By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – A Ford Explorer dressed like a Shriner’s Fez, tassel and all, is making a stop in Cornwall Saturday to celebrate the construction of the new Canada Shriners Hospital.
The ‘Exceptional Care Odyssey’ coast-to-coast car trip will be in the city June 7, from noon to 4 p.m., at the RCAF Association Wing 424 at 240 Water Street West.
Join members of the Karnak Shrine Centre, SD&G Cornwall Shrine Club, and members of the Shriners Hospital for Children-Canada for a free BBQ by the water, sponsored by Benson’s Auto Parts Group.
The free event is open to the public.
“Come enjoy a burger and slap a bumper sticker on the Fez Mobile,” said Rob Cave, public relations director for the SD&G Cornwall Shrine Club. “The kids can put together and take home a toy in the Mega Bloks play area.”
The new hospital provides orthopedic care to infants, children, and teens with conditions like scoliosis, brittle bone disease, club feet, and hip dysplasia, from across Canada, the northeastern United States, and around the world.
Another goal of the Odyssey is to recognize the hardworking members of the Shriners fraternity who founded the hospital in 1925. Members are well-known for their assistance with transportation for patients and families and their volunteer efforts on the hospital board.
“We want the community to come out and see what Shriners really do on a national and a local level,” he said. “It’s not just a big event for the Cornwall area, this is a once in a lifetime event to see a vehicle made into a Fez that has traveled across North America.”
Altogether the Odyssey will cover over 17,000 kms on its 66-day, 55-stop journey.
