Shriners children, families gather to express gratitude for care

The Shriners organization is a miracle worker, offering quality health care, including surgeries, to children regardless of families' ability to pay. Many of those families who have been on the receiving end of this care have been gathering yearly for a Christmas party since 1996. They enjoy a party and a meal, while sharing the joy of the physical progress each has made -- sort of like a family reunion.

"Shriners Hospital was my second home for years," Jeannie Gerlach told the Southeast Missourian's Tyler Graef. "But you don't miss out on anything. You don't think about yourself; you feel like a family."

Gerlach battled bone disease from age 10 through 21 and said she would be in a wheelchair today were it not for Shriners. Now, she and her own children attend the yearly Christmas party. And she is not alone. Many attend the party to show gratitude for the "family" that supported them through the difficulties they endured.

Ron Pratt's daughter Lauren Casebolt was also a patient, and now the pair has taken on the responsibility of getting presents for the children each year.

Former Shriner President Eddie Shriner may not have known how this would grow and how much it would mean to everyone when he started hosting the party nearly 20 years ago; he said they just "wanted to do something for the children, with Santa Claus and the gifts and the meal." But like the rest of us, he is moved by the impact it has -- especially seeing children progress year after year and seeing the families return because they are just so appreciative.

We, too, are appreciative that something so meaningful takes place in our community. Thank you, Shriners, for all you do every day, and thank you to those who help make the annual gathering a success. You truly do embody the "Love to the rescue" slogan for which you are known.