Thank you, and God bless you as well.
Just last night, I cracked open C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity" for the first time (just finished Screwtape letters).
His opening admonition was that Christians, of the various denominations, should not bicker about the 2% we don't agree with, except in very private, and certainly not in front of ANYONE who has not accepted Christ.
I am looking forward to a good read.
Shriner's Orthopaedic and Burn Care Hospitals
http://www.masonicinfo.com/shrinehosp.htm
Given without charge to children for over 75 years!
As one Shriner put it, "We can't put a price on what we do for these children so we do it for free!"
For those living in Mexico, the US or Canadian, these hospitals are pretty well known. What is not always known is that all Shriners are Masons! There are 22 hospitals throughout the United States: three for treatment of burns and 19 which address crippled children's medical problems.
The first Shriners Hospital opened in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1922 and the first Burns Institute opened in Galveston, Texas in 1966. To date, the Shriners have spent over $3 billion dollars on hospital operating costs and over $7 million on construction and renovation.
The number of children helped to date is nearing 550,000 and all care is free! The one department which is never found in a Shrine Hospital is a billing department. Funds for this come from gifts, bequests, income from the endowment fund, hospital fund-raising events, and the annual hospital assessment paid by every Shriner (of which there are approximately 600,000).
If you'd like to find out more about the Shriners Hospitals, you can also go to the Shrine Hospitals web site and if you'd like to read some really heart-warming patient success stories, they've got some right here.
Shrine Football
Football fans also know of the Shrine Hospitals through the Annual East-West Shrine Football Classic and Pageant which was begun in 1925. During the past ten years, the game has drawn an average of 70,000 fans, by far the largest attendance of any college all-star game. Over the years, "Football's Finest Hour" has raised more than $14 million dollars to provide quality medical care free of charge to children of every race and religion.
In addition, throughout the United States, there are hundreds of high school post-season football games also played for the benefit of the Shrine Hospitals. For many graduating seniors, it is their last competitive football game but the one they'll remember with the fondest memories, despite the other accolades they may have received while playing. An essential part of game preparation is a trip to a local Shrine Children's Hospital so that these athletes will see the children they're helping.
The motto of all Shrine football games is:
"Strong Legs Run That Weak Legs May Walk."
CONTACTING SHRINERS HOSPITALS
If you know of a child who might benefit from care at a Shrine Burns or Crippled Children's facility, contact ANY Shriner or call one of our toll-free patient referral lines between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time. In the United States: 1-800-237-5055. In Canada: 1-800-361-7256.
For emergency burn admissions to one of the Shriners Hospitals that treat burns, the referring physician should telephone the chief of staff at the Shriners Hospital in Boston, Cincinnati, Galveston, Tex., or Sacramento, California and indicate the patient needs emergency care. Emergency care is not available at the orthopaedic hospitals. Non-emergency admissions of burn patients for reconstructive or plastic surgery can be arranged in the same manner as orthopaedic admissions at the nearest Shriners Hospital for Children.
New material that has been added recently to the Shrine and Shriners Hospitals Web Site includes:
CHILD-FRIENDLY MURAL
Dentist's passion for art brings fantasies to life
IN THE NEWS
Three Shriners Hospitals physicians receive recognition
VIEWPOINT
Beyond rehab: A 'wellness' program for severely burned children By David N. Herndon, M.D.
TEDDY BEAR TIME
Special week at burn hospital focuses on well-being and its role in healing
NEW LEASE ON LIFE
Hess twins receive burn care beyond compare
At A Glance
News from around Shriners Hospitals for Children
And don't forget: a new search engine has been added to the Shriners Web site, to help you find specific items of information more easily. Just go to http://www.shrinershq.org/searchxav.html Information on each individual Shriners Hospital can be accessed through the hospital directory page at http://www.shrinershq.org/shc/
Excellent book by the way. If you feel so inclined, CS Lewis has many such books. "The Problem of Pain" and "Men Without Chests" are two that I have read often. The Screwtape letters are both funny and very thought provoking.