Every spring the Asebi Court Clown Unit Lady Shriners take gifts to children inside Children's Hospital at Erlanger.
The Asebi Court Clown Unit of the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America brings toys to the children at Children's Hospital at Erlanger. From left are Hixson's Pat "Cupcake" Dodd, Hixson's Bea "Fluffy" Sutton, the Court's High Priestess Anne Babb, of Highway 58, Children's Hospital at Erlanger childlife specialist Lois Simpson, Red Bank's Linda "Doenoclown" Conley and Soddy-Daisy's Syble "Jiggles" Ooten. The Lady Shriners are based at Fidelity Masonic Lodge in Harrison."The main purpose of our organization is to help the children in the Shriners hospitals for children," said the Court's High Priestess Anne Babb, who lives on Highway 58, where the clown unit's members belong to the Fidelity Masonic Lodge. "We love to visit here at T.C. Thompson and put smiles on the faces of the children."
The ladies, dressed in their clown attire, bring cheer to the children as they hand out books, games, puzzles, hand puppets and Hot Wheels.
Lady Shriner Bea Sutton said they also help by collecting money for hospital equipment, making 80 lap quilts and tote bags for children annually and sending school supplies to the hospitals. She said the Asebi Court Clown Unit will visit Children's Hospital at Erlanger again in the fall to distribute gifts.
She added that she and fellow Lady Shriners often set up face-painting booths at K-Mart and Walmart and church picnics.