Newark Station volleyball tournament benefits Ronald McDonald House
NEWARK — Sixteen co-ed sand volleyball teams will compete Saturday at The Yard at Newark Station, but the winner of the tournament has already been decided.
Proceeds from the Dig It For the House event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, which has provided 9,202 nights of rest to 717 Licking County families in a 10-year period.
The tournament last year raised $10,000, which provides 100 nights for families at the Ronald McDonald House. This year's event has raised $15,000 so far.
The tournament begins 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Newark Station, 325 W. Main St. Live music begins at 6:30 p.m. There will also be music, a craft show with 10 vendors, cornhole, raffles, games and food/drink specials.
Todd Alexander, president of property owner A4 Ragtime Band Development and partner with Seth Stout on the Newark Station development, is the immediate past board president of The Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio and served the charitable organization for more than 20 years.
“I have an incredible passion for what The House does to support families with ill children at Hospitals throughout Central Ohio," Alexander said. "I don’t speak to too many people who do not have a personal story regarding how the House here or elsewhere has touched their lives in ways that that impact them for life."
The teams paid $100 to enter the volleyball tournament. Following the tournament, the Nacho Street Band, comprised of National Children's Hospital employees, will perform live in the new pavilion.
David McCreary, a magician, comedian and co-host of Ohio Lottery’s Cash Explosion television show, will be the emcee for the night.
The Ronald McDonald House is in the midst of a $41 million capital campaign to pay for an 80-room expansion of the House, which would make it the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world. The organization serves 4,500 families a year.
Dee Anders, executive director of The Ronald McDonald House, said the capital campaign initially sought to raise $37 million, but COVID and inflation have combined to increase the goal to $41 million.
"We're going to get there," Anders said of the new goal. "We are very excited about the event and looking forward to being back in Newark. This is going to be a great family event with the music, craft vendors, magic and of course volleyball."
Ronald McDonald House has provided a cost savings of $920,000 to Licking County families of seriously ill children during the last decade.
"We do hope we will continue to have it (in Newark) and continue to grow," Anders said of the fundraiser. "Licking County is one of the top five counties we serve, so it's cool to be in that area and seeing families in their environment instead of at the House."
The average length of stay is eight nights, but some families have stayed with RMHC for longer than 250 nights. For many families, the Ronald McDonald House is the only thing that keeps them solvent, Alexander said.
The Yard at Newark Station will host several charity events this summer, including a firemen’s and policemen’s appreciation night on June 24, thanking them for their help at the Easter Sunday morning fire at Newark Station.
West Main Street remains closed just east of Newark Station due to the unstable condition of the burned-out building near the street. Those who plan to attend Saturday's event must come from the west and go around the barricade at West Main and 11th streets, entering Newark Station through the gate on West Main Street.
kmallett@newarkadvocate.com
740-328-8545
Twitter: @kmallett1958
How to support Ronald McDonald House
Those unable to attend the volleyball tournament on Saturday can still support Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio by making a donation online at https://rmhc-centralohio.org/newark/ or by mailing a donation to:
RMHC Central Ohio
Attn: Dig it for the House Newark
711 E. Livingston Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43205
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark Station volleyball tournament benefits Ronald McDonald House
