Shriners name Poster Child

Sevier County Shriners gathered at O’Charley’s in Pigeon Forge Thursday night, February 12, for the announcement of this year’s Poster Child, and to bring note to February as being the Shriners Burn Prevention Month. Twenty-five members and their spouses met together for dinner to discuss this year’s goals and upcoming events in hopes of raising desperately needed funds for the Shriners Hospitals. The history of the Shriners helping children in need of medical attention remains prevalent today in our ever-changing world. Shriners have been providing free medical care for children for over 80 years. Almost a million children have received help from Shriners Hospitals for orthopedic problems, severe burns, and spinal cord injuries. The treatment received is at no cost to the families and is funded by gifts, bequests, income from the endowment fund, fundraisers, and the annual assessment paid by every Shriner. John Kirk, the Shriner President for Sevier County Kerbela Temple, led the meetings agenda while opening the floor for many key leaders to discuss upcoming events and ideas to help raise funds and reach their goal of a 5% increase in charities from last year. Each member present understood their objective in helping more kids and their families with medical attention and providing transportation back and forth to the hospitals. The first to speak was “Sparky,” who discussed local accomplishments for the Sevier County Shriners and explained the expenses of running the hospitals and what the local chapters can do to improve contributions and charities throughout the coming year. He also introduced this year’s Poster Child for the local Shriners, who is a young gentleman from Greenville, Tennessee, named William Dickson. William was somewhat bashful, but regained his confidence soon enough and began to visit other members and their tables during the meeting. As the meeting continued, two large framed pictures emerged, and the focus came to stage as little William helped to display the pictures to prepare each for an auction. The first piece brought $125 while the second one raised the stakes and was sold to Ray Gray, a local van driver and Temple Secretary, for $200. As the meeting came to a close, the chairman gave the new Poster Child William a generous monetary gift which made his grandmother cry over gratitude for the members thought and generosity. Other members spoke and mentioned such notes as the upcoming paper sale and auction scheduled for April 24. Speaking with Lloyd Heath, a local Shriner dignitary, he described challenges and accomplishments in the local area for the Shriners and how the family is a big part of the child’s recovery by giving support and tending to the child’s sense of well being. He mentioned the need for media coverage and hopes of making this the best year ever for the Shriners and the families and children involved.