Ambassador Family: Eric, Nicholas and Carly Rizo. (Photo courtesy of RMHC)
More than 800 supporters gathered at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana’s annual Gala to honor supporters and raise funds to enable families to access quality healthcare while remaining close to their hospitalized children during medical crises.
RMHC-CNI Board Chair Marion Gross, Charlie Marino (founder of first Ronald McDonald House in Chicago), RMHC-CNI CEO Holly Buckendahl and Ann Baum (McDonald's owner/operator). (Photo courtesy of RMHC)
The ‘Every Moment Matters’ themed gala was held at The Geraghty and presented by HAVI and Martin Brower. An attendee at last year’s gala, Rachel O'Donovan, discovered she would need the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital just days after attending the event because she delivered her premature daughter at four weeks. Rachel marked her daughter’s upcoming first birthday before she introduced the evening’s Ambassador Family: The Rizos.
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The Rizo family shared their story about becoming parents of twins before discovering their son Nicholas had congenital heart disease. Nicholas underwent his first heart surgery at nine days old and received three more heart surgeries during his first year of life. Carly, Eric and Nicholas and their two brothers needed a place to stay so they chose Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s Hospital (which is 50 miles away from their home).
Rachel Donovan and Melanie Ley. (RMHC photo)
Holly Buckendahl, RMHC-CNI CEO, and RMHC-CNI Board Chair Marion Gross expressed their gratitude to guests for their ongoing support while highlighting the organization’s effect on thousands of families throughout Chicagoland. Buckendahl stated that RMHC-CNI’s Gala represents its signature fundraiser to honor families who face their most challenging times because “every moment counts in their journey.”
During the evening’s celebrations, the top 10 McDonald’s General Managers from the McDonald's Owner/Operators of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (MOCNI) were recognized for their commitment to fundraising for the charity. The GMs and their store locations across the region were instrumental in contributing $3.4 million in 2024 through the Round-Up for RMHC program.
The evening concluded with dancing and late-night McDonald’s snacks while guests wore their favorite red shoes.
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