Jason McClure. Image courtesy of SCPLS.

Jason returned to Sevier County and decided he needed to set some goals for his future. His goals seem simple to most of us but ever more difficult for Jason. His goals included moving out of his mother’s home and living on his own, completing high school, and getting a job. Jason has accomplished all three.

He has his own apartment, he works part time doing data entry for the Sevier County Public Library System Rel & Wilma Maples History Center, and he has received his high school diploma. At the time he took his GED test he scored the highest in math that had ever been scored in Tennessee. He's a smart man with an incredible spirit and heart for life.

One of Jason’s greatest joys is his mobility. He loves being on the move in his wheelchair around Sevier County and is often seen at local sporting events, the Sevier County Fair, local eateries, going to the movies and visiting friends among many other activities travelling as far as his wheelchair will take him around Sevier County.

To meet this basic need of mobility, Jason requires a wheelchair that can travel easily and securely along all sorts of terrain -- just like a car. Unfortunately, a wheelchair that would best fit Jason’s requirements is not only essential but is also very expensive. Many people in the community are working to make sure that Jason receives a wheelchair to meet his critical needs so he can maintain his mobility and his freedom.

To assist in accomplishing this goal, a potluck dinner of beans, cornbread, slaw, dessert and tea will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on October 7 at the SCPLS King Family Library, 408 High Street, Sevierville. Donations will be accepted for the potluck dinner. Also, during the dinner, donated items will be on display for a silent auction. The silent auction will be held from the time of the potluck dinner until mid-November when winning bids will be announced.

You are invited to drop in at your convenience and eat with us, bid on some great items and donate to help Jason get his wheelchair. The food will be good, the company will be even better and we could not have a better cause to support than providing Jason with his mobility and his freedom to live life to the fullest.

Donations will be accepted at any time. A bank account has been established to hold funds for Jason’s wheelchair at SmartBank. Please make out checks to James Johnson with a memo on the For line at the bottom of check for ‘Jason's Wheelchair Fund.’ You may also make donations directly at the King Family Library in Sevierville (please make all checks out as directed above). Cash donation jars will be available at the Circulation Desk and in the Rel & Wilma Maples History Center at the King Family Library.

The goal is to have the cost of the wheelchair ($19,000.00) completed by Thanksgiving so that the wheelchair can be ordered from Nashville to be ready for Jason’s use by Christmas of this year. The wheelchair can take from four to six weeks from time of order to be ready.