May's Newsletter

Happy Memorial Day
May 29, 2017

From our President

Bill Barnes

Dear Volunteers:

The insurance to cover Ground Angels while carrying passengers on a mission is in place.

Thank you for your quick response to the request for current ID information. You can feel confident that you are protected in the unlikely event of an accident.

We are having some difficulty covering all the Mission Requests we receive. Too many patients and caregivers are not getting rides. (over 10%) If each of us could take one more mission a month, we could take care of these patients. The organization and the patients are so very grateful for all that you do and only ask this of those of you who are able. I will do this and I ask you to join me.

The need for more volunteers is constant. I emphasize again that if you are a member or a club or other group, we would love to speak to them.

Contact Rebecca Maitland, 832.752.9645 or email ladymaitland@msn.com to arrange that. Please mention Houston Ground Angels to your friends, neighbors, coworkers or associates to keep our name in front of as many people as possible.

Thank you for all you do.

Bill Barnes

Missions

Please take a moment to review the available missions, to see if one or possibly two might fit your schedule.

Also, when you find a mission that does fit your schedule, please check to see if other patients could be arriving at the same time from the same location.

Click Here to Find a Mission

Thank you!

How Are We Doing?

Houston Ground Angels

Management Review, May 2017

Tony Castiglie, Vice President & Treasurer

Once most of the pollen cleared, it seems that we have enjoyed a rather lovely Spring. Of course that means the heat and humidity of a Houston summer is right around the corner.

But as always, our volunteers continue to provide services to patients in need. So, what are the numbers? Thus far, 828 Missions have been run this year by 71 Volunteers serving 447 Patients and/or Companions.

As always, those we serve are always so grateful for helping in relieving some of the stress associated with going to M.D. Anderson for treatment. Some of the patients expressed their gratitude by making a donation and usually include a very nice hand written note. Check those out on our website.

The heavy hitters are:

Top 10 Volunteers - 2017

1. C harles Whitworth 106

2. Missy Callan 44

3. Paulette Blackburn 42

4. David La Fargue 41

5. Kathy Broussard 40

6. Tony Larosa 40
7. Charles Gibson 36

8. Edie Cantu 28

9. Derek King 26

10. Jerry Cavanaugh 22

The demand for our services continues to outpace our ability to satisfy those requests. As always, we do the best we can and our fulfillment rate is 88 percent. We encourage all volunteers to assist us in our recruiting efforts for new volunteers.

The Houston Ship Channel Tour is coming up Saturday May 13^th and it will be a good opportunity to visit with fellow volunteers. We are still a few shy of the minimum requirement for the tour so please sign up if you can. Hope to see you there!

To every volunteer, "Thank You" for being part of this wonderful organization and making it the success that it is. 2017 is going to be another good year.

Sincerely,

Tony

Houston Ship Channel Tour

Houston Ground Angels' Complimentary Outing
Sponsored by the Port of Houston

Saturday, May 13

Houston Ground Angels will be taking a guided Historical Tour through the Houston Ship Channel on one of the Port's tour boats.

Please bring a valid ID. Must be over 18.

We will meet at 7300 Clinton Drive, Gate 8 at 9:30 a.m. The boat will leave promptly at 10:00 a.m.

The M/V Sam Houston tour is a 90 minute narrated educational ride along the Houston Ship Channel. A brief description and history of the Port with major points of interest along the route is given.

Large baggage such as backpacks and oversized purses are not allowed on board. Passengers' personal belongings may be subject to search in accordance with federal regulations. The PHA reserves the right to refuse passage to board the vessel to any person at any time.

Complimentary beverage (coke, diet coke, sprite, or water) at the turning point of the tour will be offered. No food or beverage is allowed to be brought on to the boat.

Please RSVP to ladymaitland@msn.com or 832.752.9645.

We have a few places left, so we hope you will join us.
We have to meet the minium and we are very close to it.

So we hope you will join us.

May 14, 2017
Happy Mother's Day...

to all of our volunteers who are mothers and grandmothers, and to all who love and care for children, by blood or non-blood relative.

When I was growing up, there were many older women who took the time to help, direct, encourage and be there for me, and I cannot thank them enough. They truly made a difference in my life.

Each person who takes the time to care for another human being, can call themselves a parent. For this time, either short or long, can and does make a big difference in someone's life, even though you may never hear about how much it meant or how it changed their lives.

So to all of the volunteers that take their time to make a difference in someone life, a child's or an adult's,
we salute you this month and say thank you.

Happy Mother's Day to all our Volunteers!

Thank you!
Rebecca Maitland

Missions

Please take a moment to review the available missions, to see if one or possibly two might fit your schedule.

Also, when you find a mission that does fit your schedule, please check to see if other patients could be arriving at the same time from the same location.

Click Here to Find a Mission

Thank you!