Fort Oglethorpe F/R Teams up With US 101 Radio for St. Jude Kids by P J Kellam www.pjk815.com FORT OGLETHORPE, GA – Friday, March 02, 2007 – The dawn dawned quite cool but clear in direct contrast to the day before when severe storms ripped the area.  The weather was an indication that the day would bring great results for those trying to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Center. In the northern part of the City of Chattanooga, near I-75 and Lee Highway, everyone at US 101 Radio (WUSY) was preparing for the annual fund raising radiothon.  Further south, in front of the Wal Mart Store on Battlefield Parkway in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, members of Fort Oglethorpe Fire & Rescue were preparing to do their part to help. For five years now, Fort Oglethorpe F/R has been an integral part of the fund raiser.  Leisa Kibble, a member of the Fire Prevention Division of the department, and wife of Capt. Ron Kibble from Station 8, is the driving force behind the department’s involvement in this cause.  She is the one who initially recommended the department become involved and has been in charge ever since.  She has an undeniable determination to ensure that the department gives it all to this worthy cause.   Leisa began setting up for the fund raiser shortly after 6:00 AM.  As various members of the department, fire officers, firefighters, support members and explorers joined throughout the day, people entering and exiting the store emptied their hearts and their wallets in small plastic tubs nicknamed Dexter’s Baby Buckets after on air personality Dex from US 101. At 7:00 PM, last minute donations poured in and the grand total raised by the department topped $12,000. Back in Chattanooga, many of those that we hear every day on US 101 joined volunteers as they stood outside all day collecting money from those who came to give.  Others worked on the air playing songs that tugged at your heart, interviewing families directly affected by St. Jude Hospital and urging people from the Tennessee Valley to give.  At the end of the day the grand total was announced, in excess of $274,000 had been raised for this worthy cause. A special thank you goes out to Tom from Firehouse Subs for his generous donation of food.  As always, Tom, you came through for the firefighters and we can’t thank you enough.  To all those who gave from the heart, we love you.  Your contributions will help save or prolong the life of someone special.  And Mrs. Kibble, without you spearheading this effort it would not be half of what it is.  Thank you so much.