Submitted photo Owen Warner, left, is pictured with the Mountain Valleys Shrine Club Vice President and fundraising chairman, Mark Phillips.

ELKINS — The Mountain Valleys Shrine Club recently completed its first fundraising project of the year.

Gene Cowgil was the winner of the event’s $500 cash drawing. Gene Cowgil stated that he knew what great work the Shrine Hospitals did, and he generously donated his winnings to Shriners Children’s Hospitals.

“I cannot properly express how appreciative I am to all the folks who purchased tickets.” said Mark Phillips, Vice President and fundraising chairman of the Mountain Valleys Shrine Club. “True, only one person won the prize, but everyone, especially the kids at Shriners Children’s Hospitals, are winners when we all work together and give a little.

“It is always humbling to witness how the guys of the Mountain Valleys Shrine Club go to work and how the communities respond. I’m proud to be a Shriner and honored to be a part of this amazing group of men,” Phillips said.

Making the drawing in Durbin was Owen Warner.

The Mountain Valleys Shrine Club has an active membership of 51 Shriners and is growing, officials said. The Club meets monthly in Durbin and is an affiliate of Beni Kedem Shrine Temple in Charleston.