ELIZABETHTOWN — The Bladen County Shrine Club is gearing up for its annual fall fish fry on Wednesday, Oct. 14, beginning at 11 a.m.
There will be two locations — the Food Lion parking lot in Elizabethtown and the Bo’s parking lot in Bladenboro. Plates will cost $8 each and will consist of whiting fillets, sweet potato chips, cole slaw, hush puppies and tea.
“The key is to realize what we are doing it for — that’s the children. It’s all about the children that day,” said Shrine Club President Garrett Smith.
He said 100 percent of the funds raised at both locations are given to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children. Smith said the Shriner’s Hospitals provide care for children with burn injuries, orthopedic conditions, and cleft lip and palate. According to the website, the Shriner’s Hospital for Children will provide care regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
Smith added that if you know of anyone who needs assistance, to contact a Shrine Club member and they will guide them through the process.
Smith said the fact there are two fish fry locations gives all of Bladen County’s residents an opportunity to purchase a plate of fresh hot fish and contribute to a good cause.
He gave a little history on the origination of the fish fry’s two locations. Smith said originally there were two locations only in Elizabethtown. They were the former A&P parking lot, which is now Bo’s in Elizabethtown, and the former Hills Grocery store parking lot, which is where Healthworks is located today.
“When the Hills store left we went to what is Food Lion today,” said Smith.
He said the Shrine Cub members who were from Bladenboro decided to take the second location and try it in Bladenboro. It was well received and that location has remained in Bladenboro ever since, said Smith.
“We are very grateful and honored to have the members we do,” said Smith.
He said the fish fry would not be possible without all of the volunteers and Shrine Club members working together to make the event a success. Smith said the club receives volunteers from the local churches in Bladenboro and the Tar Heel Challenge Academy assists at the Elizabethtown location.
Erin Smith can be reached at 910-862-4163.