Lansing, MI — Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Mid-Michigan in Lansing and RMHC Ann Arbor were recognized as top five finalists for the RMHC Global Enhance Collaboration Impact Award for the 2023 "Battle for the Houses" campaign. Ninety-five RMHC Chapters from all over the world submitted applications highlighting impactful, innovative ways to advance the RMHC mission to take care of families of hospitalized children.
In July of 2024, 1,700 RMHC representatives from chapters across the world gathered in Chicago to learn, network, and celebrate 50 years of RMHC. During the conference, finalist Chapters had the opportunity to present their campaigns to an audience of RMHC peers. The top finalists for the Enhance Collaboration award included RMHC chapters in Canada, Tampa Bay, Sydney (Australia), Connecticut & Western Massachusetts, and Mid-Michigan. Carolyn Hurst, executive director of RMHC Mid-Michigan, shared with the audience the story behind "Battle for the Houses" and emphasized its collaborative spirit.
RMHC Mid-Michigan and RMHC Ann Arbor are both situated in college towns with a long-standing, iconic rivalry. Todd “TJ” Duckett, a former Michigan State University and NFL football player, and his wife, Sara Duckett, recognized this rivalry as a unique opportunity to support both Houses. The Ducketts, who have been long-time volunteers at RMHC Mid-Michigan, experienced firsthand the vital role RMHC plays when they stayed at RMHC Ann Arbor while their son underwent life-saving heart surgery at Mott Children’s Hospital.
Understanding that RMHC Ann Arbor needed a strong leader, Duckett reached out to Mike Martin, a former University of Michigan and NFL football player, to lead the "Go Blue!" team while Duckett championed the "Go Green!" team. Together, they spearheaded efforts to rally donations and volunteer hours at their respective Houses during the month leading up to the UofM vs. MSU football game. The final tally was determined after the last play of the game.
Throughout the month, events included a volunteer week with current MSU football student athletes, a student pep rally, a pre-game press conference for fans, and a game-day tailgate to engage the community and drive support for the Ronald McDonald Houses. In the end, RMHC Mid-Michigan was announced the winner of the 2023 Battle for the Houses. The campaign reached more than 130,000 people on social media, 12.6 million viewers and listeners and 13.5 billion impressions across six media outlets. The effort raised over $100,000 and logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours for both Houses combined.
Proud of their collaborative success, Hurst said, “The campaign exemplified the power of collaboration and engagement, demonstrated how aligning our efforts and fostering community partnerships can elevate RMHC mission awareness and ultimately help us serve more families better.”
For more information about Battle for the Houses visit https://www.rmhmm.org/battle-houses
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ABOUT RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES MID-MICHIGAN
Ronald McDonald House Charities Mid-Michigan keeps families with sick children together and close to the care and resources they need. It has served thousands of families by providing them a warm and caring home-away-from-home where they can have home-cooked meals, a place for siblings to play and a comfortable place to sleep near the hospital room where they spend countless hours with an ill child.