance. My own life took on a change and a feeling of privilege that only comes when someone opens a small window into her little life. We now go to visit schools to talk about the Shriners Hospitals for Children, and she tells her story to amazed crowds. I swell with pride at the amazing person she has become. This young lady, only one of the more than 80,000 children our clinic has seen over its many years, has her own website and has been responsible for motivating other young individuals with the same illness who are hesitant, to proceed with their own operations.


My story is not unique.  it is repeated to each of us as Nobles at special times in our Life as nobles. At this time of year, especially, we are reminded what it means to know that life changing privilege of the title Noble as we proudly labor in this Craft we so love. The work we do and the part that each of us plays, from techs, to drivers, to clowns, is a privilege that leads to a fuller life. As we begin a New Year, we need to strive tell more people - "We are your neighbors - a part of you – let us help.”

Wishing you Best Christmas and New Year
Joe Alvarado

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

2016 El Zaribah Shrine Golf

Nobles,

The 2016 Shriners Golf Classic, benefiting Shriners Hospitals for Children is set and ready for your registration.  We assure you a good time.  The young ladies from the Cactus Tour will be joining us once again for our Pro Am, set for Saturday morning, April 2nd and the popular “Bash Before The Clash” will be held in the El Zaribah Auditorium on Friday evening, April 1st.  Details for everything is on our website, www.Shrinersgolf.com .  Of course golf and the Bash Before the Clash is open to the public.

Pro Am Golf Tournament:  For the last two tournaments we have sold out at least 60 days in advance so we strongly encourage you not to wait and register now.  This past tournament we ended up with 16 people on the waiting list. 

“Bash Before The Clash”:  Moving to the auditorium because we have simply outgrown the Red Fez Room.  This is the night you can mingle with the Pro Golfers from the Cactus Tour as well as any Celebrities that might show up and of course, enjoy food from various restaurants around the Valley and listen to some great entertainment.  Put on your white socks and dancing shoes for our entertainment that evening will be Tommy Price & the Stilettos, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JtRruKfDIo .  Old School American Rock & Roll.  Registered Golfers only are free and all others can purchase a ticket on our website at $15.00 each.

Hole Sponsorship:  We are offering a special price for El Zaribah Units and Clubs only.  As opposed to the standard rate of $125.00, our own units and clubs can have their 22” x 22” full color sign at the rate of $100.00 per sign.  You can sponsor a hole by logging ontowww.Shrinersgolf.com and clicking on “Sponsorships”.  Scroll to “Tee Box Sponsor” and click, “Add To Cart”.  When you see “Promotional Code”, type in “Unit or Club”, then click on APPLY CODE.  You have your choice of paying by credit or debit card, or if you would rather pay by check, simply click on Download Invoice, print it out and send it to us with your check.

We are asking for your help with this event.  We know we have so much talent amongst our Nobility.  There are many of you out there with so much experience and knowledge in the areas we need help so please, WHO DO YOU KNOW?

1.      What restaurant, golf course, hotel, spa or any other business owner do you know that would donate an item for the auctions that will be held during the Bash Before The Clash?
2.      Who do you know that owns a business and would enjoy becoming a sponsor of what is becoming one of the premier golf tournaments in the Valley?
3.      Who do you know that can help us get live TV coverage for our event?

Questions?  Just give us a call.

Fraternally,
TOM CALVIN SIGNATURE (small).png (2)
Tom Calvin, Executive Director
Shriners Golf Classic

The Legacy Golf Resort
April 2, 2016