Despite the rainy weather, the 55th annual Henderson Shrine Club Fish Fry was a huge success. The Shriners raised $10-$12 thousand dollars and sold 2,500+ plates!

WIZS covered the event with live broadcasts throughout the day, interviewing several local people and encouraging the community to come out and support the event aimed at raising funds to support the 22 Shriners hospitals and clinics across the country.

In addition to the usual local supporters, the fish fry brought Shrine Club members from other districts across the state. Bob Hair, with the Burlington Shrine Club, brought his club’s hospital transport van affectionately known as “the roadrunner.”

According to Hair, the roadrunner has traveled many a mile to bring children to the closest Shriner’s hospital in Greenville, SC. “Two Shriners ride in the van to take sick children to the hospital,” said Hair. “We stay with them until they get through it [procedure] and then we bring them back home.”

Hair said his club has a transportation fund set up that pays for the gasoline and for the food of the family and the child for the duration of their visit to the hospital.

Hair himself has been a “roadrunner” for 25 years and has made “hundreds of trips to Greenville, SC.”

He reminded the listening audience they every dollar raised at the event goes to help crippled and burned children by paying for patient care, doctors’ and nurses’ salaries, electric bills, etc.

Potentate Bob Dowen of Raleigh, head of the Amran Shriners that covers a 10-county area, was also on hand at the fish fry to show his support and enjoy a delicious meal.

In speaking on the benefits of fundraisers such as the fish fry, Dowen explained that proceeds go to ensure that all children in need are covered regardless of their families financial standing.

“Children are treated regardless of their ability to pay and parents are never forced to pay anything outside of what insurance covers,” said Dowen.