Portland, April 24th, 2016. Hundreds of Ronald McDonald House supporters put on red and white striped socks and traveled to parks in Eugene, Salem and Vancouver to participate in the inaugural Stronger Together Walk series. The Crystal Greens Landscape team jumped for joy at the Vancouver Walk. This first-ever walk series, to support families with seriously ill children, exceeded expectations and raised more than $100,000. More than 70 teams registered for the walk, helping the nonprofit hit its goal of more than 1,000 participants.
Ronald McDonald House guests from across the region attended the walks to celebrate and support other families. Katelyn Renly (left) is joined by her sister BreAnna, where they served as Ambassadors to kick off the Salem walk.
Ronald McDonald House Charities CEO Jessica Jarratt Miller (right) is joined by Ronald McDonald House Board Chair Cindy Luckman at the Vancouver Stronger Together Walk.
“We are thrilled with the success of our inaugural walks and by the tremendous outpouring of community support that allows us to provide a “home away from home” for thousands of families with seriously ill children,” said Jessica Jarratt Miller, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington. “We can’t thank our sponsors, walkers, donors and families enough for making this event such a success.”
The Stronger Together Walks were made possible by presenting sponsors, local Oregon and Southwest Washington McDonald’s Owner Operators. McDonald’s Owner Operators in Eugene (pictured) presented a check at the Eugene walk.
Families who stay at Portland’s two Ronald McDonald Houses travel far from home to get medical care at Portland hospitals, and Ronald McDonald Houses offer a loving “home away from home” where families can stay together during the medical care of their child. Portland’s Houses can host up to 50 families per night, providing families with a free place to stay just minutes away from their child’s hospital bed.
“Every five hours, a family with a seriously ill child checks into one of Portland’s two Ronald McDonald Houses, and Stronger Together is a chance to celebrate and support these amazing and resilient families,” Miller said. “The funds raised from this walk support our Ronald McDonald Houses and programs, which provide home-cooked meals, activities and a beautiful ‘home away from home’ so families can stay together as they navigate the stress and uncertainly of having a seriously ill child.”
The three walks took place at Marine Park in Vancouver, Riverfront Park in Salem, and Alton Baker Park in Eugene. All registered walkers received a pair of red and white striped socks, and the walks included food, music, entertainment and special visits from Ronald McDonald. Presented by local Oregon and Southwest Washington McDonald’s Owner Operators, these family-friendly 5Ks brought together current and former Ronald McDonald House families and a large community of supporters who will walk together to keep families close.
Next year’s walk is scheduled for Sunday, April 23, 2017.
From Ronald McDonald House Charities:
Our Generous Supporters:
This event was made possible by our incredible sponsors, including: Local Oregon and Southwest Washington McDonald’s Owner Operators (Presenting Sponsor); Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Vancouver (Hero Sponsor); Golden State Foods, OnPoint Credit Union, Salem Health and Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Salem (Community Champions); 1-800-Water Damage, InfoGroup Northwest, Mr. Electric of Clark County, KPD Insurance, Les Schwab, Parr Lumber, Parr Lumber and Periodontal Concepts, US Bank, (Community Stars); McKenzie River Broadcasting, Eugene Register Guard, NBC 16, Alpha Media, iHeart Media and Cumulus Media (Media Sponsors) and Photos by Orion (Photography Sponsor)
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 34,000 families. For more information, visit www.rmhcoregon.org.
