By ERIC SEIVERLING
Clowning around is serious business for Charleroi resident John Hisiro.
Hisiro, 74, a clown with the Syria Shrine Center of Pittsburgh since the late 1990s, was recently presented the Red Nose Award from the International Shrine Clown Association.
Hisiro, aka Hissie the Hobo Clown, also recently wrote four articles within a one-year period to qualify for the prestigious “Clown Alley” magazine editor’s publishing award. Hisiro is the only clown from the Syria Shrine to receive the honor.
To receive the Red Nose Award, Hisiro participated in at least 150 hours of service during the year by helping to raise money for the 22 Shriners hospitals in the U.S., Canada and Mexico by being involved with parades, proms, private events, birthday parties and circuses. All money collected by the clowns goes to Shriners hospitals.
First opened in 1922, Shriners Hospitals aim to provide care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special health care needs regardless of the patients’ ability to pay.
“It’s sad to see what those poor kids suffer with,” Hisiro said from his Rogers Manor home.
Hisiro honed his clown antics during his career as a teacher, principal and superintendent for numerous school districts in the area.
“When I was an educator, I enjoyed time with special-needs students,” Hisiro said. “They have deficiencies in certain areas, but they make up for it with other attributes.”
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