Aaron Ruston, Bruce Richards, and Pat Toombs with the Moose Jaw Shrine Club were on hand during Riverside Mission’s Christmas dinner to give out gift mugs made by the Shrine Club.
Shriners International (known informally as the Shriners) is a Masonic fraternity originally established in 1872 as “The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.” The name was changed to Shriners International in 2010.
The Shriners operate internationally in support of a network of children’s hospitals in North America. Their first hospital opened in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1922, and they now operate 22 such hospitals, including one in Montreal which specializes in brittle bone disease.
“The Shrine Club is designed to raise money for children that need specialized treatment,” Ruston said. “The money that we raise in our local clubs goes to support those hospitals, and also provide things like a travel fund so that parents can actually get their children to those hospitals.”
Richards explained that the COVID pandemic has highlighted the need in communities, and therefore the need for community members to support each other. About a dozen members of the Shrine Club got together and assembled a coffee mug package as a gift for those people coming to Riverside’s annual Christmas turkey dinner.
The mugs contained hot chocolate powder, were wrapped with a neck gator, and finally topped off with a pair of gloves.
“Purposed Financial supported us with the funds and everything,” Toombs said, “and all the guys got together and put it all together.” Ruston added that it was Toombs and a couple of other members, wanting a way for the club to connect with the city and give back, who brainstormed Wednesday’s gift idea.
The Shriners hope to continue supporting Riverside Mission and looking for ways to alleviate the issue of homelessness in Moose Jaw.
“It’s great that they’re here,” said Rachel Mullens, director of emergency services for Souls Harbour Rescue Mission and for Riverside Mission. “We’re always happy to have help.”
Riverside Mission will be closed on Friday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 31. Rainbow Retro Thrift Shop on Main Street will be serving meals on those days at 12 p.m.
