Board Chairman Reflects on Why Being a Shriner is so Important to Him

For Shriners Children’s Texas Chairman of the Board Steve White, being a Shriner is all about helping others through amazing philanthropy.

White has been a Shriner since 2001. He was inspired to become a Shriner by the chance to help children and their families.

“Shriners Children’s is special because of the amazing care we give,” he said. “The dedication by the hospital staff at all levels, the thought that we take care of a child and the family regardless of ability to pay, to see the smile of a child in our hallways and to see one of our children as an adult thanking me for all we do and telling me we made a difference in their life.”

White said the most rewarding thing he has done in Masonry is be chairman of Shriners Children’s Texas. The position has allowed him to spread the word to many different groups of people about the care that Shriners Children's offers.

“I love supporting the hospital,” he said. “I make it a personal goal to talk about our care at least twice a month. I try to speak at other events that do not have Shriners attending. This gives me a chance to inform the public about what we do for the kids.”

Through his efforts, White has raised over $270,000 per year over the past several years. Over the past two years, he sold Chairman challenge coins and was able to raise over $20,000, with all proceeds going to the hospital.

“Just the thought of helping at our hospital is very humbling,” White said. “I look forward to every day that I can be of help.”

Some of his fondest memories, White said, include seeing how children grow after they leave the care of Shriners Children’s. He proudly shared the story of Taylor, who was burned over 70% of his body as a teenager, but went on to study at Texas A&M University and received a bachelor’s degree in finance. He now owns his own brokerage in Texas.

White said he is honored to be a small part of the success Shriners Children’s has seen over the last 100 years, and looks forward to seeing how the organization continues to improve and make a difference in how children are cared for and treated.

“I love being a Shriner because I wake up every day knowing I saved or made a difference in a child’s life,” White said.