Grace Kroupa and her brother Augustine were excited and a little shy as they stepped onto the field at Lawrence Dumont Stadium. They were chosen to throw out the first pitch before the National Baseball Congress game between the Haysville, KS Aviators and the Hutchinson, KS Monarchs.

Together with their parents Kale and Mary Kroupa, Grace and Augustine each threw a ceremonious first pitch to kick off the 7:30 game on August 3rd. They were there representing RMHC Wichita in a 50/50 raffle where spectators could purchase raffle tickets with 50 percent of the proceeds going towards RMHC Wichita families.

The Kroupas are no strangers to the Ronald McDonald House. Nineteen weeks into Mary’s pregnancy, Grace was diagnosed with an abnormally rapid heart beat.

“That moment changed our lives,” Mary remembers.

Shortly after being born in Wichita, Grace and her family were flown to Kansas City to receive specialized treatment. Far from home, Mary and Kale didn’t know where they were going to stay the night.

At the Ronald McDonald House, the Kroupas were able to find a home away from home while staying close to their newborn daughter.

“The last thing you’re thinking of is where are you going to stay. And not only have a place to stay but have it not feel like an institutional hospital if you will. It felt like home,” Kale said.