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Ronald McDonald House Charities hosts charity
gala for sick children
By Ko
Dong-hwan, The Korea Times - Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Korea
hosted a gala charity dinner on Thursday to raise funds for supporting sick
children and their families. The nonprofit organization has been supporting
families with hospitalized children by offering them high-quality free
accommodation at Yangsan House near Pusan National University Children’s
Hospital in city of Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province.
Approximately
600 guests crowded the Grand Hyatt Seoul's Grand Ballroom for the annual gala.
This year's main sponsors were McDonald’s Korea and Cadillac Korea, and 17
other firms donated items for the auction, raffle and goodie bags for all
participants of the event.
Jeffrey Jones,
chairman of RMHC Korea, said in his opening remarks that he has “a
responsibility that we undertake helping these families in need in their most
serious crises, and I know our entire team is dedicated to them,” urging the
crowd to open up their hearts and wallets as well.
Kevin Kim, chargé d'affaires and interim at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, followed Jones on the stage, saying the U.S. government supports the organization’s philanthropic works.
"Tonight is one of those things where you do this because it's the right thing to do, for the right reasons and for the right people. What makes RMHC so special is that it represents the very best of what can happen when private industry, individuals and communities come together,” Kim said.
"A partnership you've built with corporate partners, hospitals and volunteers demonstrate that some of our most pressing challenges can be solved not through government programs alone, but through dedication and generosity of individuals and businesses committed to making a difference.”
Sue Ahn, president and CEO of RMHC Korea, said during the gala that two new accommodation houses will be built in the country’s capital region, one next to Seoul Children's Hospital in Seocho District and the other near Inha University Hospital in Incheon.
"No family should have to choose between caring for their child and finding a place to rest. We provide comfort, nourishment and moments that feel normal when nothing else does. When a child needs care, families stay together. And we stay beside them,” Ahn said.
