Community rallies for superfan ‘Woo-Hoo’ Jimmy. ‘Our turn to brighten his world’

The man who’s arguably the most ardent fan of Tri-Cities sports is in need of the public’s help.

Even if you don’t know Jimmy “Woo-Hoo” Butcher, you’ve probably heard his signature yell of “woo-hoo” rallying support if you’ve ever attended a Tri-City Americans’ hockey game.

He’s such a fan of the Americans that in 2011, when he was 43, the team held a “Tribute to Jimmy Butcher Night” at the Toyota Center and 800 lucky fans were given a Jimmy bobblehead doll.

“Win or lose — Jimmy has a smile on his face and supports the team,” said Brian Sandy, vice president of business operations for the Americans, when Butcher was honored.

But it’s not just the Americans that Butcher supports.

He has previously described himself to the Tri-City Herald as a “slow learner” and was in special-needs classes in school.

But that has not stopped him from a busy life that has included working as a grocery bagger, volunteering as a school crossing guard, reading to first-graders, serving as an assistant coach in the Tri-Cities Amateur Hockey Association and being an all-around fan for Tri-Cities sports.

The Tri-Cities teams he loves, from the Americans to the Dust Devils, now are rallying support for Butcher on their social media after his home was damaged beyond repair.

Help needed for Jimmy Butcher

A leak in his Kennewick manufactured home went undetected for a long period, according to a Facebook page set up to support him.

The resulting damage was so extensive that the home is beyond repair. He did not have homeowners insurance.

He’s moved in with a relative while his family works to salvage what they can from his home and then remove the manufactured home.

Help is being sought with labor, logistics and permitting, and a fundraiser has been started to help pay for removal and then a place for him to live.

The Tri-Cities community has come together before to make sure he has a safe place to live.

In 2013 he could not pay for a replacement of his septic system, but one of his fans, then Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg stepped up.

He reached out to Dave Retter, owner and broker of Retter & Co. Sotheby’s International Realty, who gave a $5,000 donation. With the help of the Benton Franklin Health Department and contractor Ray Poland & Sons, Butcher’s septic system was replaced.

In the current fundraising effort, Tri-City Dust Devils say he is a lifelong Tri-Cities superfan and part of the Dust Devils family.

“Anyone who has ever met “Woo Hoo Jimmy” knows just how loving and caring he is,” the Dust Devils posted on Facebook.

”He constantly volunteers to improve our community, especially with youth programs. Let’s gather around him now and show him that same love he has given all of us!”

The Tri-City Raceway posted that “Jimmy is someone who brings light and job to our community. Now it’s our turn to brighten his world.”

More than ‘woo hoo’

Tri-City Americans called him “one of our most loyal and dedicated fans” on its Facebook page.

“Jimmy’s passion and devotion to our community has impacted everyone, and we want to help return the favor,” it posted.

And they have a treat for fans of Butcher and Tri-City Raceway.

It’s not just Butcher’s signature “Woo Hoo” that he’s known for. He also is a talented singer.

On Sunday’s hockey game against Everett, he’ll be singing the national anthem.

To donate to help Butcher, go to bit.ly/4mHZNia. As of Tuesday evening just over $10,000 had been donated, with one of Butcher’s family members managing the money.

Follow the Facebook page “Help Jimmy ‘Woohoo’ Butcher” for more information, including possible fundraising events that may be held.