Circuses. Shriners. Two vastly different things, both with the same target audience in mind: children.
The Ararat Shrine Temple in Kansas City, Missouri is one of 249 Shriner temples across North America. According to their website, www.araratshrine.com, they are “chartered by the Imperial Council Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.”
“We are the largest philanthropic organization in the world,” said Bob Zolotor, Officer in Charge of the Provost, the law enforcement unit of the shrine.
Their philanthropy, you ask? An annual circus in Kansas City. This year, in fact, is their 75th year of production.
Each shrine temple across the continent has their own means of fundraising, yet all revenue goes to a common cause: the health and well-being of kids.
“Shriners take care of kids. That’s our job. That’s all we do,” Zolotor, the Officer in Charge (OIC) of the circus, said.
Shriners care for children who are burn victims, as well as orthopedic patients. They support multiple Shriner Hospitals in North America, where families can take their children in need, free of charge.
“We don’t ask the families for any money,” Ararat Shriner Ron Nutter said.
“No one has ever been turned away for not being able to pay,” he added.
However, it takes multiple people to run the show.
“[Shriners] don’t make a dime from this thing. They volunteer their time,” said Circus owner, Serge Coronas.
Coronas has been producing this show for the Ararat Shriners since 1981.
“[Shriners] do a wonderful thing. A lot of people don’t even know what the Shriners do,” Coronas said.
The Shriners put on a family friendly show, with the ultimate goal of seeing kids smile.
“I just like bringing smiles to their faces,” said Alfie, a Shriner clown since 1997.
The show includes tigers and lions, elephants, performing dogs and pigs and multiple other events that wow the crowd.
All in all, Shriners benefit from aiding others.
With a smile, Coronas says,” My high is seeing the audience enjoy the show.”
All the while, Shriners are saving lives.
