By Steve Bigham

For most people, their only connection to the Shriners comes once a year during the annual Memorial Day or Labor Day parade. That's when the Shriners entertain the crowds with their speedy miniature cars.  But the Shriners have a lot more on their minds than just trying to reach the end of the parade route before their cars conk out.

They have their minds on sick and injured children, and, worldwide, they spend an average of $1.4 million a day helping them.  The Shriners Hospitals for Children are a network of pediatric specialty hospitals in which children under the age of 18 receive top-quality medical care free of charge. Three of those hospitals, including one in Boston, are dedicated to treating children with severe burns. Many others treat children with orthopedic treatment needs.

As the Shriners’ motto points out, "No man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child."

Thanks in part to the Shriners, one young man from Newtown is on the road to recovery after suffering severe burns on his face and hands four years ago.

Fortunately, Evan Thornton doesn't remember much about that December 31, 1995 night in Kansas City. The memory is fuzzy as the 10-year-old looks back on the night of the fire. The flames, the heat, and pain don't seem real, he says.

But for Evan, a quiet fifth grade student at Newtown's Hawley School, the scars on his face and hands are all too real. They are a reminder of the fire that ripped through his home, taking the life of his little sister and leaving severe burns on his body, and that of his mother, Nora Lundgren.

Mrs Lundgren, a 1978 Newtown High School graduate, moved her family back to Newtown after the accident. She planned to start life over again, but being a single mom, she was unable to afford the kind of medical treatment her son so desperately needed. That's when Newtown Animal Control Officer George Mattegat, a member of the Shriner ‘s Temple unit in Milford, became involved. He had heard about Evan's plight through his granddaughter, who was in the boy's class at school. Mr Mattegat offered to sponsor Evan and soon introduced the boy and his family to the Shriners Hospital for Children. Evan was an obvious candidate to receive treatment and was promptly "adopted" two years ago.

Since then Evan has undergone plastic and restorative surgery, several skin grafts and physical and occupational therapy at the Shriners Hospital in Boston. Evan likes to carve wood, enjoys sports and other activities, which require the use of his hands. The Shriners are giving him the ability to do that.

"The Shriners help has made all the difference," Evan's mom said. "Being a single mother, I could have never done any of this."

The hospital retains some of the nation's finest doctors, some of whom are working to soften the scarring on Evan's face. The young man visits the hospital about twice a month, and, actually enjoys the experience. As Evan points out, the Shriner Hospitals are kid-oriented, complete with toys, clowns, candy, and Evan's favorite, video games.

"They really make it pleasant for him," Mrs Lundgren said. "When I stay over with Evan it's like a slumber party. Sometimes we sneak upstairs for candy in the vending machines."

Evan and his mother are very close, especially after going through so much together. "We can sympathize with each other," Mrs Lundgren said.

The love of family is stressed at the Shriners Hospitals. The family-centered care concept says that while medicine might heal the child's body, tending to the child's sense of well being is equally important to his or her recovery.

The Shriners also provide transportation to and from the hospitals, using handicapped equipped vans and donating their own time.

"It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, black or white, if you're burned you're burned and the Shriners Hospital will provide treatment free of charge," noted Shriner Salvatore Vitale.

Five years ago, Mr Mattegat also sponsored a young girl from Russia who suffered from rickets, a bone condition caused by malnutrition and lack of sunlight which creates a "bowing" of the legs. Mr Mattegat had read the story of four-year-old Marina, who had been brought the United States, along with her siblings Olga and Viktor, by her adopted parents Bob and Becky Birgalla of Newtown.

"George called us and offered to sponsor her for the Shriners Hospital. We took her to the hospital in Springfield, Mass., in September of 1994, and we've been going once a year ever since. Her legs are just as straight and strong as anybody's now," said Mrs Birgalla. "She's nine now and she's playing soccer, doing gymnastics and taking swim lessons."

 The Shriner doctors evaluated Marina, took x-rays and did blood work, but no surgery was needed.

"They provided peace of mind that everything was okay with her legs," Mrs Birgalla said. "That hospital is truly amazing. It's so bright and cheerful. Everybody is friendly and they make the children feel at ease. She does not have any reservations about going there."

 Shrine temples are located throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Republic of Panama. Today, there are approximately 575,000 Shriners who belong to 191 temples. Shriners are Masons and throughout history have always been involved in charitable endeavors. However, in the early 1920s, the membership decided to support the establishment of the Shriners Hospitals for Children. There is never a charge for any of the care or services provided. The hospitals are substantially funded through the Shriners Hospitals for Children endowment fund, which is maintained through gifts, bequests and contributions.

In addition to patient care, Shriners Hospitals are actively engaged in research and education.

Application forms for admission to Shriners Hospitals can be obtained by calling toll-free 1-800-237-5055.