Volunteers holding up signs at the end of a telethon to show appreciation for News Channel 9
Former Dollywood performer, James Rogers, who worked with Dolly Parton for 27 years, will be performing at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga annual Telethon airing March 7, from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. on WTVC. The reason behind RMHC of Greater Chattanooga’s annual telethon is to thank donors for their past support and to encourage viewers to call-in and make a donation.
RMHC of Greater Chattanooga is celebrating 25 years and wanted to incorporate Mr. Rogers not only for entertainment purposes, but because he is a respected Chattanooga native. In his early days, Mr. Rogers played at Music Mansion in Pigeon Forge where 2,000 seats were nearly full each night.
According to Jane Kaylor, president and CEO of Chattanooga RMHC, “James Rogers has long been a friend of critically-ill children…entertaining them with his music and raising funds for a variety of charities that provides services to sick children. Right before the Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House opened in 1990, James recorded a public service announcement to bring awareness of and funding for the “House that love built” adjacent to Children’s Hospital at Erlanger.”
The four-hour prime time telecast hosted by WTVC is part of RMHC of Greater Chattanooga’s annual Share-A-Night campaign, which encourages donations in $55 increments to help pay for a family’s night stay. Families are asked to make a $10 donation to help offset a portion of the expenses; however, 70% of the families are unable to afford the nominal contribution. No family is ever turned away for their inability to make the requested donation. Share-A-Night contributions make it possible for families to stay at RMHC regardless of their financial situation.
The telecast will also have interviews of past families, volunteers, and businesses who have been impacted by RMHC in a substantial way. The Tennessee La-Z-Boy manufacturing facility will have a “La-Z-Boy Lounge” that will showcase their donated furniture to RMHC of Greater Chattanooga that will be up for bid that evening.
The public can watch WTVC-News Channel 9 on the evening of March 7 and see stories motivating the public to believe in the organization’s mission of serving families with critically ill and injured children. To find out more, contact 423 778-4300 or visit www.rmhchattanooga.com.