The Road Belongs to the Shriners

The Trenton club of the Moslem Shriners will be taking part in an annual hospital fund drive June 16-18, along with branches in other communities in Southeastern Michigan.

According to Child Care Chairman Clarence Haley, the Trenton club will be raising money for the burn center at the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Cincinnati.

“We appreciate any help we can get,” said Haley.

Haley said the club has traditionally gotten support from the Riverview Fire Department, but is unsure if they will be assisting this year as their liaison has retired.

In a letter to the city of Trenton, Illustrious Potentate Robert Lee and Hospital Fund Drive Chairman Jack Brown said members would solicit for funds, with permission by the city, by standing at intersections and in front of businesses where they receive the owners’ approval.

Pam York, coordinator for the fund drive, said that in addition to the Cincinnati hospital, the Southeast Michigan chapter of the Shriners also works with Shriners Hospitals for Children in Chicago and Erie, Pa.

“We have 982 patients total,” she said. She added that thankfully, there are not as many in the Cincinnati hospital.

York also said the Shriners accept all donations; personal, memorial and business donations are all welcome. However, they do not accept government funding.

The Southeast Michigan chapter of the Shriners was founded more than 130 years ago, as a Masonic fraternal order. Despite the name, they are unconnected to any religious affiliation and dedicate their efforts to community service.

York said that there are 3,217 members of the group in Southeast Michigan, and Haley estimates that about 25-30 of them are from the Trenton club.