Shriners gather in the Sault to welcome new members
Nearly 500 Shriners and their partners from across Ontario gathered in the Sault for the philanthropic organization's annual Fall Ceremonial.
It's at this event that all new members are sworn in.
Randy McNevin, Board Chair for Shriners Ontario West, says that 11 new members, aged 28 to 66.
“They are Masons in good standings and they have petitioned to become Shriners. So we do a ceremony to initiate them and welcome them into the fraternity.”
In addition to the Ceremonial, the more than 300 members held a parade in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, for the young ones and the kids at heart.
“The parade is critical. It gives us a chance, because we brag about the Shriners being fun; well we want to be out there for the community, to show the community that we are fun. So it’s our way of saying thank you to the city and especially to the kids,” Harry Thomas, organizer of the event and Shriner from the Sault to CTV News.In addition to the Ceremonial, the more than 300 members held a parade in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, for the young ones and the kids at heart. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)This is the first Ceremonial in 3 years because of the pandemic. Thomas noted how excited members were to see one another again.
“Having this is really important, not only to bring the new members in, but so we can reacquaint ourselves with our friends and Nobles from around the country, and people from the states that have been up,” Thomas added.
The main goal of the Shriners is to raise funds for the Shriners Hospital for Children in Montreal.
As part of the Ceremonial, visiting clubs donated over $215,000 to the main Shriner organization, with the majority of that going to the hospital.
Rene St-Arnaud is a Shriner himself and the Director of Research at the Shriner's Children's Hospital.
He says these funds are critical.
“We’re able to extend specialty care programs because of the donations. The research program, for example, is not supported by the government,” St-Arnaud explained.
It had been over 50 years since the event was last in the Sault.
To mark the occasion, the Mocha Shriners held their first ever concert series, featuring Burton Cummings, Marianas Trench and the Trews.
Funds from those shows will also go towards the Children's Hospital.
Though the exact figures haven't been calculated yet, organizers say the event was a huge success.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.