TJ Slocum Pays it Forward TO RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
THE 30-YEAR-OLD FROM MISSOURI RAISES OVER $127K FOR THE ORGANIZATION THAT SAVED HIS LIFE “I WAS REALLY SICK, AND MY FAMILY WAS STRUGGLING. RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES CHANGED OUR LIVES FOREVER,” says TJ Slocum.
Growing up, TJ, who has Down syndrome, had many medical challenges and has had 15 different heart surgeries and procedures. Living and working far away from the hospital with one other child at home, TJ’s parents, Randy and Debbie Slocum, were worried about how they could support TJ. “The hospital recommended we look at Ronald McDonald House Charities for boarding options. We had never heard of it and didn’t know what to expect, but we had no choice at that point,” says Debbie. Established in 1974, the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) supports families caring for sick children. With 375+ Houses in 65 countries around the world, RMHC provides emotional support and a place to stay for families with children hospitalized at nearby medical facilities. “The closest chapter was the RMHC of the Ozarks. It was really a ‘home-away-from-home.’ They had everything there you would really need: a big kitchen and dining area, laundry services, a game room,” Randy explains. “The staff were very kind and supportive.” “TJ was a warrior through it all,” says Debbie. “His own cardiologist said he was ‘writing his own medical book’ as he continued to defy the odds.” When the day finally came for TJ to return home and return to normal life, TJ knew he wanted to do something special to thank RMHC. TJ proudly involves McDonald’s in many areas of his life and has been a dedicated employee of a locally owned McDonald’s franchise for over 13 years. From local sports teams, to volunteering at his
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2020 ISSUE 3 • DOWN SYNDROME WORLD™
church, TJ is a well-known figure around his town. In 2008, TJ began his own fundraising efforts in his community and at the McDonald’s he works for. TJ’s supporting efforts have contributed over $127,000 towards RMHC of the Ozarks “Share a Heart” Campaign over the last 12 years. “I love what I do because McDonald’s is all about helping people,” says TJ. “And that’s what I’m about too.” “I first met TJ when he was 13 years old,” says Chip McGeehan, a McDonald’s franchise owner in Missouri. “He would always ask if he could get a job here, and I told him as soon as he turned 15, he could apply.” Two years later, that’s exactly what TJ did. “TJ was instantly a customer favorite. He is friendly, kind, and full of love,” Chip tells. “And he is diligent about his work. TJ has his own systems of organization in place and he doesn’t stray from them.” Chip owns the restaurant with his wife Teresa, whom he met through McDonald’s. “Being a part of the brand McDonald’s is so special, we really are a ‘McFamily,’” says Teresa. Teresa began working at McDonald’s when she was just 16 years old, trying to save up money to buy her first car. “I wasn’t planning to make a career out of it, but the McDonald’s team saw something in me and kept promoting me and giving me more opportunities. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else!” Teresa and Chip now own 19 McDonald’s locations in Missouri. “We love owning the McDonald’s restaurants because we love the brand’s business model focused on training and development,” she continues. “McDonald’s provides great on-the-job skills and workforce opportunities to help our crew be their very best.” Teresa and Chip are proud to say that they have wonderful
employees with disabilities at nearly all of their 19 McDonalds locations. “It’s so important to employ folks with disabilities. People with Down syndrome, or any disability, are valued members of our community and their contributions should be recognized and understood,” says Teresa. “Having an inclusive team helps raise awareness with customers and within our team itself.” TJ “SHARES HIS HEART” WITH RMHC
“I started doing more for the ‘Share a Heart’ fundraiser because RMHC of the Ozarks shared their heart with me and saved my life. I want people to give others the opportunity to share their hearts,” says TJ.
TJ HITS THE FIELD RMHC makes sure TJ is recognized for his efforts. Recently, RMHC of the Ozarks partnered with Great Southern Bank and the St. Louis Cardinals Double-A baseball team the Springfield Cardinals to host a Build-A-Bear giveaway day at the ballpark with a bear named TJ. To make the night truly unforgettable, TJ got to throw the first pitch of the game!
When somebody “adopts a heart,” they donate to RMHC of the Ozarks and sign their name on a paper heart. TJ and the McDonald’s team display the hearts all over the McDonald’s restaurant to honor the campaign. TJ even started a “McTJ Night,” where a percentage of proceeds from McDonald’s purchases at the event go toward the local “Share a Heart” campaign. TJ’s campaign continues to grow and gain visibility. The “Share a Heart” campaign is supported by over 60 McDonald’s locations annually. “He is a fierce fundraiser. He meets with our local community organizations and businesses in person and tells them his story. When he asks them to donate a heart, who could say no?” says Bonnie Keller, RMHC of the Ozarks President and CEO. “TJ’s efforts have made a tremendous impact on our community.” In October 2019, celebrating Disability Employment Awareness Month, Marshfield city administrator John Benson and State Senator Mike Cunningham honored TJ with a special presentation about his contributions to the community. “TJ is the best Ambassador you could ever imagine. He has such a pure, kind spirit and makes everyone so happy. He is clearly a direct reflection of his parents,” Bonnie adds. “We are so thankful for all he does for RMHC and our community.” To learn more about RMHC, visit www.rmhc.org To learn more about the “Share a Heart” fundraiser for RMHC of the Ozarks, visit rmhcozarks.org/events/share-a-heart/
TJ with Teresa and Chip McGeehan, and of course, Ronald McDonald! GLOBALDOWN SYNDROME.ORG
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