AnnualReport2020

National Signature Events

HighlyVisible Events Benefit Shriners Organizations Shriners Hospitals for Children and Shriners International support and participate in a number of local, regional and national events throughout the year. Our national signature events generate attention for both organizations, which helps raise our profile in entertaining and unique ways. These events also provide a variety of fellowship opportunities for members of the fraternity. Here are highlights from our national signature events: Tournament of Roses Parade For the 10th consecutive year, Shriners Hospitals for Children proudly participated in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. Our float this year, Hope Knows No Limits , displayed the power of our organizations to improve lives. Our float depicted one result of the presence of hope: joy and acceptance – seen through the carefree exuberance of children

Response to the float was tremendous. So many children with disabilities were able to say, possibly for the first time, “Look, she is like me!” One patient, whose right leg had been amputated, commented on Facebook, “Seeing myself as a child represented in such a way really gave me some peace … This is the first time I have been represented in the Rose Bowl Parade. I can’t tell you what that means to me. Thank you again.” Joining Fezzy on the float were National Patient Ambassadors Madelyn and Cristian, Shriners for Children Medical Center — Pasadena patients Gianna and Monserrath, as well as Imperial Potentate Jeff Sowder and First Lady Cheryl, and Imperial Chaplain Bobby Simmons and Lady Nancy. During the Rose Parade, Brenna’s mom posted on Instagram: “While watching the Rose Parade, the @shrinershospitals float came on and Reid told Brenna that girl was like her and she was so excited and kept jumping around screaming ‘like me, like me!’ ”

sharing a day at the playground. Our mascot, Fezzy, marked his eighth appearance on our Rose Parade floats by joining the children in the playground and pushing a little girl on a swing – a little girl with a prosthetic leg.

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