Shriners | NEWS @ NOUBS www.sitzmannfoto.com Flying High For Shriners Hospitals For Children Jerome Given of Omaha, Neb., has dedicated his life to the Shriners— and to the sky. (NAPSA)—For Shriner Jerome Given, the sky’s the limit when it comes to caring for children at Shriners Hospitals for Children— literally. With his own private Beechcraft twin-engine airplane, Given has flown hundreds of children and their parents to Shriners Hospitals as part of the Shrine’s Flying Fez program. Given, an Omaha, Neb., native, founded the Flying Fez in 1986. He saw the need to help transport patients using his own resources to help Shriners Hospitals. The program blossomed into a national Shrine Club madeupofprivate-plane owners who volunteer their time and airplanes to transport patients. Today, over 1,200 Shriners belong to the Flying Fez. Given’s dedication to Shriners and Shriners Hospitals began when he joined Omaha’s Tangier Shriners in 1948. He helped start a number of committees within Tangier. “When I first started in the Shrine, I went in running!” said Given. His feet haven’t touched the ground since. Given served as Tangier’s President in 1963. He is a member of the York Rite and the Scottish Rite, as well as a 33rd Degree Mason. He is also the director of the Nebraska Masonic Youth Foundation, and has served as chairmanof the board for the Scottish Rite in Omahafor 13 years. For the retired attorney, airplanes have been a recurring themein his life. His wife of 62 years, Jean, is a commercial pilot and formerflight instructor, who taught two of their four children to fly. She still competes in air races regularly and often co-pilots for Given on hospital flights. The couple has even taught some of their grandchildren tofly. Although donating time and plane rides to Shriners Hospitals takes priority, Given also donates his resources to adult patients through Air Lifeline in Peoria, Il. He wasrecently awarded the Salvation Army Adult Hero Award for his service to young people in his hometown of Omaha. “’m just a regular Shriner,” said Given. “I don’t profess to do more than any other Shriner. I’m just so glad to doit.” For more information on Shriners’ network of 22 hospitals that provide medical care and services totally free of charge to children with orthopaedic problems, burns and spinal cord injuries, write to: Shriners International Headquarters, Public Relations Dept., 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, or visit the Web site at www.shrinershq.org. Treatment is provided to children under age 18 without regard to race, religion or relationship to a Shriner. If you know a child Shriners can help, call 1-800-237-5055 in the United States, or 1-800-3617256 in Canada.
