November 14, 2008                                                               Robert Cotner, Editor                                                 Vol. IV, No. 47

FRANK HOCKER, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS ADOPT A NURSE FOR $10,000

Kaaba Noble Frank Hocker has a passion for fast pitch softball. Recently he came with his Lady Betty and his sidekick Noble Fred Gibson, bringing a check for $10,197.68 for our Adopt A Nurse program. In the photo, left, Noble Frank (center), Lady Betty, and Noble Fred stand with Brad Rosell, Recreation Therapist, and Yours Truly behind a table of memorabilia from this summer’s Annual Shriners Woman’s Fast Pitch Softball tournament, held at Green Valley Sports Complex, Moline, IL. This tournament, the brainchild of Noble Frank, brings some of the best athletes in America together and to raise money for SHC – Chicago. In its fourth year, this year’s tournament featured 62 teams, from Illinois,

Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota. The 14-member teams compete for three days, from 8 AM until 10 PM—playing a total of 310 fast-pitch softball games. The theme of this year’s tournament was: “Strong legs run so weak legs can walk.” Frank, who has been a softball umpire for 58 years, brings  SHC –  Chicago patients to participate. This year, McKinsey McMillan (see photo, right), a former patient from Sheboygan, WI, sang the National Anthem. And he produces a beautiful assortment of shirts, sweat-shirts,   hats,  and  pins  (see  photo, left),

which he and  his  colleagues  gave  to  SHC  –  Chicago  to  share  with  our patients. Over  the  years,  Frank  and  his  colleagues  have  raised  more than $40,000 for the kids and for our hospital. We thank Frank, Lady Betty, and Noble Fred—and all the participating players and coaches, who make this annual generous gift to the hospital possible. This whole incredible effort happens only through the dedication of these Shriners to the cause we all hold so dear—children. All of us here at SHC – Chicago, thank you, Frank Hocker—and especially our nurses, who will be blessed by your efforts through our ADOPT A NURSE program!