Portland, OR. More than 450 people gathered at the Oregon Convention Center to celebrate life’s silver linings at the annual Hearts & Hands Gala supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of Oregon & Southwest Washington. The event, presented by the John L. Scott Foundation, raised over $630,000, making it the most successful fundraising event in RMHC’s history. Current Ronald McDonald House guests, the Moser family, from Central Point, Oregon, spoke about their 23 days at Portland’s Ronald McDonald Houses and the impact it has had on their family while son Dagan was recovering from being hit by a car. Dagan’s parents and two sisters joined him on stage.
The event also recognized RMHC’s 2017 Partner of Distinction – Coca-Cola Company – for its contributions to RMHC. Picture are, Jessica Jarratt Miller, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ann Tousignant, Coca-Cola Company and, Mary Ransome, RMHC Board Emeritus.
“Coca-Cola Company has provided tremendous support and funding for our Oregon Ronald McDonald Houses for more than three decades. They have made a difference in the lives of thousands of seriously ill children and families who come to stay and heal at our Houses,” said Jessica Jarratt Miller. “We are thrilled to recognize Coca-Cola Company as the 2017 Partner of Distinction.”
John L. Scott Foundation was the Presenting Sponsor.
The benefit on October 14th began with a red carpet greeting from Ronald McDonald, followed by a silent and live auction. Top auction items included a trip to Avignon France, private ocean front Kauai home, a trip to Napa Valley on a private jet, and an Oregon-themed “City Slickers” package.
From Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington:
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with this year’s Hearts & Hands Gala and the tremendous impact it will have on our families with seriously ill children,” said Jessica Jarratt Miller, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington. “Our Houses provide silver linings for families who must travel far from home to get medical care for their children, and we are beyond grateful for the amazing outpouring of support of our sponsors and attendees.”
With over $630,000, – more than ever before – the impact to the three Oregon Ronald McDonald Houses is substantial. It costs RMHC $150 to host a family for one night, and the Gala’s success allows the organization to provide a loving “home away from home” for families for over 4200 nights. For families who must travel far from home and grapple with the stress and uncertainty of having a sick child, having a homey place to stay and a supportive community is priceless.
The sponsors who made the event possible, included: John L. Scott Foundation (Presenting Sponsor); Coca-Cola Company (Platinum Sponsor); Hoffman Construction Company, McDonald’s Owner/Operators, US Bank (Gold Sponsors); Baird, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Golden State Foods, Portland Trail Blazers, Turner Construction (Silver Sponsors); Kaiser Permanente, Netrush, Northwest Consulting and Marketing, Inc. (Bronze Sponsors); Barran Liebman, LLP, Moss Adam, LLC,
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., Health Net, Douglas & Gloria Rumberger Foundation, DDI Benefits (Special Experience Sponsors).
North Plains, OR. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington celebrated its 14th annual Golf Classic at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. This year’s event on July 18th, sold out, and the organization raised a record-breaking $259,000 for families with seriously ill children. Jessica Jarratt Miller, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities, played at this year’s event Gary Rood, CEO & Owner of Rood Investments, Cindy Luckman, Board Chair of Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Bob Elliot, a current guest staying at the East Ronald McDonald House.
The Standard, this year’s presenting sponsor, had several company teams at this years event. Christopher Conklin (left) is joined by Daniel McMillan, Greg Ness, and Davie Payne. David, a RMHC Board Member, also served as the Golf Committee Chair at this year’s Golf Classic.
Ronald McDonald joins RMHC Board Member Buz McDonald and RMHC CEO Jessica Jarratt Miller. Buz was the raffle winner of this year’s Lexus Champions for Charity raffle, presented by Kuni Lexus of Portland.
Wade Chosvig, a former RMHC house guest and talented golfer, played at this year’s event for the second time.
“This incredible outpouring of support allows us to provide a ‘home away from home’ for families with seriously ill children, and we cannot thank our sponsors, golfers, golf committee members, volunteers and families enough for making this event a success,” said Jessica Jarratt Miller, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington.
This year’s event was presented by The Standard and received support from numerous sponsors, including platinum level sponsors ClaimVantage, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Nike, Pacific Northwest Baking Co., and Weyerhaeuser.
At the event, golfers got to choose between Ghost Creek or the private Witch Hollow for an afternoon of golfing. This fun-filled event included margaritas, games, a chance to “Shoot like Ronald,” and an assortment of other activities and prizes.
Ronald McDonald House Charities next big event, the Hearts & Hands Gala, is less than two months away on Saturday, September 17 at the Oregon Convention Center. This heartfelt evening will feature a fabulous live and silent auction, gourmet dinner, dancing and more to support families. To learn more about this event, visit rmhcoregon.org/gala.
About RMHC
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington® provides a “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children, and supports initiatives to improve pediatric health. For more than three decades, our dedicated staff and volunteers have offered comfort and support, a well-stocked kitchen and a warm bed to more than 30,000 families. To accomplish this, we rely on the generosity of donors, community partners and the hundreds of volunteers who selflessly give to our organization every year. For more information, visit www.rmhcoregon.org.
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