We're in it for the Children

 The Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America (LOSNA) was founded in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1903, when the Ladies of Osiris Shriners were invited to attend the social events and festivities surrounding Osiris’ Spring Ceremony of Initiation.  When the Shriners departed for their ceremony, the ladies were having so much fun, they didn't want to stop.  They surveyed the McClure Hotel and in a joyous mood, began to parade through the halls.  They eventually arrived at one of the hotel’s conference rooms.  The doors were closed, a guard was set, and within that room, with dignity and sincerity, and without a ritual or prepared paraphernalia, the first session of the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America was held and Isis Court No. 1 came into being.  

When the Shriners founded the Shrine Hospitals for Children and the first hospital was built in 1922, the Ladies committed to supporting the Shrine’s official philanthropy.  Today the Courts continue to support the hospital fund, hospital sewing, research projects and other areas of interest.  Each Court not only raises funds for the hospitals, but they donate clothing, stuffed animals, purchase equipment, staff the information desk in the various hospitals and serve as office personnel on a voluntary basis.  The LOSNA contributes well over a half million dollars annually to the Shrine Hospitals.  

The Ladies do not stop at donating funds or the items listed, they also make the rounds of the hospitals with book carts, furnish libraries for the children in the hospitals, hold pizza parties, ice creams socials, sew quilts and gowns, donate funds for playground equipment, donate funds to send a burned child to the Camp Ability Burn Camp, support research, donate examining tables, rocking chairs, pool tables, sofas for the teenagers, prosthetic devices, wheel chairs, baby carriages, car seats, mini cars for the children, numerous wagons, high chairs, computer equipment and software, musical items, and the list goes on.  They do this by hosting many special events throughout the year such as craft bazaars, bake sales, dances, aluminum tab collection projects, Golf outings, cook outs, dinners, etc.

The Ladies support various special projects with emphasis given to the LOS Special Project for the year, as chosen by the reigning Grand High Priestess.  This special project is designed to assist an area of specific need within the Shriners Hospitals such as research into various childhood conditions.