Christine Herb White, a 1991 Parkland High School graduate, and her husband, Shawn, of Winter Park, Fla., have combined their passion for car racing and for the Shriners organization to help make the lives of kids receiving care at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa, Fla., a little brighter.

Shawn, who was raised in Orlando and Mexico, was a patient in a Shriners Hospital as a child.

The couple soon became involved in doing charity work for the Shriners Hospital and they formed their Bahia Shriners Crash Team by fate.

“It all started when Shawn and I were out on a Valentine’s Day motorcycle fundraiser hosted by one of the local Harley Owner Groups,” she said. “At one of the stops, we talked to two guys about some motorcycle accessories.

“Turns out they belonged to Bahia Shrine and were interested in getting some customized Shrine work done to their bikes.”

Through working with members of the organization, the couple developed several amazing friendships and Shawn decided to become a member.

“In late 2013, he became a member of Winter Park Lodge No. 239,” Christine said.

“To become a Shriner, you must first become a third degree Master Mason.

“While Shawn was working through his degrees, we became more and more involved with the Shriners and their families.”

Shawn was involved in drag racing and every year the couple would attend an Orlando tradition, “Crash-A-Rama,” held the day after Thanksgiving at a paved oval track at Orlando Speed World.

“Think of NASCAR meets demolition derby,” she said. “It’s full contact racing with a twist.

“Shawn had always wanted to participate in this event. That fall, I came up with a crazy idea to combine two of Shawn’s passions – cars and the Shriners Hospital.

“In the eyes of most, we were already considered ‘Shriners’ and were approved to begin raising funds in their name that fall.”

Christine said the first year, they were a group of four - Shawn, Christine, Shawn’s best friend and racing partner Jessie Melmer, and Shriner Nick Seda.

“We obtained a low cost car, tore it down and rebuilt it to specifications and we started getting corporate sponsors,” Christine said.

“Soon, we had two more cars, both donated to us – one by a local car dealership.”

Their first year, in fall 2013, they entered three cars into various events throughout the night.

“While we didn’t win any prize money or any races, we set the pace for what was to come in the next years,” Christine said. “After all of the initial startup expenses in 2013 (cars, parts, safety equipment, marketing, etc.), we had $1,607 leftover to donate back to the Shrine.”

Sixty days after she and Shawn were married in 2014, he became ill and battled to stay alive for several months.

“Since he was not able to enter the event that year, his best friend stepped up and became the main driver for the year,” Christine stated.

“We had no prep time and no sponsors, but we kept it going just to keep it alive.

“By this time, Shawn’s uncle, Kevin Fender, took a serious interest in our project and became a Mason as well.

“Shortly after the 2014 Crash-A-Rama, Shawn and Kevin were made Shriners together at the same ceremony.”

After the 2014 event, they began to plan for a huge 2015 comeback and she partnered with the racetrack owner to find more ways to get out the word and get a larger donation.

“The Bahia Crash Team was granted permission to sell advance tickets to the event and obtain $5 from each ticket to be donated to the Shriners Hospital in Tampa,” she said. “We created our own logo and sold team shirts to raise funds.

“We got three deeply discounted cars, fixed them up according to the rules of the event, got new safety equipment and all of the things that we needed.

“We involved other parts of the Bahia Shrine to help us gain visibility with the patrons.”

They didn’t win any races but they had fun doing it and gained many fans.

“After all was done, we presented a check to the hospital for $3,437,” Christine stated.

By 2016, their partnership with the track owner blossomed and they were given more and more opportunities to expand their fundraising.

“Our corporate sponsorships exploded,” Christine said. “Three cars were donated to us and most of our expenses were eliminated.

“We were splitting ticket sales with the track for any tickets we sold and we were doing raffles, etc.”

“We had an amazing night that ended up in a check to the hospital for $12,013.28.

“This is the third largest fundraiser Bahia has all year long and has become quite the conversation.

“People look forward to the event. It is family fun, it gives everyone an opportunity to come out and participate in some way.”

Christine said this coming year is going to be their best ever.

The goal for 2017 is to raise $30,000 with the majority of the fundraising happening closer to the event when ticket sales and raffle tickets can be sold.

During the remainder of the year, they work to secure corporate sponsors.

“So far this year, [as of April 17 2017] we have already obtained over $3,000 from sponsorships,” Christine said.

Christine, coordinator for the Bahia Crash Team, is in her third year as an officer with the Ladies Oriental Shrine of North America.

“I am the associate princess, which translates to second vice president of my local court (chapter),” she said.

Her paternal grandfather, Marvin E. Herb, was a Mason. Her paternal uncle, Paul L. Hummel, both of Sunbury, Northumberland County, is also a Mason. Her paternal grandmother Ivy M. Herb and aunt Hazle B. Hummel, both of Sunbury, were members of Eastern Star.

Shawn, a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish rite of Orlando, was named chairman of the fundraising committee for Bahia for 2017.

When Christine and Shawn are not fundraising for the Shriners, she works as the senior lead collections officer at Lee Hecht Harrison LLC and Shawn is a sales representative for Pat’s Pump and Blower in Orlando, where he sells industrial heavy equipment such as street sweepers and jet-vac trucks.