Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) finished second in Oregon Business magazine’s 100 Best Non Profits ranking of mid-sized organizations (20-49 employees). Overall, RMHC placed ninth of the organizations ranked by the magazine. Staff and board members from RMHC were on hand to accept the award at the annual banquet on Wednesday, September 28. RMHC staff were also featured in the awards video shown to the audience of more than 500 people.

The ranking is based on feedback from an employee survey designed to measure the level of job satisfaction among staff within non-profit organizations in Oregon. 170 non-profits participated, with survey results provided by nearly 5,500 workers, measuring overall happiness with work environment, management and communication, mission and goals, career development and learning opportunities, and benefits and compensation. The results of the survey and the complete rankings have been published in the October issue of Oregon Business.

“Our employees set the tone that families experience every day at the Ronald McDonald House,” said Executive Director Tom Soma. “We appreciate the opportunity to participate in a survey like this because we strive to create a fulfilling workplace for our staff while providing a home away from home for the families we serve.”

RMHC Board and Staff members

On September 26, The Standard, Walsh Construction Co. and other local businesses unveiled a completely remodeled and redecorated living space at Ronald McDonald House East at Portland’s Legacy Emanuel. The “Standard Suite” is the home’s largest suite, designed to serve families of up to six people in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities’ mission to provide a home away for home for families with seriously ill children. Representatives from Walsh Construction Co., The Standard, Schiller & Vroman, Inc. and more christened the room with a ribbon cutting and short celebration.

We were honored to share Tara and Nick’s story with attendees at the 2011 Hearts & Hands Auction. Guests at the Ronald McDonald House for nearly five months earlier this year, Nick and his mom were on hand at the auction to watch the debut of the video. We want to thank them for sharing their experience to raise support for other families at RMHC.

Thank you to everyone who came or contributed to the 2011 Hearts & Hands Auction. Close to 350 guests gathered at the Portland Art Museum to support Ronald McDonald House Charities and raised well over $300,000! Click on the gallery below to see photos.

Tom wore comfortable footwear to the auction.

On Friday, 340 friends gathered at the Portland Art Museum to “paint the town red.” And that they did—raising more than $300,000 during RMHC’s annual Hearts and Hands auction! I want to thank everyone who helped make the evening such a success—especially the auction committee, all the volunteers, and our outgoing Events Manager, Kate Bowman. Special thanks also to our master of ceremonies—KGW’s Russ Lewis; our auctioneer—Johnna Wells; our numerous patrons, and our major sponsors: the Vital Life Foundation, McDonald’s and our local Owner-Operators, and the Portland Trailblazers.

The most encouraging sight of the evening was 14-year-old Nick Namauu dancing from the moment the music started until the last song of the night, showing no sign of the brain tumor that brought him to the Ronald McDonald House earlier this year. But my favorite part of the evening was the induction of two extraordinary individuals into our Hall of Fame, and the recognition of two wonderful organizations as Partners of Distinction.

Mike Rich and Jim Boyer (both of whom serve on the board) bring our Hall of Fame to 23 members. Mike—the irrepressible “face” of our golf tournament and social—and Jim—the irreplaceable man behind the scenes who has shepherded our relationship with Parr Lumber for more than a decade—epitomize the “abiding commitment and generous contributions” of our Hall of Fame members. Their spouses, Barb Boyer and Grace Rich, merit recognition for their own considerable volunteer efforts. Likewise, Pacific Northwest Baking Company (and its CEO, Mike Stevens) along with Ken Wright Cellars (founded by Ken and Karen Wright) truly evidence the imaginative and inspirational commitments of time, talent, and treasure that distinguish our Partners of Distinction.

When I became executive director nearly 13 years ago, it was to work for a cause. There’s no denying that kids like Nick—and the thousands of children and families served by RMHC—are a worthy cause. But it didn’t take long to appreciate the incredible number of other people who were also committed to the cause—and to realize how fortunate I was to be part of such a generous community.

These days, as much as I remain dedicated to the cause, I find myself even more grateful for the community. So many people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting have become valued colleagues and friends. And it’s a privilege to honor people like Jim Boyer and Mike Rich and Mike Stevens and Ken and Karen Wright—all of whom have made RMHC not just a charity of choice, but a community of choice.

Yes, it was quite a party Friday! And for me, the celebrating will continue throughout my tenure—and long beyond.

Tom Soma, Executive Director

We’re excited to see everyone tonight at the Hearts & Hands Auction to support Ronald McDonald House Charities. Volunteers and staff are already setting up to create a special evening. The event starts at 6 pm at the Portland Art Museum’s Mark Building, pictured below. We hope to see you there!

The Hearts & Hands Auction supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities is this Friday! We hope you can join us for the fun. Click on the reader below to preview the 2011 Auction catalogue, with details about every package on offer this year. Thank you to everyone who contributed items to this year’s catalogue!

“The greatest use of a life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”
- William James

I was reminded of the William James quote when I came across a brochure written by Cathi Lutz. Several years ago, Cathi left a lucrative job with a major national retailer to become a “Life Coach.” In one of her exercises with clients, Cathi poses two questions: “Will you look back on life and say, ‘I wish I had…’ or ‘I’m glad I did…?’” And “What do you want to be remembered for?”

I’ll never forget the moment I began thinking about how I want to be remembered. Driving in the car, listening to the radio, I heard a commercial about funeral planning—which basically suggested that I put my affairs in order now so as to spare my loved ones the eventual obligation. While I didn’t take advantage of the immediate cost-saving offer, I did begin to wonder what family members and friends might say about me when I’m permanently out of earshot. Concluding that there was a likely disparity between what I wanted people to say and what they actually would say, I promised myself to address the gap.

Recently, I stumbled upon a book by Neville Goddard called “The Power of Awareness.” With a slight turn of phrase, Goddard invites another look at both the William James quote and the Cathi Lutz questions.

“You must stop spending your thoughts, your time and your money,” Goddard writes. “Everything in life must be an investment.”

I like that idea. Rising each morning, it’s fun to think about how I’ll invest my time during the day. Going to bed at night, it’s nice to savor the fruits of my investments. And both exercises help me live the way I hope to be remembered.

I’ll admit, I have it easy. I really enjoy my time here—and all the people who work, volunteer, donate, and stay at the Ronald McDonald Houses. It truly feels like an investment—not an expense. And the rewards are considerable.

As for funeral planning—I hope to avoid that a while longer. I’d prefer giving folks a lot more to talk about when I’m gone!

Tom Soma, Executive Director

There is one week left until the 2011 Hearts & Hands Auction. We continue to preview some of the amazing packages you’ll be able to bid on. We hope you can join us in person!

Yankee Stadium Tour

The New York Yankees opened a glorious new stadium in 2009, which cost more than $1.5 billion to construct. This package offers you a behind-the-scenes tour of the new Yankee Stadium, led by a former World Series winning Yankee player. You’ll get to walk on the playing field, tour the locker room, and visit Monument Park, while hearing the inside story about playing for the Yankees. Bring your camera and Yankee’s gear for photos and autographs!

Reserve your seat at the Hearts & Hands Auction.

We’ve just uploaded some new photos from the past several months to our West House Flickr gallery. Click through the link below to see if you recognize any familiar faces! Thanks to everyone who has visited the house to volunteer or make a donation!

West House Photo Gallery

Japanese nursing students visit the West House