Candace Austin

Ronald McDonald House Mom Wins Big at Handbag HULLABALOOTM!

The odds were stacked in favor of the 430 Handbag HULLABALOO!TM guests on Feb. 26, but one lucky mom from our Ronald McDonald House near Egleston, Candace Austin from South Georgia, came home with a Chloe HULLABALOO bag thanks to the generosity of Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities Board member and sponsor, Helen Carlos of National Distributing Company.

Helen invited six House moms and their daughters to be her guests for the evening.

“I wanted to invite the moms because they need fun, happiness and excitement,” Helen says. “We don’t know what they’re going through – it’s exhausting and sad. I was hoping they could come and have some fun – it warms my heart to see them ready to have a good time!”

And a good time was had! Candace received a standing ovation when she won the Chloe bag, valued at $1,250, which was donated by Neiman Marcus at Lenox Square.

Candace says her winning black Chloe tote was the only one she had her eye on.

“I’m so happy, blessed, and thankful!” says Candace of her lucky girls night out. Her daughter, Callie, is in the ICU at Egleston receiving treatment.

Thanks to the kind hearts of our guests, about $128,000 was raised to help support our mission.