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The Shriners of North America were founded in 1892 and are a male brotherhood whose aim is to have fun whilst meeting others. They belong to the Shrine fraternity which has about 500,000 members. They like to socialize and attend dinners and dances as well as enjoying parades. Their symbol is a red fez. They are a dedicated fraternity of men whose aim is to make themselves and other people happy.

The fraternity does have a more serious side. They work hard to help children in need of specialist treatment. They run their own hospitals for children up to the age of eighteen. They help with transportation to and from these hospitals for the children and their families and hold fund-raising events.

Not just anyone can become a Shriner. To be eligible a man must first be a Mason.
As a Shriner he has the opportunity to meet others whilst having fun and helping to raise money. Although this is a society for men only, they do run social events that the whole family can attend.

Many famous people are, or have been Shriners, Chill Wills, Bud Abbott, Audie Murphy, Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers to name but a few.

The Shriner's hold an annual convention. The 2007 convention is to be held in Anaheim, California on 1 5 July and 2008's convention will be in St. Louis, 29th June to July 3rd.

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