Kindnesses of the Heart

A big THANK YOU to everyone who took part in our Just Desserts auctions on B-97.5 Over $1,100 was raised during this week.

The Knoxville Football Club (KnoxCrush) presented a $500 check to the Knoxville Ronald McDonald House at the 13th Annual "Freaky Friday Fright Night" event on behalf of the parents, athletes and coaches of KnoxCrush.

The 2009 Keys Fillauer Invitational Golf Tournament raised over $35,000 for the Ronald McDonald House during this year's tournament. That brings their total given to the House to over $515,000!!!

On Wednesday, April 8, a dozen employees from Elavon came to the House® armed with rakes, mulch, pressure washers, varnish, and hedge trimmers and spent the day sprucing up our play areas, family gardens, and the grounds in general. As part of their Knoxville Development program, the company's 1,200 employees are given one day each year to donate to an area non-profit. Their Herculean efforts resulted in a picture-perfect yard that would make Mother Nature proud!

Over $188,516 was raised during the 2009 Ronald McDonald House Telethon. A very special, heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this year's telethon a huge success:

• Gene Patterson, Kristin Farley, Matt Hinkin, and the WATE Production Crew.
• Local radio personalities Jennifer Alexander (B-97.5), Trixie (94.3), Billy Kidd (WIMZ), Gretchen (Star 102.1), Josh Blanchard (WIVK), Mike Clark (Praise 96.3), and Tyler Ivens (Hot 104.5).
• The Tombras Group and Metro Pulse for promoting this year's telethon.
• The Smoky Mountain Owner/Operator Association franchise owners: The Cochran Family, Tim & Larry Funderburk, John Israel, Bill Smith, John Faris, Danny Hailey, Lynn Jimison, Mark & Hank Smith, John O. Israel, Justin Israel, Rich Mady, and Joe & Jill Burger and Jason Burger.
• All of the wonderful families who took time to come back and share their inspiring stories with us.

A group of students from Tusculum College Knoxville Regional Center recently spent the day helping the Ronald McDonald House of Knoxville save money and the environment. >> Read More

2008 Events

The 2008 Dillard's Holiday fundraiser brought in over $3,491 to the House this year. Dillard's offered a Southern Living Cookbok in their stores as well as online for just $10.00 each. Proceeds from the sales went to benefit local Houses in Dillard's markets.

The 2008 Keys Fillauer Invitational Golf Tournament raised over $35,000 for the Ronald McDonald House during this year's tournament.

On Saturday, May 31st, over $21,276 was raised during the 6th Annual Lazy River Float-A-Thon at Dollywood's Splash Country. Thank you Gene, Pete, Trish, Ashley, personalities from Star 102.1, 93.1, Hot 104.5, volunteers from HGTV, and the many others who made this year's Float-A-Thon huge splash!

Over $165,800 was raised during the 2008 Ronald McDonald House Telethon. A very special, heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this year's telethon a huge success:

• Gene Patterson, Lori Tucker, Matt Hinkin, Kristin Farley, and the WATE Production Crew.
• Local radio personalities Jennifer Alexander (B-97.5), Trixie (94.3), Billy Kidd (WIMZ), KC (Star 102.1), and Booda & T. The ROP (Hot 104.5).
• The Tombras Group and Metro Pulse for promoting this year's telethon.
• The Smoky Mountain Owner/Operator Association franchise owners: The Cochran Family, Tim & Larry Funderburk, John Israel, Bill Smith, John Faris, Danny Hailey, Lynn Jimison, Mark & Hank Smith, John O. Israel, Justin Israel, Rich Mady, Ken Patula, and Joe & Jill Burger and Jason Burger.
• All of the wonderful families who took time to come back and share their inspiring stories with us.

On February 26th, the Israel family opened a brand new McDonald's in Pigeon Forge. This is the largest McDonald's in the Southeast and the 6th largest McDonald's in the country at 9,600 square feet. In honor of this opening the Israel family donated $7,500 to the Knoxville Ronald McDonald House®.

On February 14th, Sue Beverly, RMH director went to Sequoyah Elementary School and received a $480 check from the 3 kindergarten classes there. The kids had drawn houses and then sold 5-cent bricks to family and friends to “finish building” their homes. Their houses will be on display at the school for the rest of the month.

Thank you Edgemont Elementary School Builder's Club. They came to the House February 14th to distribute Valentine's Day candy gift bags to all the families.

On Thursday, February 7th, members of the Tennessee Farm Bureau presented the House® with over $2,400 worth of food as well as a check that can be used throughout the year for extra food items. This was all part of the Farm Bureau Food Check-Out Day.