Homes tour benefits Ronald McDonald House

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Springfield area residents turned out in force Nov. 17 for the fifth annual Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks' Cup O' Cheer homes tour, featuring homes in Fremont Hills, Highland Springs and Ravenwood South subdivisions. |ret||ret||tab|

Tour participants viewed four private homes decorated for the holidays, then stopped in at the Ronald McDonald House for tea provided by Tiffany's Tea Room Connoisseur's Corner, as well as a silent auction. The purchasers of the first 1,000 tickets also received Ebeling & Reuss bone china teacups and saucers to take home. The teacups are given away every year, a different design each time.|ret||ret||tab|

The Cup O' Cheer concept began in Naperville, Ill., and was brought to the Ozarks by Donna Powers, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks board member. The Naperville homes tour has been going on for more than 40 years, and it "probably sells as many tickets as we are now," Powers said.|ret||ret||tab|

Bonnie Keller, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks, said that the local event sells between 1,100 and 1,200 tickets each year, a number that is just about right.|ret||ret||tab|

"One thing we have to be careful about is diluting it," Keller said. "We don't want too many people" because limited participation ensures that it is an enjoyable experience for both tourgoers and homeowners.|ret||ret||tab|

Around 200 volunteers participated in the 2000 tour, and 1,150 tickets were sold, according to Debbie Kinser, homes tour chairperson.|ret||ret||tab|

Participating homeowners were Lyndle and Karen Dorrell, Lynn and Janet Morris, Dave and Kathy Kunze and Mike and Patti Bridgeforth.|ret||ret||tab|

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