BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER)-- The Anah Temple Shrine of Bangor held their Clown Fest at Bangor Mall Saturday. Professional Shriner Clowns performed skits, had a balloon animal contest, and made lots of jokes all to bring awareness to a good cause. The Shriners use the money they make from clown appearances to help the sick and injured children and their families so that they can afford the financial burden of medical costs and travel expenses.
"It's sad that he had to grow up so fast and that's why, things like this, we can bring him and he can still be a kid," said Tina Bouchard.
Bouchard's six year old son Nate looks just like any other kid excited to be at the Anah Temple Shrine Clown Fest. But Nate had to learn how to be strong from a very young age.
"He can go into the hospital and get an IV and I don't have to hold his hand, I don't have to do anything. And he'll be like 'just tell me when and I'll hold my breath," she said.
Doctors found a mass in Nate's kidney when he was two years old. Since then, the Bouchards have had to drive him back and forth on long car trips to Bangor for numerous surgeries. One surgery caused the family to have to stay in Bangor for more than a week. That's when the Shriners stepped in to help.
"It was supposed to only be like a two day thing and the Shriners gave us gift cards for gas because we had follow ups and the expenses that it took was big," Bouchard said.
Shriners understand the financial burden families with ill children are under. One Shriner experienced their generosity first hand when his daughter was ill.
"It's a tremendous relief knowing that you don't have to worry about certain things," said a Shriner Clown who goes by the name of Slapshot
Now, he dresses up as a clown for the same cause.
"It's always great to be able to give something back," he said.
"Laughter is the best medicine. It is," said Janice Young, a member of the Sunshine Club, an club associated with the Anah Temple Shrine.
Now Bouchard and her family come to the Shriner events not just to make Nate Smile, but to say thank you.
"We try to go to every event that the Shriners have, the circuses and everything, and support them because they're there when you need them, they are," said Bouchard.
For more information on the Anah Shriner Temple and their clowns, go to www.anahshriners.com
