North Battleford remains a popular spot for those crossing the country for a cause.
That was evident again Wednesday, as local WA WA Shriners in the Battlefords welcomed the national Exceptional Care Odyssey to the community.
That is a 17,000 km journey across Canada of a red Ford Explorer decorated to resemble a Shriners' Fez.
The vehicle is on a 66-day trip through 55 cities. It began May 16 in St. John's, Newfoundland and culminates in mid-July with the dipping of the tires in the Pacific Ocean. The final stop is a wrap-up event in Vancouver July 18.
"We wanted to find a unique way to create awareness in each community about what Shriners do for the kids in each community," said Emmanuelle Rondeau, communication manager for Shriners Hospital for Children Canada.
Wednesday saw the vehicle arrive at the Masonic Temple in North Battleford.
In addition to local Shriners, Mayor Ian Hamilton of North Battleford and Mayor Derek Mahon of Battleford were on hand, as was Battlefords MLA Herb Cox.
At every stop, signed stickers are placed on the vehicle by local supporters. People have been leaving "messages of hope" on the car, said Rondeau, to create awareness.
The tour then continued on to Lloydminster for the evening, and then on to Alberta and British Columbia.
The goal of the journey is to bring awareness of the new Canadian Shriners Hospital being built on the ground of the McGill Health Centre in Montreal.
Its staff treat conditions such as rheumatology, brittle bone diseases, spinal and limb abnormalities and many others. The new hospital will be double the size of the current one and offer services to even more children across the country.
Additional services at the new hospital include a surgical skills lab, a movement analysis lab and an education centre.
While there is a capital-building campaign going on, the tour is less about raising money and more about getting information out about the hospital.
"Really, this is an awareness-building exercise for us," said Rondeau. This was a way to bring awareness and thanks to individual Shriners across the country who, she notes, often work in the background and in an unassuming way.
Plus, many don't know there is specialized orthopedic care available for children, she said, so they wanted people to know that option was available.
All care and treatments up to age 18 are provided regardless of the family's ability to pay, through the Shriners' efforts. Shriners pay for the transportation of the kids to the Montreal hospital.
Those seeking more information about the effort can go to www.exceptionalcare4kids.com.
