The Justices Brock-Cooper Chapter of the American Inns of Court raised $14,650 for the Ronald McDonald House through a charity auction hosted and attended by Inn members in December and from private donations.
Jane Kaylor, CEO of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga, said the nonprofit “greatly appreciates” the donation.
“The pandemic caused us to cancel many of our 2020 fundraising events. As a result, our event revenue was cut nearly in half and our volunteer force has been limited,” Kaylor says. “But the need for our services has not stopped. The donation will help us continue to provide critical services to children and families in the Chattanooga area.”
Chattanooga’s Ronald McDonald House opened in 1990. Every year, RMHC provides housing and meals for more than 500 families who have critically ill or injured children undergoing inpatient and outpatient treatment at nearby Chattanooga hospitals, including childhood cancer patients treated in the Hematology/Oncology Clinic at Children’s Hospital.
RMHC serves families from 21 surrounding counties in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina, with families staying at the RMHC an average of 15 nights.
“It generally costs $75 per night to house a single family at our 28-bedroom facility. The donation from the Inns of Court will go a long way to providing vital support to local families when they need it most,” Kaylor says.
RMHC also staffs and supplies the Ronald McDonald Family Room located on the third floor of Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. The Family Room offers families a place to eat, wash clothes, take a shower and relax while being just steps away from their loved one.
In addition to monetary donations, local judges and attorneys, as well as area shops, restaurants and artists, donated auction items at the Inns of Court event.
“We appreciate that so many in our legal and business communities were willing to contribute,” says Chancery Court Judge Pamela Fleenor, president of the local Inn. “And special thanks to Samantha Lunn and Kara West for co-chairing the auction under the difficult circumstances the pandemic presented.”
More than 100 lawyers and judges belong to the Chattanooga chapter of the Inns of Court. The organization aims to improve the skills, professionalism, ethics and civility of the bench and bar.
To learn more about the local Inn and its programs, contact Fleenor at 423 209-7380.
Source: Chattanooga Chapter of the Americans Inns of Court