Helping children

Shriners have been building children’s hospitals around North America for almost 90 years.

With the nearest one in Minneapolis, the Thunder Bay chapters of the 140-year-old organization have dedicated most of its efforts at providing transportation to needy children, ensuring they get the medical care they need.

But every once in awhile the group’s members step out of its mandate. Such was the case on Thursday, when the 101 Patrol Unit and the Clown Unit of the Lakehead Shrine Club pitched in $2,000 toward the Thunder Bay Red Cross Health Equipment Loan program.

The money will be used specifically to purchase medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and crutches, for disabled youth.

It’s something the program, re-launched in May, has not been able to satisfactorily provide.

"We have a very few small pieces of equipment for children," said Randy Moore, the program’s co-ordinator. "Unfortunately it’s a very under-inventoried part of our program. And yet again, the focus of the Red Cross is to help those who are most vulnerable in society. Who is more vulnerable than children?"

Moore said the donation will widen the amount of product on hand, allowing them to help even more people than the 750 or so he expects will come to them for assistance in any given year. Most come from referrals, he added.

Bob Foley, president of the 101 Patrol Unit, said the Red Cross donations fits well with their mission statement, to help disabled children live better lives.

"We thought there would be a good link between our organization and the Red Cross," Foley said.