When something works for nearly 50 years, it must be good.
That's the track record for the Little Dixie Shrine Club. Since its inception in September 1961, the club has been dedicated to improving the lives of children, by supporting Shriners Children's Hospitals and burn centers.
Saturday, the organization held its annual Auction and Barbecue and grossed right at $15,000 – which will be used to provide specialty care and research funding for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
The barbecue was held at the Little Dixie Shrine Park, north of Mexico on Route J, attracting some 60 or more supporters – including 98-year-old charter member Homer Nelson of Montgomery City, who has attended every auction since the club started the event 33 years ago.
Nelson helped start the Little Dixie Shrine Club with the support of local men such as the late Pete Oliver and Dr. Tom Hodges; both served multiple years with the local Shriners. Hodges held the potentate position of the club's Moolah Temple in St. Louis. Clyde and Robert Berry were very instrumental in getting the benefit auction started.
"The Shriners is a great organization," Nelson told The Ledger, following his recognition. "We help build hospitals for children, and are building a new one in St. Louis now."
Asked why he joined the Shriners and remains supportive, Nelson replied, "Oh, because I just like being a friend."
Shriners are distinguished by an enjoyment of life in the interest of philanthropy. Fraternity members enjoy parades, trips, circuses, dances, dinners, sporting events and other social occasions. Records from the St. Louis Shriner's Hospital show LDSC donations at more than $40,000 since 1988. Donations to the transportation fund reflect contributions of $8,176 since 2004.
Currently, LDSC has 55 members from surrounding communities in Mexico, Centralia, Paris, Vandalia, Martinsburg, Montgomery City, Monroe City and Auxvasse. The club's auction receives tremendous support from each of the areas, and from the members of the Knights of Columbus in Martinsburg, Mexico and Centralia.
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to providing specialty care to children, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 can receive all Shriner services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay.
One of the local Shriner's newest members has been both a giver and a receiver of Shriner services. Matt Hagan, of Mexico, had a dirt bike accident at age 15, that left him with two broken femurs. The accident occurred as he was riding through the back pasture of his family's farm, and hit a washout doing about 40 miles per hour, and hit the handlebars.
His family sought out Shriner Children's Hospital for a second opinion, after being told by other medical professionals that a total hip replacement was his only choice.
"A couple of the Shriners that we knew locally told us about it, and we went there, and they were able to do a few surgeries, and everything has been working 100 percent since," Hagan said. His healing process has been long, but Hagan says Shriners Children's Hospitals, "have top of the line doctors who dedicate all their time to the kids, and do amazing work."
Without their services, the 19-year-old added, "If it wasn't for them, my life would be a totally different situation, and I would probably be wheelchair bound."
Joining the fraternity, Hagan said, "means a lot to me. It's kind of hard to explain. I love helping people, and whatever I can do to help, I will."
Hagan and his father, Brad, joined the local Shriners together, and are now a part of the motorcade patrol. Hagan is one of many local youths who have benefited from Shriner services.
The club has helped 11 Audrain County youth, recently one child in Sturgeon and several from the Amish community. And members just received information about a Wellsville child.
Shriners have a long heritage of traditions, and tend to branch across generations in many families. Dr. Hodges’ family has three generations of members, as does the Ron Barnes family. Members Ray Schulte and Donnie Shelton will be receiving their 25-year pins this year.
"We do it because we care about kids," Schulte said.
A $1 million gift from the Ralph Raymond Roth Estate (a local farmer north of Mexico) was donated to the Shriners Hospital in the name of the Little Dixie Shrine Club to further assist in their services.
The Little Dixie Shrine Club recently sponsored a tractor cruise through northern Audrain County that drew participation from 23 vintage tractors in its 33-mile cruise. Funds raised will underwrite the screening clinic for orthopedic conditions that is being held Sept. 11 at the Audrain City-County Health Unit in Mexico. The clinic is from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call ACCHU at (573) 581-1332.
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When something works for nearly 50 years, it must be good.
That's the track record for the Little Dixie Shrine Club. Since its inception in September 1961, the club has been dedicated to improving the lives of children, by supporting Shriners Children's Hospitals and burn centers.
Saturday, the organization held its annual Auction and Barbecue and grossed right at $15,000 – which will be used to provide specialty care and research funding for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.
The barbecue was held at the Little Dixie Shrine Park, north of Mexico on Route J, attracting some 60 or more supporters – including 98-year-old charter member Homer Nelson of Montgomery City, who has attended every auction since the club started the event 33 years ago.
Nelson helped start the Little Dixie Shrine Club with the support of local men such as the late Pete Oliver and Dr. Tom Hodges; both served multiple years with the local Shriners. Hodges held the potentate position of the club's Moolah Temple in St. Louis. Clyde and Robert Berry were very instrumental in getting the benefit auction started.
"The Shriners is a great organization," Nelson told The Ledger, following his recognition. "We help build hospitals for children, and are building a new one in St. Louis now."
Asked why he joined the Shriners and remains supportive, Nelson replied, "Oh, because I just like being a friend."
Shriners are distinguished by an enjoyment of life in the interest of philanthropy. Fraternity members enjoy parades, trips, circuses, dances, dinners, sporting events and other social occasions. Records from the St. Louis Shriner's Hospital show LDSC donations at more than $40,000 since 1988. Donations to the transportation fund reflect contributions of $8,176 since 2004.
Currently, LDSC has 55 members from surrounding communities in Mexico, Centralia, Paris, Vandalia, Martinsburg, Montgomery City, Monroe City and Auxvasse. The club's auction receives tremendous support from each of the areas, and from the members of the Knights of Columbus in Martinsburg, Mexico and Centralia.
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to providing specialty care to children, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 can receive all Shriner services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients' ability to pay.
One of the local Shriner's newest members has been both a giver and a receiver of Shriner services. Matt Hagan, of Mexico, had a dirt bike accident at age 15, that left him with two broken femurs. The accident occurred as he was riding through the back pasture of his family's farm, and hit a washout doing about 40 miles per hour, and hit the handlebars.
His family sought out Shriner Children's Hospital for a second opinion, after being told by other medical professionals that a total hip replacement was his only choice.
"A couple of the Shriners that we knew locally told us about it, and we went there, and they were able to do a few surgeries, and everything has been working 100 percent since," Hagan said. His healing process has been long, but Hagan says Shriners Children's Hospitals, "have top of the line doctors who dedicate all their time to the kids, and do amazing work."
Without their services, the 19-year-old added, "If it wasn't for them, my life would be a totally different situation, and I would probably be wheelchair bound."
Joining the fraternity, Hagan said, "means a lot to me. It's kind of hard to explain. I love helping people, and whatever I can do to help, I will."
Hagan and his father, Brad, joined the local Shriners together, and are now a part of the motorcade patrol. Hagan is one of many local youths who have benefited from Shriner services.
The club has helped 11 Audrain County youth, recently one child in Sturgeon and several from the Amish community. And members just received information about a Wellsville child.
Shriners have a long heritage of traditions, and tend to branch across generations in many families. Dr. Hodges’ family has three generations of members, as does the Ron Barnes family. Members Ray Schulte and Donnie Shelton will be receiving their 25-year pins this year.
"We do it because we care about kids," Schulte said.
A $1 million gift from the Ralph Raymond Roth Estate (a local farmer north of Mexico) was donated to the Shriners Hospital in the name of the Little Dixie Shrine Club to further assist in their services.
The Little Dixie Shrine Club recently sponsored a tractor cruise through northern Audrain County that drew participation from 23 vintage tractors in its 33-mile cruise. Funds raised will underwrite the screening clinic for orthopedic conditions that is being held Sept. 11 at the Audrain City-County Health Unit in Mexico. The clinic is from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call ACCHU at (573) 581-1332.
