23rd Annual Heart of the House Gala raises a record-breaking amount to support RMHC of Alabama.

Explore our Flicker album for Heart of the House Gala highlights and photos. Photography by Nik Layman PhotoVideo.

Thanks to your generosity, the 2025 Heart of the House Gala presented by The Chad & Patti Hagwood Foundation raised a record breaking $514,440 to support families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. This remarkable outpouring of support helps us provide more than just a place to stay—it ensures that families facing a child’s medical crisis have access to hot meals, comfort, community, and critical services at no cost to them. Your participation makes our mission possible: keeping families together when they need each other most. To every guest, sponsor, and volunteer—thank you for standing with us and helping create a true home-away-from-home.

$514,440 RAISED

at Heart of the House Gala will provide

Meet the McWilliams Family

At this year’s Heart of the House Gala presented by the Chad & Patti Hagwood Foundation, the McWilliams family shared their story, showing just how powerful your support can be. When Shreve McWilliams was diagnosed with CTNNB1 syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting her neurological development, their world changed. During two-week therapy intensives in Birmingham, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama becomes a vital lifeline for the McWilliams family.

“There’s just something about the community here, and a hot meal every night—that makes life a little more manageable.” —Crawford McWilliams

With multiple daily therapy sessions and high out of pocket costs, RMHCA provides critical relief — physically, emotionally, and financially. Every dollar raised at the 2025 Heart of the House Gala presented by the Chad & Patti Hagwood Foundation helped provide a meal, a warm bed, and a sense of peace when families need it most. Thank you for helping us keep them together.

Special thanks to the 2025 Heart of the House Gala Committee.

Chairs: Jill & Bob Crawford

Friday, August 7, 2026

For information on how to sponsor, donate auction items, or volunteer, please reach out to Associate Director of Events & Community Engagement, Amanda McCormick at [email protected].