Shriners rely on endowment

To the editor:

Thanks for the article about Shriners Hospitals for Children and their availability to help children of any color, race or creed regardless of their financial status. As stated, all care at our hospitals is completely without charge. Money to run our 22 hospitals is drawn from our endowment fund, which is maintained through the generosity of the general populace through endowments, wills and gifts. In addition, Shriners also help to raise money by staging circuses, rodeos and other activities of interest to the public.

Our budget to run these hospitals in 2004 is $625 million. Should anyone know of a child we could help, please contact a Shriner.

KENNETH E. MYLES

Missouri State Director

Endowments, Wills and Gifts Committee

Shriners Hospitals for Children

Cape Girardeau