10 th Annual Shriners Benefit

By: Karen Hat

ett

o thing

can sto p us. N o t a H urricane

nor a Pandemic!! Even though we were unable to have a ride due to weather conditions, by afternoon, the sunshine came out bright upon all of us on August 29th, 2020.

In the past 10 years of holding this benefit, this is the first year to cancel the ride. However, even with obstacles, it just gets bigger and better each and every year. Double D Burnout Saloon has hosted this benefit for over 3 years. Many thanks to owners David and Missie Thompson for letting us take over the back yard and welcoming all. Daughters Niki Mickey and Kandi Bise made sure all had drinks in hand and did a fabulous job of taking care of everyone.

The day started out with a little rain, but by the time all vendors & band were set up and food was being prepared, we could not have asked for a better day. (Thank you, Ed Matthews, for being my personal weatherman and keeping us informed of the conditions) Even with someone calling and reporting us to law enforcement, this did not stop the show. Guilford County Sheriff and Kernersville Police stopped by

to check out the situation. They confirmed we were in compliance and wished us much luck and success for our benefit. One officer was even a Shriner himself. Thank you, all law enforcement, for protecting all citizens. We all pray each day for your safety. BACK THE BLUE!

While “Crossroads Bank” rocked the stage, Butch Medders and his crew cooked up the best BBQ and chicken with all the fixings. Serving over 150 hungry attendees. Sam Miller generously gave back his $250 cash prize for the highest dice roll. There were many raffle prizes and some great auction items. The highest auction item (other than the trailer) was a beautiful Grandfather Clock, which brought in $1,300. Thank you to all who donated items for the auction and raffle. Your contributions are a big part of our success and raising funds.

This year, the BIG raffle prize was an enclosed 7X14 Tandem Trailer. Ticket sales exceeded $11,000. The winner, Dwayne Smith of Stokesdale, generously gave the trailer back for auction. And the bidding started. An additional $3,500 was raised by Jabbo and Connie Emory won the second auction bid of $3500.This gave me cold chills, because Connie’s late father was a Shriner and made many trips to the hospital, taking children for treatment. Special thank you to Kanawha Valley, Xtreme Wings-N-Things and Stoke Ridge Tavern for helping us sell tickets prior to the benefit. Also thank you to all the establishments for selling tickets; Double D Burnout Saloon, Springers, Xtreme Wings-N-Things, JR’s Corner Tavern, Baxter’s, Daffodils Boutique and Sophisticated Rubbish.

The Grand Total raised for the Children was an astounding

$23,315! This will provide 2 prosthetics and/or any other orthopedic care for children in need. We never imagined with all against us in 2020 that we could raise this amount. As I have said before, it takes a village and we have one hell of a tribe!

This benefit started in 2011 as a high school senior project by my son Blake Hall, who was a Shriners Patient for 18 years. The Shriners Hospitals for Children, in Greenville, SC

took care of Blake’s orthopedic and prosthetic needs. Blake was born with limb deficiencies, missing the fibula bone in his right leg and only 3 toes on the right foot and 3 fingers on left hand (2 fused together). His right leg would not have had normal growth. The Shriners Hospital in Greenville performed surgery so he could be fitted with a prosthetic and separated his fused finger. Blake learned to walk on his little prosthetic and to this day he is doing absolutely wonderful. The Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville, SC, provided prosthetics for Blake up until age 18, sometimes twice a year depending on his growth, at no cost to our family! Not only did the hospital staff help with his needs, they helped our family needs of dealing with having an amputee child. Over the past 10 years and much support, we have raised over $82,000 for the children through this benefit! Shriners Hospitals for Children have 22 healthcare facilities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada that Specialize in Burn and Orthopedic Care for Children under the age of 18 at no cost. If you know a child in need, contact your local Shrine Club. The Shriners moto is “No Man Stands So Tall As When He Stoops To Help A Child”

Thank you to for all who participated, donated and volunteered. Stay tuned for the 11th Annual Shriners Benefit, scheduled to be held in August of 2021.