A Tribute to the Shriners Club Bus Drivers

Updated: March 25, 2013

by William R. Keltner, LFN Reporter

The La Feria Shriners have earned the thanks and gratitude of literally 1000s of children and their grateful families for giving them hope and a new life to their children. The youngsters who come to the quarterly evaluation clinics locally would have no other hope of receiving the care they need from the Shriners’ Hospitals in Houston and Galveston. “It is a labor of love,” agreed the officers, the doctors and their teams, and the local volunteers working with the bus loads of hopefuls.

Volunteer Drivers and supervisors for the March 2013 Evaluation Clinic: (l-r) Tom Violett, Nomad Shine Club; Richard Russell, State Commander; Wesley Wright, Nomad President; Ron Swansen, Nomad Past Commander, Legion of Honor; Evan Graham, Mocha Temple, London, Ontario, Canada; Pedro Garza, Anezeh Temple Patient Coordinator, Monterrey, N.L.; Gilbert Gonzalez; Gerardo Sausa Perales, Monterrey; Rosendo Duron Contreras, Monterrey; Carlos Rodriguez, Patient Coordinator, Reynosa; Jim Fox, Past State Commander; Dale E. McMillan, Director of Hospital Drivers, Al Amin Temple, La Feria.

Patients come from Mexico City, Reynosa, Matamoros, Monterrey and cities in Texas. They are driven to the La Feria clinic by volunteer Shriner drivers and hired Mexican buses paid for by the Shriners. There are dozens of these unsung volunteers making it all possible. Who are these dedicated men working behind the scenes? LA FERIA NEWS was able to meet a few during last week’s Evaluation Clinic where 205 plus patients were processed with that many parents by their side.

Principal organizers of the March 2013 La Feria Evaluation Clinic: (l-r) Richard Russell, Dale E. McMillan, and Jim Fox

There are three Shrine Clubs operating in the Valley: Tip-o-Tex Club in Brownsville, Rio Grande Valley Club in La Feria, and Nomad Shriner’s Club in Pharr. They all pitched in to help, along with Shriners from Anezeh Temple in Monterrey and Mexico City.

Richard Russell, State Commander of the Texas Association Legion of Honor, said, “We are all proud of the work the Rio Grande Valley members have accomplished over the years.” The Shriner Hospitals are known worldwide for helping disadvantaged children suffering burns, disfigurations and crippling conditions. “Once we accept a child, we pick up all the expenses.”