We are ecstatic to report that our campaign effort has raised… drum roll please… over $13.7 million dollars to date! Our heartfelt gratitude to all the donors who made this milestone possible.
It is through your contributions AND invitations to others to donate that has kept the fundraising momentum going despite the numerous challenges our community faces. One recent personal invitation to support the campaign resulted in securing a $3 million gift from the Kerbs Family.
Our vision to serve more families in desperate need of support is one step closer to being a reality. Read more about this generous gift and the Kerbs Family here –
Robert and Karen Kerbs heard about the expansion efforts from their accountant and our former board member, Jim Howard. Robert is Professor Emeritus at Cal Poly Pomona, and Karen worked in administration for the Provost’s Office at Caltech. They both grew up locally in Orange County - Robert in Rossmoor and Karen in Huntington Beach. They enjoyed living in Orange County but eventually, their careers in higher education brought them to Los Angeles County. After learning about the opportunity to support the capital campaign, Robert and Karen decided to tour the Ronald McDonald House, which was conducted by our Director of Operations, Katie Russell. Robert and Karen left that day with a deeper understanding of the charity's work and purpose. They were excited with the prospect of providing support that would have a direct impact on families truly in need.
Robert and Karen experienced something familiar to our families. When Robert was unexpectedly diagnosed with a life-threatening heart condition on a routine checkup, he had to be brought by ambulance to a hospital far away from family and their home. Karen had to stay in a nearby hotel in an unfamiliar city with uncertainties about how long Robert would be in the hospital. Once diagnosed, Robert was scheduled for open-heart surgery a few months later. This again necessitated Karen to stay in a nearby hotel in an unfamiliar city far away from family to offer comfort and support. As challenging as their journey was, the Kerbs felt fortunate to have had the resources to pay for Karen’s hotel stay and meals. Robert and Karen realized that the Ronald McDonald House offers families what is necessary and ideal when facing their darkest days and caring for a sick child. The House serves as not only a convenient and local place to sleep and get nourishment but also as a shared space where families can connect with others undergoing similar family health crisis.
Robert and Karen appreciate the important mission of the House and are happy to be able to help extend its availability to additional families in need of its assistance. As a result, Robert and Karen decided to support the campaign at the building naming level of $3 million. The completed House expansion will be named in honor of the Kerbs Family as follows: Kerbs Family Building.
