Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Events

On July 15, I had an appointment with the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Scoliosis department, in Dallas, Texas, for my son. They had a pleasant surprise awaiting visitors on the 1st floor commons area, the 'Children's and Adult's Book Sale' to benefit the hospital and their patients. We browsed and purchased some of the books ourselves. For a book lover, this was heaven on earth. We got two Chocolate Recipe Lovers books, one Animal First Aid, and a few children's and teen books that were sold for less than three-fourths the normal selling price! What an amazing deal for shoppers, as well as, giving the public a chance to help the hospital and its patients.

The Texas Scottish Rite Hospital has many Children benefits from more than 250 special events, which are held each year. There are many organizers including individuals, patient families, service groups, civic organizations, professional associations and corporations. There next benefit for July 19^th is being held in my very own neck of the woods, the Sherman/Denison Texas area, at the Grayson County Golf Course, (903) 786-9719, to teach children with physical challenges how to play golf, but there are also more continued learning opportunities for junior golfers too.

These children are patients at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital and will be taught by groups of healthcare and golf professionals that are specially trained to work with children with physical challenges. This particular program is being funded by TSRH donors and a grant by the U.S. Golf Association which is provided every quarter of the year. This is a free program for patients.

Annually, there are many organizations and associations that hold golf tournaments and outings to benefit each of the many medical departments at TSRH. The North Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association, ARMA (ARMA is an association for individuals who work in various businesses who are responsible for keeping all records for a company.), and Spiro Augustus Memorial, in memory of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church parishioner Spiro Augustus, are three of many who donate a large percentage of their proceeds to benefit the hospital each year.

Texas Scottish Rite Hospital and all other Scottish Rite hospitals around the country have been fortunate to be the recipient of many golf tournament benefits throughout the community. If not for events like these, there would be no Scottish Rite Hospitals to care for the patients whose insurance only pays a minimal amount toward these, sometimes immense medical debts.

There are many more events through out the year for patients, such as, 'Christmas in July' on July 25, 9am-noon, held every summer, in the TSRH atrium, in Austin, Texas this year. Children will participate in holiday activities. Things like tree decorating, tile painting, and Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus stopping by to take pictures with the kids, will definitely put a smile on their faces. The pure emotional and intellectual enjoyment, and don't forget the monetary savings like the recent book sale, are constantly being offered to the public. So, when you hear about donation or volunteer opportunities available to you, don't turn a blind eye. Stop by your local Scottish Rite Hospital or go to their website (www.tsrhc.org for Texas). It's amazing what you and the patients get out of these events.