Presenting sponsor is Bank of Texas
DALLAS, Texas – Ronald McDonald House of Dallas invites everyone to The Trains at NorthPark, a favorite holiday attraction that benefits the agency. Traveling across the United States at various landmarks, this train exhibit is a holiday tradition that will roll into Dallas from November 21, 2009, through January 3, 2010, at NorthPark Center, next door to GAP between Dillard’s and Macy’s.
The co-chairs for this year’s event are Vera Bangs and Vicky Riley. The Dalton family is this year’s Honorary Family. Carol and Sam Dalton and their children are longtime House supporters and community philanthropists.
This year’s Presenting Sponsor is Bank of Texas. Norman Bagwell, chairman and CEO of Bank of Texas, a long-time Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and Trains supporter, said, “Bank of Texas is honored to be a community partner of this annual family attraction, The Trains at NorthPark. Truly a favorite holiday tradition for North Texas families, it not only is great fun, but the dollars raised go directly to the children and families served by the House. This home-away-from-home for those traveling to Dallas with their children for treatment in local hospitals is an exemplary demonstration of our city’s caring spirit and commitment to helping others.” Bank of Texas will also be the Presenting Sponsor in 2010.
Last year, more than 83,000 people visited the exhibit, the proceeds of which provide the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas nearly a third of its annual operating budget. Barbara McDermott, executive director of Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, said, “The dollars raised go to the seriously ill or injured children and their families we serve. As we open our new House in December, which will double the families we can serve to 60, fundraising is even more important than ever.”
The Trains at NorthPark exhibit is the most elaborate toy train display in all of Texas, with vintage locomotives whizzing on a journey across America, past miniature national landmarks including Mount Rushmore, Dallas’ skyline, New York City’s Times Square and Washington, D.C.’s famous landmarks.
More than 40 Lionel-type O-Gauge and the larger G-Gauge locomotives chug simultaneously on 2,500 feet of winding track. The exhibit spans 2,800 square feet, with Dallas’ Reunion Tower and the Statue of Liberty towering overhead.
Besides visiting the Trains at NorthPark exhibit, other opportunities to support the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas are by sponsoring The Trains at NorthPark or by purchasing a personalized hand-painted railcar, which will be on display at the Trains exhibit. Those interested in underwriting sponsorship information or in purchasing a personalized railcar can contact the Ronald McDonald House online at www.rmhdallas.com or by calling 214.631.7354. Underwriting sponsorships begin at $500 and personalized railcars are $175, cabooses $225, and engines $300.
Riley said, “We would love the community’s support of The Trains. If you are looking for a perfect holiday gift for a loved one or a business colleague, purchase a railcar and support the House. We have talented local artists hand-paint railcars, which are then used as part of the exhibit. When the exhibit closes, we’ll send you the railcar to keep.”
Additionally, Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends are back by popular demand as the theme of this year's Trains at NorthPark raffle train set. The four foot by eight foot "HO" gauge train set includes Thomas, Percy, James, Abigail, the Troublesome Trucks and many others. The three locomotives have the latest sound and remote controls, and two people can play with the set simultaneously. There are twelve electric push button control-switching tracks on a bi- level, twisting, and mountainous landscape with trees, bears, and deer figurines. Raffle tickets cost $5.00 each or 5 for $20. The drawing is December 17, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. All proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
Now in its 22nd year, The Trains at NorthPark will roll from a festive storefront between Dillard’s and Macy’s from Saturday, November 21, 2009, through Sunday, January 3, 2010. Hours and times are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The early closing dates are as follows: November 25, Thanksgiving Eve, at 6 p.m.; December 24, Christmas Eve, at 4 p.m.; December 31, New Year’s Eve, at 6 p.m.; January 1, New Year’s Day, at 6 p.m. The exhibit will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but open New Year’s Day.
The cost is $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children (ages 2 to 12) and senior citizens (65 and older). Children under 2 admitted free. Discount tickets are available at all Tom Thumb stores ($1.00 off regular admission). NorthPark Center is located at North Central Expressway at Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas 75225. For more information, visit www.rmhdallas.com or call 214.631.7354.
ABOUT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF DALLAS:
Since 1981, the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas has served as a home-away-from-home for more than 24,000 families of seriously ill or injured children who have traveled to Dallas seeking medical treatment in area hospitals. By providing a caring, supportive, home-like environment, the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas keeps the family intact and helps allow a family to establish a normal routine in the midst of crisis. It also provides families with the opportunity to share their concerns with other families in similar circumstances. The organization is currently building a new House, which will double its current capacity. The new House will open in late 2009. For more information, please contact the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas at 214.631.7354, or visit the website at www.rmhdallas.com.
2009 TRAINS AT NORTHPARK SPONSORS
Presenting Sponsor
Bank of Texas
Platinum Baron
Half Price Books
La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries
McQueary Henry Bowles Troy LLP
NorthPark Center
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater North Texas
Sleep Experts
Tom Thumb
Drs. Patrick and Pamela Waters
Golden Spike
Clear Channel Outdoor
Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion
Martha & Don Miller Family
Park Place Motorcars Dallas
Prairie Creek Partners
Summit Transportation
The Container Store
Ussery Printing
Silver Express
Anonymous
Children's Medical Center
Sam and Carol Dalton
DAVACO, Inc. - Retail Services
Catie and Aaron Enrico
Foresters
Pegasus Bank
Diane and Phil Prier
Travelhost
Travis, Wolff & Company, L.L.P
The Waters Family / Park Cities News
Chief Engineer
Colleen and Eric Affeldt
Ike and Barbara Bangs
The Cain Foundation
Cooters Village Camera
DallasChild
Mary Clare and Stan Finney
David Glatstein
The Heights at Park Lane
Cecilie and Ronnie Holman
ISI Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
The Leonard Family
Mario Sinacola Companies
Medical City
Morning Star Family Foundation
The Mulford Family
Cynthia and Kevin O'Brien
Dianne and Jim Pasant
Primrose School of Coppell
Randa and Doug Roach
Thompson & Knight Foundation
Ann and Bob Utley
Grant Williams' Family
Super Conductor
ACIG/ Shirley & Bill McIntyre and Pam & Brad Porter
Anonymous
Vera and Tony Bangs
Ben E. Keith Company
Brinker International
The Coca-Cola Company
Mr. and Mrs. Craig A. Cooper
Corporate Office Centers
Barbara and Ralph Cox
Duke Realty Corporation
e-Rewards Market Research
The Emanuelson Family
The Eugene McDermott Foundation
Foresters
Kara and Peter Gehan
Gehan Homes, Ltd.
Harold Simmons Foundation
David M. and Caroline W. Hundley
The Kane Family
90.9 FM KCBI
Nancy and Mike Kerr
The New KVTT – 1110 AM/KVTT.com
Gale and Bill Massey, Chanda and Heath Gilliam
Martin-Brower
Merrymac McKinley Foundation
Vinette and Mike Montgomery
JoAnne and Eddy Moore
Neighborsgo.com, where neighbors go to connect!
Anne and Blake Pogue
Sidney Powell, P.C.
Preston Center Rotary Club
Carolyn and Karl Rathjen
Vicky and Michael Riley
Sarah and Tom Roberts
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Rooney
Cameron and Clay Smith
Phin W. Stubbs, Jr. Family
Rita and Burt Tansky
The Richards Group
Trane
The Steve Utley Family
Libby and Jeff Walter
Laura and Joel Wink
Stationmaster
Amy and Fred Albrecht
Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Altshuler
Ambit Energy
Anonymous
Mr. and Mrs. Bennie M. Bray
The Brush Family
Bubblelife.com
H. Gene Burkett, Jr.
The Stephen C. Carlin Family
Cheryl and Sam Chantilis
Barbara and George Charlton
Sylvia and Jeff Chavez
Bonnie and Austin Chester
Katie and Bill Collins
Kathy and Harlan Crow
Jan and Tom Daulton
Natalie and Drew Dossett
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Dross
Eleanor Durham Dunnam
Nancy and Warren Edwards
Eiseman Jewels NorthPark
Melinda and David Emmons
Kathryn & Lance Etcheverry
Mr. and Mrs. David Feherty
Fischer & Company
Rose and Scott Fitzgerald
Mark D. Frenkel
Scott B. Frenkel
Jean and Dale Fuller
Gaedeke Group
Jennifer and John Gates
Shannon and Sam Gilliland
The Randy Golden Family
Nancy and Steve Gottsacker
Danice and Shawn Grisham
Lauri and Mike Hainsfurther
Kenneth Hamlett D.D.S.
Tania and Kevin Hardage
Amy and Scott Hatfield
S.W. Hatfield, CPA
Blainey and Marshall Hess
Peggy Hill
Ann and Lee Hobson
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick E. Howard
Corinne and David Karp
Klein & Pollack, LLP
The Koonsman Family
Phyllis and Thomas Leiser
The Mattingly Family
Susan Brown and Bill McCoy
Melissa and Scott McDonald
Mike and Sally McWilliams
Bev and Alan Moore
Sandy Nachman
Cheryl and Frank Parker
Katherine and Bob Penn
Sandra M. Petrocchi, D.D.S.
Maria and Brandon Pope
Red Mango Frozen Yogurt
Mr. and Mrs. Ritch Roberts
Nancy and David Saustad
Christie and Frank Scardino
Hillary and Mark Schwarz
Scott Family
Kathy and Bill Shuford, Jr.
Misty and Steven Smathers
SmithGroup/F&S
Jaime and Margaret Spellings
Carolyn and Steve Swann
Jill and Tom Tiernan
Dee and Trey Velvin
Waldman Bros
Christina and L. Allen White
Pam Wilkes
Abigail and Todd Williams
The Thomas Willis Family
Emilynn and Claude Wilson
Julie and John Young
