SAN ANTONIO — The Shriners may be known for zipping around in miniature cars, but this week several local women involved will be the ones in motion down to Mexico City on a project to keep the kids there moving too.
“Isn’t that cool?” Amanda Reyes as she spread a large quilt out across a conference table.
Each patch in the quilt represents one thousand dollars dedicated to helping sick children at Shriners Hospital for Children —Mexico
“And lo and behold, they ended up raising more than $60,000,” said Rick Reyes, the Potentate of the Alzafar Shriner Temple in San Antonio.
Some patches had businesses on them like HEB or Taco House, while others had the names of families and groups involved with San Antonio’s Alzafar Shriner Temple.
"The nobles (members of the Shriner's fraternity) go out into the community amongst themselves a lot of the time and raise money for the children," said Mission in Motion committee member Belinda Hernandez.
One of the patches had a portrait of a cat and the names Juicy & Em. It was contributed by ten-year-old Emily Reyes. She chose to use her cat Juicy Jinxy Meow Meow Reyes I for the image.
Emily’s Parents have been involved with the Alzafar Shriners since before she was born. Her father is the Potentate, which is the presiding officer, of the Temple for 2023 (I different potentate is appointed each year.) But this was the first year she has participated in their activities to this degree. She sold T-shirts to raise $1,000 for he very own quilt patch. But she said the reason she did it was simpler.
"Helping the kids in need," Emily said.
Emily’s mother, Amanda Reyes is this year's first lady of the Alzafar Shriners They operate two children’s hospitals - one in Galveston TX, and one in Mexico City.
When Amanda found out the hospital in Mexico City needed wheelchairs for the children, she spearheaded a project to raise money, calling it "Mission in Motion"
"I just thought, we need to work on this,” Amanda said. “I can't imagine one of my kids not being able to get around."
Amanda and 39 other women from around the state are heading to Mexico City later this week to deliver the money raised for the wheelchairs, and to present the quilt. Though the members of the her committee sought to give Amanda a lot of credit, she stresses that like everything the Shiners do, Mission in Motion is a community effort.
"Just like the village to raise a child, it takes a village to raise the money to put on a project," Amanda said.