Our Mission
RMH Holiday Cruise is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization originally founded in 1982. Our mission is to provide Christmas gifts and a Christmas Eve cruise for families residing at Seattle’s Ronald McDonald House ®.
Our History and How We Work
In 1996 Mr. Stephen Lamson, the founder and driving force behind the Christmas Cruise went to the Kirkland Police seeking help in putting on the Children's Cruise. The Police Department got on board so to speak and the Cruise grew and each year more and more of the families from Ronald McDonald House ® have joined in.
In the early years it was several smaller boats and a hand full of dedicated people took needy children on a fun filled Christmas cruise around Lake Washington. Over the years it has continued growing in size.
This magical evening includes a catered dinner, complete with all the holiday festivities, including a visit from Santa and activities the whole family can enjoy and participate in. While the families are enjoying the cruise, another group of volunteers deliver holiday gifts for the entire family to the Seattle Ronald McDonald House ®, and prepares each room in anticipation of the families' return. Funding for this event is derived from an annual live auction held at the Overlake Golf and Country Club.
Over the 23 years, through the increased generosity of donors and dedication of volunteers, we have expanded in offering events throughout the year for medically fragile children and their families residing at the house.
Our organization is primarily made up of volunteers from the Seattle, Medina, and Kirkland Police Departments, Microsoft employees and family members, and other dedicated individuals within the community. Our volunteers donate their time, energy and resources to provide these families
Much of the funding for our events and Christmas Eve Holiday Cruise is derived from our annual live auction and dinner held at the Overlake Golf and Country Club in Medina. If you would like to make a donation, be a sponsor, or volunteer for this year's auction committee, please contact us via email rmhholidaycruise@hotmail.com or leave a message at (425) 889-7882.
RMHHC Officers
Lisa Haistings - President
Retired, Microsoft Corporation
Retta Winbigler - Vice President
Retired
Rebekah Hankins - Secretary
Microsoft Corporation
Don Corning - Treasurer
Retired, Kirkland Police
RMHHC Board Members
Steve Lamson (Founder) - Continental Productions
Michael Haistings - Retired, Boeing
Alan Fingeroot - Safeco
Mary-Alyce Burleigh - City Council Member, Kirkland
Patti Grahamm - Silent Dragonfly Creations
Gary Sheneman - Microsoft Corporation
Cindi Shute-Bodle - Microsoft Corporation
Helen Halverson - Microsoft Corporation