At Columbia Distributing, giving back to the community isn’t just a once-and-a-while opportunity to be charitable – it’s a core component of our history and mission. That’s why Columbia Distributing partners with several local nonprofit organizations, like Ronald McDonald House Charities in Portland, Oregon. Here, we share details about an event we supported on the most romantic day of the year — Valentine’s Day.
Why Valentine’s Day?
Bouquets of roses, chocolates in heart-shaped boxes, going out to dinner, and, most importantly, spending time with the most special person in your life — these are the things that make Valentine’s Day such a special time of year. For some couples, however, Valentine’s Day might not be on their radar.
Parents of children diagnosed with serious medical conditions may need to travel far from home to access the best care. Already worried about their child’s health, these parents face the added stress of finding somewhere to stay and travel expenses.
This is where Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) steps in. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to meeting families’ needs during these already difficult times so they can focus on the health and well-being of their children. One of the most significant ways that RMHC helps families is by offering a place to stay that’s closer to hospitals and treatment centers than their homes. Each year, RMHC provides over 2.2 million overnight stays, which help save a collective $611 million in lodging and food expenses that families would be responsible for otherwise.
Columbia Distributing and RMHC recognize how important self-care is for parents, especially under such circumstances. Since these parents might not think to make time for themselves, Columbia Distributing and RMHC decided to make time for them. This is how the Valentine’s Day event came to be.
Enjoying a Romantic Dinner Even During the Hardest of Times
The Valentine’s Day event was held at RMHC in Portland and allowed parents to celebrate the way many other couples do on this special evening — with a candlelit dinner.
“We all know Valentine’s Day is a night to share your love with your partner and have a moment together,” says Lindsi Taylor, Director of Communications and DEI Strategy at Columbia Distributing. “Valentine’s Day is probably far away from the minds of those caring for their children. We helped host an evening for the adults in the facility to have a romantic dinner.”
Columbia Distributing’s generosity helped pay for catering for the dinner, and team members volunteered in various roles, such as hosts, servers, greeters, and picture takers. Other volunteers supervised the children in another part of the building, who celebrated with a pizza party and crafts.
The dinner was held in the cafeteria, which might not be the most romantic of locations, but Columbia Distributing helped make it work. “We dimmed the lights in what is typically a very fluorescently lit cafeteria. Lighting some candles helped give parents a moment of breath. It provided a time where they could celebrate and take a moment to think about themselves and not the stress they’re under,” Taylor says.
A Long-Lasting Partnership to Support the Community
The Valentine Day’s event isn’t the first time Columbia Distributing partnered with RMHC in Portland. The organization is one of the beverage distributor’s primary recipients of charitable giving and volunteer efforts.
“Because we’ve built such a great relationship with RMHC, they came to us with this idea. Knowing to execute it, they would need volunteers and a financial donation for the dinner,” Taylor explains. “We were all on board. We didn’t even have to hesitate. We knew we wanted to help in this way.”
Columbia Distributing looks forward to partnering with RMHC again. They are a major sponsor of the nonprofit’s annual golf tournament in Portland and RMHC is a beneficiary of the golf tournament that Columbia Distributing holds in Seattle during the summer.
“We’re always so grateful to help the people in need at the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the organization has been a great partner to us over the years. We hope to continue that partnership moving forward,” Taylor says.
Columbia Distributing is a leading beverage distributor, providing alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages throughout Washington and Oregon. Contact us today to learn more about our community efforts, or complete a charity partner application to inquire about donations or event sponsorship.