Welcome, everybody, to Midday Magazine for this Monday, November 11th, 2024.
Have your host, James J. Mailoff here, and welcoming into the studio right now.
We are going to be talking with Ken Olam and Chris Peters.
Ken, introduce yourself so the audience can put a name to the voice there.
Hi, I'm Ken Olam.
I live in Marshfield and volunteer as a Shrine Clown with the local fundsters.
We're a Clown Parade unit, so we get out in our emissaries for the Shriners.
Excellent. Thank you for that, Ken. Appreciate it.
And Chris, if you can introduce yourself.
Hi, I'm Chris Peters. I'm also a Clown. My name is Sparky.
I've been in the Shrine for 24 years now, and trying to give back what was given to me.
Right on. Well said, sir.
And now this is, we're going to talk about this extraordinary holiday tradition
that with the Zoreshriner's festival of trees and more.
If we could, if Ella's before we get into that,
can we talk about what the Zoreshriners are?
Just a little bit of that. Maybe those in the audience might not be familiar.
Let them be a little more familiar with what this is.
Chris, if you wouldn't mind.
Well, Shriners around the world, I mean, started, well, 150 years ago.
A hundred years ago, they decided to start building hospitals and taking care of kids.
So, you know, the Zoreshriners happens to be one of three temples that are in the state of Wisconsin.
In Milwaukee, they have Triple Eye.
In Green Bay, they have Bayja, and then we're out of Madison.
And, yeah, I mean, it's, you know, the whole organization was built on fun and fellowship.
And then we started our philanthropy of the hospitals.
We build ourselves up to 22 hospitals.
One being up in Canada, one down in Mexico City,
and the rest of them are all in the continental U.S.
But our focus is a change now.
Today's technology has gotten to a point where most surgeries nowadays are done as outpatient surgeries.
The needs for the hospitals themselves are not as great as they used to be.
And we have some of our patients traveling, you know, for a day or two sometimes just to get to one
of our hospitals. So they have a project called 2035 that hopefully by then we're going to be
down to five hospitals, but we're going to have three to five hundred healthcare clinics
and reach out into the areas to where we can reach out to more kids. Take care of them.
You know, we have a lot of great organizations, a lot of great nonprofits out there,
and we need a lot of them because while there are certain big topics out there that a lot of us
think of, oh, we need something for this, oh, we need something for that. For every big topic,
there are some gray areas that just don't get covered, that we don't have a chance to really
talk about very much. I think George Reiner's organization has made a history of focusing on a
lot of those areas, a lot of the things that we don't get a chance to really put our attention
to as always, that they have put their attention to. And the idea of adjusting and kind of working
and evolving your business model, if you will, for a nonprofit, that's something that I'm so impressed
by with our nonprofits. I have every week I'm talking to the United Way or some are encouraged
or different organizations and each one of them adapt to the modern two times and just so that
they can do the good work that they're doing. I really admire that. It wasn't always the case
when I was a kid and it's really impressive to see the where things go nowadays and adapting
to that, to what our community needs. The Shriners have been doing this for a very long time
and have adapted to those things. I think that's really unique and cool and it shows too as well
that how you listen to your people, you listen to the communities, you listen to individuals and
well, where can we do our best work? And doing something like that, I don't think a lot of our
audience probably heard about that. I really appreciate that. That's very interesting, Chris,
as far as what they're doing and how they're evolving. That's interesting.
And part of that evolution is, I imagine coming up with events like this, we're in our second
year of this one. And while it's only the second one, it already feels bigger and more impactful
than it was last year, which is saying something because last year's was really big. So let's talk
about the event itself, the Shriners Festival of Trees. What is this event, when is it taking place?
The event itself will start Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, run for 10 days,
and it is sponsors and donors have donated a Christmas tree, fully decorated with gifts underneath.
Value approximately $500 or so. And then we hold a raffle under our license to raise money.
The event itself is absolutely free. We are reaching out to the community because the
Masonic Center, where it's located, is collecting the canned goods non-perishables for the food
pantries. And last year, they collected 800 pounds worth. Wow. That's incredible.
That's the generosity of the people coming. So we aren't asking you to pay for anything.
It's a great event. It's indoors. So it's climate controlled. You can come down, have fun,
look around. We have a guest from the North Pole that's there, at least a good share of the time.
And he likes to have children and adults come and discuss their questions and maybe sneak in a hint
or two to help him with his work. That's a smart guy. He's all year prepping and planning for
this stuff. He knows what he's doing. He's really got this down to a side, Santa. Also,
nicely done by you guys. Pam and I have been trying to get Santa on the Midday magazine show here
for years and it just never happens. He's got more important things like this to do.
It's understandable. This is also part of the fun of this event too, is there's themes with each
of these trees. Is that how it works? Oh yeah. Each business or individual sponsors it with a
different theme. We have some that last year, the tree that I sponsored was done in a Dr.
Sioux's mode with all kinds of gifts for children underneath. We have some promoting the animal
shelter, some of the businesses. It's their goods, their services. They're one of the ways they're
very generous to the community because they appreciate the people that keep them in business.
The theme of the tree is what makes up all the presents underneath it. So all those presents
have to do with the theme of the tree. Which is great. It's a great tie and thank you for that
mentioning that. And with those trees and those themes, the people can bid on these. People can
pass or not bid on. I'm sorry. I can possibly add to them. Well, what they do is we sell raffle
tickets. Yes. And we have buckets in front of every tree. Not only do we have trees, we have reefs,
you know, good old Christmas reefs. And we also in the end more this year. You know, we bought
so many decorations and stuff to make it look festive. But these were things that we used year
after year. But the people were very interested in and wanted to bid on those too or not bid on them,
but put a raffle ticket in for them. But we weren't raffling those off. So this year here,
we found a lower entry level for sponsors to where they can purchase these decorations.
And we're raffling those off. Very cool. So that's the end more this year. Right. And the community
loves raffles. If you were having an event, you have to have a raffle attached to it. I don't care
what the event is. We love these. But I make that joke a lot because not only do we love these
raffles, but we love what they're about. Where they are. It's a fun way of putting back into an
event, putting into a cause. Well, also maybe getting some fun stuff from it as well. And the
raffle itself will be drawn as well on at the end of this event on Sunday. Sunday afternoon,
the 8th of December four o'clock. There's a beautiful backdrop for this too. Where you can take
taking this in indoors and everything. That's nice. That is a fun way of being able to take
this into. And now, one of the things that I think that stands out with this event too. And like
a lot of our local events, there are all the things that the guys have mentioned here are all
no worthy and important. The idea of having an event that brings so many individuals from
different walks of life together. Young, old man, woman, it doesn't matter. And I will mention
two coming out of the week that we have. It doesn't matter any political affiliations or anything
like that. None of that matters. All that matters is we come together as a community in
unify that we come together as individuals. There's certain topics that I'd like to think are
pretty safe. Helping kids, helping our individuals. These are things that I don't feel like I'm
going out of the limb saying these are good causes. These are important things. These are things
that we can all get behind. It doesn't matter. And right now, more than ever, we need to come
together. We need to unify it and realize how we have more in common than not. That's all
important. I believe another key part of this to it. And I will admit that this is one of my
causes. Personal causes is hunger and individuals not being hungry in our communities. I love that
this event has that a part of it. I also love the idea of mom and dad taking their kids to this
event. They bring that non-perishable food item. And while the kids are all focused on the trees
and the reefs and all the excitement of this, they see mom and dad dropping that item off.
And so that individual, that child grows up seeing their parents doing these things. And maybe they
grow up and more than likely they grow up and they become those individuals to put back into their
community. There is always these little opportunities for us as adults to teach kids, to show kids.
Hey, we're having fun. This is a great community event. We're going to see some people we haven't
seen in a while and catch up and everything while at the same time putting into our community
and adding to the people that needed in our community. It's a wonderful opportunity for that as
well, along with having a great time. Let's get into this because all week long people are going
to be able to take in this event over at the Masonic Center. Is that correct? Yes. We'll be
open Saturdays straight through. The hours are different during the day. It varies. We have
some special events where we groups can come in. So it's also an opportunity for the home
school. They can come in during the afternoon when it's not quite so busy. It's an end to go out for
lunch and after lunch, you know, we can get to this event before it gets dark and we can be home.
Yeah, that's nice. That sounds really nice. One thing we learned last year too was that we need to
go open up during the week a little earlier for the senior citizens, the senior centers. They like
bringing the busload of people that love to come in and they definitely want to do it in the day time.
So this year we are opening the doors at one o'clock during the week and to allow that and
you know, we have one lady last year that came in well that I know of anyways four times
bringing different people with her each time and of course she had to point out all the trees
she put her raffle. Which was kind of neat too. And yeah, the people that came in,
you know, they said, you know, I've been driving past this place for the last 20 years.
Always wondered what it looked like inside and now they get a chance to see that too.
So it's really bringing the community together. It was amazing last year. The first year we did it.
The response that we got and yeah, it was just great. Another thing that I've noted,
doing this job for a while now. One of the things that I've noted from the community is
well as the people that come in and I get the chance to talk to. These events when they're first
starting out, people love to be able to say, I was at the first or I was at the second.
They'd like to be at the history of these events and be a part of each one of them and everything.
So here's an event that you can get in on early. Now this is only a second year of this.
And one of the things that they love to see is see the evolution of these events and how they grow
and everything. It's going to be a wonderful to see, especially with this one in particular.
I just want to get into some of the details real quick of the times and hours. Again,
this kicks off November 29th goes till December 8th on the 29th Black Friday. We'll go from 10 to 7.
That Saturday it'll go from 10 to 7. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at night. Then December 1st, 11 to 6.
December 2nd through the 6th Monday through Friday. We'll go from 1 to 7.
December 7th from 10 to 7. And on the 8th things will wrap up 11 a.m. to 4 with the drawing being at 4.
Keep that in mind. Everybody that ends up getting raffle tickets. Now, if an individual wants to
get a raffle ticket, how can they do that guys? How can they get a raffle ticket?
They will be on sale there. We'll have someone sitting at the desk in the front just to the left of
our main guest Santa Claus. And they can purchase them there. Get a little explanation.
Just take a tour of the trees either before or after. They're good. And this is all voluntary.
This isn't it's just an opportunity. And the event itself is so much fun to see the creativity
of all the businesses and sponsors that come in. I'm glad you mentioned that. You have such a
creative community. It's so cool to be able to see them just go to work and to have fun with
these things. The creative side of this. The one thing is too is that the desk that sells the
raffle tickets is set on the far side of the room so that you get to come through and actually take
a look at things and decide whether or not you even find anything that you want to buy a raffle
ticket for. It's not like you're coming in the door and the first thing we do is hit you with the
smart raffle ticket. So at last year we found people that you know they're like
really don't need another tree. Yeah sure. And they gave street donations. Yeah which are always
acceptable too. And that was that was very nice. So because as you know to the early on in the
conversation Chris the work that the the Zora fundsters that they are able to do for our communities
people want to be a part of that. Even if it isn't getting a reef or a tree or something like that
it really does make an impact. And I think seeing these in action is one of the things that really
brings it out of people. This time of year certainly and everything but honestly I think you
could have this event anytime of year and it's going to bring it out of this community. I know
you to know this as well as many of our listeners out there. There are a few communities like the one
we have here that give and give and give and then they find ways to give more. We appreciate them
so very much when it comes to these events and all the future events we have coming up. And when
it comes to this event courage to make plans we do want to say a big gigantic thank you to these
sponsors to ever individual that is making this happen. So many people work behind the scenes to
bring on this event and certainly want to thank those at the Macyonic Center for
the Sonic Center. Thank you Masonic Center for being able to for letting us have this event
there too. That is very cool of them. And I do want to mention as well volunteering if individuals
want to volunteer or be a part of this or maybe if not just this event anything you guys are doing
in the future. We consent to the website is that probably the best way to do it or is there
another maybe I got a phone number here I can also give them a Steve that might be another
again individual to reach out to. So the website is zor Shriners.com zor Shriners.com and for
sponsor information or if you are looking to volunteer contact Steve Livurnesh. Steve's number
is seven one five three two five five thousand that is three two five five thousand. And again
the website to find out not only about this event but to find out more about what our zor Shriners
do in our communities. And I think the history as well is very interesting looking into some of
that as well. Encourage you to go to zor Shriners.com zor Shriners.com and and keep in mind everybody
while this event is free again we are looking for you to bring a non-perishable food item.
That would be wonderful. As you say the generosity is is covering a need in the community that I
don't think will succeed in filling. It's unfortunate that there is the need but it's something that's
going to be there as young people start out as people run it to serious problems in their lives where
this is the first time that I need it and I'm so glad it's there. Yeah well said yeah was there
anything else that you guys wanted to touch on before we let you go? Well you know the one thing is
is last year our first year we started out with 12 trees and we had what 25 reefs? Yes
and and we were overwhelmed with the response and because of that this year at last count we have
18 trees. Wow. We have the 25 reefs again and then the Ann Moore. So you know I mean it's yeah you've
got a lot more choices this year and we'll be there with smiling faces and and appreciate everything
you know in a fall you want to do is come in and look and talk to Santa you're more than welcome
to do that as well. We appreciate that and appreciate you guys what you've done for our community
what you and your team do say hi to everybody for us it's a part of this event and working on this
we'll make sure to be talking about it on our morning shows and making sure that we get a good
crowd throughout the whole week for this event and get some of those raffle tickets sold thank you
guys. Oh thank you so much for having us the the Blue Lodge Shriners or the Blue Lodge Masons that
are supporting this they get their workout in the community through a whole different set of
programs with the fire suppression tools the defibrillators the things like that that they sponsor
the community events the bike rodeo in the spring there again it's kids emphasized safety
emphasized community emphasized really good things and really good work and a really good
conversation thank you guys appreciate the time thank you very much again you can find out more
about this event and plenty more at zoreshriners.com zoreshriners.com we'll be talking about this event
and coming up and making sure that you have plans and make it on your book market on your calendar
we'll have plenty more midday magazine coming up for you. Tomorrow we will have hard
Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce in with us in part one and in part two real reality radio with
David Farnborough Wednesday the gang from family natural food steve in a Katrina will be with us
along with some friends of ours from encouraged Thursday we've got extensions and a Mitchell joining us
and we wrap up the week with Senator Petra testing in part one and in part two we will talk with
breakfast with Santa we'll have Pete in to talk a little bit about that and talk about breakfast with
Santa so we got a fun week lined up for us want to thank our our scheduler Pam Hilke for the
nice work that she does week in and week out and thank all of you for listening you can find the
podcast at civic media dot us spread the show spread the word here of midday magazine more coming
up on wfh our locally grown radio
