Local Shriners donate to children’s hospital

Eleven members of the Mountain Valleys Shrine Club traveled to Lexington, Kentucky to present a $1,000 contribution check to Don Brockman, Chairman of Shriners Children's Lexington.

This made the third time in 2026 that members of the Mountain Valleys Shrine Club have made a donation to Shriners hospitals.

"Our only focus as a club is to raise money and awareness for the kids in need," said Steve Herron, Club President.

The Mountain Valleys Shrine Club is based in Durbin and meets once a month.

"The local Shrine Club in Elkins disbanded over a year ago," Herron said. "Seeing a need to continue the great tradition for Children's Hospitals several of us united together and created a new Shrine Club with Beni Kedem Shrine Temple in Charleston, West Virginia.

"Charleston made more since anyway," he continued. "Many of us can drive to Charleston in two hours. Driving options to get to other Shrine Temples would take us longer and in one case we would have to drive through Pennsylvania to get there."

While The Mountain Valleys Shrine Club is based in Durbin, the Club is comprised of Shriners living in 11 different counties in the state.

"Our Club turned one year old in August. In one year, the Club has grown to 60 members and is still growing," Herron said. " I think there are several factors why our Club is being so successful. One, I think the word is spreading that we are a Shrine Club that has a lot of fun, and two, many of our members have had a lot of experience as Master Masons. Our Club has 12 Past Masters and 16 50-year Masons.

"The Mountain Valleys Shrine Club is the buzz because we are getting a lot done," said Herron. "The vast majority of Shriners in the Mountain Valleys Shrine Club belong to Beni Kedem Shrine in Charleston, but we welcome all Shriners regardless of the Temple they belong to as long as they are in good standing."

Shriners Children's improves the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, conducting innovative research, and offering outstanding education programs for medical professionals. Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care, regardless of the families' ability to pay, and receive all care and services in a compassionate, family centered environment.

For additional information on the Mountain Valleys Shrine Club, contact project coordinator Mark Phillips at 330-204-5941. For more information on children's services, visit shrinerschildrens.org.