The Shriners High School All-Star Football Classic has never been "just a game."

This game, begun in 1979, is one of the most respected of all Massachusetts post-season contests, and distinguishes itself, particularly, by the quality of the participants and by the excitement that is raises in all quarters of local high school athletics!

What makes the game so special is its true and avowed purpose - helping in the support of the Shriners Hospitals for children.

Each year, not only are thousands of dollars raised for the hospitals but also the publicity that the game generates helps to keep the public informed of the availability of the free, expert, highly specialized care that is available in the twenty-two hospital network.

Isn't it comforting to know that, to date, Shriners Hospitals have helped more than a half million youngsters with disabilities to grow up to lead more normal lives and become much more productive citizens. The cost for all of this has been approximately $2.8 billion in operating costs and another $640 million in construction and reconstruction costs. Part of these costs have been borne by our local game that has raised more than a half million dollars already.

Said the late Football Hall of Famer, Noble Ronald E. "Ron" Burton, who played (some years ago) in the East/West Shrine all- star game in San Francisco.

The most memorable game I ever played in was the East/West Shrine game. There I saw kids, maybe 18 or 19 years old, who were big enough to play football, but they were confined to wheelchairs with seat belts, just struggling to hold up a pen to write with. The purpose of the game was to benefit these children, and that meant much more to me than even playing in any number of Super Bowls.