The UM Office of Greek Life is partnering with the Dream Riders to host a fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House in Jackson. The event begins at noon Monday (April 12) on the Student Union Plaza. Everyone is invited to contribute money or supplies to the effort.
The group hopes to collect enough material to fill a large trailer. Requested supplies include food, office materials and cleaning supplies. (See list of items below.)
At 5 p.m. Monday, several bikers and Interfraternity Council members will visit UM sorority and fraternity houses to collect their donations.
“It is absolutely wonderful that our Greek organizations and members of Dream Riders are working together to help families with seriously ill children at our Medical Center,” said UM Chancellor Dan Jones. “I can’t begin to tell you how important it is that we do everything we can to enable families of sick children to remain close to them when they are receiving advanced medical treatment.”
Tucker Gore, philanthropy chair of the Interfraternity Council, said he believes that the fundraiser is a unique way to introduce the Ole Miss community to the biking community.
“I hope that we can raise all the funds and materials needed for the Ronald McDonald House,” Gore said. “But also, I would love to see the Ole Miss community open their eyes to see that this group of bikers, even though they have this tough-guy image, can do something really positive. It’s a great philanthropy.”
Dream Riders “are always excited to do what they can for children in need, plus they get to show off their bikes,” said former member John Williamson, a UM professor of medicinal chemistry.
When receiving advanced medical treatment, seriously ill children and their families often spend a significant amount of time away from home. Ronald McDonald Houses help keep families together during treatment by offering temporary, home-like lodging close to medical centers. The UM Medical Center’s Ronald McDonald House has been a home-away-from-home for such families since 1989.
Dream Riders have been biking for kids for more than a decade. The organization has five chapters in three states. The north Mississippi group is Chapter A, the founding chapter.
After the fundraiser, the Dream Riders plan to ride their bikes to Jackson with the donation-filled trailer. Requested donations include:
– Postage stamps
– Wal-Mart, Walgreens or Fred’s gift cards
– Pre-paid phone cards (30-60 minutes)
– Umbrellas and disposable vinyl gloves
– Individual-sized boxed cereals, snacks and juice cans or boxes
– Bleach and powdered cleanser (Ajax/Comet)
– Plastic or foam cups, bowls and plates
– 2X-Large sweat pants and shirts or tube socks (both suitable for male or female)
For more information or for a complete list of needs, contact John Williamson at
662-915-7142 or mcjsw@olemiss.edu, or stop by his office at Faser Hall, Room 415W.