Bob Johnson & Marcia Kling holding a set of triplets at a past Telethon
Ronald McDonald House Charities, a “home away from home” for families of sick and injured children, will be hosting their last Telethon partnered with WTVC-NewsChannel 9 on March 5, from 7-11 p.m.
Officials said the purpose for the Telethon is to highlight donor contributions from 2015 and to encourage viewers to call-in and make a donation. There will also be family and volunteer features from those involved with RMHC.
“The first Telethon aired in 1994 after Bob Johnson and MaryEllen Locher showed an interest in doing a telethon for a local charity. Twenty-two Telethons later, WTVC has helped tell the Chattanooga RMH story to thousands of viewers,” says Jane Kaylor, Chattanooga RMHC president and CEO.
The four-hour prime time show is part of the charity’s annual Share-A-Night campaign which encourages donations in $66 increments to help pay for one family’s night stay. Families are asked to make a $10 donation to help offset a portion of the expenses; however, nearly 70 percent 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.
For more information, contact 423-778-4300 or visit www.rmhchattanooga.com.
Crowd of volunteers at the 2015 Telethon