The Kosciusko County Shrine Club would like to thank the following organizations for supporting our 65th trip to the Shrine Club, with 2,500 attendees, the largest ever taken. A special thank you to this year goes out to manager Todd Hurt and the employees of Big R Store #7 of Warsaw for the use of the parking lot to gather the 50 busses and 48 support vehicles needed for this year's caravan.
In addition, thank-you's of merit go to: Sheriff Rocky Goshert and the officers of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and Chief Scott Whitaker and the officers of the Warsaw Police Department for their long-standing commitment to the county Shrine Club.Furthermore, the following law enforcement, fire, emergency services organizations, government departments and businesses were of immeasurable assistance: Town Marshal Tony Ciriello and the officers of the Syracuse Police Department, Town Marshal Paul Schmidt and the officers of the Winona Lake Police Department, Chief Greg Church and the officers of the North Webster Police Department, Lou Mediano and the officers of the Claypool Police Department, Lt. Jim Strong and the officers of the Indiana State Police, Chief Mike Rice and the firefighters of the Warsaw Fire Department, Chief Mitch Titus and the firefighters of the Winona Lake Fire Department, Chief Mickey Scott and the firefighers of the Turkey Creek Fire Department, Chief Jeremy Likens and the firefighters of the North Webster Fire Department, Tony Doyle and the medics of Multi Township Emergency Medical Services, Larry Plummer and the staff of the Warsaw Parks Department, Gary Nieter and the staff of the Times-Union, WIOE and WRSW radio for all the coverage prior and post circus, Della Swain and the Warsaw Community Schools Corporation, Wawasee, Triton, Tippecanoe Valley and Whitko transportation departments, especially all the volunteer bus drivers for an awesome job. Your service is greatly appreciated by our shrine club and the students. We are truly blessed by your willingness to serve. Chris Pownell of LC Productions for the video recording of the event, All the school corporations food services for packing the student lunches. Hal Harting and Von Harting and Harting Furniture for the food transportation; Brian "Flying Brian" Walsh of WIOE for the video from the helicopter, Crouse Body Shop and Reichert and Knepp Wreckers for the escort, Rick Kerlin and Kerlin Motors and Bus Sales for the spare bus, and the kind businesses and individuals who support the Kosciusko County Shrine Club and its mission of service to children in need throughout the year.
Finally, to all the school corporations, teachers and shriners and participants who volunteer for this special day. Supporting the mission of the Shriner's Hospitals and the 1,100 patients we serve in our 22 counties, 92 in Kosciusko County alone, and thousands nationwide regardless of the ability to pay. Remember, we have been changing the world by caring for kids since 1922, with your invaluable and irreplaceable assistance, one at a time.
Chris Kehler, President, Kosciusko County Shrine Club
Jon Garber/John Sadler, co-circus chairmen, Kosciusko County Shrine Club
