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Heart of the House November 2024 | |
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Dear Friends,
At Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Houston, we have so many things to be thankful for. On October 25, we held our annual gala - Boo Ball, Once Upon a Time, and I was deeply moved by the overwhelming support we received. After all the fairy dust settled, we were thrilled that the event raised more than $1 million! That money will help us serve more families with more services than ever before.
As we head toward the fall and winter holidays, we will continue to rely on your support and generosity to help us stock up our Santa Shop, feed exhausted caregivers who are staying at their child's hospital bedside and wrap our arms around every single person in our care. How can you help? There are lots of ways - donate toys and gifts, sign up for the Trafigura Run for the House, order holiday cards and spread the word! You can check out our dedicated Holiday page here.
With thanks and gratitude,
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Cristina Vetrano
Chief Executive Officer
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A Fairy Tale Evening
Boo Ball 2024 - Once Upon a Time, was a magical evening with a fairy tale ending. More than 700 people gathered at the Hilton Americas Ballroom on the evening of Friday, October 25th. Guests were transported to a land far, far away with storybook backdrops, stunning costumes and delightful touches like a magical hedge that procured glasses of bubbly - compliments of Chapelton Vineyards. An energetic live auction saw guests bidding on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa, a stunning 15.5 carat white sapphire ring from Valobra, and amazing sports packages, just to name a few items.
We recognized Lesha & Tom Elsenbrook with our Founders Award, Main Street Capital Corporation as our Corporate Partner of the Year, and Dr. Vuong Ho as our Volunteer of the Year. You can read more fun details about the event in Papercity here.
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October was a costume extravaganza! Throughout the month, kiddos at Holcombe House had countless opportunities to show off their costumes. Our princesses, superheroes and monsters enjoyed activities like the Red Shoe Crew's Spooktakular, a Halloween parade and trick-or-treating throughout the House.
Parents at our partner hospitals also got into the Halloween spirit by designing tiny costumes for their NICU infants.
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Many families that stay at RMHC Greater Houston during the holiday season feel that they must forego gifts for their children as they deal with their medical crisis. Finding time to shop and trying to budget for gifts can add to the emotional and financial stress of an already uncertain situation.
Each December, our Santa Shop provides a free holiday shopping experience for our families. A corner of Holcombe House is transformed into a huge market of toys, games, gifts and gadgets for newborns to teens. Caregivers can "shop" for gifts for each of their children without worrying about the cost. Volunteers wrap up the presents, stuff them into huge Santa Sacks, then deliver them to each family's door on Christmas morning.
In addition to the Santa Shop at Holcombe House, we also stock pop-up shops for the families at our partner hospitals. Each year, we provide gifts for hundreds of children of all ages. If you want to help stock our Santa Shops, please check out our wish list below!
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New parents Monica and Erick divided their time between their newborn's NICU ward and Holcombe House as baby Noah was receiving lifesaving treatment.
Find out how RMHC Greater Houston brought joy to this family's first Christmas, creating unforgettable memories and moments of light in an otherwise difficult chapter of their lives.
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Collective Canvas - Family Art at TCH |  | |
Our Ronald McDonald House inside Texas Children's Hospital recently underwent a refresh of rooms and common areas, and part of this much-anticipated update was the addition of vibrant new artwork for the common spaces.
Under the direction of Diana Sanchez, our Faris Foundation Creative Arts Specialist/Facilitator, these stunning collaborative pieces were created by different RMHC residents over a period of several months. But how did complete strangers work at different times to create such beautiful and cohesive pieces of art?
"I used the concept of Sacred Geometry," explained Diana. "This combination of universal patterns allowed people from diverse cultures, varying artistic skill levels and different backgrounds to build on the work of those before them."
Sacred Geometry patterns are intricate, complex, and often opulent designs that use basic shapes like circles and polygons to create repeating patterns. To create these works, themes of Sacred Geometry and nature were first outlined on wood panels. Next, families filled in with color, and finally, the paintings were refined and finished. Gold outlines, gold-framed edges, and stenciling were used to thread the works together.
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Every Step Makes a Difference | |
Get ready for a day of competition and community at the 15th Annual Trafigura Run for the House! This super fun and family-friendly 5k/10k is set against the vibrant backdrop of Downtown Houston on Saturday, December 7.
Gather your friends, coworkers, kiddos, and even your furry friends for a lively run, walk, roll, or stroll starting from Sam Houston Park. This USATF certified race is all about enjoying the journey together while supporting a great cause—RMHC Greater Houston!
But the fun doesn’t stop there! After crossing the finish line, stick around for an incredible after-party in the park, featuring refreshments, music, games, activities, and awards for all!
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Register today - Prices go up on November 9! | | From Homecoming to Halloween, October was filled with lots of chances to dress up and show off! With 100-degree days finally in our rearview mirror, we enjoyed spending a bit more time outdoors. | |  |
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Dates to Remember
November 6
Mogas Quarterly Event
Families will enjoy a dinner hosted by Mogas Industries, followed by Carnival-themed activities.
November 11
Veterans Day
We salute our veterans on this day of tribute.
November 12
CVS Day of Service
Our friends at CVS will spend the day at Holcombe House doing service projects to benefit our families.
November 13
Gratitude Dinner
Hosted by the Faris Foundation
November 22
Pie Day
Our families will get into the fall spirit by baking pies.
November 28
Thanksgiving
RMHC Greater Houston's own CEO, Cristina Vetrano and her family will serve Thanksgiving dinner at Holcombe House.
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