For nearly a century, the Shriners International organization has been known for their support of sick and hurting children in need. Today, as the world’s largest philanthropic organization, their benevolence projects fund 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children world-wide to the tune of nearly $2 million per day. Founded in 1922 to help combat polio, Shriners Hospitals for Children treat children up to age 18 with no expectation of reimbursement for the cost of treatment or care. Locally, Texas is the home of two Shiners Hospitals for Children; the Houston location treats orthopedic and spinal cord injuries and/or birth defects, as well as cleft lip and palate surgery and reconstruction, while the Galveston location is the world renowned center for burn care and recovery.
With growing numbers of children in need of treatment, the Sun City Shrine Club, a unit of the larger Ben Hur Shrine in Austin, is doing their best to do their part, while bringing holiday cheer to their own backyard as well. The club of 50 members established in 2003 is the brains, heart, and even some of the brawn behind the holiday lights and decorations that spring up (almost miraculously) overnight on the Visitor Center, along the Williams Dr. and 195 entrances to Sun City, as well as on several of the bridges within the community. Along with other philanthropic fund-raising throughout the year, the Sun City Shrine Club uses the decorating project which started in 2005 as a festive way to raise funds for the Shiners Hospitals for Children locations in Texas. By way of four donation boxes placed throughout the Sun City community, the club typically raises between $6,000 and $8,000 or more each year, according to 2017 club president-elect Ray Devries.
The light project itself is a labor of love and the result of a coordinated effort of about 25 club members and several of their wives, led by Bob Tolley, Chairman of the Christmas Lighting Program. Tolley points all the kudos to former Sun City resident and Shriner Bob Campbell who did all the original design and engineering work, bringing ever-more detailed and updated schematics to the project every year but, Tolley says, “We are excited to give the Sun City residents what they like so we are decorating this year with the same quantity and quality merriment-by-lights.” Tolley and Devries also praise the Sun City Community Association, and Director Jim Romine, for underwriting the project. “Thanks to the CA, no matter how large or small the donation, 100 percent of the donation box proceeds go directly to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Houston and Galveston.” Additionally, for the last several years, Suddenlink and The Christmas Light Pros have donated the equipment and man-power to install the lights on the Visitor Center.
Like a precisely coordinated dance, installation day takes place the Monday after Thanksgiving with club members’ ladies fluffing wreaths and men stringing lights along the fences and bridges. The highpoint, both literally and figuratively, of the decorating takes place around the Visitor Center with the arrival of Suddenlink’s bucket truck. This donated assistance from the professionals in reaching the high spots is “safer than having old guys on ladders,” quips Tolley, and The Christmas Light Pros volunteers their expertise “on the low spots, from the gutters down.” Humor aside, Devries and Tolley applaud the assistance of both companies, and say their efforts are integral to the success of the project.
For anyone who appreciates the festive luminescence in Sun City, or just wants to help a child during this holiday season, you can donate cash or checks at Sun City Shrine Club Holiday Lights donation boxes at Member Services (2 Texas Drive); at each fitness center (Texas Dr. / Cowen Creek); and at Wriggley’s Pub. Donations can also be mailed to: Shriners Light Collection, 2 Texas Dr., Georgetown, TX 78633. All checks payable to: Shriners Hospitals for Children.
