Nearly 400 attendees spent "A Night with the Rat Pack" at the 15th annual Denim to Diamonds gala to benefit Topeka's Ronald McDonald House on Saturday, August 26 at the Downtown Topeka Ramada Inn Hotel & Convention Center. After expenses more than $72,000 was raised, which will go a long way in allowing us to keep families close to their hospitalized children. This is a $7,000 increase over last year's total.
Highlights of the evening included the musical stylings of Tony Antonucci, our emcees Brooke Lennington and Jace Mills from KSNT, silent and live auctions and introduction of our 2017-2018 Family of the Year - John and Deseree Otto and their four children, Bridgette, Lillyan, and twins Gabriel and Roman. The family spent four months at our House while the twins grew stronger in the Stormont Vail Health NICU. Our Family of the Year video, which tells the Otto family's Ronald McDonald House story, was premiered. The evening wrapped up with a VIP Lounge for event sponsors and a Red Shoe Crew-hosted after party open to all attendees, which featured a DJ dance party.
This year's event was sponsored by the following businesses, which are among our key supporters.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas
- CBIZ
- CFS Engineers
- CoreFirst Bank & Trust
- Cumulus Topeka
- Diamonds by Design
- Dobski & Associates
- Dr. Pepper
- Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds & Palmer
- HR Partners
- J.F. McGivern, Inc.
- KSNT
- Lincoln Center OB/GYN
- McDonald's Corporation
- McDonald's Alta Prairie, Inc.
- Midwest Health
- Mize, Houser & Company
- Nekan Mac Advertising Co-Op Association
- Reser's Fine Foods
- Security Benefit
- St. Francis Health
- Standard Beverage Corporation
- Stormont Vail Health
- Westar Energy
- Worldwide Wine & Spirits
"Attendees really embraced the 'Rat Pack' theme in their attire and seemed to have a great time, from competing on auction item bids to enjoying the delicious appetizers and dinner to the after-event festivities," commented Mary McBride, RMHC Board President/Denim to Diamonds Planning Committee Chair. "We truly appreciate everyone's support and will put the funds raised through this 15th annual event to good use, supporting our families and keeping them close to their hospitalized children."
Please mark your calendars for the 2018 Denim to Diamonds gala, which will be held on Saturday, August 25 at the Downtown Topeka Ramada Inn Hotel & Convention Center.
|
|
|
|
|
Our 2017-2018 Family of the Year - John & Deseree Otto, Bridgette (4), Lillyan (2), twins Ronan & Gabriel (7 months), and Grandma Katherine Howell-Stewart.
|
|
|
|
Click here to view our 2017-2018 Family of the Year video.
|
|
|
Congratulations to the students from Osage City Middle School for winning the 2016-2017 school year Pop Tabs Contest! Our House Manager Mary Roth recently awarded them a trophy and check for $2,000 provided through grant funding from the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. These students collected and donated a whopping 157 pounds of pop tabs, which were recycled to raise funds to support family stays at the Ronald McDonald House.
|
|
|
|
Topeka's Ronald McDonald House has benefitted from a number of third-party fundraisers over the past few months. We certainly appreciate the support of individuals, organizations and businesses raising money on our behalf!
- Prairie Glass Company held a First Friday Artwalk fundraiser, donating 50% of their sales ($393.50)
- S&S Crafting for a Cause held a Scrapbook Crop, raising $625
- Silver Lake United Methodist Church collected pantry and household items and raised $340 during Vacation Bible School
- The Spare Some Love bowling fundraiser hosted by the Red Shoe Crew raised $1,040
Thanks to these generous supporters, funds to cover almost 100 nights of family stays have been raised and donated! Whether it's a bake sale that raises $50 or a corporate jeans day that raises $500, every bit of money to support family stays is important. For more information about how to conduct a third-party fundraiser for the Ronad McDonald House, contact Mindee Reece at (785) 235-6852 or mindee@rmhcneks.org.
|
|
|
|
In Memorium
Lance Elliott, a member of our Board of Directors, recently lost his life in a motorcycle accident. He was a big guy with an even bigger heart. Lance made a difference for our families by giving so much of his time and effort. To honor him for all he meant to us, our annual plane pulling fundraiser has been renamed the Lance Elliott Pull a Plane Challenge, which will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018.
|
|
|
|
The family of Lance Elliott knows no bounds when it comes to their support of our Ronald McDonald House in his memory, continuing Lance's legacy of giving. Thank you to his aunt Sandy Elliott for donating her 2000 Cadillac Seville, pictured here (left) with Lance's mom Cheryle Elliott and Sweet Pea. The car is in the process of being sold, with proceeds supporting family stays. Through this tragedy, the entire Elliott family has become our family. 
|
|
|
|
|
Topeka’s Ronald McDonald House offers guest families –
- Proximity to their hospitalized children
- A comfortable place to sleep
- Home-cooked meals and a fully-equipped double kitchen
- Gathering areas for families to relax
- Laundry facilities and WIFI access
- Ongoing support from staff, volunteers, and other families
Our doors are open for families 24 hours a day, 365 day a year.
|
|
|
- Zumbathon fundraiser, Berkshire Great Life Golf & Fitness, 3720 SW 45th Street, Topeka
- Saturday, Sept. 30, 10:30 am - noon
- KSU Tailgate fundraiser, Peace Lutheran Church, 2500 Kimball Avenue, Manhattan
- Saturday, Oct. 21, beginning two hours prior to kick-off
- Holiday Cookie Walk & Bake Sale, Ronald McDonald House, 825 SW Buchanan Street, Topeka
- Friday, Dec. 8, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
|
|
|
|
|
