Shoney’s wants kids to be safe.

KidCare Photo ID Program (1994-Present)

Shoney’s is one of several community sponsors of this program, which is endorsed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). It offers a free KidCare Photo ID for children, which enables parents to have information readily available for authorities if their child is reported missing. The IDs include a color photograph; fingerprints; information such as height, weight and date of birth; a medical profile; the “Seven Rules for Safety;” and a 24-hour NCMEC hotline number. Over the past 14 years, this program has provided more than 30,000 children with photo IDs and fingerprinting. Click here to learn more about the KidCare Photo ID Program.

Safety City (1999-Present)

The Shoney’s Restaurant building in Safety City was completed in 1999. With this early support, Mr. Bill Baugh, president and CEO of Shoney’s of Knoxville Inc., was instrumental in convincing other organizations to make similar investments. Since Safety City opened in September 2001, approximately 15,000 people visit and 6,700 second-grade children attend educational classes each year. Children learn to follow important safety rules on city and community streets. Shoney’s also sponsors the D.A.R.E. car in Safety City.

Halloween in the City (2001-Present)

This event provides the safe environment of Safety City for children and their families to trick-or-treat. The event has an average of 5,500 participants each year. The event ensures that children will have a safe and enjoyable Halloween and the event greatly reduces the number of children wandering city streets on Halloween.

Shoney Bear Donations (Ongoing)

Stuffed Shoney’s mascot bears have been donated to patrol officers for the Knoxville Police Department, Knox County Sheriff’s Department, and Anderson County Police Department for many years. The officers give them to children who have experienced a traumatic event, such as domestic violence, removal from the home, a murder in the home, or a violent crash scene. The recipient law enforcement organizations have expressed that the simple gesture of consoling a troubled child can help make the difference in the outcome of unfortunate situations.

Shoney’s wants kids to be active.

Athlete of the Month (2010-Present)

Shoney's and WIMZ are excited to bring you the Shoney's “Athlete of the Month.”

Submit your child or any child who has recently excelled in high school, middle school, elementary, or local recreation athletics. One athlete will be chosen monthly by Mark Packer during the 3:15 Sports Machine, and featured with his or her nomination and picture on-line at WIMZ.com. The Shoney's Athlete of the Month will also receive a plaque awarded by WIMZ and Shoney’s as well as signage that will be displayed in participating Shoney’s locations.

Congratulations to Fulton Basketball stand-out, Jalen Steele, our June Shoney's Athlete of the Month! Click here to listen to Billy talking with Jalen.

Tennessee Smokies (2003-Present)

Shoney’s partners with the Tennessee Smokies to encourage kids to lead active lifestyles through several initiatives. First, Shoney’s sponsors the Kids’ Zone at Smokies Park. At this fun-filled activity area, kids are rewarded with prizes from Shoney’s for completing activities. Each year approximately 30,000 kids visit the Kids’ Zone. Second, Shoney’s sponsors the Post-Game Base Run. Shoney Bear gathers with kids at the stadium to run the bases after each Thursday game. After the run, each child is rewarded with a free kids’ healthy meal coupon from Shoney’s. Third, Shoney’s was one of the sponsors of the Shoney Bear’s Family Fun Walk on May 31, 2004. Shoney Bear lead a four-lap family walk around the Tennessee Smokies stadium before the game on Memorial Day. Each child received a complimentary ticket to the Smokies game and a goody bag with educational information about how to stay fit.

Shrine Circus (Ongoing)

Each year when the Kerbela Shriners present the Shrine Circus in Knoxville, Shoney’s purchases tickets for distribution to underprivileged children.

Shoney’s wants kids to be healthy.

Because Shoney’s cares about children’s health, we have partnered with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital for numerous programs. This relationship began with the Eating & Living Healthy program, which provided curricula to area classrooms and promoted healthy lifestyles for children at community events. Shoney’s and ETCH received a PRSA Award of Excellence for community service for the program. This recognition was for the joint goals of both organizations to “help educate and offer parents and children ways to maintain balance, moderation, and variety in their diet and physical activities.” The National Restaurant Association awarded Shoney’s and ETCH the Good Neighbor Award in 2004 and 2005 for promoting the Eating & Living Healthy campaign in East Tennessee.

Fantasy of Trees (1995-Present)

Shoney’s has served as a benefactor for the ETCH Fantasy of Trees fundraiser since 1995. Shoney’s employees also design and decorate a tree platform and open room vignette for the event. Over the past twenty-three years, this extraordinary show has generated more than $4.6 million to assist the hospital in providing the best possible healthcare to the children of East Tennessee and surrounding communities.

Diabetes Summer Camp (2006-Present)

Each year, ETCH conducts a one-week camp for diabetic children where they learn life skills such as understanding what foods are best for their restrictive diet. Shoney’s provides a healthy lunch for them once during the week and ETCH teaches them how to incorporate healthy foods into their daily diet.

Knox Area Rescue Ministries (2005-Present)

In addition to helping children, Shoney’s supports organizations that help their families. Shoney’s agreed to be one of the first partners for KARM’s Feed the Need program in 2005. By asking customers to make a small donation, Shoney’s has raised $42,494.00 in five years of participation. Shoney’s also donates meal incentives and coupons to KARM’s many fundraising events. During the Praise 96.3 radio-thon last year, KARM received the greatest number of call-in pledges when Shoney’s offered a dinner coupon to callers who pledged a minimum amount.

Shoney’s wants kids to learn.

Knoxville Zoo (Ongoing)

Since 1997, Shoney’s has donated more than $100,000 in sponsorships to the Knoxville Zoo. Shoney’s sponsored the white alligator exhibit in both 1997 and 2007, the “Prairie Dog Pass” exhibit in 1998, the “Orange & White” tiger exhibit in 1999, and “Black Bear Falls” in 2000. Shoney’s has also sponsored “Boo at the Zoo,” distributing prizes instead of candy to promote healthy choices for kids. Shoney’s donations in the 1970s added two black leopards, a cougar, and an elephant to the zoo’s animal collection.

Adopt-A-School/Partners in Education Programs (Ongoing)

Shoney’s partnered with local schools at this program’s inception. Each Shoney’s restaurant partners with at least one elementary school and, sometimes, with a middle and a high school as well. Shoney’s provides bulletin board space in restaurants for students’ artwork, supports school sport programs, purchases yearbooks ads, supports Project GRAD programs, provides educational incentives for students, and provides our mascot, Shoney Bear, to schools for special programs and events. Click here to learn more about the Adopt-A-School program.

Tennessee Smokies Summer Reading Program (2003-Present)

Each year the Tennessee Smokies encourage students to read during the summer by rewarding them for the number of books read. Targeted at elementary-school students in the six counties surrounding Smokies stadium, the program has five reading levels to complete. When a student completes each reading level, they earn free tickets to a Smokies game and a free Kids Healthy Meal coupon from Shoney’s.