Rome Shriners telethon will kick off Friday; goal set at $60,000

by Lauren Jones, staff writer Rn T.Com

Some of the crowd at the start of the 17th Annual Rome Shrine Club Telethon from The Forum in Rome. (Doug Walker, RN-T)

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Since 1995, the?Rome Shrine Club?has been raising money for hospitalized children ? and 150 Shriners will sit by the phones at The Forum, starting Friday, for this year?s annual telethon.

The annual telethon, which will be televised on Comcast Channel 4, will kick off Friday from 8 to 11 p.m. On Saturday, the event will run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. with a live auction taking place from 2 to 3 p.m. where callers can dial in and bid on items. On Sunday, the telethon will run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a break from 11 a.m. to noon for church services.

Shriners first vice president Johnny Powell said this year?s goal is to raise $60,000 and as a special treat, several local and out-of-town gospel groups will perform throughout the telethon.

In its 18th year, the telethon started out benefiting burned and handicapped children. It has since expanded to helping children with other medical issues, such as cleft lips and spinal cord injuries. The proceeds will be available to child patients in more than 50 hospitals.

Powell said the Shriners are very excited about the event that they plan for year-round.

?It?s a big event for us, and when it?s over on Aug. 4 we start working on it for next year,? he said.

Source: http://rn-t.com/bookmark/23259228

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