HARROGATE, Tenn. – Student-athletes, coaches and administrators of the Lincoln Memorial University athletic department spent the majority of Tuesday morning at the Walmart in Middlesboro, Kentucky, helping local children in need have a Merry Christmas through the 2019 ROHO Shopping Spree.
A total of 356 children with less than fortunate circumstances from five different counties across Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia converged at the Middlesboro Walmart as ROHO members and those assisting as helpers provided a free shopping spree for the youngsters. With fall finals exam week in full swing, Railsplitter and Lady Railsplitter student-athletes took time out of their hectic schedules to assist with the annual event.
LMU student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and administrators were paired up with a child who they led throughout the store and helped pick out clothing, accessories and toys. Many of the children from the community participating would not otherwise receive a Christmas gift if it were not for the ROHO Shopping Spree. LMU athletics has played an integral role in the annual ROHO Shopping Spree for over two decades.
About ROHO
Since its founding in 1965, the ROHO Club and its members have worked diligently to help underprivileged children throughout five counties in the tri-state area of southeast Kentucky, northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia, by generating funds each year through the annual ROHO Fishing Tournament to provide these youngsters clothes and toys they wouldn't otherwise have if not for the organization's existence.
Over the past five decades the club has grown from a hand full of area businessmen to a list of members more than 60 strong, and is comprised of men from all walks of life who vary in age from their early 20's to their middle 80's. Each spring the club sets a goal to sell as many tickets as possible to its annual fishing tournament in an effort to help more of the area's needy children.
Despite tough economic times and in an economically depressed area, the club's goal each year is to surpass its prior ticket sales to further assist additional underprivileged children, while at the same time continuing to recruit new members, and to gain further support from local businesses and area residents. The ROHO's mission will always be to help a child in need.
The club gets its name from an old Archie Campbell song about a rooster named "ROHO" that was being turned out to pasture, so to speak. The older members at the time the club was established in 1965 reportedly felt they had something in common with the rooster – thus the name.
About the ROHO Shopping Spree
Each child is given $150 each. The sum is split between $40 for toys and $110 for clothes. The shopping spree has been a tradition since 1970 – with just five children at the time – and has expanded exponentially ever since. The children aren't only treated to a fun shopping spree, however, as Walmart also provides lunch for the kids and an opportunity to meet Santa Claus.
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