We members of the Moore County Shrine Club want to extend thanks to our many friends, neighbors, and volunteers who contributed so generously to the huge success of our Shriners Newspaper Crusade fund-raising event for our Shriners Hospitals for Children on May 2 and 3. A special thank you to those who helped us publicize this event: The Pilot, The Fayetteville Observer, TV Channels 99 and 44, and our area radio stations WEEB-990 AM, WIOZ-550 AM, and STAR 102.5 FM.

Last year Oasis Shrine Headquarters raised more than $2.6 million for the hospitals, making it the top fund-raising chapter of all 191 Shrine chapters in North America. A great deal of that is due to the Paper Crusade. The Shriners Hospitals for Children treat juvenile burn victims and youngsters with orthopedic problems, cerebral palsy, spinal problems, cleft palate and other afflictions. There is never any charge to the families, and the Shriners don’t accept insurance proceeds or government subsidy.

All medical care is free. That’s why Shriners Hospitals for Children are considered the world’s greatest philanthropy. Last year they admitted close to 67,000 children, including hundreds from North Carolina, at no cost to parents.

If you know a child in need of care, contact a local Shriner or Oasis Shrine headquarters at P.O. Box 560666, Charlotte, N.C. 28254 or call (704) 549-9600. We deeply appreciate the overwhelming generosity of our fellow citizens, and our kids shout a big thank you also.

Bob Manley

Moore County Shrine Club

Pinehurst