08/15/2026
What an incredible night at the 54th Annual Shrine 100.
There are so many people who deserve our gratitude for making this race possible. First, a very special thank you to Raylee and Caleb for honoring us by serving as our Shrine 100 King and Queen. Having them with us is a reminder of exactly why this race has meant so much for more than half a century.
A very special thank you also goes to Ron Fuller, who generously volunteered both his time and his helicopter to give our Shrine 100 King and Queen an entrance they will never forget. Ron’s willingness to donate his aircraft, his expertise as a pilot, and his time to make that moment possible was an extraordinary gesture. Seeing Raylee and Caleb arrive by helicopter was one of those special moments that made the 54th Shrine 100 truly memorable. Ron, thank you for helping us make our King and Queen feel like the royalty they are.
Thank you to Noble Dennis Stines for his service as Race Chairman and for the countless hours of work that go into putting an event like this together. Thank you to every Noble, volunteer, race fan, driver, crew member, sponsor, and supporter who gave their time, resources, and energy to make the 54th running of the Shrine 100 another success. This race simply does not happen without all of you.
A huge thank you also goes to the Gaston County Sheriff's Office and Sheriff Chad Hawkins for their continued support. The deputies who provide security for this event volunteer their own time to be there, and that commitment does not go unnoticed. Their willingness to support this race, our Shrine, and our mission means more than we can adequately express.
We were also honored to have members of the Oasis Divan with us, along with Illustrious Sir Tim Farris. Thank you for attending and for your continued support of what has become the longest consecutively running fundraiser for Oasis Shriners. Fifty-four years of people coming together for one purpose is something worth being proud of.
But there was one moment last night that has stayed with me.
Caleb’s mother, Trinity, spoke about the care Caleb has received and the kindness that she and her family have experienced along the way. And then she thanked us.
I have thought about that ever since, because in reality, we should be thanking her.
We should be thanking Trinity, Caleb, and every patient family who has ever allowed Shriners Children’s to become part of their lives. They trust us during some of the most difficult, uncertain, and emotional moments a family can face. They allow physicians, nurses, therapists, staff members, volunteers, Shriners, and supporters to walk beside them. That is a privilege that should never be taken for granted.
We joke about the funny red hats, and Lord knows they can draw some looks, but we do not wear them as a fashion statement.
That fez represents a promise to serve.
It represents generations of men who decided that children deserved access to extraordinary care regardless of a family’s ability to pay. It represents every fundraiser, every ticket sold, every sponsor check, every volunteer hour, every mile traveled, and every person who has ever asked, “What can I do to help?”
Most importantly, it represents children like Caleb and Raylee and the families who allow us the honor of serving them.
For 54 consecutive years, engines have fired at the Shrine 100 for something much bigger than a trophy or a checkered flag. More than $1 million has been raised through this race over its history, and behind every dollar is the same purpose that started it all: helping children and families.
To everyone who had any part in the 54th Annual Shrine 100; thank you.
And to our patient families: thank you for trusting us, inspiring us, and reminding us why we put on these funny hats in the first place.
It is truly our honor to serve you.
