Many of us know Shrine Clowns for their merriment and entertainment. But there is a serious side to these men with the funny faces. Clowns belonging to the International Shrine Clown Association are dedicated to helping the children in the 22 SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN, but they also operate a very special program called the "SNEAKER FUND," which helps the many children in the NOW FOUR SHRINERS BURNS INSTITUTES.
This fund contributes thousands of dollars each year (on a current pace of about a quarter million each year, and increasing nearly every year!) to the vital research programs conducted at the burns institutes. Since its inception in 1973, the SNEAKER FUND has raised well more than $3 million for research into better treatments for burn victims.
The SHRINERS BURNS INSTITUTES are part of the CHILDREN network--of 19 orthopedic hospitals and four burns institutes dedicated to providing expert specialized medical care to children under 18, FREE OF CHARGE at SHRINERS HOSPITALS, which are operated by the SHRINE OF NORTH AMERICA. The SHRINERS BURNS INSTITUTES, located in Boston, Cincinnati, Galveston, and now in Sacramento are world leaders in burn care and research and have been credited with making many of the major contributions toward new techniques and better treatments in burn care.
The SNEAKER FUND was established by the Northeast Shrine Clown Association for the purpose of purchasing sneakers for the patients at the SHRINERS BURNS INSTITUTES in Boston. Shrine doctors recommended that recovering patients wear sneakers because of their comfort and sturdiness. Clown units in the Northeast association used a large plaster sneaker to collect donations during their Shrine performances. Other clown units became involved in the program, and as contributions substantially increased, the international association decided to direct its efforts toward burn research. Now, all the funds go to the burn research program.
The original plaster sneaker is on display at the Shriners Burns Institute in Boston, and now the clown units use large red and white canvas sneakers to collect funds during performances.
The Sneaker Fund program has been approved annually by the Imperial Council as a fund-raising project for the SHRINERS BURNS INSTITUTES, but each Temple Potentate has the option of authorizing the fund-raiser at his Temple. Today's research is tomorrow's patient care. Since its first SHRINERS BURNS INSTITUTE opened in 1966, the SHRINE has made a firm commitment to burn research. The SHRINERS BURNS INSTITUTES have been instrumental in developing the advanced techniques used today to treat burn victims. New ways of fighting and preventing infections, a major problem in burn injuries, are being investigated at the SHRINERS BURNS INSTITUTES. SHRINE researchers have also been major contributors to the development of revolutionary techniques of cultivating human and artificial skin to cover burn wounds. Many techniques developed at the SHRINERS BURNS INSTITUTES have become primary treatments for burn patients around the world. Contributions to the Sneaker Fund can be sent to: ISCA, 1723 N. Cherry St., Galesburg, IL 61401
The Crescent Clowns have a sneaker in their Clown Alley and are always happy to accept donations.