By James Massara
Thanks to the help of various local business owners and other donors, Ronald McDonald House Charities will be able to continue to help the families of sick children who are making stays in hospitals.
RMHC recently released the financial figures after the Hulla-baloo for the House held Oct. 12 at The Pickwick Place.
In its second year, the event raised almost $39,000 for the organization, approximately $4,000 more than the inaugural event, according to RMHC Strategic Partnerships Associate Lindsey Beggin.
“I think it speaks volumes about the Bucyrus community to see this much support for a newer event,” Beggin said.
Beggin said one of the things she noticed people enjoyed was being able to help a charity that affects many local people. She said a family who had one of the longest stays at the house in 2017 lives just a 15-minute drive away from The Pickwick Place.
The event had eight purse bingo games played, a silent auction, a stuffed animal sale for children at the house and many other fundraising opportunities where 100-percent of the funds were donated to RMHC.
RMHC of Central Ohio is the largest in the world, according to Beggin, a fact Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tyler Jacobs, who acted as the events emcee, believes has a large impact on donors desire to be involved.
“I think people love helping people in their communities,” Jacobs said. “More than 60 families from Crawford County used the services provided by the Ronald McDonald House in the past year, so people realize the money helps those directly in the community.”
Both Beggin and Jacobs believe the event will continue to grow.
“It truly was a magical night,” Jacobs said. “I can’t wait to see what every year in the future has in store.”