Uncork Your Support helps keep Ronald McDonald Family Room running at Edward Hospital

Every March, the Naperville community comes together for Uncork Your Support, a night of fundraising for the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Edward Hospital in Naperville. Since the event began in 2013, the community has raised nearly $500,000 for this important cause.

Proceeds from the March 12 event held at Cress Creek Country Club help cover the Family Room's operational costs so families who need to stay bedside by seriously ill children can continue utilizing this dedicated place of respite.

"Ronald McDonald Family Rooms are quiet places where families can get some sleep, have a simple meal and have some quiet time to reflect outside of the busyness of the hospital floor," said Ruth-Anne Renaud, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana, which operates five Ronald McDonald Houses, three Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, and two Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles in the area.

The Family Room at Edward Hospital includes two rooms for sleeping, a lounge area with a kitchenette and a play area for siblings; it also provides snacks and meals for families. Guests learned firsthand about the Family Room's positive impact from a mother of triplets who needed to stay at Edward Hospital before her delivery as well as afterward when two of her children spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This quiet and relaxing space became invaluable to the family during their four-month hospital stay.

At this year's Uncork Your Support, guests enjoyed sampling wine and craft beers and passed hors d'oeuvres while bidding on silent auction items and participating in raffles.

"It was a wonderful, vibrant evening," said Renaud. "We are grateful for Presenting Sponsor Peter and Holly Krug, along with Connoisseur Sponsors Gerald Auto Group, Zurich, Amber Waves, Michael O'Malley and Anne Sobota. Together, with the community's support, this event has helped us raise over half a million dollars for the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Edward Hospital."

For more about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana, visit ronaldhousechicago.org.