Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83, Madison, WI

"The Shriners and their Medical Mission," presented January 24, 2007, to the members and guests of Benjamin Franklin Lodge No. 83 by Bro. Paul Gordon.

Bro. Gordon has prepared the following synopsis of his talk:

As in all lodges, Benjamin Franklin Lodge #83 has as part of its mission a goal of providing opportunities to learn more about Masonry and how to apply in life the principles and values we seek to foster. As Masons, we are taught to first build the temple of the soul and to value charity. We are also taught to work in the quarries of life. To these noble ends, our “Brothers Night” meeting of January 24, 2007 contained the informational program titled “The Shriners and their Medical Mission”.

All Shriners are Masons. Learning about and supporting the Shriners Hospitals for Children is one of many ways that Masons can work together to meet these worthy goals. This was the central message of the program, which explained the history of the Shriners, both internationally and in Wisconsin. The first Shriners Hospital was established in 1922, and the effort has grown to a system of 22 Hospitals and Burn Centers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Shriners Hospitals provide pediatric orthopedic, burn and spinal cord injury treatment to children up to 18 years of age -- at absolutely no charge to the child or family. Besides treating over 770,000 children since the founding of the hospitals, the Shriners Hospitals also do serious medical research and orthopedic medical training to improve the entire health care system. The budget for 2007 to operate the Hospital system is approximately $700 Million.

Over 450,000 Shriners are always active in fund raising activities and promoting the mission of providing the highest quality of orthopedic care for children. Among the activities of Shriners are the Shrine Circus, East-West College Football games, parade units of mini-cars, clowns and bands, and other interest groups such as equestrian, motorcycle and flying clubs, to name just a few. This is a wonderful way to enjoy fellowship and have fun doing good work in the quarries of life.

The evening’s program consisted of a power point presentation by a Shriners Hospital Board of Governors member explaining the history of Shrinedom and the development of the hospital system. The program also included viewing a DVD showing of the story of a child’s successful treatment at the Twin Cities Hospital. Imagine you are a child and have no legs. But, with two prosthetic legs from the Shriners Hospital, you play soccer, softball and ice hockey! This is just one, individual story of a child and family helped by the efforts of what some call “The World’s Greatest Philanthropy”.

Being a “Brothers Night”, several men of good character interested in learning more about the benefits of Masonry were welcomed as guests by the Brethren to continue their search. Some have petitions pending. The program was followed by dinner and a general discussion of topics evincing Masonic principles and values. More programs are planned for upcoming “Brothers Night” meetings.