Remembering EKB's Own Randy Jones

(August 3, 2012) - Last weekend, the Annual Hillbilly Christmas in July Christmas party was held at the Shriner's hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. This event is very special for both the children and the Hillbilly Christmas in July group. On Friday, the children each picked a toy from the 6,000 delivered just this year that were donated by Hillbilly Christmas in July, Double Kwik, and hundreds of supporters.
       That brings us to this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero: the only recipient we have honored who is no longer with us, Randy Jones. Last Saturday, the Shriner's Hospital Board of Directors placed a plaque on the wall honoring Hillbilly Christmas in July, the group started by Randy and Jimmy Kinney for their contributions.
       "Randy and I walked by that wall several times. We always looked at it and thought, 'Wouldn't it be great if Hillbilly Christmas in July were on that wall?' And I'll be doggone, Saturday they put our name up there," said Jimmy.
        In the 7 years since the group was started, they have donated over $300,000 and more than 36,000 toys to the hospital, putting smiles on thousands of faces. Randy never doubted that they could make a difference. He would say, "Obstacles are what you see when you take your eye off the goal... and we are focused on the goal! We will make as large a contribution to the hospital as humanly possible!"
        And that, they have.
       "If Randy could just see what the community has done in his honor, I'm sure he would just turn over. I hope that we continue to do him justice for what an impact he had on all the people in the area, all the kids and everything. It's super,"said Jimmy.
        So this week, we remember and honor this week's Billy Johnson Community Hero: East KY Broadcasting's own and Hillbilly Christmas in July's Randy Jones.