Kena Temple Shriners to open new headquarters in Manassas Dec. 15

After being located in Arlington and Fairfax counties for 67 years, Kena Shriners will open new headquarters in Manassas at 9500 Technology Dr. this Saturday, Dec. 15, in a ceremony from 2 to 2:30 p.m.

Fraternity and community leaders will conduct the ribbon cutting. During the festivities, the Shriners will also open and reveal the contents of a cornerstone that was laid at the group’s previous facility in 1976. A piece of American history, the cornerstone is made from Aquia sandstone that was once part of the U.S. Capitol and was removed during a renovation in 1958.

According to a news release, the newly renovated building was designed to support the Kena Shriners’ 700+ members with ample space for their charitable works supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children®. The building will be used for organizational meetings, community events, fundraisers and will house their clubs and units that participate in parades across the region, the release stated.

The release said “Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. The organization founded Shriners Hospitals for Children as its official philanthropy in 1922. What began as one hospital is now a world- renowned health care system with 22 locations in three countries. Kena Shriners is one of nearly 200 temples (chapters) in several countries and thousands of clubs around the world.”

For more information about the new local group, go to http://www.kena.org