PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Latest Snowball Express Updates

Mon Dec 7 22:29:41 CST 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Below is another round of Snowball Express updates.  The Snowball Express
project keeps evolving and improving as last minute details are worked out,
improvements to the programs, etc., are made and the organizers work around
the clock to make this the best experience possible for the kids and their
family members.  This, of course, requires some alterations on our part but
a group with "Semper Gumby" as a motto and more missions under our belts
than any of us care to count can easily take these in stride as we
remember."It's All About The Kids".

Just to confirm, staging for the hotel missions on Thursday and Friday, to
Southfork and City Hall, respectively, is at 8:30 AM.  Please be prompt and
allow for downtown Dallas traffic.  Please refer to the North Texas PGR web
site at www.txpgr.org if you need a reminder of where to stage at the
hotels, and look for the Ride Captain when you get there.  On Thursday at
Southfork, staging for the afternoon escort to the Mesquite Rodeo Arena is
at 2:30 PM in the Southfork parking lot.  Please be prompt and plan on being
there on time.  There is a mandatory riders/bus drivers briefing to be
conducted by the police department prior to departure.

Notice that I did NOT mention a hotel staging time for Saturday.  We will
NOT be staging at the hotels on Saturday.  This is a change!  Staging will
take place where the participants are eating brunch.  The name of the place
is Eddie Deen's and the address is 944 South Lamar Street, Dallas, TX
75202, (214) 741-4211.  Map location - http://tinyurl.com/yhb9bc5.   Staging
time is 10:30 AM.  There is a mandatory riders/bus drivers briefing to be
conducted by the police department there also.  We will leave from there to
go to Cowboy's Stadium.

Staging at DFW airport on Wednesday for the arrival escorts is 10:00 AM.

There has been interest expressed by some who wish to greet the families as
they arrive at their hotels on Wednesday.  Their buses will be escorted by
Patriot Guard Riders from DFW airport to Dallas as they come in during the
day.  Based on the information we have at this time we can estimate where
the bulk of the families will be going at about what time.  If you would
like to go to the hotels and smile, wave, welcome them to Dallas, etc., and
be on hand in case they need any help I know it would be very much
appreciated.  Many have travelled from a very long distance and I'm sure
some Texas hospitality would be just what they need after a long trip.  You
are on your own for parking, etc.  It's All About The Kids, so if you can
show them your support I know they'd love it.  Here is our best information:

Snowball 1 lands at DFW at 11:05 AM.  Those families will be going to the
Crowne Plaza hotel  at 1015 Elm St.

Snowball 2 lands at DFW at 12:30 PM.  Most of those families will be going
to the Fairmont hotel at 1717 N. Akard.

Snowball 3 lands at DFW at 1:30 PM.  Most of those families will be going to
the Sheraton at 400 N. Olive.

Snowball 4 lands at DFW at 2:17 PM.  Most of those families will also be
going to the Sheraton.

Snowball 5 lands at DFW at 3:55 PM.  Most of those families will be going to
the Sheraton and the Westin, across the street at 650 N. Pearl.

Snowball 6 lands at DFW at 4:19 PM.  Most of those families will be going to
the Magnolia at 1401 Commerce.

Snowball 7 lands at DFW at 5:31 PM.  Most of those families will be going to
the Sheraton, as will most of the families arriving on Snowball 8, landing
at 6:32 PM.

This does not cover all of the hotels or, of course, all of the families.
Some are driving.  Many are not on charter flights and are travelling
between these hours, etc.  But if you would like to go and welcome these
special people we know they'd be glad to see you.  Please allow time for
them at the airport to get their luggage, load the buses, and travel time to
the hotels.

That's all for right now, but it won't be everything.  There is more to
come.  We will soon be putting out a sign-up request for volunteers to help
out at the airport terminal on Sunday.  Snowball Express has asked us for
volunteers to help the families get on their way - help with luggage,
general needs, etc.  We stepped right up, of course, and that will be coming
your way soon.  We don't have the airport departure details yet for the
motorcycle escorts to the airport on Sunday, but when we do we will be
signing riders up to take the buses to the airport from the hotels on
Sunday.  Keep an eye out for that, too.

Each of you is providing a great service to a family who has certainly
earned it and to a young person who has a parent who is never coming home.
The smiling face they remember for many years to come from this trip may be
yours.  It just could be you who makes this holiday season special for one
of these children.  What a great gift to be able to provide.

Thank you all.

Steve Lucas

Chief Ride Captain

North Texas PGR

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