Kingsport turns out for 3-year-old Charleigh McCracken

KINGSPORT — Community members and local first responders came together Saturday to celebrate the perseverance of Church Hill 3-year-old Charleigh McCracken. Charleigh, who was diagnosed with myocarditis, had heart failure and cardiac arrest around Christmas. She experienced two strokes and brain bleeds and had to have emergency heart surgery. The Walmart Heart Program, along with Kingsport and Sullivan County first responders, organized a parade for Charleigh on Saturday, staging at the parking lot of Hunter Wright Stadium. The McCracken family got to ride along in the parade as emergency vehicles honked their horns and sirens, leading the family into the parking lot of Walmart at 2500 W. Stone Drive. Vehicles from the Kingsport Police Department, Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, Sullivan County EMS, Walmart, Kingsport Fire Department and Steve's Towing LLC participated in the parade. Justin Bone, Walmart Heart champion and Walmart truck driver, presented Charleigh with a special Walmart truck driver shirt, badge and pink hat. "Greatly appreciate y'all coming and showing out for Miss Charleigh," Bone said. "And today, she is going to be a Walmart honorary driver, and to be a Walmart driver, you guys look spick and span so we got her a white shirt. After she has a shirt, now she needs a badge. She's not official until she gets a badge and it has a picture and her name on it." Shoppers, Walmart employees, family and friends lined the entrance of Walmart to welcome Charleigh into the store following the parade. Inside, there was a table filled with a custom cake, toys and gifts for Charleigh and the family. Kingsport Mayor Paul Montgomery gave Charleigh a gift basket on behalf of the city. "We understand that everybody you see in this crowd is behind you 100%," said Daniel Anderson, the store manager. "So whatever you all need as a family, or anything we can do to help, we're here for you." Gabby McCracken, Charleigh's mother, said all the support they've received is amazing. She called her daughter's recovery "miraculous" for the amount of pain and suffering Charleigh endured. She said Charleigh loves animals, and her best friends are her sister and mom. The day ended with Charleigh roaming the aisles with family, being able to pick the toys of her choice to add to the shopping cart. Walmart Heart presented the family with $651 to use for the shopping spree, raised by the company's truck drivers in the region. Charleigh's recovery continues with ongoing physical, occupational, speech and swallowing therapy.