Patients admitted for surgery remain longer, of course, and will be driven home by Valley drivers when their recovery is complete. All food, lodging and other travel expenses are paid by Al Amin Temple. All in all, about 2,400 trips spanning 150,000 miles are made each year, not to mention countless hours of donated manpower. In summer, about 30 drivers volunteer, but during the winter months the number swells to 75. The dedication of the Valley drivers is unparalleled.
Drivers receive no financial payment for their efforts.
Everything is strictly voluntary, says Reiter. For Brad Bradley and the other Valley drivers, the smiles on the faces of the children and their parents are payment enough. We become cheerleaders for these children and their families. We've known many of them since birth.