When the Eliminators Car Club decided to join Club 206 and adopt a room at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House, they would have never guessed the impact their donation would have.
Meet the Eliminators
The Eliminators Car Club is a group of car-enthusiasts from Bucyrus who share a passion for building up the Central Ohio community. They support multiple charitable projects, including RMHC of Central Ohio and a local tee-ball team.
When the club hosts car shows, all of the proceeds go to charity. For example, they have supported RMHC with proceeds from car shows for over a decade now, with this year being their most successful fundraiser yet, raising more than $5,000 in one day.
Three years ago after going on a tour of the House, the club decided that they would adopt a room and make it a top priority. They now adopt a room every year, and, last year, they came to the grand opening of the House’s expansion. The club was impressed by the addition that nearly doubled the building’s size, and they felt proud to be a part of Club 206, the giving society for sponsoring a room named after the 206 rooms in the House.
Anyone can join Club 206 and adopt a guest room for just $1,000 a year, whether they are an individual, group, family or company.
Their Impact
Earlier this year, the car club received a Facebook message from a family staying in the Eliminators’ guest room at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House.
“The dad wanted to thank us for sponsoring the room,” says Arland McMichael, current president of the Eliminators. “He said he could go back to Salt Lake City and continue working knowing that his wife had a clean, safe environment while their daughter was across the street at the hospital.”
Next thing they knew, the daughter (Jessica) and mother (Kellee) were reaching out, asking to thank them in person. The club drove down in their 1945 Ford bus and met the two outside.
An Unexpected Meeting
They ended up talking in the bus for hours, enjoying each others’ company. Jessica told the members about her volleyball team and what going to a large high school in SLC was like, the club shared stories of their escapades as a group and they all had a wonderful time.
At one point in the day, the members presented Jessica a car show award with her name on it.
“Her eyes bucked out of her head,” remembers Arland. “She spun it around, showed her mom and said ‘Mom, it’s got my name on it.’ It was instant tears from both of them.”
They also gave Jessica a club member hat and T-shirt, marking her the first non-member to own their merchandise.
“It was just a joyous meeting,” says Arland.
Soon after, Jessica shared with the club the good news that she was going home, and she thanked them for their generous support.
Thanks to Club 206 donors like the Eliminators, families like Jessica’s are able to stay near the hospital in a safe and hospitable environment. Whether as an individual, group, family or company anyone can join Club 206 and adopt one of the 206 guest rooms at the House for just $1,000 a year. As seen with the Eliminators and Jessica, Club 206 has a real and tangible impact on the families we serve.