Heart of the House

May 2024

A Note from the CEO

Dear Friends, 



This marks the third year that we have celebrated "May the 4th Be With You" by recognizing the forces of good that assist our families and champion our mission. We have a special affinity for this theme because of two Star Wars murals displayed at Holcombe House. They are a tribute to Miles McInnes, a young fan captivated by the battle of good versus evil depicted in the film. During his treatment, Miles guided the creation of these murals on his hospital wall. They serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring power of good during life's challenges.

We see the power of good every day. Because of the continued generosity of corporations, organizations and individuals, we are able to wrap our families with support through the toughest battle of their lives. Thank you to everyone who gives their time, talent and treasure to RMHC Greater Houston.

We have many other things to be thankful for this month. Nurses, teachers and mothers are all celebrated in the month of May. During a pediatric medical emergency, these individuals play an integral role in healing. Thank you to the nurses at our partner hospitals who are at the front lines of treatment, to the teachers who engage and educate our kiddos, and to the mothers who drop everything to go to battle for their families.

With gratitude,

Cristina Vetrano

Chief Executive Officer

House Happenings

Join us for Boo Ball - Where Fairy Tales Come to Life

Step into a world of enchantment and allure at this year's most anticipated Halloween soiree - Boo Ball! Chaired by Jennifer & Scott Allison, the Hilton Americas Ballroom will transform into a realm of mystique and grandeur on Friday, October 25. As noted by Paper City, this this is "No Ordinary Halloween Party"!  Houston City Book crowned it the "Biggest, Most Spook-tacular" event of the season, and for good reason.

Embracing the theme of "Once Upon a Time," this year's Gala promises an evening straight out of your favorite fairy tales. Showcase your most whimsical costume or don your finest cocktail attire as you prepare for a night of unparalleled elegance and thrill. Savor a sumptuous dinner, sip on tantalizing drinks, and dance the night away.

Fanciful treasures await in the exclusive silent and live auctions or indulge in the excitement of our spirit & wine pull, all in support of RMHC Greater Houston and its programs. Boo Ball isn't just an event; it's a tradition, a spectacle, and an experience not to be missed. It's a night where ghosts, ghouls, and glamour collide, and where every moment is a fairy tale waiting to unfold.

Safety First

Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home for families with a child receiving critical medical care. Like many Houston households, we do a lot of preparation and planning for emergencies and natural disasters. But instead of disaster planning for one family, we need to do it for more than 70!



With Hurricane season looming around the corner, our staff reviews the emergency plans for the building and brushes up on policies and procedures. In addition to natural disasters, our team is also trained in lifesaving skills like CPR and the use of Automated External Defibrillators, or AEDs. Our employees recently took part in a training session that was sponsored by Living for Zachary, a non-profit organization that donates AEDs to schools and raises awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in youth. We are getting hurricane and disaster-ready, are you?

Family Stories

Angela Chen journeyed from Shanghai, China to the Texas Medical Center in Houston for specialized medical care. Accompanied by her mother, they lived at Holcombe House for 375 nights across two visits spanning 2023 and 2024.

Despite the health challenges she faced, Angela embraced life at Holcombe House with zeal. She celebrated her RMHC class graduation, reveled in Halloween festivities, was honorary team captain of the Houston SaberCats and enthusiastically welcomed basketball players for the McDonald's All-American Games. She also showed her creative flair with whimsical artwork for our art studio.

After her second stay of 95 nights, Angela and her mother were finally able to return home to Shanghai. They took with them a taste for American snack foods, enthusiasm for rugby and basketball, and cherished memories of their time at Ronald McDonald House.

At RMHC Greater Houston, we understand the importance of creating special moments for families to share. These activities lift spirits, bring family members closer together and build a memory reserve of happy times during a very stressful period. Our Family Experience Program curates an array of events and activities for patients, families, and caregivers. If you are interested in contributing to this initiative, please reach out to our Program Manager, Molly Berg.

Smilin' Rylen Run

On Saturday, April 27 more than 600 people laced up and participated in the 7th Annual Smilin' Rylen Charity Run in Katy, Texas. Runners and walkers took part in a 1-mile or 5-k course, with some people participating virtually from their own neighborhoods.

Rylen Cowan earned his angel wings on June 5, 2017, at only 13.5 months old, after a battle with Bacterial Meningitis. The Cowan family was able to remain close to Rylen day and night because the RMHC Family Rooms provided a comforting place for them to rest and spend time together as a family without ever leaving the hospital.



Since its inception, The Smilin' Rylen Foundation has donated more than $200,000 to organizations that supported the family during their time of need,

including Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Houston.

Inspiration Celebration

Gospel music sensations Anthony Brown, Bri Babineaux, Deitrick Haddon and Pastor Mike Jr. appeared in Houston on May 2 for the I GOT AWAY concert in partnership with McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour. The joyful musical experience was held at the Fountain of Praise Church, and more than 2,000 fans showed up to sing, dance and rejoice.



On each stop of the 30-city tour, concertgoers learn about RMHC and have the opportunity to donate to their local Ronald McDonald House. We are so appreciative that the Houston concert brought in nearly $7,000 of donations within a 4-minute timespan!

With the support of local chapters of the BMOA (Black McDonald's Owners Association), McDonald's brings its Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour to communities nationwide as part of its Black & Positively Golden initiative.