In a quest to make fraternity life more fun, a group of Masonic brothers created the Shriners organization in 1872. Shrine membership still requires a man to first become a Master Mason, fully committed to Masonry’s mission of brotherly love, truth and charity.
Shriners enjoy temple activities and family-friendly events, and they participate in sports and recreation groups, motor corps patrols, homebrew clubs … plus many other units focused on fun and fellowship. Every Shriner is also part owner of Shriners Hospitals for Children®, a philanthropic health system of 22 locations, outreach programs and community clinics that delivers life-changing specialty medical care to children.
Today, Shriners International boasts nearly 200 temples (local chapters) with more than 200,000 members. Though the majority of Shriners are in North America, Shriners can be found on six continents, and international development is on the rise, with Bolivia, Brazil, Germany, Panama, the Philippines all having established vibrant temples.