The Trains at NorthPark Benefiting The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas
When: November 20th, 2012 – January 2nd, 2012
Where: NorthPark Center
Now in its 13th year at NorthPark Center, The Trains at NorthPark, presented by Bank of Texas, debuts a beautiful, new set design which immerses visitors in a magical experience from the moment they walk through the door. Each holiday season, more than 80,000 visitors visit Texas’ most elaborate train exhibit featuring hundreds of miniature locomotives traveling on a journey across America’s greatest cities and national landmarks. Proceeds from The Trains at NorthPark provide almost one-third of the annual operating budget for the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
Purchase raffle tickets for your chance to win a 5-foot by 9-foot O Gauge train layout and train tables, compliments of TrainWorx by T.W. Design. The tables is designed in the style of a 1950s Lionel Dealer Display table and is complete with two Lionel train sets and two loops of track including one elevated loop, and features a hand-carved mountain and accessories. Retails for more than $14,500.
Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children and seniors. Discount tickets are available at Tom Thumb stores. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Early closing on Wednesday, November 24th (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and on Christmas Eve (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on New Years Eve and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on New Year’s Day. The 2010 location for all new The Trains at NorthPark exhibit is on Level Two between Barneys New York and Nordstrom.
SPONSORS
The Trains at NorthPark offers sponsorships opportunities to individuals, businesses, community organizations and schools. Sponsorship benefits include:
- Recognition at the Exhibit
- Recognition in printed materials
- Tickets to the Sneak Peek Opening Breakfast
- Complimentary tickets to the Exhibit
- Personalized hand painted railcar
- Holiday valet passes at NorthPark Center
- Invitation to the Sponsor Cocktail Party
Purchase a Railcar
Just as visiting The Trains at NorthPark has become a tradition for families and businesses, ordering personalized railcars have also become a holiday tradition. Talented local artists hand-paint railcars with a message of choice, either a company name or logo, children’s names, or a holiday greeting. Each year, the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas sells approximately 500 railcars which decorate the walls of the Exhibit and ride on the tracks.
Personalized railcars also make great holiday gifts! A tax-deductible donation will purchase:
- Standard Railcar – $175
- Caboose – $225
- Engine – $300
Volunteer
Community volunteers are vital to the success of the trains at NorthPark. It takes more than 1,500 volunteers to operate the Trains during the 6-week exhibit. Volunteers are needed to perform the following task:
-
Exhibit Cashier
- Raffle Ticket Sales
- Exhibit Greeters
- Exhibit Host/Hostess
- Line Monitor
Mission at The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas
The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas exists to serve and sustain families when serious illness or injury strikes the most cherished part of their lives, their children.
The Ronald McDonald House of Dallas (RMHD) is the only organization that provides a temporary home-away-from-home for families whose children are receiving treatment for a serious illness or injury at a Dallas area hospital. In an effort to lessen the burden, reduce stress, keep the family intact, and enhance the quality of life for these families, the RMHD provides affordable housing in a caring home-like atmosphere.
The Ronald McDonald House program was built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on healing their child – not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal, or where they will lay their head at night to rest.
How We FulFill Our Mission:
- We provide a place to stay for little or no cost.
- We serve the entire family with space for up to five family members in each room.
- We serve three meals a day for every resident generously donated and prepared by community group volunteers.
- Volunteers are essential to creating a warm environment where families are taken care of and feel at home.
- We offer a host of services and activities to make sure your stay as enjoyable as possible.
- We connect families with our people who care and understand what you’re going through.
- We partner with community and corporate sponsors to fund the portion of each night’s stay not covered by the family’s contribution.
Our History
1974 – The First Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia1981 – The first Ronald McDonald House of Dallas opens its doors with the capacity of service 10 families. (Dr. JoAnn Cornet was the founder and first chair of the RMHD Board of Directors.)
1983 – Cooking program is started by a Southwest Airlines pilot who lost his daughter to leukemia. He served at RMHs in cities where he flew and recruited his friends. SWA cooks twice a month at RMHD today.
1985 – Southwest Airlines adopts RMHD as its primary charity. Due to increased community need, Ronald McDonald House of Dallas is expanded to service 20 families.
1986 – LUV Classic golf tournament (2nd largest charity golf tournament in metroplex).
1987 – Train fundraisers begins and is held at Crescent Hotel.
1988 – Galleria Wonderland Express opens at Galleria.
1994 – Second expansion allows the House to serve 30 families.
1999 – Trains at NorthPark opens at NorthPark Center.
2004 – SWA dedicated new signature aircraft “The Spirit of Hope” in honor of the 30th birthday of the first RMH in Philadelphia.
2006 – Celebrates 25th Anniversary.
2007 – The 5th original Ronald McDonald House is sold to UT Southwestern Medical School and a capital campaign is launched to build a new House at 4707 Bengal Street.
2010 – A third expansion is completed.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
We offer a number of easy and innovative ways to get involved.
Tune-Ups for a Cause – Comfort Experts is giving away heating and cooling system tune ups with a donation of at least $79 at the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas! And they guarantee their work or a return visit for free.
Personalized Holiday, Tribute and Thank You Cards – If you’re planning to order holiday cards this year, order them through us and RMHD will receive a portion of the proceeds. There are many styles to choose from. It’s not too early to order today!
Tom Thumb Good Neighbor Program – You can help our families simply by linking Tom Thumb Reward card to the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Our Good Neighbor number is 1080. Once you’ve linked your card to our number, 1% of your grocery purchases will be donated to RMMHD.
Donate a Car, Boat or RV – Donate a car, boat, recreational vehicle, yacht, truck or used motorcycle and receive the maximum legal tax deduction and possibly a partial cash payment. For more information about this type of donation or to receive a “no obligation” evaluation of your potential vehicle or other property donation call toll free 866.244.8464. We pick up anywhere in the USA. Don’t forget to mention Ronald McDonald House of Dallas when you call
The Trains at NorthPark – Become a sponsor of our largest fundraising event of the year. During the holiday season The Trains at NorthPark is home to over 2,500 feet of train tracks and vintage locomotives – all chugging along past national landmarks. Personalized, hand-painted railcars are also available for purchase each year and are displayed at the exhibit. Looking for a unique holiday volunteer opportunity? It takes more than 1,500 community volunteers to make this event happen. For more information on any of these opportunities contact Sarah Leverett at 214.631.7354.
Wish List – The House is just like your home but on a much larger scale. Get a group of friends, neighbors, or co-workers together for a donation drive of the items on our latest wish list/
Moonlight Ball – Attend and/or sponsor our annual gala. The event is a wonderful evening of dinner and dancing at the Brook Hollow Golf Club with friends who are committed to the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. For more information about underwriting and ticket sales please contact Sarah Leverett at 214.631.7354.
Care Catalog – You can help our families by sponsoring a number of events, items and activities at The House.
Host a Fundraiser – As your company plans its philanthropic activities, please consider organizing a fundraiser to benefit Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. Your company’s employees can help make a different in the lives of sick children by organizing events such as gold outing, art gallery or restaurant openings, garage sales, and much more. Contact Sarah Leverett at 214.631.7354 for more information.
Planned Giving – A number of gift-giving vehicles enable you to incorporate charitable intentions in your long-term financial planning. In addition to dramatically impacting the lives of children and families who depend on RMHD, a planned gift can offer you many benefits. Contact Sarah Leverett at 214.631.7354 for more information.
Pop Tabs - Collecting pop tabs are a great way for children, schools, and other large groups to get involved in fundraising for RMHD.
