American Civil Liberties Union, 731 James St, Ste 205, Syracuse, NY 13203, US

Shriners are members of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America (A.A.O.N.M.S.). The Shrine is an international Fraternity of approximately 500, 000 members who participate in Shrine Centers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Republic of Panama. The Shrine was founded by two Master Masons in New York City in 1872, Walter M. Fleming, M.D., and William J. Florence. Shriners are best known by their red fez and the Shrine is best known for its colorful parades, circuses, and the Shriners Hospitals for Children, its official philanthropy. The Shrine is wholly comprised of Master Masons who, being members of the Masonic Order, adhere to the principles of Freemasonry -- Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Freemasonry is the world's oldest fraternity and dates back hundreds of years. It was forged in shelter houses known as lodges where stonemasons and other building craftsmen gathered. Over the years these gatherings changed in many ways. Eventually, non-tradesmen were admitted and formal Masonic lodges emerged with members bound together by their search for fraternal fellowship and sharing of ideas. No longer was the Lodge solely craftsmen. The Lodge is where members earn the first three Masonic degrees. There is no higher degree than that of Master Mason (the Third Degree), but for those men who wish to further explore the allegory and symbolism learned in Lodge, the Scottish Rite and York Rite elaborate on the basic tenets of Freemasonry. Then there is the Shrine. Men from all walks of life and all levels of income find fun, fellowship and relaxation in their individual Shrine Centers and its activities. They enjoy parades, trips, circuses, dances, dinners, family-picnics, sporting events and other social occasions together. They wear their red fez at official functions. Shriners are men who enjoy life. The Shrine offers men, their wives and their families an opportunity to meet new friends who have similar interests, tastes and feelings. It also offers men an opportunity to give of themselves in support to charity. Through fellowship and philanthropy, Shrinedom helps to strengthen the soul and can add a deeper meaning to one's life. There are 191 Shrine Centers located in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama. There are also are informal Shrine Clubs located throughout the world. The Shriners support the 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children, the "World's Greatest Philanthropy". Shriners Hospitals have a three-fold purpose: 1) TREATMENT: To save children's lives and restore their bodies to the highest level of usefulness; 2) RESEARCH: To conduct research into orthopedic and burn care; and 3) Education: To train physicians and other medical professionals in the treatment of orthopedic disabilities and burn injuries. Of the 22 hospitals, there are 7 hospitals devoted to a specific form of critical care. There are four burns hospitals and three spinal injury hospitals. All care and services provided at Shriners Hospitals are absolutely without charge to the patient and family. Funding is solely provided by the Shrine through gifts, bequests, income from the endowment fund, hospital fund-raising events, and the annual assessment paid by every Shriner. Approximately 93% of the Shriners Hospitals operating budget is used directly for patient care and research at the hospitals. Approximately 835, 000 children have been helped through this charity as of 2006.

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