The Union County Shriners Club has donated more than $500,000 to the Shriners Children’s Healthcare system over the last 20 years. The club’s biggest fundraiser is its “Cans for a Cause” which collects and recycles aluminum can’s around the county. The other major fundraiser is Tabloid Day when Shriners solicit donations directly from travelers and shoppers in the area. Tabloid Day will occur Saturday in Marysville. Above, Mike White of the Union County Shrine Club transfers cans from the club’s shed at the Union County Fairgrounds to a trailer to go to the recycling center.
(Photo submitted)
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Visitors in Marysville this weekend are likely to see a red fez or two around the community.
Saturday is the Union County Shriners Club’s annual Tabloid Day.
Steve Baker, president of the Union County Shriners Club, said local Shriners will be taking donations at local businesses and intersections around town. They will also be handing out tabloid size flyers to highlight the hospital system’s accomplishments. The tabloids also inform readers about how children can receive the free medical treatment at Shriners Hospital for Children and include important phone numbers.
Baker said that community donations, along with the club’s can donation operation, has helped raise more than $500,000 for the Dayton, Erie and Lexington children’s hospitals over the last 20 years. Baker said that while there are 17 hospitals across the world as part of the Shriners Children’s Healthcare system, Dayton, Erie and Lexington are the three hospitals most used by local children.
Baker said Shriners Children’s Hospitals started as polio care facilities and have evolved to include a variety of other pediatric medical and research services, including care for orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palates.
“The idea was always that it was free to the patients,” Baker said. “It is world class health care that the patients do not need to worry about paying for.”
Baker said the hospital does bill insurance if the patient has it, but the care is free to the patients and their family. He said the Shriners hospitals are currently working to help Ukrainian children injured or burned as part of the war with Russia.
“It really is a quality of life issue for these children and they are able to receive care at no cost and live their best life, regardless of any concerns they were born with or any injuries,” Baker said.
He said the Shriners clubs help provide transportation for patients to get to the hospitals. He said that as technology evolves, many procedures can be done on an outpatient basis.
“We are very thankful for that and it is great, but it certainly means more runs,” Baker said.
He explained that in addition to Tabloid Day, residents can help the local club raise money through the club’s can operation.
“All these clubs have their own fundraisers to pass on to the Shriners Children’s Healthcare system. We operate can drop-offs at various parts of the county,” Baker said.
People can leave cans at a variety of locations around the county. The Shriners gather the aluminum cans and sort them before taking them to Bellefontaine to be recycled. Baker said the local club donates “all the money raised” from recycling to the Shriners Children’s Healthcare system.
Baker said it “really means a lot” that individuals take time and effort to bring aluminum cans to the drop-off points. He said the cans can be sticky and dirty and would almost always be easier to throw away.
“But this is a way people can do something and help children in our community and it’s special when you see that,” Baker said.
The local club, which is part of the Aladdin Shrine Temple in Grove City, also makes donations to other organizations that complement their mission to help children. Baker used the example of donating specialized equipment to schools or gear to fire departments. During his annual report, Jerome Township Division of Fire Chief Douglas Stewart highlighted the donation of a Bullard Thermal Imaging Camera, valued at $3,300. Officials there said the camera allows firefighters to enter hazardous environments and search for victims or find hidden fires.
Baker said the best way to support the Shriners’ mission is to contact a Shriner and join the Shrine.
“Our fraternity is family focused and is committed to fun and fellowship for an amazing cause,” he said.
Baker added, “The Shrine, as a whole, is out there working for the entire community and working to provide for children that really need it.”