Shriners support children’s hospitals. But recently, the fez-wearing fraternity of middle-aged guys was blasted in a New York Times investigation. The Times reported that more than half of the $32 million that Shriners raised in 2005 went to fraternity costs – such as booze, trips and miniature parade cars. (Shrine hospitals are supported mainly by a $9 billion endowment.)
We wanted to know what Kansas City’s most prominent Shriner thought of the article. Outgoing Kansas City, Missouri, City Councilman Chuck Eddy is a past “potentate,” or president, of the Ararat Shrine. But the councilman’s aide said Eddy hadn’t read the article.
The current potentate of Ararat Shrine, Paul Black, says he saw a reference to the Times story in another newspaper. He tells us the Shrine is made up of two distinct entities, the fraternity and the hospitals. Black says the Shrine strives to make it clear which fund-raisers benefit the fraternity (bingo) and which benefit children’s care (the Wings of Mercy golf tournament).
“The Shrine is very much on top of those kind of issues,” Black says.
Black, however, doesn’t dispute the Times’ assertion that Shrine temple fund-raisers and dues make up less than 2 percent of Shrine hospitals’ income. Black says the Ararat Shrine, like most temples, concentrates its charitable efforts on paying to transport patients and their families to Shrine hospitals.
As for bingo, the regular game at the Ararat Shrine near I-435 and Eastwood Trafficway begins at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Come on down. Those minicars don’t fuel themselves.
-- David Martin
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Reference the Shriners and the New York
Times newspaper story revealing the Shriners Hospitals are not getting the money raised on their behalf.
Go to http://sandyfrost.newsvine.com
read her 14 stories on the Shriners and what their Officers do not want you to know.
The Officers love good times at your expense.
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