The first Edmonton-Metcalfe Shrine Club forms
The members in attendance at the first Edmonton-Metcalfe Shrine Club, including the new club and Louisville club members. Photo | PJ Martin
By PJ Martin
Editor, The Herald-News
History was made last Monday night when the newly formed Edmonton-Metcalfe Shrine Club met for the first time.
Everyone was invited to the new building at the fairgrounds for a meal prepared by the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, a live auction, and the meeting.
Several officers of the 2026 Kosair Shrine from Louisville, Ky., were in attendance. Each spoke about the work that has been done to provide every child with the medical care they need.
Kosair for Kids is a Kentucky children’s charity that grew out of the Kosair Shriners’ monumental effort to provide medical care for children from birth to 18 years.
Kosair Charities’ Jason Wilson talked about Kosair for Kids and Kosair Hospitals and the many things they provide for children. Photo | PJ Martin
Kosair Charities’ Jason Wilson spoke about the history of Kosair for Kids, Kosair Hospitals, and the work of the Kosair Shrine. When speaking about his grandchildren, he said, “The greatest gift you can ever receive is a child.”
Kosair for Kids began in 1923, when a committee purchased land in Louisville for a children’s hospital. Kosair Crippled Children’s Hospital opened its doors to its first patients in 1926.
Wilson stated that the first pediatric scoliosis surgery was performed there, and even today, Kosair performs research and trains doctors and nurses in pediatric care.
In 1981, Kosair Crippled Children’s Hospital partnered with Norton Children’s Hospital.
In the 1980s, Kosair for Kids began supporting pediatric programs through grants and created programs providing individual assistance, including medical referrals, financial assistance, and transportation to and from medical visits.
Kosair Oriental Guide David Young spoke about the connection with the local community and family. Photo | PJ Martin
The Kosair Shrine continues to work through Kosair for Kids and other community partners while funding programs throughout Kentucky and southern Indiana. Its grant program funds nonprofit organizations working in children’s health, research, education, social services, and advocacy. Those grants totaled $14 million last year and were awarded to more than 100 nonprofits that help children.
Next to speak was Kosair Shrine Oriental Guide David Young, who spoke about the connection to the community and family. He also stated that the local Shrine Club needs small-town festivals and similar events to make those connections.
Kosair Shrine Potentate Shawn Beasley announced that on Sept. 21, Kosair will provide $2.5 million to the Medical Center in Bowling Green for the development of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Beasley talked about the new partnership with Baptist Hospitals, which
Kosair Chief Rabban Larry Mann spoke of the many family-oriented and club-related programs. He highlighted the charitable programs associated with Kosair. In the background is Woody Bennett, President of the Edmonton-Metcalfe Shrine Club. Photo | PJ Martin
operates nine facilities for the advancement of pediatric patient care.
He noted that last year, Kosair for Kids programs touched the lives of more than 168,400 children.
He has also been informed through the South Atlantic Shrine Association (SASA) that donations were presented to three hospitals.
The officers of the newly formed Edmonton-Metcalfe Shrine Club are President Woody Bennett, Vice President Paul King, Secretary Clint Heuer, Treasurer Lonnie Jessie, and Club Unit Director Robert Firkins, who was appointed by Potentate Shawn Beasley.
The club held a moment of silence in memory of member Terry Garrett.
The Cattlemen’s Association was thanked for cooking the meal, and those in attendance were thanked for coming to be a part of the first meeting.
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Kosair Potentate Shawn Beasley spoke about Kosair for Kids and the partnership with Baptist Hospital’s nine facilities for pediatric care. Photo | PJ Martin
Shriners Hospitals and Medical Education
Shriners Hospitals take an active role in medical education. Over the past 20 years, more than 8,000 physicians have received residency or postgraduate fellowship education at Shriners Hospitals. The hospitals also provide training in other medical areas, including nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and orthotics and prosthetics.
There are 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children; 18 of them specialize in orthopedic care, treating injuries and problems of the bones, joints, and muscles, as well as complicated conditions such as brittle bone disease, spina bifida, and cerebral palsy.
Four hospitals specialize in burn injuries, conduct reconstructive and restorative surgeries, and treat severe scarring that limits mobility. Shriners Hospitals for Children established a cleft lip and palate program in 2005. The program provides lip and palate repair, nasal reconstruction, facial procedures, and dental procedures, as well as audiological, speech, and psychological services.
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