Shriners Hospitals for Children - Springfield Receives Donation from Masons Mount Tabor Lodge via The Kennek Foundation

The Kennek Foundation, (www.thekennekfoundation.org) a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to bringing hope and inspiration to those going through tough times, today announced the delivery of fifty Trouble The Dog plush healing puppies (www.troublethedog.net) to Shriners Hospitals for Children - Springfield.(www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/springfield). The delivery of plush animals and books was made possible through a generous donation from the Masons Mount Tabor Lodge AF & AM. The Masons and Freemasonry, which dates back centuries, describes itself as "one of the world's oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organizations."

"We are grateful to the Masons Mount Tabor Lodge for this wonderful donation of Trouble the Dog plush dogs and storybooks for the children and families that come to us for expert pediatric care," said Samantha West, child life specialist, Shriners Hospitals for Children - Springfield. "We are familiar with the kind of comfort that Trouble The Dog provides our patients. This new donation will help many children in our care."

"Stuffed animals have an extra special meaning at Shriners Hospitals for Children - Springfield. Not only do they bring joy to a child, but they help calm the fears of a child undergoing a medical procedure.They are used every day by our Child Life specialists. They make blood draws less frightening, distract children who are getting casts removed, and accompany children into surgery," said Lee Roberts, public relations specialist, Shriners Hospital for Children - Springfield. "This donation of plush Trouble The Dogs and books have helped us to fulfill our vision of transforming the lives of children each day."

Shriners Hospitals for Children - Springfield is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for a wide range of pediatric orthopaedic and neuromusculoskeletal disorders and diseases, cleft lip and palate, and rheumatologic conditions. The hospital is focused on providing exemplary care that places the family at the center of the team.

"We are incredibly fortunate to work with such caring, compassionate organizations, including Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Masons," said Sheila Duncan, Founder, The Kennek Foundation. "When we work together to make these donations possible, we provide a strong source of comfort for children in their time of need."

"The Brethren of Mount Tabor Lodge AF & AM are happy to support this worthy cause. The Masons have a long history of supporting the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Boston, Springfield and other areas," said Neal Zwicker, Treasurer, Mount Tabor Lodge, AF & AM.

Trouble The Dog is a huggable keepsake plush dog known to comfort and soothe children experiencing trouble in their lives. 100% made in America, Trouble has been applauded by CNN and MSNBC as a socially conscious comfort toy and as a therapy dog for children by the Boston Herald.