A new unit of the Shrine Club is the first of its kind in Canada.

Shurtah consists of former police and correctional officers who provide volunteer security at Shriners events. The unit currently consists of 26 members from throughout the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan, including four from Abbotsford.

Blair Schaufele, one of the Abbotsford members, said Shurtah (which means “police” in Arabic) offers a way for him to use the skills he developed during his career as a police officer, while raising funds for an important cause.

“Everything we work for, or towards, is for children,” he said.

Shriners activities support the organization’s 22 children’s hospitals located mainly in the U.S., but with one in Canada (Montreal). These are private facilities that focus on orthopedics, severe burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate treatment, at no cost to families.

Funds also go to the Shrine Care Cruisers. There are four of these highway motor coaches in B.C., and they are used to transport kids to B.C. Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre, B.C. Women’s Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children in Portland, Ore. and Spokane, Wash.

Dick Savage of the Abbotsford Shrine Club said members sometimes volunteer their own time and vehicles to provide this service.

For example, an Abbotsford child had a doctor’s appointment in Chilliwack, but his family didn’t have a car. One of the Shriners stepped in to take them.

The local club is currently connected to 13 families in the community.

Funds are raised through various activities, such as hot dog sales, Christmas cake sales, and gaming funds.

The Shurtah unit recently raised $1,900 with a dinner and dance at the Aldergrove Legion, where it currently holds its meetings.

Shurtah is one of numerous Shriner units located throughout B.C. that specialize in particular areas. Most people are familiar with the Shriner clown and the scooter units they see in community parades, but there are also units for vintage vehicles, bugle players, retired military and RCMP personnel, and others.

The Abbotsford club is a member of the Gizeh Shriners of B.C. and the Yukon. The group hosts its annual Shriners Christmas Fantasy Show on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Abbey Arts Centre, 2329 Crescent Way, at 2 p.m.

Free tickets are available at the Fraser Valley Child Development Centre and various businesses around town. Donations will be collected.

For more information, visit shriners.bc.ca.