DON COOK’S STORY
I am anxious to tell the whole world about the Shriners and the magnificent care
I personally received through the Shriners Hospital as a child. Even at the age of
fourteen during my second hospitalization at the Shriners Hospital, I was totally
impressed with the generosity and sincerity of the “men in funny hats” because
they seemed so dedicated in their efforts.
Being altruistic at that age, I vowed to become a Shriner “when I grew up” so
that I too could help the children in the Shriners Hospital.
I was first hospitalized at the Shriners Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, when I
was about four years old for the treatment of rickets. The second time, at age
fourteen, I was pushed out of a bus and broke my back. When my mother
refused to allow me to have surgery, I was transferred to the Shriners Hospital
in Shreveport where I was placed in traction for a few weeks.
I went on to become successful in business and raise a family, but during this
period I sadly could not find the time to help or donate time to the Shriner’s
cause. During this period it became known to me that my deceased father was a
Mason.When I retired and moved to Palm Springs, I remembered the promise I
had made to the Shriners as a child, and set out to accomplish my goal:
“HELP THE SHRINERS HELP THE CHILDREN.”
When I joined Al Malaikah Temple and the Palm Springs Shrine Club I was
excited and impressed by the fact their efforts were dedicated toward helping the
Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles by donating money collected from the
Villagefest Street Fair in Palm Springs, CA every Thursday night.
So far this year the Palm Springs Shrine Club has given over $72,000 toward the
new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for the Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles, CA.
The Palm Springs Shrine Club also drives the children from the Coachella Valley
to the Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles, CA.
With my small effort I feel I can “PLAY IT FORWARD” and give back my
eternal debt to the Shrine by helping children as much as I was helped as a child.
Through my appointment as an “Imperial Ambassador”, I would like to
challenge every Shrine Club to support your Temple and raise funds to keep our
hospital open. Every child in need deserves your help. It will take “UNITY” of
all Masonic bodies to accomplish our mission.
Yours in Faith,
Donald Cook, President, Palm Springs Shrine Club
I am anxious to tell the whole world about the Shriners and the magnificent care
I personally received through the Shriners Hospital as a child. Even at the age of
fourteen during my second hospitalization at the Shriners Hospital, I was totally
impressed with the generosity and sincerity of the “men in funny hats” because
they seemed so dedicated in their efforts.
Being altruistic at that age, I vowed to become a Shriner “when I grew up” so
that I too could help the children in the Shriners Hospital.
I was first hospitalized at the Shriners Hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, when I
was about four years old for the treatment of rickets. The second time, at age
fourteen, I was pushed out of a bus and broke my back. When my mother
refused to allow me to have surgery, I was transferred to the Shriners Hospital
in Shreveport where I was placed in traction for a few weeks.
I went on to become successful in business and raise a family, but during this
period I sadly could not find the time to help or donate time to the Shriner’s
cause. During this period it became known to me that my deceased father was a
Mason.When I retired and moved to Palm Springs, I remembered the promise I
had made to the Shriners as a child, and set out to accomplish my goal:
“HELP THE SHRINERS HELP THE CHILDREN.”
When I joined Al Malaikah Temple and the Palm Springs Shrine Club I was
excited and impressed by the fact their efforts were dedicated toward helping the
Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles by donating money collected from the
Villagefest Street Fair in Palm Springs, CA every Thursday night.
So far this year the Palm Springs Shrine Club has given over $72,000 toward the
new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for the Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles, CA.
The Palm Springs Shrine Club also drives the children from the Coachella Valley
to the Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles, CA.
With my small effort I feel I can “PLAY IT FORWARD” and give back my
eternal debt to the Shrine by helping children as much as I was helped as a child.
Through my appointment as an “Imperial Ambassador”, I would like to
challenge every Shrine Club to support your Temple and raise funds to keep our
hospital open. Every child in need deserves your help. It will take “UNITY” of
all Masonic bodies to accomplish our mission.
Yours in Faith,
Donald Cook, President, Palm Springs Shrine Club
