Murphy – Jessie Callahan and Jason Dusenberry, owners of J&J’s Getaway Campground & RV Park, wanted to do something to give back to the local veterans.
“My granddads served, but Jason doesn’t have veterans in his family,” Callahan said. “We’ve lived in Murphy for three years and were really touched by all the veterans who live here.”
So when it came time to hold their Thankful Tin Rally, a yearly event that draws tiny campers from around the nation, they knew how they wanted to use proceeds from the open house.
“The Thankful Tin Rally is a four-day event,” Callahan said. “We had 22 vintage campers this year.”
Callahan and Dusenberry opened their campground to the public on June 10 to tour the campers.
“After the tour,” Callahan said, “we partnered with the American Legion’s Post 96 Honor Guard to honor the veterans who came.”
The June 17 event raised $700, which was donated to Post 96. The Ark food truck was on hand, with 10 veterans eating free from some of the money collected. The Showtime Band from Blairsville, Ga., provided old time swing music.
“Everybody was dancing; it was so much fun,” Callahan said. Several local businesses donated money or gifts, which were used in the raffle.
J&J’s Getaway Campground & RV Park also sponsored a craft activity during the Thankful Tin Rally.
“We had everybody create greeting cards for veterans and then patriotically decorate canvas bags,” Callahan said. “They gave the loot to Dana Pash, (Cherokee County’s) veterans services director, to give away.”
The event was such a success that they plan to do it again next year.
“We had over 70 community members come for the open house,” Callahan said, “and they all begged us to do it again next year.”