Ronald McDonald House parents, siblings and friends gathered in the Great Room of the House to enjoy a performance of piano tunes ranging from Broadway to Joplin’s ragtime to patriotic favorites for the 4^th, ending with a signature favorite, “The Way We Were”. Hamlisch took his audience on a musical journey over the years and shared his love for the great American songbook. Dominic and Angelo Pizarro, talented young pianists in their own right, provided an "opening act" for Mr. Hamlisch. They are familiar performers to House families, volunteering their talent every Monday evening during dinnertime.

This Julliard graduate, famed conductor and musical composer is one of only ten people to win every major award that exists: three Oscars®, four Grammys®, four Emmys®, a Tony® and three Golden Globe® awards. His groundbreaking show, A Chorus Line, received the Pulitzer Prize. The list of songs associated with his name is endless.

 
On his official website, http://www.marvinhamlisch.com/, he said, “Music can make a difference. There is a global nature to music, which has the potential to bring all people together.” Today, in the “House that love built”, Marvin Hamlisch did just that – bring our families together for a while to escape the challenges of their child’s illness, and enjoy the pleasure of his music.

“RMHC-SD decided to pursue solar energy to create a healthy and sustainable environment for the children and families we serve, and to help greatly offset power costs,” said Bill Lennartz, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego. “Our partners have been vital to our success as a resource to families in some of the most challenging times of their lives, and we are excited to now be producing clean solar energy to help us provide care to even more families.”

Bill introduced houseguest, Kim Abramson, who provided a heartfelt perspective on the impact the House has on so many families. With her 1 year old son, Colby in her arms, she shared her family's story of staying at the San Diego Ronald McDonald House during Colby's medical treatment for a rare heart condition, at Rady Children's Hospital. She joyfully shared that she was able to take Colby home just two days ago, but will always be very grateful for the four months of care and compassion she received from everyone she encountered during her stay. She also recalled the many days she and her husband spent sleeping in their car in the early part of Colby's treatment, before they became aware of the services offered by the House. She emphasized that the staff and volunteers "don't realize what a difference they make every day".

The solar installation was designed and constructed by HelioPower and financed by Helio Micro Utility. These modules are among the top-ranked in the industry, which are quickly becoming universally accepted standards for measuring real-world module energy production and performance.  PV Powered, Inc., an Advanced Energy company, supplied the 100kW inverter. Canadian Solar, HelioPower and PV Powered all donated price reductions to benefit the charity. Katrina Perez, of the California Center for Sustainable Design, was also present to deliver a "Solar Partners Recognition Award" to the charity.

READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE NOW.

Read our first issue, Winter 2010 "From the Heart".

Funds will build a vehicle turnout at new House for families with sick children

(SAN DIEGO) (May 13, 2010) –Thanks to a $70,000 grant from the County Neighborhood Reinvestment Program recommended by Supervisors Greg Cox and Ron Roberts, families and delivery trucks will now have a safe place to load and unload in front of the new Ronald McDonald House of San Diego on Children’s Way, it was announced today at a press conference held on the site of the future turnout.  The grant will fund a new ADA ramp, as well as a vehicle turnout in front of the House that serves families with seriously ill children in the hospital.

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