Kingsport Raises More Than $2,500 for a Team Family Member, Kyah!

7/11/2015

On July 11, 2015, McAlister’s Deli in Kingsport, TN hosted a ‘50s-themed fundraiser with food, $0.25 root beer floats, a car show, games, and lots of prizes! The fundraiser, organized by the staff at the Kingsport restaurant, helped raise more than $2,550 one of their own, Layne Jones and her daughter Kyah Jones. The restaurant donated 10% of all purchases from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m. to Jones Family. Jars were also placed in the store for donations and they had $0.25 root beer Floats, with all proceeds going to the family.

Layne has worked for McAlister’s Deli in Kingsport on and off since it opened in 2005. Layne is a single mother of two, Kyah, 12 and Brealyn, 7. On July 16, 2014, Kyah was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, also known as ALL. This devastating news turned their family’s lives upside down. Layne and Kyah were flown to St. Jude’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, so Kyah could receive the best treatment possible. The timing was hard. Layne had just graduated from dental assistant school and had landed a new job. She was forced to quit this job when she received the news about Kyah, so she could be with Kyah at all times during her treatment. Kyah’s cancer treatment will last for 2.5 years.

Although St. Jude’s is wonderful and provides free treatment to their patients, the cost of living and being able to take care of her family is really starting to take a toll on Layne. Due to her traveling back and forth from Kingsport to Memphis, she has not been able to keep a steady job. It was also costly to update her home so Kyah could come home and live safely with her very weak immune system.

Although she has not been able to work much, she still tries to pick up shifts whenever she can at the Kingsport restaurant. We hope you can attend the event to raise money for Layne, Kyah, and Brealyn. The fundraising event at McAlister’s Deli included:

All Day – Root Beer floats for only a $0.25 donation, all proceeds benefited Layne, Kyah, and Brealyn Jones.
3:00 p.m. – Kids’ games on the hour: hula hoop and bubble gum blowing contests
5:00 p.m. – Kingsport Antique and Rod Club Car Show
6:00 p.m. – The Best Dressed Kid Award
9:00 p.m. – Photos shared on Facebook awarded

Staff dressed for the occasion with ‘50s attire donated by Celebrate Costume Rentals. We thank them for their generous donation to the event!