The Junior Chamber of Commerce, also know as Jaycees, is an organization that provides young people the tools they need to build the bridges of success for themselves in the area of business development, management skills, individual training and community service.  The Jaycees have been a force of good throughout the country since the organization was founded.  In 1987 the bylaws established membership ages as 21 through 39.  Prior to that year, the ages were 21 through 35.  This is very important to our story.

            In the late 1960’s a group of very successful individuals were approaching 35 and nearing the end of their membership in the Jaycees.  Wanting to continue their service to the community, the group of young visionaries started their own organization which they named Roho.

            Why the unusual name of Roho?  The title was taken from an Archie Campbell song about a rooster by the same name that was being turned out to pasture, so to speak.  The departing Jaycees felt they had something in common with the rooster.  The name was a natural, it stuck, and the rest is history.

            The gentlemen that started the Roho organization were a driving force in the development of Middlesboro.  The building and the operation of the Jaycees Civic Center is just one example of their hard work and ingenuity.  They were the community leaders of their time.

            Roho has just one fundraising event a year which creates a tremendous amount of money to assist needy children at Christmas.  The one fundraiser is a misnomer because it is a year long project lasting from January through December.  This event is the annual Roho fishing derby held at the Beach Island Marina the first weekend during the month of May.  The term derby is significant because this is also the weekend for the Kentucky Derby, but Roho members will jokingly tell you that the folks up in Louisville will have to take care of themselves that weekend.

           The manager - operator is Chris Acuff. He is very active in making the tournament a success.  The fishing community is also active in the cause.  Bait and tackle shops and even other marinas assist in ticket sales and some offer their services during the important weekend.

            The bulk of the Roho budget comes from five dollar ticket sales throughout Upper East Tennessee, Southeastern Kentucky and Western Virginia.  The tickets provide entrance to the tournament and are also drawn for prizes donated by members of the community who believe in the Roho mission.  Some of the donors are emotionally involved because they received a shopping trip when they, too, were growing up in families with limited financial means.

            The first derby produced enough income to provide a shopping spree for five children who were granted $50.00 each.  The five were picked by principals and teachers at selected schools and made their purchases from such businesses as John’s Store and Woolworth’s in downtown Middlesboro.  Three-fourths of the money was spent on clothing and one-fourth could be spent on toys.  Thirty-five years have come and gone since that first tournament and the number of participating youngsters increase as the event continues to grow and expand. 

            This year, 169 children will be given $130.00 each to spend.  One hundred dollars will be allotted for clothing and thirty can be spent on toys.  Recipients will be children from 14 schools in three counties selected by the faculty at each school.  Those institutions are Bell Central, Clairfield, East End, Ellen Myers, Elydale, Forge Ridge, Lone Jack, Maynardville, Midway, Pineville, Sharp’s Chapel, Springdale, West End, and Yellow Creek Elementary Schools.

            December sixth is the day set aside this year when an excited group of youngsters will converge on the Middlesboro Wal-Mart.  Each will be assisted by an adult volunteer who will help guide them through their exhilarating day.  Parents of the children are not involved and will not take part in the process.

            Lawrence Tuck, a Roho spokesperson, says Wal-Mart is an outstanding supporter of the program, “They go above and beyond the checkout lane to make this a very memorable day for all involved.”  The children are treated to lunch at the Radio Grill located on the rear of the store and they get to meet Santa Clause who will give them a fresh bag of fruit.  The entire excursion will take about two hours with school times staggered to make things run a little smoother.

            The first thing you will notice when talking with members of Roho is the passion they exude about their mission.  They will tell you about the emotions involved when a child asks if they can spend part of their money on a gift for a bother, sister, mom or dad.

            Anyone interested in becoming a member of Roho can attend a regularly scheduled meeting on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Middlesboro County Club.

Originally published Overlook Magazine volume 1 no. 2 December 2005.