Kim’s Diner: Where Community Support is Always on the Menu

Kimberly Roberson is a ray of sunshine. Her warm heart, her bright smile, her fiery attitude, and her powerful determination are a force for good in this community. You can't help but be pulled into her orbit and inspired to do the same.

At Kim's Diner, she is creating her own legacy one delicious plate of food at a time, all while paying tribute to her sweet daddy. He would undoubtedly be beyond proud of how she has established one of Owensboro's favorite restaurants. But it's so much more than just a restaurant, isn't it?

It's a community of regulars where everyone knows everyone, but new friends are always welcome. It feels weird to call them customers, because it really feels like family when you sit down at that red and white checkered table. From the absolute GEMS who cook and clean and take care of diners, to the generous, kind-hearted patrons, it gives serious Cheers vibes.

Whether it's collecting hundreds of bikes for local Christmas Wish children or raising money to help someone in need, I'm consistently blown away to see how Kim's friends come together for good causes.

One day, Chad and I went to have lunch there, and we got to talking about the St. Jude Radiothon. I can't remember whether we were planning guests for the annual Radiothon or chatting about visiting Memphis, but Kim immediately was like, "How can we help?"

We signed her up for an hour on the show last year, gave her the quick rundown, and y'all, she came in SWINGING! She called out her friends on the air and challenged other business owners to join her in giving or becoming partners in hope. She raised over $2,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital that day.

I don't know how many partners she got because it was wild, but I bet she does. Because before she even left for the day, she was already planning to go bigger the next year. We all saw how passionate Kim is about serving others.  For lack of a better word, it's contagious. So is her joyful spirit.

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Every year, our goal with the WBKR St. Jude Radiothon is to raise as much money as we can so that one day, no child dies from cancer. Kim excitedly agreed to help us again to make it happen because she knows that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is an incredible place where families find hope.

The children treated there receive state-of-the-art care for their bodies, minds, and spirits. Their parents don't have to pay a single penny and can live on campus with them while they go through their treatment plan. Then, the research conducted at St. Jude is shared with hospitals all over the world. Chances are, you know someone who has survived cancer because of St. Jude.

That couldn't happen without Partners in Hope. Without folks like Kim and her community of hungry friends, whose generosity knows no bounds. Her amazing manager, Mary Beth, made an adorable donation box, and folks have given checks, cash, and coins for the past three days.

This morning, when she joined us, we counted the donations in that box.

Wow! Over $3,000 is incredible. We also had a surprise visitor!! David, better known as Yard Dog, popped in to make a donation. He heard that his friend Steve Tong had dropped a $1,000 check in the box. So, he didn't want to steal Steve's thunder, but David is always a huge supporter of local causes.

That sweet man brought in $999.99! We counted every penny, and Yard Dog said, "Every penny counts!"  He's so right. That's why we are asking you to pledge $19 a month for the kids of St. Jude. You can join Kim and her friends in becoming a Partner in Hope for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Just call 1-800-201-8883 or text "HOPE" to 88388 TODAY!

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