RMHC Mid-Michigan and Todd “TJ” Duckett rally MSU fans to raise funds and volunteerism to compete in this season’s “Battle of the Houses” competition against U of M's Mike Martin and RMHC Ann Arbor.
Lansing, Mich. -- Ronald McDonald House Charities Mid-Michigan in Lansing and Ronald McDonald House Charities Ann Arbor have launched a collaborative Battle for the Houses campaign presented by Meijer. This new twist on an old rivalry is a collective effort to raise funds and increase volunteerism at both Ronald McDonald Houses to ultimately support families of hospitalized children in both communities. Centered around the MSU v. UM rivalry, the campaign wraps up on game day, October 21.
Todd “TJ” Duckett (MSU football 1999 – 2001) and Mike Martin (UM football 2008 – 2011) are leading the teams in a close “battle.” The Battle for the Houses was inspired by Todd “TJ” Duckett and his wife, Sara Duckett’s experience with the Ronald McDonald House when their son needed life-saving heart surgery in 2022. Events are scheduled to take place to encourage the community to support the Battle for the Houses initiative.
Thurs., Oct. 19 6:00 p.m. at the Varsity S Club inside Spartan Stadium: Pre-Game Press Conference (for fans!) will feature Duckett, Javon Ringer (MSU 2005 – 2008) and Greg Jones (MSU 2007 – 2010) who will talk football rivalries of years past with Martin and additional UM alumni players at the exclusive MSU Varsity S Club. Tickets are $100 and will benefit the Ronald McDonald House of ticket purchasers’ choice.
Sat., Oct. 21 4:00 p.m. at Dem Hall Field, MSU Campus: Duckett Brothers Distributing MSU v. UM game day tailgate beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Demonstration Hall field off Kalamazoo Street in East Lansing welcomes fans and RMHC supporters to drop in, play some cornhole, donate and tailgate with former players as they stop by. Todd “TJ” Duckett and Tico Duckett will be in attendance. This tailgate also celebrates Duckett Brothers Distributing’s 25th anniversary in business.
A joint fundraising page at www.battleforthehouses.com displays live monetary results on the leaderboard, an opportunity to purchase tickets to the Pre-Game Press Conference event and a link to purchase Battle t-shirts.
“The Battle for the Houses has provided incredible support for RMHC Mid-Michigan and the families of hospitalized children that we serve,” said Carolyn Hurst, Executive Director of RMHC Mid-Michigan. “The MSU vs. UM rivalry is an opportunity to build excitement and engage the community in support of our local Ronald McDonald House. At the end of the competition, one thing is for sure, all families at RMHC Mid-Michigan in Lansing and RMHC Ann Arbor are the true winners."
For more information and tickets to the Pre-Game Press Conference on October 19, visit www.battleforthehouses.com. For more information about the RMHCMM visit www.rmhmm.org.
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ABOUT RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES MID-MICHIGAN
Ronald McDonald House Charities Mid-Michigan keeps families with sick children together and close to the care and resources they need. It has served thousands of families by providing them a warm and caring home-away-from-home where they can have home-cooked meals, a place for siblings to play and a comfortable place to sleep near the hospital room where they spend countless hours with an ill child.
