Sold Out “Bid to Give” Art Gala Raises $200,000 for the New Peoria Ronald McDonald House®

11/5/2019 RMHC Central Illinois

Kim Blickenstaff Generously Matches All Funds Raised at the Event

November 4, 2019 – Peoria, IL

The sold-out “Bid to Give” Art Gala for the Peoria Ronald McDonald House® held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral over the weekend proved to be a huge success with $100,000 raised. Developer Kim Blickenstaff generously matched all funds raised at the event, bringing the grand total to $200,000. This gives Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois the funds needed to purchase all the artwork planned for the Peoria House.

Developer Kim Blickenstaff generously matched all funds raised at the event, bringing the grand total to $200,000.

“The new Peoria Ronald McDonald House is going to be a wonderful beacon of hope for families with children needing medical care,” says Kim Blickenstaff. “I’m honored to help play a part and brighten the lives of those who will be staying at the House through these works of art and the planned Art and Education Room.”

At the Art Gala on November 2, individuals, couples, families, friends and businesses selected and sponsored (or made a gift to help purchase) one or more pieces of art to be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. Each individual or group who purchased art for the Peoria Ronald McDonald House will be recognized for their thoughtful gift of art with a plaque displayed next to their sponsored piece.

Each individual or group who purchased art for the Peoria Ronald McDonald House will be recognized for their thoughtful gift of art with a plaque displayed next to their sponsored piece. The sold-out “Bid to Give” Art Gala for the Peoria Ronald McDonald House® held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral over the weekend proved to be a huge success with $100,000 raised.

“We are simply blown away by the generosity and support our community has shown us in making the Peoria Ronald McDonald House a reality,” said Kelly Thompson, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois. “These works were chosen to create a fun, healing environment for the children, their families, and all who will care for them. A special thanks to Mr. Blickenstaff for believing in our vision of supporting programs that provide for the well-being of children and their families in Peoria.”

The new Peoria Ronald McDonald House, opening December 16, 2019, will serve over 700 families annually and provide hundreds of volunteer opportunities for the community. The capital campaign for the Peoria Ronald McDonald House is still going strong with many individual giving and Adopt-the-House sponsorship opportunities still available. For more information about how to support the project, please contact Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois at 309-401-2525.