Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (RMHD) has kicked off a capital campaign to fund an $11.5 million expansion with three significant gifts from donors, including The Elsie and Marvin Dekelboum Family Foundation ($1.5 million), The Crystal Charity Ball ($1.25 million), and North Texas Advertising Association DFW Area McDonald’s Restaurants ($1 million). Other major donors to the campaign are The Constantin Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Henry Estess, Beverly and Donald S. Freeman, Jr., The Hoblitzelle Foundation, Cecilie and Ronnie Holman, Cynthia and Kevin O’Brien, Bob and Katherine Penn, Sandy Phillips, Carolyn and Karl Rathjen, The Rees-Jones Foundation and an anonymous donor.

“Through our more than 25 years of continued support and involvement, we have witnessed the great service provided by Ronald McDonald House of Dallas,” said Gail Hartstein, President of The Elsie and Marvin Dekelboum Family Foundation. “This connection gave us an understanding of the need for this expansion project. This is a clear example of the way that Ronald McDonald House of Dallas cares and meets the needs of their families. We are glad to be a part of this worthy project.”

Former RMHD Board Chair and longtime supporter Natalie Dossett is serving as the Capital Campaign Cabinet Chair. The Campaign Cabinet is comprised of Sandra Estess, Peggy Hill, Cecilie Holman, Nancy Kerr, Susan Palma and Bob Penn. Board Member Kelly Williams is chairing the Building Committee. The members of the Building Committee include Natalie Dossett, Mike McWilliams, Cynthia O’Brien, Doug Smellage and Pat Staudt.

The expansion will allow 800 more families a year to use the House as a home-away-from-home while their children are being treated for critical illnesses or injuries in the Dallas area. Each year, RMHD hosts 1,400 families, but recently has had to turn away more than 1,000 families because the House has been at full capacity.

“We’ve had to say ‘we don’t have any more room’ to at least one family every day, and that’s absolutely heartbreaking,” said Jill Cumnock, Chief Executive Officer of RMHD. “This expansion will allow us to open our doors to many more young patients coming to Dallas for care from our world class medical community. We provide three meals a day, shuttle service to nearby hospitals, activities and other services for these families through their difficult times, while also helping them preserve their precious financial resources – the average stay of two weeks saves a family an average of over $2,000.”

The 18,000 square-foot two-story addition designed by HKS Architects will include six larger suites for longer-stay families and 24 guest rooms, significantly increasing RMHD’s program access. Additionally, guest rooms in the existing facility will be refurbished, the playground revised and additional parking provided. Hill and Wilkinson will serve as general contractor on the project. Annual operating costs are expected to increase by $300,000 as a result of the expansion, which will be covered by gifts from the community and an expanded fundraising program.

“Making this expansion even more timely is the fact that Dallas area hospitals’ pediatric population is expected to grow 27 percent by 2025,” added Cumnock. “Our House is built on the idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the health of their child – not where they can afford to stay or where they will get their next meal. We believe families are stronger when they are together, and this expansion will help us do that for more families while their children are receiving care, unlocking a system of support with the security and comfort of home, as well as the love and understanding of a community. ”

Naming opportunities for the expansion are still available, and those wishing to contribute can contact Capital Campaign Manager Sarah Ballard at sballard@rmhdallas.org or 214.624.5372. Groundbreaking for The Elsie and Marvin Dekelboum Family Foundation Wing will take place September 6 at 10 a.m.

ABOUT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF DALLAS

Established in 1981, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas has served as a home-away-from-home for more than 38,000 families of seriously ill or injured children who have traveled to Dallas seeking medical treatment in area hospitals. By providing a caring, supportive, home-like environment, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas keeps the family intact and helps allow a family to establish a normal routine in the midst of crisis. It also provides families with the opportunity to share their concerns with other families in similar circumstances. For more information, please contact Ronald McDonald House of Dallas at 214.631.7354, or visit www.rmhdallas.org. 

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DALLAS (April 23, 2018) – Dallas’ historic Warwick Melrose hotel will host its annual Derby Day celebration Saturday, May 5 in The Library starting at 1:00 p.m. in honor of the 144^th running of the Kentucky Derby. The celebration will continue throughout the day, including “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports”, scheduled for 5:46 p.m. CST.

Derby Day at The Library will feature the quintessential Derby drink, Maker’s Mark Mint Juleps, and a special menu inspired by Churchill Downs highlighting Kentucky Hot Browns and Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie.  The Library’s classic bar menu and signature libations will also be available to racing enthusiasts. Guests are encouraged to don their Derby Day “best” bowties and big hats for the door prizes, which will be awarded immediately following the race. The Best Dressed Couple, Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Gentleman, and Best Hat will receive special prizes from Marker’s Mark along with Warwick Melrose offerings, like dinner for two in The Landmark Restaurant, or a two-night stay at the hotel.

“Part of our hotel’s charm is its classic ambiance that evokes a more formal time, which is why Derby Day is such a fun celebration for us each year,” said Andrew Wright, general manager of Warwick Melrose – Dallas. “Between the bowties, the big hats, and the overall spirit of revelry, it really is a Gatsby-good time. We’re especially looking forward to seeing the beautiful moments our guests capture this year on social media.”

Built in 1924, Dallas’ historic Warwick Melrose offers 184 well-appointed guest rooms, 21 spacious suites and an unparalleled Presidential Suite. Many of the rooms feature stunning views of the city of Dallas, with all accommodations exuding an Old World elegance, superior levels of comfort and distinctive style. A highly sought-after venue for meetings, weddings and celebrations, the Warwick – Melrose Dallas has been offering stately grandeur for special Dallas events for nearly a century. The hotel is also known for The Landmark Restaurant, and The Library Bar, staples on the Dallas dining and nightlife scenes.

ABOUT WARWICK HOTELS & RESORTS

Warwick Hotels & Resorts (WHR) was launched in 1980 with the purchase of Warwick New York, a hotel originally built by William Randolph Hearst for his Hollywood friends. The WHR Group now includes more than 50 prestigious Hotels, Resorts & Spas worldwide located in city centers and resort destinations in the United States, Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Bali, the South Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Further details can be found at www.warwickhotels.com.

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On Facebook               @warwickdallas

On Twitter                   @warwickmelrose

On Instagram              @warwick-melrose-dallas

Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (RMHD) will host the “Under the Moonlight” Gala presented by LiquidAgents at The Pavilion at the Belo Mansion on Saturday, April 7 from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. The honorary chairs for this year’s benefit are Susan and David Rosenberg, while Christine Cook and Cecilie Holman are co-chairing.

“Under the Moonlight – Southern Style will kick off our spring season with a festive and fun celebration of southern hospitality, cuisine and libations,” said Jill Cumnock, Chief Executive Officer of RMHD. “It’s one of my favorite nights of the year as so many of our supporters come together to celebrate the love we have for all of our RMHD families.”

The historic Belo Mansion’s elegant Pavilion will serve as the backdrop for the party with its 17-foot barrel vault ceiling, and alabaster chandeliers and sconces. The band The After Party will play as guests cavort in cocktail attire and dancing shoes enjoying the evening’s signature cocktail, the Moonlight Mule. The menu will feature southern flavors like white cheddar cheese grits, beef tenderloin with Cajun shrimp, and a delectable family-recipe bread putting. Entertainment will include both magician James Munton, who once charmed George W. Bush at The White House, plus a live auction featuring trips to the Kentucky Derby, Aspen, Vermont and the Four Seasons Punta Mita; a luxury suite at a Rangers game; and an LA getaway to The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Since 2006, “Under the Moonlight” has raised more than $2,000,000 for RMHD, which serves families with seriously ill or injured children who are receiving treatment in the Dallas area by providing them with a home-away-from-home. Over RMHD’s 37-year history, it has hosted over 38,000 families with compassionate family-centered care. Although RMHD asks guest families to contribute only $15 per night, no family is ever turned away for an inability to pay.

Tickets and sponsorships are available by visiting https://rmhdallas.org/events/under-the-moonlight/ or by contacting Diane Fullingim, Chief Development Officer of RMHD, at dfullingim@rmhdallas.org or 214-624-5365.

ABOUT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF DALLAS:

Established in 1981, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas has served as a home-away-from-home for more than 38,000 families of seriously ill children who have traveled to Dallas seeking medical treatment in area hospitals. By providing a caring, supportive, home-like environment, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas keeps the family intact and helps allow a family to establish a normal routine in the midst of crisis. It also provides families with the opportunity to share their concerns with other families in similar circumstances. For more information, please contact Ronald McDonald House of Dallas at 214.631.7354, or visit www.rmhdallas.org.

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(PLANO, TX, January 22, 2018) – Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, one of North America’s largest HVAC service companies, is now a proud sponsor of Make-A-Wish®. The North American partnership will touch the hundreds of US and Canadian communities Service Experts serves out of its 89 service centers. Service Experts Chief Executive Officer Scott Boose announced this along with an initial donation of $150,000 by Service Experts. Make-A-Wish serves a unique mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

“We are honored to be able to work across all of our American and Canadian communities,” said Boose at the December kickoff. “And there’s a list of children waiting for wishes in all of them. Our 3,200 employees will work with our customers and partners to provide more support and grant even more wishes, so together, we can help make that list shorter. Wishes make very sick kids feel better, and sometimes, when they feel better, they get better.”

The December kickoff also previewed two forthcoming Service Experts wish reveal parties, where wish children share their wish with the wish teams that will fulfill them. One wish party will be at Service Experts headquarters in Plano, and the other will be at a Toronto Service Experts location.

“Above and beyond our initial donation, we are incentivizing our centers to work with their partners and customers in the community to help grant even more wishes,” added Boose. “One of the highlights of the 2018 Service Experts Make-A-Wish campaign will be in April, which is World Wish Month, and April 29, World Wish Day. We’re already planning a company-wide bowl-a-thon to help us also come together in a joint mission of kindness driven by wishful thinking.” 

Founded in 1982 by a group of big-hearted law enforcement officers and their friends and family, Make-A-Wish provides wish kids with hope for better times, the strength for tough times, and the joy to experience the present. Every year, approximately 27,000 children are diagnosed with critical illnesses. A wish experience can be a game-changer, and tens of thousands of volunteers, donors, and supporters advance the Make-A-Wish vision to grant the wish of each of these children. In the United States, on average, a wish is granted every 34 minutes. Last year alone, Make-A-Wish granted 15,300 wishes.

Present at the Service Experts Make-A-Wish announcement were Erin Michel, Chief Development Officer, and Tabatha Gonzalez-Olaechea, Director of Development – Central, both from Make-A-Wish North Texas Chapter. John MacDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer of Enercare, which owns Service Experts, was also on-hand alongside Boose from Service Experts, with his team-members David Moody, Vice President Marketing and Customer Engagement, and Lisa Lange, Senior Marketing Manager. Service Experts has 89 locations across 29 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces, all of which will be integral to helping make wishes happen in 2018. More information on Service Experts and the Make-A- Wish partnership is available online at www.serviceexperts.com.

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About Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning North America

Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning locations have been serving their communities with air conditioning and heating repair, maintenance plans and new system installation for decades, and the average age of their service centers is over 50 years. Headquartered in Plano, TX, Service Experts is one of North America’s largest heating and air conditioning service companies with 89 locations across 29 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. Their team of NATE-certified technicians delivers expert service, repair, and installation on all brands of furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, air handlers, humidifiers, and indoor air purifying systems for both the residential and commercial markets. For more information on home comfort products, services and local rebates offered by Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, visit ServiceExperts.com.

On Twitter        @serviceexperts

On Facebook   @ServiceExpertsHeatingandAirConditioning

On YouTube     @ServiceExperts

Nine-year-old Robert Powell of Little Rock Cut the Ribbon for the 30^th Anniversary Exhibit Smiling and Standing Strong on Prosthetic Legs He Received This Year

DALLAS December 11, 2017 – Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (RMHD) announced Robert Powell as the Kid Conductor for this year’s The Trains at NorthPark, presented by Bank of Texas, open now through January 7, 2018. Powell, a nine-year-old double amputee from Little Rock, gladly accepted the honor, which included cutting the ribbon for the 30^th Anniversary exhibit alongside Ronald McDonald on prostheses he received just last April.

Raised in a Chinese orphanage until 2015, Robert was adopted by Art and Jen Powell who have four biological and six adopted children. Robert was born with Arthrogryposis, which affects every joint in his body with severe contractures. A year after his adoption, the Powell family sought the specialists at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, who deemed Robert an excellent candidate for prosthesis. Both of his legs were amputated in January, and he received his first set of prostheses in April. Throughout his multiple surgeries, Robert and his family stayed at RMHD, finding both comfort and community.

“We will never forget the day our son begged his physical therapist to take his new legs back to show his Ronald McDonald House of Dallas family how he could walk,” said Jen Powell. “Sure enough, our boy walked from the entry into the lobby with a huge crowd of staff and volunteers cheering every step of victory. Being able to stay at the House has meant so much to our family. It has eased financial burdens we could not have possibly shouldered, and it has allowed us to stay connected with each of our children as they take turns to visit.”

Robert’s younger sister Bethany, who was born with Williams Syndrome, also stayed at RMHD this year while visiting specialists at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas.

“We were thrilled to recognize this incredible young man as our 30th Kid Conductor,” added Jill Cumnock. “We call our House ‘the House That Love Built’, but the Powells have taken that label to a new level with their family, not only accepting the added responsibility of adopting children, but also taking on the challenges that come with adopting children with special needs. Robert and his family exemplify what The Trains at NorthPark is all about – they are just one of the 1,200 families we have the privilege of serving each year through the money raised by this little exhibit that could.”

The Trains at NorthPark features more than 750 railcars on a 1,600-foot elaborate configuration of tracks and scenes. Each year, the beloved holiday experience welcomes nearly 70,000, and has helped raise more than $13 million for RMHD since its original run in 1987. Featuring cityscapes like Dallas, New York, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, The Trains at NorthPark also includes New England’s fall foliage, the Grand Canyon, Garden of the Gods and Route 66. Thomas the Train and his friends also draw families to the charming exhibit, which has been seen by around two million people over its 30-year run.

This year’s Honorary Chairs are Dr. Dale Fuller and his wife Jean Fuller. Dr. Fuller, a radiation oncologist, is a long-time supporter and founding board member of RMHD, which has provided a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill or injured children since 1981. The 2017 co-chairs for The Trains at NorthPark are Hollee Hirzel and Bridget Miller.

Tickets for The Trains at NorthPark are $4 for children ages 2-12 and seniors over 65. Adults are $7, while children under 2 are admitted for free. The exhibit is closed on Christmas Day and closes early at 4 p.m. for both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. This year, The Trains at NorthPark is in a new location on the 2^nd level of NorthPark Mall near Neiman Marcus.

Those interested in supporting The Trains at NorthPark through sponsorship, volunteering or purchasing a railcar can do so by visiting www.thetrainsatnorthpark.com or contacting Janie Robertson at jrobertson@rmhdallas.org.

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ABOUT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF DALLAS:

Established in 1981, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas has served as a home-away-from-home for more than 37,000 families of seriously ill children who have traveled to Dallas seeking medical treatment in area hospitals. By providing a caring, supportive, home-like environment, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas keeps the family intact and helps allow a family to establish a normal routine in the midst of crisis. It also provides families with the opportunity to share their concerns with other families in similar circumstances. For more information, please contact Ronald McDonald House of Dallas at 214.631.7354, or visit www.rmhdallas.org.