Love built a house in Johnson City.
This house is not an ordinary house, but a house that reaches out to sick children and families from across the country. They come from all over – children with serious health problems and families in need of a caring heart and a helping hand.
This year, February will not only be the month for love, but also a time to assist the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House. Tickets and donation items are now being collected for the Alpha Delta Pi Ronald McDonald House benefit and auction to be held on Feb. 18 at Johnson City Country Club.
“This year will mark our third annual Ronald McDonald House benefit,” said Sarah Cross, Alpha Delta Pi philanthropy chair. “Last year we were able to donate $8,000. This year, our goal is to donate over $10,000.”
Each year, Alpha Delta Pi at ETSU hosts the event, which includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, speakers from the RMH and a gathering of community leaders.
“The majority of the money raised comes from the silent auction and Share-a-Night donations,” Cross said.
Tickets are now being sold and auction items taken, Cross said.
Chapter members work year-round to get items donated and put the event together. Items donated in the past include furniture, spa certificates, golf packages, sports tickets such as UT football tickets, and baskets including gourmet food items and restaurant gift certificates.
The chapter has not only received local acknowledgment for its annual benefit, but also national recognition.
“There is only one Alpha Delta Pi chapter that raised more money last year than East Tennessee State University for the Ronald McDonald House,” said Amy Thomas, Alpha Delta Pi philanthropy adviser.
Raising awareness and money are just two ways the chapter benefits the house.
“We cook meals at the Ronald McDonald House, clean during their seasonal cleaning, sell hearts for the heart campaign and basically volunteer time at the house,” Cross said.
Alpha Delta Pi is a nationally registered social and philanthropic sorority and the first sorority on the ETSU campus. The Ronald McDonald House is Alpha Delta Pi’s national philanthropic organization.
For more information about how to purchase a ticket for the event or donate items for the auction, please contact Sarah Cross at 423-646-1465 or sadieo2@msn.com.

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