Shrine Club Bingo

The Corner Brook Shrine Club has been in existence since 1982 and is one of a number of clubs that is part of Mazol Temple which is headquartered in St. John’s, NL. Mazol Temple, itself, is part of Shriners International which is headquartered in Tampa, Florida and is responsible for twenty-two children’s hospitals in North America: twenty in the United States, one in Mexico City and one in Montreal. The Shrine hospital in Montreal is the main hospital where patients from Corner Brook who are suffering from orthopedic problems are sent. The Shriners Hospital in Boston, is the burn centre for the patients who have suffered severe burns. Recently, the club has also become involved with spinal cord injuries.

Children up to the age of 18 can be eligible for consideration. Locally, the role of the club is to be the contact for possible patients and their parents/guardians as well as to help them fill out the initial application. The final decision on each child is made by specialists who come regularly to Newfoundland to assess potential patients. To cut down on costs, the Provincial body has helped to fund innovative technology in telemedicine which allows the doctors in Montreal, on some occasions, to communicate with patients and medical personnel in Newfoundland and Labrador in order to make critical decisions.

Money is raised by the club for two purposes. One is to help support the Provincial body so that it can do the task which is necessary to keep the organization solvent and capable of doing its work on behalf of patients. The other is to raise money which helps to pay for the transportation of patients and a parent/guardian to the Montreal or Boston hospital.

On the West Coast, the club is responsible for Southern Labrador, the Great Northern Peninsula as well as Springdale to Port aux Basques. Over the years, the Corner Brook Shrine Club has sponsored, in any given year, as many as 35 patients and spent (through Mazol Temple) over $60,000.00 in a single year. Provincially, these numbers are much higher. At present there are 162 active patients in the province, and since 2000, Mazol has spent $1,818,796.00 – all of which is raised bit by bit by Shriners locally and provincially.

Being a Shriner is also about having fun which is why they have those small trucks which are driven whenever possible and they bring great joy to all who see them – both young and old. Also well known are the clowns who perform on a regular basis for local organizations and events where children are present. Other clubs have bands or jesters – all of which helps them find the energy to do the very important work that they have undertaken. Added to this fun now, is Shrine Club Bingo…tune in and help us support the children.