"It's hard to get past them without buying a hot dog," said Spirit Valley Super One manager Tom Perrault. It is this determination that will lead the Knights Helping Shriners Help Kids hot dog sale to its $100,000 mark.
The eighth annual hot dog sale, which started as a modest cooperation between Duluth Knights of Columbus and Shriners, has evolved into a eight-location operation.
"It takes over 260 volunteers and many sponsors to run this thing," said Bill Lee, a Knight heavily involved in the fund-raiser. Lee said there are no expenses for the Knights or Shriners because of the loyalty of their sponsors and volunteers.
"Everything from the ketchup to the propane is donated," said Duluth Shriner Roger Kurrle.
The grill-out lasts for four days at Super One grocery stores in West Duluth, Hermantown, Superior, Cloquet, Hibbing, Virginia, Baxter and Two Harbors. Lee estimates that more than 10,000 hot dogs and brats will be toasted and tasted over the course of the event. After the four days, Super One will match the donations of the highest selling location.
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At some stores, there will be entertainment from the Shriners' clowns, bagpipers and drum and bugle corps. "They (the entertainers) really generate excitement for the customers. You get a bit of a carnival atmosphere," said Perrault of the in-store activities.
More than the mustard
To some, the event is simply a tasty lunch for a good cause, but as Lee and Kurrle have witnessed, the four days can go a long way.
All of the money raised is given to the 22 Shriners' Hospitals across the country, where free medical care is given to children with orthopedic, burn or spinal cord ailments. One such hospital is in Minneapolis, which serves nearly every state in the Midwest.
Lee's own nephew was once treated at a Shriner's hospital when 41 years ago, 70 percent of the boy's body was burned. Kurrle also has many firsthand experiences with the children. Kurrle, who is the area's hospital representative, personally drives patients to the Minneapolis hospital.
"We have seen nearly 700,000 children go through our hospitals," Kurrle said. "And not one of them has paid for our services. We have no billing department." The requirements a child needs to be submitted for care include a treatable condition, an ailment within the area of the hospital's expertise (i.e. orthopedic, burn or spinal injury) and treatment that would impose a financial burden on the family.
When looking at these facts, Lee said he can't help but stay involved in the cause. "I live this (fund-raiser) all year-round, and I have to say, a break would be nice. But when I think about the thousands of dollars for the children, I can't say no," Lee said.
To learn more about the Shriners Hospital for Children, call Roger Kurrle at the Shrine Center, 722-7488. To learn more about the Knights of Columbus or the partnership between Knights and Shriners in the area, contact Bill Lee at 727-5363.
