STAR Chapter 287 News  5/10/09

Happy Mothers Day!!

The Lauren Rose Albert Foundation & Mothers Matter Ride 5-9-09

I would like to take this opportunity to write a few words about today’s ride. Bright and early this morning, many members of STAR 287 left their homes and families to participate in what would be the culmination of many weeks preparing for an experience many of us will never forget. Generally, on the second Saturday of each month, STAR 287 is assembling at DHY for the monthly chapter meeting. Today’s meeting was short and sweet and we were on the road in staggered formation at 8:15 a.m., fifteen bikes strong, headed for Vineland, our first stop for our gift bag deliveries.  Moving south on Route 55, we were accompanied by a couple of four wheeled vehicles chocked full of gift bags that had been assembled to perfection over the past weeks by the Lauren Rose Albert Foundation.

To recap, Kathy had met Susan Rose at a function at Gloucester County College many weeks ago. As LOS rep, Kathy was asked to look into projects that our chapter could get involved in. After bringing the information about this foundation back to the chapter, the STAR 287 family committed to jump on board. Susan Rose had created Mothers Matter roughly 10 years ago in honor of her daughter Lauren who was lost in a motor vehicle accident. Susan’s vision was to honor mothers who for what ever reason were facing difficult challenges. With volunteers and friends and with donations of many various types of personal care products, Mothers Matter began assembling what began as a couple hundred baskets and over the years, has grown to thousands of health and beauty product gift bags. The members of STAR 287 played a big part this year helping Susan Rose realize her dream. Yes, STAR 287 was extremely busy planning the Feed the Children Poker Run, but still dedicated themselves to Mother’s Matter. Many members had been meeting at the Grenloch Community Center each Wednesday evening to unpack, sort, and create gift bags. Each gift bag was assembled with meticulous care and would require a seal of approval by Susan.

The actual deliveries began in earnest during the past week. Mario, Kim, and George assisted with deliveries on Wednesday and had shared some photos of children at a local day care center that were being provided gift bags that they would give to their moms. The smiles on their faces would serve as a preview of what we were about to see first hand. Our first visit was to the Veterans Home in Vineland. With a capacity of housing roughly 265 veterans, roughly 60 are women. Walking through the pristine hallways, each room doorway has a framed photo of the veteran that resides within. The photos tell a story of their own. They are photos of uniformed veterans as they were in years past and showed us first hand, the part they played in securing the freedoms we enjoy. We were informed that several of the women residence had been pilots, others officers. The complex is split into areas of needs required by the veterans. But whatever area we visited, one thing was evident, the residence all rewarded us with smiles. We were greeted by many of the men residing there, and while we did not have a gift bag for them, I do think they appreciated that we spent the time speaking with them. One fellow was in his mid-nineties, an Air Force chap from Philly. He was a hoot. Kathy and I had the honor in visiting the area where the residences are at various stages of Alzheimer’s. Here again, we were met with smiles and gratitude. The last woman we met here was Doris. She sat all alone in the sunroom near the window. As we spoke to her, the sun started to shine through the window on her. I said, “Doris, there is your sun, it is all yours”.  She said “yes, there is my sun” and held her hands to her cheeks. We gave her the gift bag and wished her a Happy Mother’s Day.  Kathy and Doris seemed to hit it off great. She asked Kathy if she was a mother. Saying, yes, she was, Doris said “Happy Mother’s Day to you too” the two embraced.   Man, what a day!

After regrouping there were many stories being discussed from our short visit and certainly, we could have spent hours there, but we knew we had to get going to our second stop at the Matri-Ark Home outside of Bridgeton. A very nice complex hidden back off a farm road, this establishment offers temporary lodging, treatment and counseling for women battling substance abuse. The amount of women coming in for treatment and help varies from week to week and apparently because of this, we were slightly short on gift bags. No problem though, Susan to the rescue, she will be delivering additional gift bags during the week. While our access to this secured facility was limited and our time there short, we were well aware that the women and children being reacquainted there were in the best of care.

 So back on the road again, we head for gas and a beverage at Wawa. We are a little ahead of our schedule for meeting up with Susan at 12:15, so we take a few minutes and hang out at Wawa discussing world events, NOT!  We head north on Route 77 and look for an access route to get back onto Route 55. Irene is leading the group with her car and her GPS and is doing a fine job navigating. On the 322 outside of Glassboro, we head north on the 55 towards Camden. Our final stop is the Ronald McDonald House.

We pulled into the lot at Cooper Hospital, adjacent to the Ronald McDonald House. After finding out how we would access their parking lot, 15 motorcycles pull in and there is Susan Rose and Louisa waiting for us. Needless to say, there were a few emotional moments. Most everyone is familiar with the Ronald McDonald House. They offer rooms and meals to family members of children being treated at nearby hospitals. Located just about everywhere in the US, parents not living close to where their child is being treated do not have to worry about the expenses of hotel accommodations. STAR 287 was provided a short tour of the Camden site and was shown a room with a Motorcycle theme.  It was a really cool room with several beds and a full bathroom. There were media rooms and a full kitchen with about 6 large refrigerators. Generally full, one of the caretakers said there were about 4 empty rooms today. I guess that’s a good thing.

Back outside, it is the moment of truth. Susan hops on the back of Frank’s bike and Louisa hops on the back of Butch’s bike and they zoom off into the sunset.  Well, not exactly, around the block they go. Both ladies are holding on like they are about to be blown away with Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. But both ladies have the biggest grins on their faces. Not satisfied, Frank and Butch must now take the ladies for a couple more laps around the parking lot. Everyone is clicking pictures and clapping. What a great end to a great day. Until next year, when we again help Susan reached her dream, Happy Mother’s Day and Thanks!!!!!! (I guess it was more then a few words)

Bob

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