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RMHC Auxiliary on top of the world
Gala chairmen of the 2nd annual Ronald McDonald House Rooftop Party: Carol Beitler (from left), of Glencoe, Lesley Prizant Goodman, of Chicago, and MaryAnne Smith, of Lake Forest. | Lee A. Litas~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 4, 2012 11:59AM
The event: The weather was most cooperative for the 2nd annual Rooftop Party of the Women’s Auxiliary Board of Ronald McDonald House held Sept. 12.
The balmy, sunlit evening gave way to a picturesque sunset for the 150 attendees to view from the ultra-chic rooftop bar of the J. Parker Lincoln Hotel Chicago.
Co-chaired by board president MaryAnne Smith, Lesley Prizant Goodman and Carol Beitler, the event was a celebration of the opening of the world’s largest Ronald McDonald House in Streeterville this past June.
Cause célèbre: “The first day the house was open, we found out that there was a heart available for a sick child and I thought, ‘Amen! That’s what we’re all about,’” said Smith.
The location of the House is ideal for families whose children are being treated at nearby Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Prentice Women’s Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
“Within three weeks (of opening) we were at capacity, offering over 80 families a night a place to stay close to their children. They didn’t have to focus on finding a hot meal or a hot shower. They could focus all their time and energy on getting their kids better and back home,” said Paul Huebner chairman of the board of directors of the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana RMHC.
Everyday, RMHC offers 140 rooms throughout its four Chicago-based houses for families to stay. “If you do the math, we offer a place for families to stay 40,000 nights a year,” said Huebner.
“May we never have a child that is sick but if ever the case may be, here is our beautiful city and it provides everything in one city,” said Carol Beitler.
Bottom Line: The event raised $30,000 for RMHC. ~.
