The purpose of the Shrine is instrumental in helping children, from infancy to 18 years of age, who have birth defects, orthopedic problems or burns. There are 21 Children's Hospitals in North America, and all care at any of the Shrine Hospitals is given regardless of the patients ability to pay. The care is given, but it is not inexpensive as our hospitals spend over $2 million each day. We serve any child regardless of finances, insurability, or other socioeconomic facts. Our own Nomad Shrine Club is charged with the responsibility of transportation costs of each of the 105 children being cared for in the Northwest Arkansas area. We pay the cost of travel, room and board for the patient and one adult for each hospital visit, if needed. In 2009 we had 71 patient trips at a cost of $34,700.41. The Nomad Shrine Golf Classic, held each June, and the Ozark Country Music Classic being held annually, are the only ways we have to fund these expenditures.
