DTOC Donates To Hamasa Shriners Hospital Travel Fund

On Tuesday, April 30, 2019, Hamasa Shrine Recorder, Richard Whitehead was the speaker for the Downtown Optimist Club of Meridian. He came to update the club on the work the local Shriners do to transport kids to and from various Shriner Hospitals. There are currently over 700 kids in the Meridian areas who have been treated at Shriner Hospitals and this year alone there are about 3 trips per week being taken by families to Shriner Hospitals. The local Shriners assist families either by helping directly with expenses, or by providing drivers and vehicles.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a network of 22 non-profit medical facilities across North America. Children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay.

After the presentation, DTOC Vice President Ken Kerchival presented a $500 donation to the Hamasa Hospital Travel Fund to Mr. Whitehead.