NWC Hosts Kitchen Shower for Orange County Ronald McDonald House

By Helen M. Brown

The ladies gave a Kitchen Shower at their September meeting of the Norwalk Woman’s Club (NWC) for the Orange County Ronald McDonald House (OCRMH). It was an overwhelming success as the ladies all participated with generous gifts and donations. Centerpieces on each table consisted of baskets filled with a variety of supplies.
The guest speaker was Ms. Kathy Russell who took time off from her many duties at the OCRMH to spread the good word of just what the House provides for its many visitors each year. Families with sick children come from all over the world to get medical help for their young. This home is their ‘home away from home’ while they are here. They may need to stay for a few days, a few weeks, or even a few years. What ever the need, the RMH provides it.
The Federation of Women Clubs (GFWC) headquartered in Washington; DC has long supported the Ronald McDonald Houses in all 50 states and overseas. The NWC focuses on our local House in Orange. Our support goes there. While there are several Houses in California, the one in Orange is closest to our hearts.
The Ronald McDonald house program in 1974 when Philadelphia Eagles player, Fred Hill’s small daughter, Kim, was diagnosed with leukemia. Thanks to Dr. Audrey Evans, Jim Murray, the General Manager of the Eagles, Ed Rensi, McDonald’s Regional Manager, and Fred Hill himself, the first Ronald McDonald House was built.
Ten years later in 1984 the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) was established in memory McDonalds founder, Ray Kroc, a strong advocate for children. The following year, in 1985, the first overseas RMHC was opened in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Within eleven years there had been eighty-eight (88) houses built worldwide. By year 2007 there were 271 Houses in thirty-one (31) countries.
In November of 1989 the doors of Orange County Ronald McDonald House Charities were opened. The vision for it began in the early 80s when Ron Van Winkle admitted his nine year old son, Patrick, to Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) for treatment of cancer. It would be three years, three months, and six days before the vigil for Patrick’s successful cancer treatment ended. In the meantime, Ron found himself sleeping in his car, on sofas in the hospital, or anywhere he could lay his head. One night when a security guard woke him in his car and had him return to a sofa back in the hospital waiting room that the need for a home for parents in Orange County was finally recognized.
The need was brought to the attention of Dr. Geni Bennetts. With her backing Ron was easily elected to the first newly formed board of directors. The board negotiated the purchase of the land and worked with architect Bill O’Keefe to design a 20-bedroom house that was warm and inviting built close to the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. This was to provide the families with ‘a home away from home’.
Since its opening in 1989 this Orange County House has provided affordable housing for over 8, 000 families from over 22 countries. The Norwalk Woman’s Club has proudly supported this project for many years. They plan to continue to do under the leadership of Chairperson Betty Lou Larsen. Showers, pull-tabs, and cash donations are just a sample of the ways in which we raise funds.
Pull-tabs is another exciting way in which the NWC raises funds. This allows you to meet a variety of people. Imagine going to a rally, fair, luncheon, ballgame, etc where you may know only one or two people. You ask your neighbor if you can have the pull tab from their can of beverage they are drinking. Before you know it, everyone in sight is helping you collect pull tabs, plus you’ve talked to a dozen different people. Meeting new people, making new friends makes life more interesting.
The OCRMH is planning a fundraiser of their own, a High Tea & Fashion Show, to celebrate their 20th anniversary. It will be held Friday, October 23, 2009 at the Balboa Bay Club. If you are interested in sponsoring, advertising in this event, donating a raffle gift, or purchasing a ticket to attend you may contact Melanie Pollak at 714-516-3669.