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Groups the country, they are united by the Shri-
that Give: ners mission. As Club President Tom
Sun City Hauss puts it, “I enjoy being a Shriner,
one, to have fun, and two, for the kids.
Shriners Especially for the kids.”
By Mike Gullickson Because Shriner Hospitals treat all pa-
tients, regardless of their ability to pay,
PHOTO COURTESY BEN HUR SHRINE TEMPLE Shriners raise money through social
events, baseball fundraisers, parades
A statue of a Shriner holding a small child stands before the Ben Hur Shrine and more. You may have seen one of their
Temple in Austin. The Sun City Shrine Club is a unit of the Ben Hur Shrine Temple. “Shake the Bucket” events at Walmart
and Fish City Grille or noticed a Shriner
“No man stands as tall as when he oldest fraternity – the Freemasons – de- selling tickets at the local RV show. In
stoops to help a child.” cided their meetings were a little too seri- late November, it is the Shriners who dec-
ous. Though originally dedicated solely orate the Sun City Texas bridges, guard
I’m sure we’re all familiar with that to fun and fellowship, Shriners later house and community with colorful lights.
phrase. But what does it mean and decided there was more to life than just
how is it implemented? If you’re like fun. After much debate, the fraternity “Every nickel that’s collected goes to the
me, your introduction to the Shriners was decided to open a network of hospitals hospitals,” says Tom, referring to Texas’
their red fezzes and little cars. I remem- dedicated to treating injuries, illnesses two Shriners Hospitals: one in Houston,
ber first seeing them in Milwaukee at and birth defects in children. Their first which treats cleft pallet and orthopedic
a parade. I had no idea they were fol- hospital opened in 1922, and by the end issues, and one in Galveston, whose burn
lowing the fraternity’s tenets of fun and of that decade there were 14 hospitals treatment center has received worldwide
fellowship. But in addition to enjoying throughout the country. Today, 22 facili- renown. Money from their fundraising
themselves, the Shriners also care for ties serve children in need of specialized efforts is split equally between Houston
kids and change the world. Wow! Put that medical care. and Galveston. “If we need to spend any
under your fez. money, the money comes out of our club
The Sun City Shrine Club was formed funds.”
The Shriners came about in the late in 2003 and boasts about 50 members.
1800s, when a few members of the world’s Though members hail from all parts of In addition to funding their hospitals,
the Sun City Shrine Club provides fami-
400 | SUNRAYS MARCH 2016 lies with rides to and from either of their
Texas hospitals. Tom says he and his wife
have transported families every time
they’ve had the opportunity. “You leave at
four in the morning and get back at nine
at night, and it’s a joy you can’t replace.”
Their hats may seem silly, but the Shri-
ners are serious about philanthropy.
Their 2015 Sun City Texas lighting
project raised more than $8,000, all of
which was sent directly to their hospi-
tals in Houston and Galveston. With over
300,000 members across eight countries,
the impact of the Shriners efforts has
been profound - today, over one million
children have been treated by Shriners
Hospitals.
Tom Hauss puts it best: “As a Shriner,
there isn’t any time I go to any event that
somebody hasn’t stopped me and told me
a story about how family or a friend has
been helped at a Shriner hospital. I tear
up almost every time. That makes every-
thing we do worth it.”
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
