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Southwest Airlines Helping Shriners Hospitals Patients Reach Their Destinations Posted Thursday, January 15, 2009 by irondad
Southwest Airlines’ Medical Transportation Grant Program is a tremendous aid to Shriners Hospitals for Children’s patients and families. Through this program, the airline annually donates 200 green passes, which are essentially free round-trip airline tickets, to patients with financial or medical needs.
“The Shriners organization and Southwest Airlines have shared a wonderful relationship throughout the years,” said Michele Kyle, a specialist in the charitable giving department at Southwest Airlines.
“We’ve been able to assist numerous Shriners facilities in the past with anything from changing
executive and patients’ travel itineraries at the last minute to providing free medical transportation for patients. We are excited to formalize our affiliation through the Medical Transportation Grant Program.”
With 22 Shriners Hospitals, located in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, patients sometimes travel hundreds or thousands of miles to receive the specialty care they need. Many Shriners temples have transportation coordinators who set up these long-distance appointments and make transportation and housing arrangements. When possible, the temple pays for the expenses, such as plane tickets, through a hospital transportation program. Since an average domestic round-trip ticket costs nearly $400, the green passes could potentially save an individual temple thousands of dollars a year.
“We are grateful to Southwest Airlines for their incredible generosity,” said Ralph Semb, president and chief executive officer of Shriners Hospitals.
“By saving our temples money, they allow us to help transport more kids to their appointments.”
With a green pass, the transportation coordinator can book any available flight for the patient and one parent or guardian, and no blackout dates apply.
Green passes are good for use in any city Southwest Airlines serves, and they are only good for Southwest-operated flights.
Temple transportation coordinators can contact Ruby Valdes, manager of the executive vice president’s office at Shriners International Headquarters, at (813) 281-8110, to learn if their temple is eligible to receive passes.
Southwest Airlines has steadily increased its donations throughout the past few years. From
2003-2005, the company gave Shriners Hospitals 20 green passes. In 2006, the number increased to 25 tickets, and in 2007, an additional $5,000 was donated to Shriners Hospitals. Last November, the airline donated an additional 100 green passes. The value of the 200 tickets donated in 2008 is $80,000.
Black Camel Calls Colonel MacMullen Posted Wednesday, January 14, 2009 by irondad
NOBLE COL. DOUGLAS MacMULLEN - Al Malaikah's Historian and former Editor of the Al Malaikahan for many years, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2009, of a lung infection that got out of control. There will be a private service for family only. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in the Colonel's name to Shriners Hospital for Children. Cards may be sent to the family at:
P. O. Box 5201
Sherman Oaks, CA 91413-5201
Update on Illustrius Sir Hal Justice Posted Monday, December 1, 2008 by irondad
(Updated Dec 2nd)
Per Ron Bianchi, Chief Rabban, Potentate Hal Justice has been re-admitted to the hospital due to extenuating circumstances and health complications. (Updated Jan, 14)
Illustrious Sir Hal is now resting at home.
THE FAMILY HAS ASKED THAT NO PHONE CALLS OR VISITS BE MADE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
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