Doubting there was a shortage of coins in the country, on-air personality George B. – NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, 93.1 FM & WNWS.COM – came up with an idea for a fundraiser to benefit the ‘Rusty Mac Adopt A Teen Christmas Fund.’
George B. went live with his request for the public to drop off their change – or coins – at the corner of West Lafayette and North Shannon Street during the fundraiser – ‘Koins for Kids,’ in November.
Rita McCaslin, chairperson, Rusty Mac Adopt a Teen Program, was ecstatic about the $17,972.84 that was raised.
“Raising almost $18,000.00 in one day was such an awesome and humbling experience,” Rita said, “The community came through yet again by bringing in coins that had sometimes been collected for years and donating it all to this great cause.”
Rita, who is also a Board member at The Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, said ‘The The Rusty Mac Adopt a Teen Program’ was founded in 1997 by Rusty Mac to honor the memory of his son.
“He lost him at only 3-days-old and he would have been 13 that year,” Rita said, “He knew he couldn’t do anything for his son, so he wanted to do something for a child in need that was the same age as his son would have been.
“He called the Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and was able to help a 13-year-old boy that was being served by the Center. From this idea, a new program was born. Rusty didn’t know of any other program that specifically helped teens, and felt that this was his calling. ”
Rita said Rusty Mac knew by showing a teenager that someone who doesn’t even know them cared enough to do something to help them have a better Christmas, could make a difference in their life.
“We lost Rusty in 2004 to a heart attack,” Rita said, “At that point, Conrad Delaney and I took up this torch and carried it together until 2018, when we lost Conrad to the same thing. Since then, to honor Conrad’s unwavering commitment to this program, we have started an extension of it that we call Conrad’s Good Deeds.”
This fund helps to buy school related items for teens all year long. Once all teens are taken care of for Christmas, remaining funds go to this mission.
“This year, we were so thrilled to join forces with George B. and the entire crew at News/Talk West Tennessee (Grace Media Group) to have the biggest kick-off event ever for these two programs,” Rita said, “‘Koins for Kids’ was a huge success that far exceeded all expectations!'”
“I cannot thank everyone enough that put the event together – fabulous job, all you Rock Stars!, those who volunteered throughout the day, and especially everyone who opened their hearts and their coin purses to help a teen.
“Because of your kindness, we are less than 30 teens away from having all the teens taken care of for Christmas. That is amazing! What a blessing to be able to continue to add all your additional generous donations to the Conrad’s Good Deeds fund.
“One of my favorite sayings is “You never stand so tall as when you reach down to help child.”
“Thank you for reaching down.”
(PHOTO: George B., center, with Rita McCaslin, chairperson, ‘Rusty Mac Adopt A Teen’ program, left, and John Rawl – Grace Media Group – NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, 93.1 FM & WNWS.COM)
