Texas Lions Camp and San Jacinto High Rollers MC
- By traceyH
- June 26, 2014
- Comments Off on Texas Lions Camp and San Jacinto High Rollers MC
I haven’t gotten around to talking about all the changes going on around our house yet, but I’ve got to jump ahead to tell you about this awesome weekend Don and I just spent in Kerrville. If you don’t know where Kerrville is – you must not be from Texas.
But to help you out, I’ll just tell you that it is in the Beautiful Unbelievable Texas Hill Country. Do yourself a favor and come see the Texas Hill Country.
Aren’t you just ready to jump in the truck and get over there?
Anyway, on with my story.
This is the part I haven’t told you about yet. Don has given up our beautiful, elegant, regal, talented (expensive) horses and turned to those loud and dangerous (expensive) motorized horses. Don has gone from memberships in saddle clubs to a membership in a motorcycle club. Yes, it is sad BUT he has picked the best motorcycle club to join. He is a member of the San Jacinto High Rollers (well, he will be a full patch member in a couple more weeks – he’s still working off his PROBATE period).
That’s “Beast” An American Iron Horse – Texas Chopper
The San Jacinto High Rollers (SJHR) is the oldest American Motorcycle Association (AMA) motorcycle club in Texas. It was founded in Pasadena in 1957 (hey – that’s when I was born so it is a very OLD club). The club is family oriented and geared toward brotherhood. San Jacinto High Rollers have 13 chapters throughout Southeast Texas and Don belongs to the Hardin Chapter.
The best thing about the High Rollers is that they have supported the Lions Club Children’s Camp in Kerrville, Texas since 1958. The First President, Milton Wood, founded the High Rollers as an AMA Chartered and non-profit organization (under 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code) to provide assistance for children in need and to improve the public image of motorcycling. SJHR has supported many other benefits and charities over the years with one of those being the Toy Run in December for Boys & Girls Country in Waller. The mission of Boys and Girls Country is to change the lives of children form families in crisis by loving and nurturing them in a Christian environment, raising them to become self-sustaining and contributing adults. More on Boys and Girls Country Toy run in December.
Today’s story is all about the Lions Camp.
Texas Lions Camp is a residential camping facility for physically disabled, hearing/vision impaired, type 1 diabetic children and children with cancer. Camp is provided, without charge, to these children who live anywhere in the State of Texas, regardless of race, religion or national origin. The Texas Lions Camp is located on over 500 acres in Kerrville. The Camp is designed to introduce the “Can Do” philosophy to children dealing with special medical conditions and allow these children to achieve maximum personal growth and self-esteem. Children with special needs, from all over Texas, are invited to attend one of nine weeks of camp each summer in hopes that the Texas Lions Camp will become one of their life-long childhood memories. It is a week designed for fun, exploration and challenge.
The Lions Camp is SJHR’s main charity. The club works hard throughout the year with benefits and raffles to raise money for this wonderful facility. In June of each year, the San Jacinto High Rollers (all the chapters) gather together and ride to Kerrville to present a check to the Lions Camp during the festivities of the end of one of the camp sessions. SJHR has been doing this for over 50 years. There was a total of 68 bikes and close to 100 SJHR members attending this year.
Just A Small Group of SJHRs
I can’t describe the feelings I had when I saw all the children and their caring young counselors. It broke your heart and warmed your heart. During their stay at camp the children were divided into “tribes” and each child in each tribe received an award. It ranged from “funniest” to “best joke teller” to “fastest” to “most likely to make you smile”. It seemed that almost every child had an individual counselor who was so involved with that child and seemed like the only reason they were on earth was to be that child’s angel. It was wonderful to see. And the parents, they couldn’t be any prouder if their child had just won the Little League All Stars.
SJHR broke a record this year. Get ready – The check was for $32,000. Yep, that is 32,000 DOLLARS. And you know what, they plan to break that record next year.
Now That’s A Donation – How Much Was Yours?
You’ve got to see the reaction from the crowd when the San Jacinto High Rollers National President, Allen “Slow Hand” McCanliss, presented the check.
We had a great time in Kerrville. Here we are at the Lions Camp waiting for the fun to start.
We stayed at the YO Ranch Resort. I highly recommend you stay here next time (or first time) you visit Kerrville. They have a great pool area complete with kiddie pool, hot tub and swim up bar (not in the kiddie pool). There is a nice restaurant and separate bar. The lobby has shopping and is decorated to the top! Service was great too.
Don went out with some of the guys from the Hardin Chapter and did a little riding out in the Hill Country (like about 8 hours worth) but I’m not quite ready for that yet. I’m still taking baby rides. And for those of you wondering, I drove the Suburban to Kerrville. I’m the best Chase Truck Driver – ever!
This great photo was taken by Texas Motorsports Photography. Check them out at www.txmotofoto.com. I’m going to make sure they get my picture when I get the guts to ride the Hill Country.
If you are looking for a new cause to rally for I hope you think of the Texas Lions Camp.
The Texas Lions Camp was charted in 1949 in response to the terrible polio epidemic that forever changed the lives of so many Texas children Since that time, the Texas Lions Camp has dynamically changed to include children who have all manner and types of physical disabilities, and cancer. Today, they are serving more children than at any other time in the Camp’s history. Over 1,500 children attend Texas Lions Camp each summer. If you would like to read more about the History of the Texas Lion Camp, there is a wonderful article on their website.
The Texas Lions Camp is recognized as a non-profit corporation, under section 501 (c)(3) of the IRS Code. The Camp is accredited by the American Camping Association and is licensed by the Texas Department of Health.
To learn more about the Texas Lions Camp please visit their website at www.lionscamp.com. Gifts of every size are vital to the services provided at the Texas Lions Camp and will make a huge difference in the lives of current and future campers. By joining in this effort, you will touch the lives of thousands of children and their families. Donations can be made on their site. You can find other ways to give through their Giving Programs which are all explained on their website. There is also an on-line Texas Lions Camp Store where you can purchase shirts, caps, cups, etc.
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