Teamsters help Shriners help kids

MAKING SURE SHRINER KIDS get their toys after a massive warehouse fire in South St. Louis on Nov. 15 destroyed more than 4,000 toys destined for Shriners Hospital, Teamsters Local 600’s Andrew Prowel (top photo, left) and Todd Halt volunteered to move replacement toys from a second Shriners toy drive from one of the toy deposit point at Shriners Hospital (bottom photo) and haul them to the Moolah Shrine Temple in Westport where they are now stored. As the hospital needs toys not only at Christmas, but throughout the year when kids come in, they are sent as needed from the Shrine Temple to the hospital. Every child gets a plush animal when they are admitted and an age-appropriate gift on special occasions like birthdays and holidays while in the hospital. The Shriners also hold an annual Christmas party for former patients at the Moolah Shrine Temple.