Who are Shriners?

In 1922 the Shriners founded the first Shriners Hospitals for Children in Shreveport, Louisiana. Since then this unique philanthropy has grown to an extraordinary health system with 22 facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Shriners Hospitals for Children® is a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay.

Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth with nearly 200 Shrine Centers (chapters) in seven countries and thousands of clubs around the world.

It is the mission of Shriners International to:

• Be the premier fraternal organization for men of good character
• Provide attractive, quality programs and services for its members, their families and their friends in a spirit of fun, fellowship and social camaraderie
• Foster self-improvement through leadership, education, the perpetuation of moral values and community involvement
• Serve mankind through the resources of its philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children®