Portland, October 10th, 2015. The Oregon Convention Center was a sea of elegant red dresses and red ties at the annual Hearts & Hands Gala to support Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of Oregon and Southwest Washington. At the benefit, Jen Clason was joined on stage by her 8-year-old son Sam, they talk with RMHC CEO Jessica Jarratt Miller about their experience of staying at Ronald McDonald Houses more than 20 times. With 475 attendees, the event raised a record-breaking $521,000 gross, making it the most successful fundraising event in RMHC’s history.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled with this year’s Hearts & Hands Gala and the tremendous impact it will have on our families with seriously ill children,” said Jessica Jarratt Miller, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington. “From the amazing support of our sponsors to the outpouring of generosity from attendees, the evening’s success allows us to provide loving “home away from home” for the thousands of families who stay with us each year.”
The evening began with a red carpet greeting from Ronald McDonald, which was followed by a live and silent auction that raised more than $100,000 for families with seriously ill children. Jen Clason, mother of 8-year-old son Sam, spoke about her multiple stays at Portland’s Ronald McDonald Houses and the impact it had on her family while Sam was undergoing treatment for brain cancer. The event also honored and recognized RMHC’s 2015 Partner of Distinction – Marquis Companies – for their countless contributions to RMHC.
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