Karavan Layout - November 2012 - El Kahir Shrine

The “Walk of Smiles” will be an important part of the Fall Ceremonial on Saturday, November17 th . At the expense of being
labeled as someone who rambles on and on, here is a brief history of the “Walk of Smiles”. It also is interwoven with some
memories about past circuses and CSSA trips. I do this at the risk of being corrected by some of the “old salts” (a Marine Corps
phrase for old and experienced members).
Years ago, at the Fall Ceremonials, 100% of the “Walk of Smiles” donations that were given by the Units, Clubs and
individuals were directed to the hospitals. The revenue to pay for El Kahir’s administration and facility upkeep and expenses
came primarily from members’ dues, rentals and miscellaneous sources.
Prior to the mid 1960’s, members were involved in an annual horse show to raise funds. Although Potentate Ed Klouda
sponsored an El Kahir Circus in 1961 at the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, Potentate George Clifford (in 1967) had the first El
Kahir Shrine Circus at the old ball park. These circuses were so successful that in 1980, a year after the Five Seasons Center was
opened, the annual circus moved to this facility. Also for several years, we had a circus at UNI.
During these years, El Kahir had an Advisory Council with representatives from each Unit. The Advisory Council was
responsible for disbursing these funds to the Units. Initially, funds from the horse shows and circuses were used to pay the
expenses for the members of the various units to travel to the annual CSSA meetings. El Kahir would charter an entire train and
had a unique whistle installed to let the public know that the Shrine was coming. Shrine members, who were engineers and
conductors, staffed the train.
The last chartered train was in1965 or 1966. To say those trips were memorable is a gross understatement. In 1964 or 1965, the
trip to Denver on the train pre-dated Coors beer being sold in Iowa. There may be a few members of the Wrecking Crew, now
called the Directors Staff, who recall feverishly loading cases of Coors beer onto the train. That bottle of Coors beer was a prized
possession in Eastern Iowa.
Several years after the train trips were discontinued, the funds from the circus were then allocated to the individual Units to be
used at their discretion. The allocation was based upon the amount of each Unit’s participation in promoting and working the
circus. I believe that most Units continued to use the circus funds to pay for their members’ trip to the CSSA.
During these years, the money the Units and Clubs raised from other activities, such as parades, they donated close to 100%, if
not all of it to the “Walk of Smiles” for the hospital. However, as expenses continued to rise and membership declined, a portion
of these funds were then diverted to pay for facility upkeep and administrative expenses of the Temple.
Forty and fifty years ago, paying for the expenses of administration and upkeep of El Kahir was not the problem that exists
today. Those circuses were netting in excess of $50,000. In addition, El Kahir had about 3,500 to 4,000 members. That is not the
case today.
As a member of El Kahir, I understand the need and realize the importance of financially supporting El Kahir. In order for El
Kahir to survive, Units, Clubs and individual members have to contribute to the center.
However, the mission of the AAONMS is to help kids, and we do this by supporting the Twin Cities Shriners Hospital for
Children and El Kahir’s Transportation Fund. In past years, Units, Clubs and individuals have generously supported the “world’s
greatest philanthropy”. At this year’s “Walk of Smiles”, once again, please think kindly of our kids and contribute a portion of
your donation to El Kahir’s Transportation Fund and/or to Outreach Clinics for Twin Cities Shriners Hospital for Children. Help
both El Kahir and the Twin Cities Shriners Hospital along with our Transportation Fund.
The hospital has discontinued using the application form for considering new patients. They now use a Patient Information
Form. This will reduce the amount of time from initial contact to appointment. Give this form to a prospective patient. It appears
on the next page. Additional copies are in the office.
There is another organization in El Kahir that has played an important role in the success of the “world’s greatest philanthropy”-
the Ladies Auxiliary. The Twin Cities Shrine Hospital for Children is the only hospital in the Shrine system that has a Ladies
Auxiliary. Over the years this dedicated band of Ladies have sowed, knitted, crocheted and raised money for the TCSHC. Like the
Temple membership, their numbers have declined. Yet during the year, they meet almost every month to donate money, bring
toys, socks, knit and sow.
Their annual dues are only $10. Nobles, ask your wife, daughter, sister, significant other to consider joining. If they don’t have
the time to meet, I am sure the Auxiliary would appreciate the annual dues payment. However, I understand the Ladies also enjoy
the “fellowship” and getting together. They are a great bunch of Ladies.
For additional information regarding the Cedar Rapids group, get in touch with Nickie Waddell at 319.270.0526 or Alberta
Parker at 319.453.5599. For the Cedar Falls/Waterloo group, contact Brenda Anderson at 319.266.8177 or Marty Mullnix at
319.277.5236.
Hope that I did not ramble too much.
Until next month, keep our children in your heart.
Carl Hallberg, Hospital Representative
9/18 - Marlin Mullnix
9/26-27 - Bart Waddell & LuAnn
9/27-28 - George Johnson & Jim Stucker