Ronald McDonald House Charities Hearts & Hands Auction Has Circus Theme

RMHC 2012 Benefit

Portland, September 21st. Guests gathered under the big top to support Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Oregon and Southwest Washington for the 2012 Hearts & Hands Auction. The event at the Portland Art Museum raised over $375,000 to support more than 1,500 families served by RMHC each year. (Photo Credit, Naim Hasan)

David Stoller and Mike Brown were inducted into the RMHC Hall of Fame. The Portland Trail Blazers (here represented by VP and RMHC Board Member Mike Fennell) were recognized as RMHC’s Partner of Distinction.

Ronald McDonald was front and center at the Benefit

Cooper & Laleya Christianson – House guests at Ronald McDonald House
Charities since December 2011 while Cooper undergoes chemotherapy
treatment for leukemia. Laleya spoke about her experience of staying
at the Ronald McDonald House in Portland.

Masks added to the mystery and merriment at the Portland Art Museum

From Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington:

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.

To accomplish this, we rely on the generosity of thousands of donors, the ingenuity of local volunteers, and the dedication of our staff.

Portland ‘s two Ronald McDonald Houses are located steps away from some of the best hospitals for children in the Northwest. The West House is adjacent to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) and Shriners Hospital for Children. The East House is located on the campus of Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

During their visit, guests stay in comfortable and lovingly decorated private rooms where they can get a peaceful night’s rest, knowing their child is close by. Volunteers arrive daily to offer support by greeting guests with a smile, cleaning, and cooking. By providing a setting in which families connect with other families, and children can meet other children going though a similar experience, our houses ease the isolation of what can be a stressful and frightening time.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.