Nile
Shriners

Shriners come from all walks of life. We are members of the community who are working or retired, members of the trades, business professionals, business leaders and men who want to just have fun. We are fathers, uncles and sons. We are also brothers. When you become a Shriner, you become part of a brotherhood of men committed to family, engaged in ongoing personal growth, and dedicated to providing care of children and families in need through Shriners Childrens® regardless of their ability to pay.

While our backgrounds and interests may be diverse, what binds us together are shared values and a desire to have fun, do good and build relationships that can last a life time. Is it time for you to learn more about Shriners International? Visit www.beashrinernow.com and find out. You can also go to our Join Nile page for what it will take to join.

Michael J. Riley | Potentate 2023

The Bridge Builder

By Will Allen Dromgoole

1860–1934 An old man going a lone highway, Came, at the evening cold and gray, To a chasm vast and deep and wide. Through which was flowing a sullen tide The old man crossed in the twilight dim, The sullen stream had no fear for him; But he turned when safe on the other side And built a bridge to span the tide. “Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near, “You are wasting your strength with building here; Your journey will end with the ending day, You never again will pass this way; You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide, Why build this bridge at evening tide?” The builder lifted his old gray head; “Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said, “There followed after me to-day A youth whose feet must pass this way. This chasm that has been as naught to me To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be; He, too, must cross in the twilight dim; Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”

I enjoy that this poem reminds us that we have a choice.

We can accomplish our goals and move on or give back, leaving a legacy where all those who follow can have a better life, moving faster and farther because of the road we paved. It begs to ask, what selfless choices are we willing to make?

This year has been a blast! I have represented the Nile at the Giza Shriners Installation, PNSA in Boise, Washington State Winter Special Olympics in Wenatchee, Grand Court of Washington Order of the Amaranth, Ahmes Court Installation (LOS), Hatasu Court Installation (DON), and Washington DeMolay Convention. I also plan to attend the Grand Lodge of Washington, Washington State Summer Special Olympics, Grand Chapter of Washington, Washington Job’s Daughters Grand Session, Shriners’ Imperial Session, and Washington Rainbow Grand Assembly in the upcoming months.

I have been getting out there and sharing how we are growing in numbers because we are having fun and changing lives. We brought in nearly 20 members in the first two months and have been bringing in more petitions and doing more Cold Sand Ceremonials since then. We are forming new clubs that fit our members’ desires, like Drift Trikes, Senior DeMolay, Pit Masters, and a Haunt Club. There is even talk about reestablishing the Greeters. We are growing, and it is exciting!

How are we changing lives? We coordinate patient travel and lodging for patients in the jurisdictions of Nile, Afifi, and Masada temples—all of Washington except El Katif temple in Spokane. We pay all travel expenses to get kids the care and services they need.

Additionally, we have become a resource to help with emergency international travel. So far, we have helped change the lives of three children and aim to do more.

About a year ago, we were able to help a 15-month-old boy named Marco. Marco’s mother, Jenifer, was doing yard work at the family’s home in early May while Marco was outside with her in his stroller. After a few days, Marco developed a high fever, and Jenifer knew he needed help.

The local doctors quickly determined that a venomous spider had bitten Marco. Marco’s leg rapidly grew redder and more swollen. I saw the pictures, and it was not pretty.

According to his mother, Marco initially received medication and oxygen, but his lungs and kidneys started failing because of the spider’s poison. The Monterrey, Mexico, hospital took him into surgery and removed tissue from his leg.

The doctors at the hospital knew there was nothing else they could do to help Marco and worked to transfer his care to Shriners Children’s, where he could get the best care available.

It was at the point where Marco would likely lose his leg if he even survived.

Imperial Sir Ed Stoltz was in Seattle, sitting next to our Potentate Dale Newman, when he got the news about Marco and that it would cost $35,000 to airlift him from Monterrey, Mexico, to Shriners Children’s in Galveston, Texas. Ed wasn’t sure how to get the money. Dale told Ed to get him on the plane, and we would figure out how to cover the cost.

Marco underwent multiple surgeries and rehabilitation at Shriners Children’s, which helped him keep the leg. Jenifer said it becomes increasingly apparent that Marco is feeling better and returning to his old self. We were in the right place at the right time. We did what nobody else could have.

A month ago, we received another phone call. A two and a half month-old baby named Jose had severe skull fractures and facial burns. His parents, a 15- and 17-year-old couple out of Mexico, had placed the child by the fire to keep warm when a smoldering log rolled out and struck the child. The cheapest air ambulance estimate to get the child to our nearest burn center in Sacramento was $38,500. Can we help? We immediately agreed to make it happen. The father couldn’t comprehend that some strangers were willing to step in and help, and the only sense he could make of the situation was that we were trying to abduct him. He knew Jose was in need but couldn’t overcome the fear of getting on the plane, so his sister accompanied Jose to Sacramento.

We have received word that the surgeries are going well, and he is recovering. He has started to bottle feed, and the staff is amazed. The team has all fallen in love with him.

Just a couple of weeks ago, we received another phone call.

A young girl with Stevens–Johnson syndrome required transportation to see our specialists at Shriners Children’s. For those who don’t know, Stevens–Johnson syndrome is a reaction to medication that starts with flu-like symptoms, followed by a painful rash that spreads and blisters. Then the top layer of affected skin dies and sheds, much like a severe burn, except it originates on the inside radiating outward. The young girl was in excruciating pain, and she could hardly move. Transportation estimates were $28,000 to get her to the specialists and equipment located at our Sacramento Hospital. We agreed to make it happen. The latest word is that the patient’s treatment is going well, and she is walking again. She is due to have another surgery this week.

This past year, we guaranteed over $100K in urgent international travel expenses. Our actual costs were closer to $62.5K due to other donors and estimates for worst-case scenarios. We have the funds at the Nile to do this because we have been fortunate and worked to be able to.

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Potentate and represent you. We are doing great things and changing lives. I am proud to be a Nile Shriner; you should be too.

Ill Sir Michael J Riley, 2023 Potentate

At the recent Conference of Grand Masters in Louisville, Kentucky, Imperial Potentate Jeff Sowder, along with Scottish Rite Sovereign Grand Commanders David A. Glattly, 33° (Northern Masonic Jurisdiction), and James D. Cole, 33° (Southern Jurisdiction), announced a formal partnership on the Path Forward for Freemasonry.

As part of that initiative, the three leaders announced BeaFreemason.org, which features a wealth of information including an explanation of Masonic terms, lodge life, symbolism, degrees and family organizations. Launched in mid-February, this first-of-its-kind site introduces Freemasonry to men who are looking to "become the best version" of themselves. The site has a "Get in Touch" button, so prospects (in North America) can fill out a short form that will put them in touch with a Masonic leader in their local area. We hope you share this helpful site with men that you know who are committed to lives of honor, integrity and character.

For more information, go to: beafreemason.org