The third annual Three Rivers Shrine Club Kids Day proved to be a successful and enjoyable community gathering Saturday, according to those attending.
The event was held at the Add Grotto, under clear blue skies after a rainy morning, bringing together several organizations to create a fun-filled day for all involved.
The Shriners, a fraternal organization for men based on Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief, and truth, organized the event. The Shriners are known for their philanthropic work through Shriners Hospitals for Children, which provides advanced care for children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip and palate, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.
Bobby Wicker, a Shriner, retired firefighter, and current a security officer at the John J. Pershing Veterans Administration Medical Center, was instrumental in assisting to organize the community event.
“This year was the third year for the Three Rivers Shrine Club Kids Day. It’s all about the kids, for them to have fun, and we hope to accomplish getting information out about the Shriners Hospital and the services the hospitals provide to children,” explained Wicker.
Numerous organizations took part in the Kids Day, such as Poplar Bluff police, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Butler County EMS, Butler County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, Shriners’ Ladies, Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department, Poplar Bluff Animal Control, and others.
Area organizations donated their time and efforts to make the event not only enjoyable but also a learning experience.
The event featured face-painting, clowns, barbecue hot dogs and burgers, popcorn, cupcakes, candy, cornhole, and other fun activities for kids. Poplar Bluff and Butler County firefighters allowed youngsters the opportunity to spray the fire hose and check out the fire truck they had on-site. EMS also had an ambulance on-site for kids to check out. Police officers handed out candy and applied sticker badges to youth, while clowns did magic tricks and brought laughter with their brightly colored costumes and antics.