A Kitchen That’s All Heart: Celebrating the Legacy of Christian McNaughton
There is no footprint too small to leave an imprint on this world. – Unknown
A Friend to All
This year, Christian Matthew McNaughton would have been 30 years old. The son of Diane McNaughton and former State Rep. Mark McNaughton, Christian died suddenly in 1997 at the age of 4. A preschooler at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic School, Christian was a loving, imaginative, happy little boy who loved the Baltimore Orioles, Penn State, Cal Ripken, and Michael Jordan. Above all, true to his name, Christian was – and still is – a friend to all. The McNaughton family and friends have worked tirelessly to ensure that his memory and legacy live on.
Building on the Christian McNaughton Endowment Fund, The Friends of St. Catherine Laboure Gala first took place in the year 2000. Over the next twenty years, the gala grew to become the school’s premier fundraising event, drawing guests throughout Central Pennsylvania. To date, the gala has raised more than a million dollars to aid in the ongoing mission of maintaining and improving the school, so its children benefit from the best possible learning environment.
Funds have been used to purchase much needed equipment and supplies; to make necessary improvements to the school; and to provide tuition assistance to those in need. From a computer lab to televisions to carpeting and paint to playground and sports equipment, Christian continues to give back to his school in Swatara Township.
A Kitchen with Heart
At the 2022 Friends of St. Catherine Laboure Gala, Stef and Ryan Reisser had the winning bid for a live auction item – an “Extreme Kitchen Makeover.” Swartz Kitchens & Baths partnered with McNaughton Homes, Arko Flooring, Classic Rock Fabrication, Lenker Plumbing, and JL Ruth Electric to create a massive transformation to the Reisser’s dated kitchen.
The kitchen cabinetry, planned, ordered, and installed by our team, is from the Woodmont Cabinetry collection. They are Shaker-style Dakota Maple cabinets with a painted white finish. The simple cabinetry hardware and the elongated subway tiles laid in a chevron pattern create a crisp, clean backdrop for the cooking, dining, and gathering that happen in the heart of this home. The new countertops and flooring complete this exceptional makeover.
Stef Reisser said: “We are beyond thrilled with our new kitchen! McNaughton Homes was a pleasure to work with, answered all our questions, and coordinated with the vendors to help forward to helping us attain our dream kitchen. The donating vendors were knowledgeable, offered quality products, and managed timely installations. The entire project took only a few weeks to complete – I was amazed. If this group donated another room renovation, I’d bid again! Thank you again to everyone involved. We are so grateful!”
To 2023 and Beyond
The next 2023 SCLS Gala, a black-tie optional affair, will take place on February 11, 2023 and yes, there will be another Extreme Kitchen Makeover on the auction block. We look create another amazing transformation for the lucky winner. Whatever the highest bidder pays for the kitchen makeover goes directly to help the children of St. Catherine’s.
It takes a village donating money, auction items, time, energy, and love to benefit St. Catherine Laboure School. Mark McNaughton Sr., said: “It is heartwarming to see that such a small boy has had such an enduring impact on others, and our entire family extends our heartfelt thanks to our community, who has opened up their hearts and wallets to help children like Christian learn and grow in the place he spent his happiest moments.” The McNaughton family has also honored Christian McNaughton’s memory with a college scholarship fund and Christian McNaughton Memorial Park, a 7.2-acre park located at Weatherfod Way in Harrisburg, PA. Thousands of school children have been touched by Christian’s legacy; and he’s helped more than a hundred students attend college.
Mark McNaughton says: “We’ve never just been home builders; we’re community builders. We’ve lived in Dauphin County all our lives, and we see it as both our duty and our honor to give back. We do it all in loving memory of our son.”
About McNaughton Homes
For more than 30 years, family-owned McNaughton Homes has crafted a tradition of excellence, building award-winning, energy-efficient homes with family-friendly designs and superior craftsmanship.
Each community features high-quality custom homes with neighborhoods where children and families can ride bikes, play ball, walk the dog, grill in the backyard, and enjoy an abundance of peace and privacy. Preserving nature wherever possible is also a priority so homeowners can enjoy leafy, time-honored trees and a variety of wildlife for generations to come.
A Kitchen That’s All Heart: Celebrating the Legacy of Christian McNaughton
There is no footprint too small to leave an imprint on this world. – Unknown
A Friend to All
This year, Christian Matthew McNaughton would have been 30 years old. The son of Diane McNaughton and former State Rep. Mark McNaughton, Christian died suddenly in 1997 at the age of 4. A preschooler at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic School, Christian was a loving, imaginative, happy little boy who loved the Baltimore Orioles, Penn State, Cal Ripken, and Michael Jordan. Above all, true to his name, Christian was – and still is – a friend to all. The McNaughton family and friends have worked tirelessly to ensure that his memory and legacy live on.
Building on the Christian McNaughton Endowment Fund, The Friends of St. Catherine Laboure Gala first took place in the year 2000. Over the next twenty years, the gala grew to become the school’s premier fundraising event, drawing guests throughout Central Pennsylvania. To date, the gala has raised more than a million dollars to aid in the ongoing mission of maintaining and improving the school, so its children benefit from the best possible learning environment.
Funds have been used to purchase much needed equipment and supplies; to make necessary improvements to the school; and to provide tuition assistance to those in need. From a computer lab to televisions to carpeting and paint to playground and sports equipment, Christian continues to give back to his school in Swatara Township.
A Kitchen with Heart
At the 2022 Friends of St. Catherine Laboure Gala, Stef and Ryan Reisser had the winning bid for a live auction item – an “Extreme Kitchen Makeover.” Swartz Kitchens & Baths partnered with McNaughton Homes, Arko Flooring, Classic Rock Fabrication, Lenker Plumbing, and JL Ruth Electric to create a massive transformation to the Reisser’s dated kitchen.
The kitchen cabinetry, planned, ordered, and installed by our team, is from the Woodmont Cabinetry collection. They are Shaker-style Dakota Maple cabinets with a painted white finish. The simple cabinetry hardware and the elongated subway tiles laid in a chevron pattern create a crisp, clean backdrop for the cooking, dining, and gathering that happen in the heart of this home. The new countertops and flooring complete this exceptional makeover.
Stef Reisser said: “We are beyond thrilled with our new kitchen! McNaughton Homes was a pleasure to work with, answered all our questions, and coordinated with the vendors to help forward to helping us attain our dream kitchen. The donating vendors were knowledgeable, offered quality products, and managed timely installations. The entire project took only a few weeks to complete – I was amazed. If this group donated another room renovation, I’d bid again! Thank you again to everyone involved. We are so grateful!”
To 2023 and Beyond
The next 2023 SCLS Gala, a black-tie optional affair, will take place on February 11, 2023 and yes, there will be another Extreme Kitchen Makeover on the auction block. We look create another amazing transformation for the lucky winner. Whatever the highest bidder pays for the kitchen makeover goes directly to help the children of St. Catherine’s.
It takes a village donating money, auction items, time, energy, and love to benefit St. Catherine Laboure School. Mark McNaughton Sr., said: “It is heartwarming to see that such a small boy has had such an enduring impact on others, and our entire family extends our heartfelt thanks to our community, who has opened up their hearts and wallets to help children like Christian learn and grow in the place he spent his happiest moments.” The McNaughton family has also honored Christian McNaughton’s memory with a college scholarship fund and Christian McNaughton Memorial Park, a 7.2-acre park located at Weatherfod Way in Harrisburg, PA. Thousands of school children have been touched by Christian’s legacy; and he’s helped more than a hundred students attend college.
Mark McNaughton says: “We’ve never just been home builders; we’re community builders. We’ve lived in Dauphin County all our lives, and we see it as both our duty and our honor to give back. We do it all in loving memory of our son.”
About McNaughton Homes
For more than 30 years, family-owned McNaughton Homes has crafted a tradition of excellence, building award-winning, energy-efficient homes with family-friendly designs and superior craftsmanship.
Each community features high-quality custom homes with neighborhoods where children and families can ride bikes, play ball, walk the dog, grill in the backyard, and enjoy an abundance of peace and privacy. Preserving nature wherever possible is also a priority so homeowners can enjoy leafy, time-honored trees and a variety of wildlife for generations to come.