Jeep enthusiasts raise funds for St. Jude's

MARION - Despite the threat of rain, more than 200 Jeep enthusiasts showed up in Marion Saturday morning to have fun for a good cause.

"Jeepin' 4 St. Jude" held its second annual poker run, sponsored by Absher-Arnold Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram and New Country Z100. The event is a fundraiser for the Memphis children's hospital founded by entertainer Danny Thomas in 1962.

St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital is a pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases, particularly leukemia and other cancers. The hospital costs about $2.8 million a day to run, and there is no cost to the patient to be treated.

Organizer David Arnold has been raising funds for the hospital for nearly a decade. He said Saturday's mission is to help as many families as possible who have a child with cancer.

Bill King of Harrisburg is one local dad whose family benefits from St. Jude's.

"Everyone's heard that there's no place like home," said King, visibly emotional as he spoke about St. Jude's. "But I guarantee there's no place like St. Jude. It's a beautiful place full of beautiful people, the best minds, all with big hearts.

"I'm not sure most people understand just how much St. Jude does for not just the patient, but the family. They make it possible for the families to stay together as much as possible, from housing, meals, and travel."

King stressed that all services are provided at no cost to the patients.

"I'm forever grateful to St. Jude's," he said. "I absolutely believe that if not for St. Jude's and the amazing staff I wouldn't have my son today."

Jeep enthusiasts in the region began the day at Absher-Arnold Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram of Marion, traveled to area wineries and ended at Egyptian Hills Marina for a concert featuring The Deplorables.