SALAAM MAY - JUN 2018

AL AMIN Shriners
Rio Grande Valley Transportation
by Gilbert Medina, PP, RGV Transportation Coordinator
March 19, 2018
Having Fun & Helping Kids
The AL AMIN Shrine Temple would like to thank Arabia Shrine Temple in Houston, Texas for donating two vehicle vans to
the AL AMIN Shrine Transportation Program. We appreciate all the help from our Arabia Shrine brothers.
In the month of February 2018, the Transportation Program transported 39 patients, 39 parents, used 16 vans, travelled
8,289 miles, and utilized 31 volunteer drivers. The meal costs were $1,602.28, fuel cost was $1,383.60, and hotel
expenses were $1,959.91. Vehicle maintenance was $419.73.
On February 16, 2018, the AL AMIN Potentate, Illustrious Sir Richard Gamewell and Divan attended the Drivers
Appreciation Dinner held at the Nomad Shrine Club to express gratitude for transporting Shriners’ patients to Houston
Shriners Hospital. The Drivers Appreciation Dinner was planned and organized by Noble Dale McMillian, Richard Russell,
and Gilbert Medina. The driver’s dinner catered by Lady Olivia Wright. The food was excellent.
Lady Ruthi Hedge and her husband Frank volunteered to perform and entertain at the Drivers
Appreciation Dinner. The entertainment was outstanding and Lady Ruthi donated her music CD
sales to the AL AMIN Shrine Transportation Program.
The following week, Lady Ruthi called the Transportation Office and volunteered to perform at
next year’s Drivers Appreciation Dinner taking place on February 15, 2019.
During the evening, we had a testimonial by one of our Shriners patients Katherine
and her Mom, Velma Schmidt, Dad and brother. The Schmidt Family stated to
everyone that they were so appreciative and honored to be part of the Shriners family.
Mrs. Velma Schmidt demonstrated Katherine’s prosthesis through each stage of life.
As the Appreciation Dinner program came to an end, we presented the drivers a
Certificate of Appreciation, signed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Shriners
Hospitals for Children Imperial Sir Jerry G. Gantt.
The Driver’s Appreciation Dinner is an annual program recognizing the outstanding
efforts of our drivers and to promote the importance of volunteering with the AL AMIN
Shrine Transportation Program.
On Thursday, March 8, 2018, members of the Transportation Program presented a picture of
Brother Wesley Wright and a beautiful award of a Shriner’s Messenger which was presented
to Lady Olivia Wright in memory of her husband.
April is the time when many of our winter drivers start planning on returning to their
home state. This creates a shortage of drivers on our Transportation Program. If you or
anyone you know would like to get involved and volunteer to drive a Shriner Van and
assist the Transportation Program in getting to and from Houston Shriners Hospital for
Children, please call any of our Shrine members or Richard Russell, Dale McMillian or
Gilbert Medina at the Transportation Office 956-787-2628/Cell: 956-607-3640; email:
medina502@aol.com.
The AL AMIN Shrine Transportation Program In the Shriners Transportation Program, we AL AMIN Shrine Transportation Program
depends on donations, fundraisers and strive every day to give this level of would like to thank all of you who continue
volunteer drivers’ commitment. The Shriners compassionate, concerned care to every to support the Shriners Hospitals for
Drivers believe in the Transportation Program patient and family whom we transport to the Children. Because of your generosity, we
and what it stands for and always give 100%. Houston Shriners Hospital for Children. This are able to further our mission in bettering
All this makes their contribution invaluable. is regardless of how routine or complex their the lives of our Shriners patients.
needs may be, and regardless of their ability
to pay.
6 AL AMIN SHRINERS | MAY - JUN 2018