Since 2005, over $60,000 has been donated by Oregon taxpayers to Shriners Hospitals for Children via this program.  The donations from this program directly support the hospital’s Orthotics and Prosthetics program.

For the tax year 2009 alone, almost $28,000 was donated to the O & P program which provides prosthetic limbs and orthotics devices for the patients served at the hospital.

Six years ago, the hospital undertook the challenge to become a participant in the Checkoff Program. The program’s application process included submitting a formal proposal and gathering a minimum of 10,000 Oregon voter signatures. The hospital enlisted help from across the state from staff, volunteers, family members, parents of our patients and countless others who worked tirelessly at getting the signatures.  Most importantly, our Masonic family members, including the Grand Lodge of Oregon and the Shriners of Al Kader and Hillah Temples, stepped forward in a big way to ensure the successful collection of the required 10,000 signatures.

Committed to the hospital and its mission of providing the highest quality care to children, the supporters involved in the signature-gathering campaign amassed over 18,000 signatures in a few short months. This stunning result is well beyond what was required to become a program participant. In June, 2010, the hospital will be recertifying as a program participant. The gathering of 10,000 signatures as part of the recertification process is no longer required.

Shriners Hospitals for Childrenâ — Portland is a pediatric health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to providing specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, without financial obligation to patients or their families.