July 2, 2024

Benefit ride for the Ronald McDonald House coming up in Johnson City

A benefit ride to help the Ronald McDonald House is scheduled for later this month in Johnson City.

Guardian Riders, which is a local motorcycle club, is gearing up for the event that is scheduled for July 13.

All of the proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House. The cost for riders is $20 and the cost for passengers is $10.

Registration starts at 10 a.m., and the ride is scheduled to start at 12 p.m.

“This year, our census has been higher than it’s ever been,” Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House Charities CEO Dewayne Dickens said. “There’s a lot of nights that we are full without any availability so when we see our census go up we are going to see our expenses go up and we are going to see our need go up and it takes groups like the Guardian Riders that are going out there, raise the funds for us, raise the awareness for us to benefit the families that have kids that are sick in the hospital.”

https://wcyb.com/news/local/benefit-ride-for-the-ronald-mcdonald-house-coming-up-in-johnson-city-southern-appalachian#
March 8, 2024

Hawkins County man using ‘big headed’ idea to raise money for Ronald McDonald House

When Jim Whalen is out on the golf course, he’s shooting for a low score. It’s when the calendar turns to March he’s thinking different.

Jim Whalen getting read to putt (WCYB Photo)

Jim Whalen getting read to putt (WCYB Photo)

“Big numbers, big numbers,” says Whalen.

Not with his golf game though, he’s driving for a different cause off the course. He’s thinking big numbers for Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.

Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. (WCYB Photo)

Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. (WCYB Photo) 

Whalen said, “it’s a vital institution here in East Tennessee for us that we have this resource, that serves the families that are in need.” The Volunteer High School teacher and coach went from being asked to help at an RMH event six years ago, to now becoming the President of the board. Raising money to help families, who have to walk through the front door.

Jim Whalen is a big supporter for the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. (WCYB Photo)

Jim Whalen is a big supporter for the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. (WCYB Photo)

Dewayne Dickens is the CEO for Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.

Dickens says, “The Ronald McDonald House is a place where a family can stay while their child is receiving medical treatment in the area. While they’re here we’re providing everything without any sort of fee, or any cost to them.”

Which is all thanks to donations from the community, with big events like the Shamrock Shuffle 5K.

“I’ve come up with multiple ways from shaving my legs, to running in a kilt, to recently now I’ve got the Jimmy heads,” says Whalen.

Jim Whalen with one of his Jimmy heads (WCYB Photo)

Jim Whalen with one of his Jimmy heads (WCYB Photo)

Talking about what the heads are Whalen said, “my buddy Sam that I play golf with, he was the one who made them up to make fun of me. He had people carrying them around when we had the 5K. We got a bright idea of, let’s stick these ugly mugs in peoples yard, and to get it out their yard they have to make a donation, and then they go stick that ugly face in somebody else’s yard.”

So for the past three years in March, people have been getting “Jimmy-ed.”

“I started off in Surgoinsville, Church Hill, and Kingsport, and now I’ve got them as far as Johnson City right now,” said Whalen.

From yards, to pools, to the back of the police car.

One of the "Jimmy" heads in the back of Kingsport Police car (WCYB Photo)

One of the “Jimmy” heads in the back of Kingsport Police car (WCYB Photo)

Whalen says, “my daughters are embarrassed about it. They’re like that’s crazy, my wife laughs about it.”

Jim’s wife Robin Whalen said, “that head right there describes him perfectly. He is probably the most energetic person that I know.”

A welcomed site that the community expects every year now.

Kain Cornett’s house got “Jimmy-ed.” He says, “I just looked outside and he was just sitting there in the yard. That’s just Jimmy’s personality you know”

Jim Whalen "Jimmy-ed" Sean Newland's yard (WCYB Photo)

Jim Whalen “Jimmy-ed” Sean Newland’s yard (WCYB Photo)

“Man I’ve been “Jimmy-ed” every year he’s done it.Jimmy does an awesome job raising money for them,” says Sean Newland. His yard also got “Jimmy-ed.”

While some may think he acts like a clown, Dickens says Jim is shining a light for those that need it most.

Jim Whalen with Ronald McDonald (WCYB Photo)

Jim Whalen with Ronald McDonald (WCYB Photo)

“He’s such a good ambassador for the house, that’s what we need. We need people to be champions, not just for the RMH, but they’re champions for the families that we have that stay with us,” says Dickens.

Whalen adds, “if I can be stupid, and raise money for the house, I’m all about it.”

To donate to Jim’s campaign for the Ronald McDonald House click here.

https://wcyb.com/news/local/hawkins-county-man-using-big-headed-idea-to-raise-money-for-ronald-mcdonald-house#

Mar 13, 2024

Shamrock Shuffle 5K to benefit local Ronald McDonald House

Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House CEO Dewayne Dickens, shares with us all of the fun to be had this Saturday, as the 4th annual Shamrock Shuffle comes to Kings Common in downtown Johnson City! For more on the Shamrock Shuffle 5K, please watch the video.

For more information go to thegoosechase.org

 

Nov 27, 2023

McDonald’s customers asked to ’round up’ Tuesday to benefit Ronald McDonald House

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Local McDonald’s locations will be asking customers to “round up” on Tuesday to benefit the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House in Johnson City.

During “Giving Tuesday,” customers will be asked if they would like to donate by rounding up to the next dollar on their orders. Ronald McDonald House staff and board members will be at McDonald’s locations to encourage people to “round up.”

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/mcdonalds-customers-asked-to-round-up-tuesday-to-benefit-ronald-mcdonald-house/

 

July 11, 2022

Ronald McDonald House recognizes local sheriff as top fundraiser

A special thank you to honor those helping raise money for a worthy cause.

The Ronald McDonald House helps families with sick children in the hospital.

They recently held a fundraising event during the Fourth of July weekend.

They came to the Washington County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office to recognize Sheriff Keith Sexton as the top fundraiser. He raised $1,700.

Southern Appalachian RMH CEO Dewayne Dickens said, “The $1,700 that was raised will equate to 170 nights for our families and of course the families come to us from all over the area having kids sick in the hospital. While they are staying with us we want to provide everything we can and we do that without charging.” The Ronald McDonald House has been serving families for over 25 years.

https://wcyb.com/news/local/ronald-mcdonald-house-recognizes-local-sheriff-as-top-fundraiser-tennessee-children-washington-county-keith-sexton#

Mar 3, 2022

New Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House CEO Dewayne Dickens

Dewayne Dickens was recently named the new CEO of the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House, and he talks about his journey to this new position, and previews the upcoming Shamrock Shuffle 5K fundraiser. For more information call (423) 975-5437 or go to rmhsa.org

https://www.wjhl.com/daytime-tri-cities/new-southern-appalachian-ronald-mcdonald-house-ceo-dewayne-dickens/