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Fun times for a good cause
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| H&N photo by Andrew Mariman Children ride atop an elephant during intermission at the Shrine Circus. Some 2,000 people attended the first show Saturday afternoon. |
April 15, 2007
Kalia Edens was among about 2,000 people who attended the Klamath Falls Shrine Circus at the Klamath County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
The Oregon Institute of Technology junior enjoyed the circus in her youth, but that's not why she was there. Rather, she wanted to show her gratitude to the circus for funding the medical care she and others have received through the network of Shrine hospitals for children.
“She's the reason we do what we do,” said Tom Reeves, circus chairman with the Klamath Falls Club of Hillah Shrine.
The circus has come to Klamath Falls for the past 57 years, bringing various animals, trapeze artists, and all sorts of stunt performers that use anything from stacking chairs to BMX bikes.
Deeper purpose
Reeves said that Shriners like to see children and their families enjoy the entertainment the circus provides, but there is a deeper purpose behind the acts. For the Klamath Falls Shrine Club, the circus is its biggest fundraiser for helping the Shrine hospitals for children.
Edens was one of those children the Shriners helped. Diagnosed with severe scoliosis in her junior year of high school, the organization paid for her medical care and transportation to treatments.
She now has a rod attached to her spine with five bolts to correct the condition, which allowed her to compete for Miss Klamath County this year. Her platform is the Shrine hospital network.
Reeves said that there are 192 Shriner hospital patients in Klamath County that the local club transports to hospitals. Many people know who Shriners are and know what Shrine hospitals are, but don't make the connection between the two, something he said the organization struggles to address each year.
“They've lost track that we are the Shrine hospitals,” he said.
There were those at the circus who understand the organization's mission behind the circus. Lisa Avila, office manager for Klamath County department of public health, brought her daughter and niece to the circus. It was the first circus for all three, and they found the animals and balancing act particularly entertaining.
Attending the circus was a spontaneous decision, Avila said, but was a way for her to show her appreciation for the Shriners. They are currently providing care for her son, who has autism.
Edens said she was glad to be at the circus again to just enjoy the show, especially the acrobats.
“I'm just amazed they can do it,” she said.
By Ty Beaver
Kalia Edens was among about 2,000 people who attended the Klamath Falls Shrine Circus at the Klamath County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
The Oregon Institute of Technology junior enjoyed the circus in her youth, but that's not why she was there. Rather, she wanted to show her gratitude to the circus for funding the medical care she and others have received through the network of Shrine hospitals for children.
“She's the reason we do what we do,” said Tom Reeves, circus chairman with the Klamath Falls Club of Hillah Shrine.
The circus has come to Klamath Falls for the past 57 years, bringing various animals, trapeze artists, and all sorts of stunt performers that use anything from stacking chairs to BMX bikes.
Deeper purpose
Reeves said that Shriners like to see children and their families enjoy the entertainment the circus provides, but there is a deeper purpose behind the acts. For the Klamath Falls Shrine Club, the circus is its biggest fundraiser for helping the Shrine hospitals for children.
Edens was one of those children the Shriners helped. Diagnosed with severe scoliosis in her junior year of high school, the organization paid for her medical care and transportation to treatments.
She now has a rod attached to her spine with five bolts to correct the condition, which allowed her to compete for Miss Klamath County this year. Her platform is the Shrine hospital network.
Reeves said that there are 192 Shriner hospital patients in Klamath County that the local club transports to hospitals. Many people know who Shriners are and know what Shrine hospitals are, but don't make the connection between the two, something he said the organization struggles to address each year.
“They've lost track that we are the Shrine hospitals,” he said.
There were those at the circus who understand the organization's mission behind the circus. Lisa Avila, office manager for Klamath County department of public health, brought her daughter and niece to the circus. It was the first circus for all three, and they found the animals and balancing act particularly entertaining.
Attending the circus was a spontaneous decision, Avila said, but was a way for her to show her appreciation for the Shriners. They are currently providing care for her son, who has autism.
Edens said she was glad to be at the circus again to just enjoy the show, especially the acrobats.
“I'm just amazed they can do it,” she said.
By Ty Beaver
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