Did you know?

Our GU bulldogs will be playing against Boomer and Sooner for the RMHC Classic. The University of Oklahoma mascot if the Sooner Schooner, a Conestoga wagon pulled by two crème white ponies, Boomer and Sooner. The term Sooner was used to describe settlers who entered Unassigned Land (in what is modern day Oklahoma) during the late 1800’s. Quite the interesting mascot! But then again, our beloved Zags have a reputation for a funny name as well.

We’re excited to see Spike take on Boomer and Sooner at the Classic game! If you haven’t purchased tickets yet, they are available online at  http://ev8.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3aTWC%3aEPFD09:EARN1231%3a&linkID=twcorp or call 1-800-325-SEAT!

4th Annual RMHC Classic

The 4th Annual RMHC Classic basketball game, benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities Spokane, will take place at the Spokane Veteran’s at 7pm on December 31, 2009. The Gonzaga University Bulldogs will be playing against the University of Oklahoma Sooners. The game will air live on ESPN 2. Last year the Ronald McDonald House Charities raised over $75,000 between their RMHC Classic game and the Cobra Polo Classic that directly covered the cost of families staying at the RMHC.

This year’s RMHC Classic basketball game is sponsored by the Davenport Hotel and Tower, The Pacific Northwest Inlander and Nike. Exclusive Davenport Hotel and Ticket Packages are still available; make reservations by calling 1.800.899.1482. Individual tickets are also available online at
http://ev8.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3aTWC%3aEPFD09:EARN1231%3a&linkID=twcorp
or order them over the phone by calling 1.800.325.SEAT.

Ronald McDonald House Charities
1015 W 5th Avenue
Spokane, WA 99204
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane provides temporary lodging, comfort and support for families of children accessing medical services nearby. Visit their website at http://www.rmhspokane.org/.

For more information please call, e-mail or visit the RMHC Classic webpage at http://rmhcclassic.com/.
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For all those curious–here are some more details on what you can expect at the Rock Our House party this year!

Music: DJ, Chris Lambeth

Drinks: Rock Star energy drinks, champagne, Budweiser, Stella Artois, wine, mixed drinks (*two drinks included in ticket price)

Food: Flatbread, mashed potato bar, Asian platters, assorted bruschetta, Mediterranean platters, cheese platters, sliders, and cookies!

Perks: GU players autograph signing, Silent Auction, dancing and of course–noisemakers!

During the holidays and before our RMHC Classic game, help out the House by adding some of our wish list items to your Christmas Shopping list. The littlest bit helps! Our staff and families thank you so much for your generosity!

Here is our Wish List:

Canned Food
-Stew
-Hearty Soup
-Chili
-Campbell’s Soups
-Canned Fruit

Coffee/Juices
-Individual boxed juices
-Decaf coffee-cans
-Cremora

Toys
-Appropriate toys for ages 1-12
-Blocks
-Educational toys
(No toys with small pieces please!)

Kitchenware
-Heavy duty pots and pans
-Frying pans
-9×13 and 10×14 casserole dishes
-Cookie sheets/cupcake pans
-White dish sets-Corelle

Towels
-Large white bath towels-Costco
-White hand towels-Costco
-White washcloths-Costco
-Dish towels and dishcloths

Christmas Gifts-Children
-Clothing-newborn and sizes 8-12
Includes shirts, pants, jackets, sweaters, socks

Christmas Gifts-Adults
-Gift certificates to Wal-Mart, Target, Fred Meyer, local grocery stores and phone cards

Snacks
-Popcorn
-Individually wrapped bars
-Individually wrapped bags of chips

Miscellaneous
-Construction paper-assorted
-Bubbles
-Spray Pam
-Cupcake liners
-Sidewalk Chalk

Happy Holidays from our House to yours!

There are going to be some exciting items for this year’s Silent Auction at the New Year’s Eve party. Here are seven heavenly items you can expect to see:

1.  Dinner for four (4) with the Zags

Richard Fox will cook his famous spaghetti and meatball dinner and Cory Violette will grill up his delicious bar-b-que ribs. Two other Zags will also be there to contribute to this fun-filled dinner.

2.  Hoopfest Practice, Swimming and Dinner with Craig Ehlo.

A Hoopfest team will go to Craig Ehlo’s team for practice with the ex-NBA player. Following practice, swimming at the Ehlo’s and then bar-b-que burgers cooked up by Craig himself!

3.  Decade of Excellence DVD

Your own signed DVD by many of the Zags that played during the Decade of Excellence.

4.  Lessons with Gonzaga’s ‘Bomb Squad’

5.  Davenport Hotel Package

6.  Ride the Wave with an ‘Elite 8′

Session with Mike Nilson, Ryan Floyd and Matt Santangelo. Your own private lesson with the guys that got us to the Elite Eight and put Gonzaga on the map.

7. Dan Dickau autographed b-ball shoes

We’ll keep everyone posted on all new auction items so you can start your wish lists now!

DJ, Chris Lambeth will be spinning the beats for the Rock Our House party on New Year’s Eve! For those of you who were at the Polo Classic this year, Chris and his company, Spin Cycle provided the music for our after party pro bono. We’re excited to have them join us again. So…start thinking about what tunes you’d like to hear on New Year’s Eve. Requests are welcome!

Thank you to all who are supporting the Ronald McDonald House Charities with our 4^th annual RMHC Classic. It is so wonderful that we have been blessed with friends that provide support and encouragement even during the busy holiday season. It is because of you that we can make the Ronald McDonald House a true home for the holidays for families in need.

As the holiday season is just around the corner, keep the RMHC Spokane and our families in your thoughts and prayers.

Here are five tips on how you can help out the House this season:

1. Donate to the House

Monetary help is always appreciated, but we also need help filling our pantries with non-perishable goods and meeting the needs on our wish list. See our website for details.

2. Volunteer

We can always use a helpful hand at the House, call 509.624.0550 for details.

3. Become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter

We utilize these social networks to find volunteers, promote events and communicate with the community. Join us for the inside scoop on the RMHC Spokane.

4. Get involved in our fundraising events

Donate gift certificates and other goods or services to be used as a prize at our various fundraising events—these donations help make our events extra special while providing additional money for the House.

5. Collect pop tabs

As you enjoy your carbonated beverages this season, save the tabs and bring them to the House. We recycle pop tabs to raise money each year! Come by the House and grab our pop tab “houses” as a reminder in your home or office to keep collecting!

This year’s post RMHC Classic New Year’s Eve party, Rock Our House, will be attended by some very special guests. Some former Zags will be joining us to sign autographs and enjoy the festivities.

Here’s who will be ringing in 2010 with the RMHC:

• Mike Nilson 00’
• Ryan Floyd  00’
• Colin Floyd 06’
• Richard Fox 04’
• Alex Hernandez 02’
• Tony Skinner 04’
• Andrew Sorenson 09’

Welcome to the RMHC Classic blog! This is your place for all Classic updates and news. Let’s talk about the New Year’s Eve Rock Our House party, the Gonzaga and Oklahoma basketball seasons and the Ronald McDonald House here in Spokane. Stay tuned for all the details and feel free to post comments or questions that arise.