A brotherhood of men...dedicated to fun and fellowship...but with a serious purpose.
Shriners are distinguished by an enjoyment of life and a commitment
to philanthropy. They enjoy parades, trips, dances, dinners, sporting
events and other social occasions. They support what has been called
the "World's Greatest Philanthropy," Shriners Hospitals for Children, a
network of 22 pediatric specialty hospitals, operated and maintained by
the Shriners. All children, up to 18 years old, may be eligible for
treatment at Shriners Hospitals if they, in the opinion of the
hospital's chief of staff, could benefit from the specialized care
available at Shriners Hospitals. Eligibility is not based on financial
need or relationship to a Shriner.
In order to become a Shriner, a man must first be a
Mason. The fraternity of Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most
widely known fraternity in the world. It dates back hundreds of years
to the time when stonemasons and other craftsmen gathered in shelter
houses or lodges. Over the years, formal Masonic lodges emerged, with
members bound together not by trade, but by their own desire to be
fraternal brothers.
The basic unit of Masonry is the Blue Lodge, where
members earn the first three Masonic Degrees known as the Entered
Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason. There is no higher degree
than that of Master Mason (the Third Degree).
After he becomes a Master Mason, he can belong to many other
organizations which have their roots in Masonry and which have Blue
Lodge Masonry as a prerequisite. Only when a man has achieved the
status of Master Mason can he petition to become a Noble of the Shrine
of North America.
Other affiliated Masonic organizations include the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry (Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., Northern Jurisdiction, U.S.A and Canada) and the York Rite.
In a unique interdependent relationship, the Shriners and Shriners Hospitals are separate but inseparable.
The
Shriners of North America supports Shriners Hospitals in many ways:
Shrine Temples and clubs often help arrange and pay for transportation
for children and parents to the hospitals, and thousands of Shriners
spend many hours of their own time driving families to the hospitals
and entertaining the patients.
In addition, Shriners helps support the hospitals financially, with
each Shriner paying an annual $5 hospital assessment. Temples and clubs
also hold many fundraisers, some of which benefit Shriners Hospitals
for Children.
Click below for more information on how to become a Shriner.
Become a Shriner!
