Shriners bring convention to Gaffney

Ledger photo / TIM GULLA Laila Krebs, 3, of Greer watches Saturday's parade of Shriners through Gaffney. More than 800 members of the Hejaz Shrine Temple and its clubs from throughout the Upstate converged on Gaffney for their Fall Ceremonial over the weekend. Events included a parade on North Limestone Street in downtown Gaffney as well as a conference and other events at the Broad River Electric Co-Op Auditorium. More than 800 Hejaz Shriners from throughout the Upstate converged on Gaffney over the weekend for a fall convention that included the initiation of 72 candidates.

But just as important as growing the ranks for the fraternal organization was raising funds for a cause near and dear to members' hearts. When the time came Saturday afternoon for individual Shrine clubs and units to make their presentations at the Broad River Electric Co-Op Auditorium, the Hejaz Shrine Temple's Potentate, Thomas Grant, was handed more than $95,000 in funds raised for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Grant and past Potentate Bob Rodgers both were pleased with the success of the Hejaz Shrine Temple's Fall Ceremonial as well as the reception they received in Gaffney, regardless of the reception they received from Mother Nature.

The potentate of the Hejaz Shrine Temple in Greenville, which has about 5,700 members in the Upstate, picks the location of the convention. Grant picked Gaffney this year and Rodgers picked Gaffney the last time it was held here, back in 2002.

Both times it rained, the two men noted with a laugh.

Still, Grant said, "We appreciate Gaffney's open arms. They welcomed us and we appreciate it."

Rodgers noted that not only is Gaffney a "generous city," it also has good accommodations for the convention and a great parade route.

Among the many activities the Shriners held during the 2-day convention was a parade down North Limestone Street on Saturday morning.

Clubs from practically every Upstate county, as well as well-known units like the Hot Wheels go-cart driving team and the lovable Hillbilly unit with their unique jalopies, all traversed North Limestone Street for the parade.

A highlight of the convention for the Hejaz Shrine Temple members was the initiation of 72 new candidates. The candidates were put through some good-natured rights of passage, among them being smacked on their rears with flexible plastic paddles as they collected donations tossed onto Limestone Street by parade watchers.

A sobering moment among the two days of festivities, however, came Saturday afternoon when the Shriners paused to remember all of the members who had passed since the last convention. The Hejaz Shrine's chaplain read aloud 55 names.

Addressing the new candidates, Grant told them of his belief they were about to enter the best organization in the world. He cautioned, however, "You only get out of it what you put into it."

The Shriners' charitable arm operates 22 hospitals, including the Shriners Hospital in Greenville.

Rodgers said the hospitals initially were founded to treat children stricken by polio but the list of ailments and diseases treated at the hospitals expanded as polio vaccines helped eliminate polio. Today, Shriners hospitals offer free treatment for children up to 18 years old suffering from burns, muscular and spinal problems and other diseases.

Those who need assistance with childhood medical problems can contact the Hejaz Shrine Temple at 1- 800-833-8409 for more information, Rodgers said.