A shopping spree, sponsored by the RoHo Fishing Club, was held for 339 children from the tri-state area. Various businesses, schools, and other volunteers helped with RoHo’s endeavor to help make Christmas a little brighter for these children.
The first shopping spree involved five children in 1970. This year, however, the RoHos will sponsor 339 youngsters! This is made possible by the contributions and work of the RoHo members, business sponsors, and volunteers.
In order to raise funds for this event, the Club sponsors a fishing tournament the first weekend in May each year. The proceeds from this tournament are used in December for the children’s shopping spree.
This year each child will be given $150 to spend --$40 for toys and $110 for clothing. They will also receive shoes donated by Walmart.
The children are chosen from 29 schools by their teachers and principals in the tri-state area as to need, and are then paired with an adult volunteer to help with the choice of items for their very special Christmas shopping trip.
Walmart and its associates began preparation for the event in September and according to the Store manager, Doug Napier, they all look forward to this event. The store provides a special treat for lunch and brings Santa Claus to the store to visit with the children.
Employees from the local businesses in the area who helped the children shop for their Christmas gifts include:
Home Federal Bank
Commercial Bank
Bell County Chamber of Commerce
Middlesboro Fire Department
Middlesboro High School Football and Basketball Teams
Cumberland Gap Schools
Mountain View Nursing & Rehab Center
Bell-Whitley
East End Pawn Shop
Community Trust
Kiwanis of Middlesboro
LMU Athletic Department
LMU-DCOM
First State Financial
Southeast Community and Technical College
Middlesboro High School Key Club Members
Jack Greene, President of RoHo, Said that the children chosen to participate in the shopping spree often think of giving before receiving, some of them buying Christmas presents for siblings or parents rather than for themselves. “These kids are not selfish at all. They try to get things for brothers or sisters or their mom or dad” Jack said.
RoHo was first organized in 1965 by a group of former Jaycees who wanted to continue serving their community. There are approximately 80 RoHo members from the tri-state area.
You may get more information pertaining to the club and their projects by going to their website at www.rohofishing.org . You may make a donation to sponsor a child for $150 or any size donation you wish to make. Individual tickets for the fishing tournament are $5 each. Many door prizes are given. You do not have to be present to win. The tournament is held the first weekend in May. ALL DONATIONS GO TO THE CHILDREN- the more donations we receive, the most children we can take shopping. Remember, we started with FIVE children!