Wickliffe Aerie group donates funds

The Fraternal Order of Eagles, Wickliffe Aerie 4086, Wickliffe, granted $5,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Famous for its groundbreaking work in treating childhood cancers and similar illnesses, St. Jude has spent more than fifty years finding cures and saving children.

As a result, the discoveries made have increased the survival rate for children with catastrophic illnesses to 80 percent compared to 20 percent when the hospital first opened. St. Jude treats children from the United States and more than 70 countries, all without charging their patients.

Donations and fundraising cover the costs of patient care and research. The Eagles hope that their donation St. Jude’s will continue in the mission of “Finding Cures, Saving children.”

Closer to home the Eagles Aerie donated $5,000 to Honor Flight Cleveland. Based in Madison, the Honor Flight group honors mostly World War II and Korean War veterans by flying them to Washington D.C., to see the memorials dedicated to their service.

For some, the trip serves as a last chance to see the World War II and Korean War memorials, the Vietnam Wall, the service memorials and Arlington National Cemetery. Honor Flight does not charge the honored vet for the trip that includes airfare, meals and transportation. Each flight, up to nine a year, has a volunteer escort for each veteran, staff, and crew though.

To pay for this expense, veteran and fraternal organizations contribute funds, as the government does not sponsor Honor Flight.

The Eagles’ donation will help pay for the flights for the veterans and their escorts.