Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
When the Mizpah Shriners parade down Center Street at 8:30 Friday night, their Grand Potentate will be a "hometown boy"
John Hall was installed in the top position of the Mizpah Temple in February, marking the highlight of Hall's 36 years of involvement with the Shriners.
Over those years, Hall said he's been touched not only by the men he's served with, but also by the children they've helped.
"We've helped a lot of kids in this county -Êand we're always looking for more," Hall said. "These are dedicated people."
The Shriners are best known for the medical assistance they provide children with burns and other serious medical maladies, Hall said.
"There are 22 Shriner hospitals across the country. We are most closely affiliated with Shriners Hospital in Chicago, which specializes in orthopedics, and the one in Cincinnati, which specializes in burns," he said. "We'll bring kids into our screening clinics at either Parkview or Lutheran hospitals in Fort Wayne, or to the clinics in Marion or Whitley County."
Between 30 and 50 children are evaluated each year and three-quarters are determined to need the assistance of the Shriners. They receive free medical treatment for their condition, as well as transportation to and from the hospital.
"There's no charge at all to any of these families," Hall said, adding the Shriners spend approximately $500,000 each year on the assistance program.
"We don't accept insurance. We don't even care whether or not they have insurance. We pick up the whole cost."
Jayson Howey of Leesburg, who suffered from an accidental gunshot wound was helped by the Shriners in his treatment.
It's youngsters like Howey that the Shriners are always on the lookout for.
"The neat thing is, when we're out talking to other service organizations, we're out looking for kids to help - not looking for money," he said.
It's the children, and the appreciation shown by them and their families that Hall said will stay with him forever.
"When you see the kids in the hospital and see how much they appreciate the help we provide, it's really touching and gratifying," he said.
But, the Shriners are probably best known for the parades the march in and sponsor,as well as their annual circus, Hall added.
"The Shriners have always been known for their parades. But our Shrine Circus and Vidalia Onion sale are also fund events that raise funds for the Temple and our programs," he said.
The Shriners also host a horse show in Columbia City and a "Fly-In" breakfast each year, Hall said. All these events raise more than $80,000 per year for the Shriner hospitals, Hall added.
The Shrine Parade of Lights is due to start in downtown Warsaw at 8:30 p.m. Friday and proceed east down Center Street, Hall said.
Hall is the third Potentate from Kosciusko County. Former Warsaw Postmaster Frank Rarick was Potentate in 1965 and Judge Gene B. Lee served in that capacity in 1980. He said the position of potentate is a larger job than he anticipated before last January.
"It's been a big job. Recruiting new members is just as hard for us as any other service organization," he said. "But, these are dedicated people, and there a lot of fun and fellowship.
"But, the most important thing is helping the kids," he added.
