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Michael Adams is 27 years old and, thanks to the Shriners, he can walk with ease. Adams suffers from cerebral palsy and as a youngster his legs were twisted and distorted, said his mother, Anna Adams. Michael has nothing but good things to say about the Intermountain Shriners Hospital in Salt Lake City.

"They helped me out a lot. Before I had my first surgery, I fell down a lot," Michael said. "I'd walk across the floor and hit the ground --boom."

Although it already has been 16 years since doctors performed eight surgeries on his legs, Michael said he still misses the hospital and people.

"They treat you like family down there. It's so cool," Michael said.

The Shriners allowed Michael to stay at the hospital for six weeks and offered comfortable accommodations to his mother when she came to visit, she said. They also offered physical therapy following the surgeries to help Michael learn to walk again.

"It was a wonderful, wonderful experience for me and my son and I will always be forever grateful," said Anna Adams. As a social worker, she refers parents to the Shriners when their children have bone problems or severe burns.

Four children from between Craig and Meeker are receiving treatment from the Shriners, said Richard Knorr, who handles the health care paperwork. That treatment wouldn't be possible without the hard work local Shriners put into raising money every year.

This year's fundraising extravaganza kicks off Friday morning with the 15th annual Yellow Ball Golf Tournament--where entrants pay $60 to play and the winner receives a check payable to the hospital in Salt Lake City. A parade and barbecue in Hayden on Saturday add to the festivities.

All proceeds help Colorado children with bone deformities or burn injuries at the Shriner owned and operated Intermountain Shriners Hospital. The Shrine, a division of the Freemasons, operates four burn centers and 22 orthopedic hospitals, said Jim Shepherd, member of the local chapter.

Knorr said services are available for children from six months to 18 years old.

"It doesn't cost the child one cent to go the hospital," Knorr said. "If they have insurance fine, but if they don't, the parents don't have to worry about it."