17 Jun Ronald McDonald House Charities to Host RMHC 50th Anniversary Gala Oct. 5
Central and Northern Arizona Chapter to honor Scott Harris, Arrowhead Superior Refrigeration Service for dedication to helping families with hospitalized children
PHOENIX (June 12, 2024) – Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona (RMHCCNAZ) will celebrate the opening of the nation’s first Ronald McDonald House during its RMHC 50th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, Oct. 5, beginning at 6 p.m. at Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale.
The event, presented by CopperPoint Insurance Companies, will raise crucial funds to provide a “home away from home,” at no cost, for families who have a critically ill or injured child receiving hospital care in the Phoenix area.
“In the insurance industry, we see firsthand the devastating emotional toll a sick or injured family member can have on a family,” said Marc Schmittlein, president and CEO of CopperPoint Insurance Companies. “Ronald McDonald House brings peace of mind to families who are maxed out caring for their hospitalized child. We are grateful to be able to support Ronald McDonald House Charities as it provides a home for families during some of the most difficult times in their lives.”
RMHCCNAZ will recognize the contributions of two distinguished “Heart of the House” honorees during the gala: individual champion Scott Harris of Scott Harris Financial Group for his many years of volunteer and financial support and corporate champion Arrowhead Superior Refrigeration Services for providing years of ongoing financial and in-kind support.
“We can’t thank House champions like Scott Harris and Arrowhead Superior Refrigeration Services enough for all of the assistance they continue to provide for families in need,” said Kerry Schulman, RMHCCNAZ CEO. “They truly bring our mission to assist families to life and care about the families we serve, who come to Phoenix and Mesa from throughout Arizona and across the country.”
The RMHC 50th Anniversary Gala marks the 50th year since the very first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in October of 1974. Opening nearly a decade after the first house, RMHCCNAZ began serving families at its Roanoke House location in Phoenix nearly 40 years ago. The organization now has three houses in the Phoenix-area, two near Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Phoenix and one near Banner Children’s at Desert in Mesa.
Attendees at the RMHC 50th Anniversary Gala will enjoy a cocktail hour with live music, live and silent auctions, a vacation raffle, dinner and a dance party.
This year’s event is co-chaired by RMHCCNAZ board members Melissa Grass of CopperPoint Insurance Companies and Alexander Falkenstein of Northern Trust. Susan Casper, of Arizona’s Family, will emcee the event, and Kelee Lee Walton will serve as auctioneer for the evening.
Tickets start at $500 and can be purchased at rmhccnaz.org/gala.
Information about event sponsorships, which range from $1,500 to $20,000, is available by contacting Julie Ransom at jransom@rmhccnaz.org.
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About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central and Northern Arizona (RMHCCNAZ) provides a “home-away-from-home” for children and their families traveling to the Valley to receive treatment for serious, often life-threatening illnesses and injuries. The nonprofit organization operates three “Houses” in the Valley which can accommodate a combined 72 families a night: The Roanoke House, Cambridge House and Dobson House. Families stay for days, weeks and sometimes months at a time, at no charge, while their children receive care at local medical facilities. Since opening its doors in 1985, families from across the state and around the world have checked in to RMHCCNAZ more than 60,700 times through 2023. For more information, visit www.rmhccnaz.org.