RecentnewsMay

     WOW! What a party! What a celebration! I have heard nothing but compliments regarding our Ceremonial. I have been receiving 'thank you's' and praise through e-mail all morning.
      The construction projects that began several years back and continued through last week really paid off this past weekend. Everyone was so impressed. The grounds were beautiful, the new carpet in the Club, the Prowler Den, the lean-to shelters, the bathrooms in the den, the tent, our new bars, the fire pit, every detail had been attended to by our guys and gals from the Rocky Mount Shrine Club.
      I had been a little nervous regarding the food suppliers but Outer Guard Carl Smith kept assuring me that everything would be okay. He proved to be right as our Sudan clubs and units pulled together to provide both a variety and plenty of food to feed the very large group of Nobles, Ladies and guest in attendance.

Our visiting Potentates were absolutely in awe as the weekend unfolded. Illustrious Sirs Thom and Richard told me that were seriously considering moving here. I received comments from visiting Nobles like "We need to have it in Rocky Mount every year". Also, "We need to move the Temple headquarters here". (So that's how those rumors get started!) Everyone was certainly impressed.

     Transportation, which has always been a problem, was no issue. When the Potentate gets compliments on transportation you have to know you "got it right". Our program book was also second to none as I received many complements on it as well. Our ladies provided us with wonderful hospitality rooms and the Ladies' breakfast was decorated beautifully. I hear that Lady Peggy did a great job also! Thank you honey!
      How about that parade! In Sudan fashion our units turned out as expected. Our units told me that they loved the parade venue and complimented us for getting the crowd on the street. They were also impressed with our small town of Nashville. "we'll come to Nashville anytime" said one group. From my perspective the parade patrons were numerous, young, plenty of kids, and most respectful.
      I do not have the vocabulary necessary to express the gratitude that Peggy and I have for the Rocky Mount Shrine Club, Shrinettes, and Prowlers. You put on a show! As you did in January, you did it again this weekend. The "Bar" has been raised. You have thrown the gauntlet, drew the line in the sand. I and all of Sudan thank you for a wonderful, flawless, Spring Ceremonial. Our future Potentates have already began planning on just how they can rise to the challenge. For me, I hope they succeed. I wish them luck!
      Except for the pine trees being removed, I know Earl could not have been prouder. Earl loved a party. He loved the club. He loved the guy and girls of the Rocky Mount Shrine Club. I know he was pleased with the weekend. How proud he must have been when his grandson, Mark, traveled the hot sands to become a Shriner at the memorial ceremonial named in his honor. Congratulations Mark! Although Earl was in his 80's, I believe he is the reason that our club has been progressing and moving forward for the last many years. He was a great motivator, and supported the younger Shriners in their quest to bring change to our club. I spoke with Earl last night before bedtime and he told me that since everything else turned out perfect, he would forgive us for cutting down the trees.I miss you man!
      From the bottom of our hearts, Peggy and I, and all of Sudan thank you for an exception ceremonial. I have always known that you were the best of the best, now all of Sudan knows it!

In our busy daily lives, it is often difficult to pause and take a look at our personal lives, much less our involvement in Sudan Shriners. Often that ‘look’ revolves around numbers. Numbers get our attention. We balance our checkbooks, we shop for the best gas prices, and wait for the Wednesday grocery tabloids in search of t-bones for the weekend ‘grillfest’. We deal with numbers at work; payroll, paychecks, inventory, work hours, budgets, etc. Our personal and business lives are truly impacted by numbers, but what we do as Shriners is also significant when you look at the numbers.

Sudan Shriners currently have 604 children attending Shriners Hospitals for Children (SHC) at the following locations.

Much of this treatment would not be possible without one group of unsung heroes. This group has truly impressive numbers that reflect the commitment and dedication of a Sudan Shriner, specifically a Sudan Roadrunner.

Sudan Roadrunners must be a Shriner in good standing, well recommended and dedicated to the cause. A true symbol of what our great philanthropy stands for and what a Shriner works so diligently to support, a Roadrunner takes his job to heart only wishing to make each child a special person and provide an enjoyable journey for their recovery.

Since January 1, 2000 Sudan Roadrunners have made 1,690 Van trips to Shriners Hospitals for Children with patients and parents. They have driven more than a million safe miles with the majority to the orthopaedic hospital in Greenville, South Carolina. They also drive to the burn units in Cincinnati, and Boston as well as the spinal cord injury unit in Philadelphia, PA.

Sudan currently has thirty-seven drivers and eight vans transporting children to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Four vans are stored in New Bern and four in Wilson and each location has a wheelchair lift van, a 12 to 16 passenger van and two 8 passenger vans. There are always two drivers on the vans and on January 1st of this year the Roadrunner wives started going as the second driver.

In 2010, the Roadrunners made 183 trips to Greenville, SC, five to Cincinnati, Ohio and five to Philadelphia, PA. The majority of the van trips require an overnight stay with Sudan covering all the expenses. If the parents decide to provide their own transportation, Sudan asks the hotel to directly bill them so there is no charge to the family. Sudan also reimburses the family for gas expenditures.

Air Lift Hope America and Southwest Airlines provide air flights for many of our patients with out charge. All families are informed of the flight option and make their own arrangements with the pilots.

Over the last five years Sudan has spent $318,758.00 on Roadrunner trips, $62,678.02 on airfare including air ambulance, $92,801.86 reimbursing parents for gas and $81,752.14 on hotel stays for families. These reported numbers do not include van or office expenses.

None of this is possible without a focused group of individuals from the attentive drivers on the road to the coordinator for the entire process, Donna Horton. Joining Sudan in September of 1991, as the Hospital Patient Transportation Coordinator, Donna processes the donations for the Shriners Hospitals for Children and Sudan’s Transportation Department. Equally important, she schedules the van trips with the families and drivers.

Once a month, Donna receives a schedule of patients with upcoming appointments, which she uses in conjunction with the Fraternal Patient Tracking Program to determine which families will ride the vans. A monthly schedule of trips is then emailed to the Roadrunners who choose their trips.

This group makes countless sacrifices to perform their duties all without seeking any rewards. Their work has its rewards when a child is given another chance at enjoying life with little or no complications. Some things cannot be measured solely by a number.

Temple History Part 3

With the newly dedicated Sudan Shrine Auditorium completed and dedicated, the Shriners enjoyed 4 years of use before an additional need is addressed. In May 1956, a resolution is presented at the Spring Ceremonial in Elizabeth City “to build a three story office and dormitory building on the real property now owned by Sudan Temple.”

It appears that with over 6,000 nobles in Sudan in the mid-1950’s, there was a need to establish office space to deal with the business of running the fraternity as well as providing economical and convenient rooming for candidates, nobles, and unit members during ceremonials. The new building was to be attached to the existing auditorium.

Contact the Office Manager
Sudan Shrine Center observes the following Holidays:
• New Years Day • Good Friday• Independence Day • Memorial Day
• Labor Day • Thanksgiving and Friday after• Christmas and one other day
Office Hours: 8:30 - 5:00