BEAT THE WINTER BLUES - RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
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Keeping Families Close®
1705 West Clinch Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37916
knoxrmhc.org
Spring 2019
BEAT THE WINTER BLUES
Is there anything more There is simply no better Akima, B-97.5 Radio, John
soul-satisfying than glo- way to spend a cold & Carol Sheridan, The Pour
rious, fragrant blooms? winter’s evening than to Guys, UT Culinary, Betsy
Apparently, the 350 be surrounded not only by Thomas & Larry Kirchner,
guests in attendance at Mother Nature’s finery, but Misty Castiglia State Farm
our February 1st event by creative, artistic, and Agency, Massey Electric,
were in complete agree- one-of-a-kind decorations Knoxville Beverage, Robert
ment with us. crafted especially for Kelso, DDS, Joe & Pat
guests’ enjoyment. The Johnson, Anne Jackson, Kirk
nearly $19,000 raised that & Joanne Huddleston, Julie
night was made possible Howard & Ted Flickinger,
by our incredibly talented Tom & Terri Hale, Barna
committee and our sponsors: & Mary Ann Gibson, CTM
Financial LLC, John & Kathy
Buckingham, and Bearden
High School Key Club.
Stanley’s Greenhouse
played host once again
to the banner crowds that
were eager for a taste of
spring and the delectable
food and wine that was
offered.
SPLASH COUNTRY GOLF TOURNAMENT
There is an old saying that A sunny day, a beautiful Our golfers started off by
goes . . . “A good friend is venue, good friends, great shopping in the mobile
like a four-leaf clover; hard food and a wonderful course! pro-shop we’d set up, and
to find and lucky to have”. What more could you ask for deciding what to purchase
in a fund-raising event? with the $100 gift card
And that sentiment we gave them as their
expresses exactly how goody bag and ended the
we feel about our dear day on a delicious note,
friends at Dollywood’s enjoying the barbecued
Splash Country that we rib dinner that was
are “lucky” enough to graciously provided by
have. Texas Roadhouse.
They not only raise All in all, everyone left the
funds and awareness for course with a smile. . . the
our House, such as the golfers having enjoyed a
$15,000 raised by an on- great game and our Board
line ticket discount pro- Egwani Farms once again and staff knowing that
motion and the $10,790 hosted our golf tournament our bank balance was up
raised in conjunction with as 120 “duffers” hit the links $61,000.
area McDonald’s offering for an enjoyable day of play.
coupons . . . but they also
“adopt” us for a day prior
to the Christmas holidays,
doing all the heavy lifting
of our thirty-plus storage
totes of decorations, sort-
ing and distributing them
to make it easier for “dec-
orators” who come the fol-
lowing day to work their
magic.
We are lucky indeed!
Dillards KFI Chocolatefest 2019
Since 1994, Dillard’s has The genesis of the love affair On the heels of our BTWB And as if tasty treats
reached out to embrace between the KFI Board and event at a greenhouse, weren’t enough, attend-
Ronald McDonald Houses our House began in 1985, we went from flowers one ees also enjoyed stroll-
nationwide to offer their the year we opened, when day to chocolate the next, ing along the Main Street
unqualified love and fi- there just happened to be both perfect segues to shopping area where a
nancial assistance. During several hundred dollars left Valentine’s Day, which was variety of vendors were
the 2018 holiday season, in the “kitty” of their annual a mere two weeks away. selling everything from
the stores once again of- golf outing. A suggestion clothing and lotions to
fered a stellar Southern was made to the group jewelry. They even had
Living cookbook for sale that the fledgling charity the chance to peruse our
with proceeds benefitting RMH could put that money RMH silent auction items.
their local Houses. We’re to good use, and the rest
What a fun way to spend
so fortunate to have had is history! All it took was
a cold winter’s day and
General Manager extraor- that one visit to our House
raise $5,341 for our
dinaire Geoff Johnson, in- and this group of long-time
House!
spiring his staff that raised friends were “hooked.” For
an impressive $4,892 for the next three decades, their
us. golf tournament became
our tournament. More Jennifer Johnsey, the
During a February check recently, the Board switched creative genius behind
presentation, we were gears and their event went breathing new life into the
not only presented with from the country club to Chocolatefest event and
the money, but with an the ballroom where they her equally dynamic board
ongoing offer of support now host a concert for us wowed the crowds on
any time a need arose. featuring food, fellowship, February 2 with a bounty
Thankfully for our House, and a live auction as part of of sweet treats that folks
that’s taking friendship to the festivities. Amazingly, from one to ninety happily
the next level! these dear people have devoured. I mean, who
raised $819,730 for us over could resist white-chocolate
the years. covered popcorn?!
Their love for our House
is quite evident and we
truly hope they all realize
that it is reciprocated a
hundred-fold!
The KFI will present...
“The Chairmen of the Board”
July 27 at the Doubletree Hilton in
Oak Ridge. If you’re looking for a fun-
filled evening, look no further. Contact
KFIgolf@comcast.net for further details.
Farm Bureau Please join us on Septem-
It’s been said that “to be
“Clays for Kids” ber 27 at Lucky Seven in
On March 11, our Farm Sweetwater for our in-
with dear friends is very Bureau “family” graced augural “Clays for Kids”
warm and comforting” us with nearly $8,000 in event. We’ll have 4-mem-
and truer words were provisions, staying to enjoy ber teams complete 15
never written than when a “thank you brunch” we’d stations per round with
Farm Bureau members prepared and some lively AM and PM time slots
from several surrounding fellowship. available. More informa-
counties came to visit. tion will soon be avail-
We’ve always said that our able on our website
Since 1995, these House is only as wonderful www.knoxrmhc.org.
caring folks have worked as those who love it, and
tirelessly each year to these people most certainly
gather food enough to fill help us attain that lofty
our pantries and freezers goal.
to capacity, giving us gift Calling All Golfers!
cards as well, to purchase
needed items throughout
the year.
Our long-time golf weather. So please
tournament will have a make plans to be with
new look this year as us at Egwani Farms Golf
we’re making some minor Course on Wednesday,
changes to enhance the October 2, for a great
experience for participants. day of play, great food
The heat and humidity and prizes, all for an
of our June date will be even greater cause!
replaced with autumn
BOARD UPDATE
How incredibly fortunate we are to keep finding the
“best of the best” when it comes to adding new
Board members into the fold.
In 2019, we are thrilled to welcome: Will Edwards
with Hodges, Doughty, Carson; Meg Millikan, a
beloved community volunteer; Stacy Woodard with
Shafer Insurance; and Cindy Bresee, a community
volunteer extraordinaire. Their many talents and
caring hearts will certainly ensure another successful
year!
KIND FOLKS…. CARING HEARTS
• Once again this year, their association spon- en the fact that we are of the patients we
we were most gener- sors. Among those re- all here to help each serve to take up the
ously remembered by cipients was RMH Di- other, their gift to us, in task and a lovely new
Enterprise Holdings, rector Sue Beverly, who turn, was used to bring tradition was born.
Joe Molino and Chance accepted a $10,000 comfort to many and we In 2018, 13-year-old
Pennington present- check on behalf of the couldn’t be more grate- Hannah McIntosh of
ed a $5,000.00 check House. ful for their partnership. Smyrna, Tennessee,
to us from their Foun-
dation on March 29,
much to our delight. • When May rolls around,
Their ongoing belief we can’t help but think
in the work we do is of spring flowers, the
the “real” gift and we last day of school, and
couldn’t appreciate the annual car show
them more! hosted by members of
• For the last several the Smoky Mountain
years, we have been Classic Chevy Club. The
invited to apply for a third Saturday in May
grant from the Butterfly has been their date of
Fund, an organization choice for as long as
founded eleven years we can remember and
ago to assist non-prof- throngs of vintage car
its that deal with pe- owners gather in Sevi-
diatric cancer issues. er County to check out
With new treatment the competition, enjoy
options now available their fellow enthusiasts created our wild-
in our area, we have and the warm hospital- ly popular card that
ity of their congenial raised $62,650 for
• We all know that fire- hosts. May 18 is the us. But taking her
fighters are daring, date that a trip to the idea from concep-
courageous and hero- Inn at Christmas Place in tion to production
ic. . . but we’ve also Pigeon Forge is in order required addition-
seen another side of to enjoy the festivities. al assistance and,
them . . . their caring, thankfully for us, WS
generous side! On • One of our longest run- Packaging Group, Inc.
December 14, Kevin ning fundraisers has once again graced us
seen an increase in re- been the creation and with their kindness
Faddis, president of
ferrals made to us for sale of holiday cards. and generosity by
Knoxville Firefighters,
patients with cancer. Early on, local artists donating all the costs
presented several
Therefore, we were es- generously donated associated with pro-
charities with sub-
pecially delighted to re- their talents to the ducing the cards.
stantial donations
ceive a grant for nearly cause. But then one
during intermission
$10,000 last year. Giv- year, someone sug-
of an annual concert
gested asking some
KIND FOLKS…. CARING HEARTS
• We so deeply appre- had the chance to • We were thrilled to re- • On November 29,
ciate being remem- gather goodies, deco- ceive a call from the members of the Ten-
bered by the Town of rate cookies, enjoy the William Knight Insur- nessee Smokies
Farragut that hosts a play areas, and help ance Agency that had came to the House
family-friendly trick our House at the same collected Christmas and bravely ad-
or treat event each time. The only admis- gifts for Santa to give dressed our massive
year on the Friday sion to the festivities to our families during “honey-do” list that
before Halloween. . . was the suggested our Christmas Eve fes- included cooking du-
aptly named “Freaky donation of a needed tivities and we were ties, yardwork, paint-
Friday”. Throngs of household item from equally thrilled to re- ing, and some main-
costumed children our wish list. Never let ceive a $520 from these tenance chores.
it be said that ghosts caring folks as well.
and goblins aren’t gen-
erous as our van left the
park that evening full to
overflowing!
Next Generation of Caring
Years ago, a daycare center brought their 4-year-olds for
a visit and to deliver Christmas ornaments they’d made to
JAfter learning how recycling could help both the
environment and our RMH, 2nd grade classes at
adorn our tree. We sat them down and tried to explain Rocky Hill Elementary School collected aluminum
what we did at our House and how we helped families, cans for our benefit.
not knowing how much of it would actually sink in. As the
children were preparing to leave, one little fellow came
up to the Director, tugged on her pant leg to get her at- JKey
Once again last Fall, members of Bearden High School
Club sold parking spots at our Annex and raised a
tention and said, “Ms. Sue, I bet you wish you could close whopping $13,210 for us.
up your House ‘cuz that would mean that kids weren’t sick
no more”.
JTech
The lovely ladies of ADPi, both the UT and Tennessee
chapters, worked tirelessly throughout the year
That was an “ah-ha” moment for certain and re-enforced for our benefit, from volunteering at the House, assist-
the idea that you’re never too young to understand the ing with our social media and raising greatly needed
concept of caring. That being said, we’d like to warm funds to the tune of $16,034.
your hearts further with some other “acts of kindness”
from the next generation.
Jmembers
In an effort to create and execute a business plan,
of Girl’s Inc. made and then sold jars of
J come
The second-grade classes from Concord Christian School
to tour the House and filled our dining room table
multi-colored slime and were kind enough to donate
$160 of their profits to our House.
to the point of over-flowing with items they’d collected
from our wish list, but they didn’t stop there. These en-
terprising children held a craft sale during the holidays, Jfour
And Board member Terri Hale was beyond proud of her
granddaughters who took it upon themselves to
raising an incredible $2,428. adopt us by selling lemonade to thirsty neighbors in
their subdivision, raising an impressive $150.
J First grade classes at Farragut Primary School
presented us with a gift of $772.71.
We could certainly feel the love that went into each and
J Farragut Middle School chose the House to be the re-
cipient of their fund-raising promotion and we were
every donation!
delighted to receive $300 from their efforts.
The Year at a Glance
u• Eight different medical facilities referred families to us in 2018
u• We served 1,528 people last year
u• The top five reasons for a referral were: premature births, respiratory issues, behavioral
problems, cancer, and bowel/colon disorders.
u• Our families came from 39 counties within the state.
u• We hosted families from 15 different states.
u• Volunteers donated nearly 6,400 hours to us in 2018, a truly remarkable feat given by
equally remarkable people!
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