LPGA Golfer Allison Hanna and friends hosted the golf tournament Forks, Corks and Wedges at The Reserve Vineyard and Golf Club this week, which benefited Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Portland-based golf pro recruited colleagues from the LPGA tour to partner with foursomes in the tournament, so that participants could experience what it was like to hit the links with a professional. Twenty foursomes took part in the tournament on Monday, while more than 100 attended the social event on Sunday night. The event was sponsored by Parr Lumber, a longtime supporter of the Ronald McDonald House.
Allison Hanna with RMHC’s Executive Director Tom Soma.
Former PGA Golf pro Mike Springer and event organizer John Bladholm.
Parr Lumber’s Ken Schultz, Jim Boyer, and Jeff Boles
Thanks to the hard work of all the contractors who have been working on the East House kitchen remodel,the actual remodel work on the East House kitchen can begin next week. This week, workers removed all of the old cabinets, appliances, the ventilation hood and even the island. Many of the appliances were donated to Habitat for Humanity, who picked up the items earlier this week. For more info about the project, and ongoing updates visit rmhcoregon.org
Inside the East House kitchen, with all of the appliances and cabinets removed.
Some of the old appliances were picked up by Habitat for Humanity for reuse.
RMHC Executive Director Tom Soma was recently interviewed on Comcast Newsmakers by host Ken Ackerman. Click on the video below to watch the segment. Look for the interview on Comcast television.
Remodeling work on the kitchen at the East House officially began today, at the start of a four week project to install new flooring, cabinets, counter tops, and stoves, along with a superior ventilation system and a new recycling center. While the kitchen is closed, adjacent communal areas like the dining room remain open for families.
House staff have taken several steps to ensure that the House continues to serve guest’s needs. Refrigerators for food storage have been moved into the dinning area, along with toaster ovens, microwaves, and coffee makers. The kitchenette in the McSuite, the house’s largest guest room, will remain open for families during the remodel. Meal groups are encouraged to bring pre-prepared meals, along with snack items like sandwich meats and cheeses that families can munch on throughout the day.
Step into the back garden at the East House this summer, and you’ll notice something new is growing – vegetables. Housekeepers Zina & Vasili have helped the house grow its first vegetable garden, so that families staying with us can have fresh vegetables during their stay.
Vasili, who also doubles as the house handyman, built the raised beds with wood donated by Parr Lumber. Valleyscapes, a local landscaping firm, donated the soil, which Zina and Vasili have filled with all kinds of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and cabbage.
Originally from Moldova in Eastern Europe, the two had been unable to garden since moving to Portland. The East House garden gives them a place to work, and the chance to share what they grow with others. Families are welcome to join them, and help them with weeding, watering, and other chores. Zina & Vassili planted the garden in May during Weed & Feed and it has just started to produce the first cucumbers and cabbages the last several weeks. See more photos of the garden on our Flickr page.
Our August eNews went out today, with details about the upcoming Hearts & Hands auction in September, as well as a link to a message from the Hannah family who spoke at the RMHC Social in July. The eNews also looked back at the Starlight Parade, the Tanner Society event in June, and showcased the new online house calendars for meal groups & volunteer activities.
Sign up for the eNews and receive updates about House news and events every two months. It’s a great way to keep up-to-date about the Ronald McDonald House. We keep your contact information confidential, and don’t share it with anyone. Once you’ve signed up, you can unsubscribe at any time.
McDonald’s Owner/Operator Doug Wacker brought his staff to the Ronald McDonald House East this week to tour the house and see the work that the charity does with support from McDonald’s restaurants across the state. Contributions from donation boxes, McCafe coffee beverages, and Happy Meals all go to support the House and the families it serves. The staff was able to tour the house, to see it first hand for themselves. We want to thank them for all of their support!
During the RMHC Social earlier this month, the Hannah family from Las Vegas spoke about their personal experience staying at Portland’s Ronald McDonald House East for 28 days in 2010. They’ve allowed us to share that message online. Click the link below to read the text of their speech.
The Chevelle and El Camino Club of Oregon held its annual car show at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds in July. Proceeds from the event will help sponsor Ronald McDonald House families who want to attend the Clackamas County Fair later this summer, while any remaining funds will be donated to the Houses. At the car show, the club also awarded a special Ronald McDonald House prize to a car picked by ten-year-old Caleb, which went to a 1966 Chevelle owned by Cathy Lowrey.
Caleb poses with the car he selected to receive the Ronald McDonald House award.
We have 599 Facebook supporters. If you support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington, help us break through the magical number 600 by recommending our page to your friends. Help our mission by spreading the word to friends online! Click the logo below to visit our Facebook page.
Our August eNews went out today, with details about the upcoming Hearts & Hands auction in September, as well as a link to a message from the Hannah family who spoke at the RMHC Social in July. The eNews also looked back at the Starlight Parade, the Tanner Society event in June, and showcased the new online house calendars for meal groups & volunteer activities.
McDonald’s Owner/Operator Doug Wacker brought his staff to the Ronald McDonald House East this week to tour the house and see the work that the charity does with support from McDonald’s restaurants across the state. Contributions from donation boxes, McCafe coffee beverages, and Happy Meals all go to support the House and the families it serves. The staff was able to tour the house, to see it first hand for themselves. We want to thank them for all of their support!
During the RMHC Social earlier this month, the Hannah family from Las Vegas spoke about their personal experience staying at Portland’s Ronald McDonald House East for 28 days in 2010. They’ve allowed us to share that message online. Click the link below to read the text of their speech.
