Pictured, from left, are Jim Patterson, Commander, S.A.L. Squadron #49; Don Smith; Brett Anderson; John Sadler; Nathan Ousley; Rich Miotto; Roger Laird; and Larry Lant all of the Kosciusko County Shrine Club.

KOSCIUSKO — On Dec. 12, the Kosciusko County Shrine Club made its annual trip to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago. The club personally delivered $10,115 from its annual Turkey Shoot, supported by hundreds of local individuals and business, held in October of each year. In addition, a plentiful and heartfelt donation was received from the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 49 and Post #49 of Warsaw. Furthermore, a generous contribution was made by the Newland family of Warsaw, in memory of local Shriner, Bill Newland.

Christmas was delivered with the caring support of Biddle Auction Company of Warsaw, its patrons and direct donors, including, Jon and Lindsay Fitzpatrick, Chad and Linda Weeks, K Mart of Warsaw, Pierceton Rubber Products, Lisa Johnson and Gerald Oswalt and family. Significantly, the many other anonymous local families who donated generous gifts and approximately $3,000 of toys for the children for Christmas. Additional community-minded donors include Tactical Walls, Lizards Bar and Grill, Mad Anthony’s and Ed Kinney.

Shrine Hospitals, nationwide, treat a wide range of pediatric orthopedics, including scoliosis, limb discrepancies, clubfoot, hip dysplasia, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, as well as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other neurological conditions. Three of the hospitals provide spinal cord injury rehab, and other programs. Four of the hospitals (Boston, Galveston, Cincinnati and Sacramento) provide care for children with burns.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 non-profit medical facilities across North America. Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay.

Please contact a local Shriner for treatment information. The Kosciusko County Shrine Club and Mizpah Shrine Temple, Fort Wayne and its many members and families firmly realize “No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child.”  We are ever grateful to our community.

Pictured, from left, are John Sadler and Don Smith, Co-Chairmen Kosciusko County Shrine Club Turkey Shoot; Jim Patterson, Commander S.A.L.Squadron #49; Roger Laird, Brett Anderson, Nathan Ousley, Larry Lant and Rich Miotto all of the Kosciusko County Shrine Club and Mizpah Shrine Temple.