The Ronald McDonald House of Detroit had a lot of everything but space Thursday evening. "The House That Love Built," as their slogan goes, could hardly contain everyone and everything that was part of the opening ceremonies for their new Read to Achieve “Live, Learn & Play” center.

Families who have stayed and were currently staying at the residential center for families with a critical ill children at nearby Children's Hospital packed every inch of the 16,000-foot, 25-room "home away from home." It didn’t take long for youngsters in oversized "Read to Achieve" t-shirts gravitated to the new educational and technological playground, courtesy of the Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons helped renovate a single room, but judging from its debut, the joy it brings to children won't stay there. In the adjacent dining room, a continuous flow of food and laughter and camaraderie spilled into the hallways. Christmas had indeed come to the Ronald McDonald House ahead of schedule – and they had the holiday party of the ages to prove it.

John O'Reilly, president of the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, put it best. "I don't know about you, but this is my thought about a house party," he told the audience before the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "This is how a house party should be."

Every good house party needs a host.
Staff members from the Ronald McDonald House and the Pistons and their contractors have worked for three months to make the “Live, Learn and Play” center – a part of the “NBA Cares” initiative – a reality. The Pistons’ Read to Achieve partners: Sprite, MetroPCS, Southeastern Michigan Bowling Centers Association, Detroit Medical Center, Ticketmaster, Belle Tire, National City, Tim Hortons, Absopure and Rock Financial (which brought presents for Santa to pass out to every kid Thursday) certainly put in their time and resources as well.

But no one fits the bill of host quite like O'Reilly, who, in his second year as president of the board, is also executive vice president and chief financial officer of the Palace Sports & Entertainment, which includes the Pistons. The collaboration between two organizations made him a fitting, passionate spokesperson.

"This place [Ronald McDonald House] is addictive," O’Reilly said. "The families that are here truly love people, they love each other, and they love the people that show the kind of support the people in Detroit do."

O'Reilly believes Detroit might now be the first NBA city with a "Live, Learn and Play" center at both a children's hospital and its Ronald McDonald House affiliate. The one at the hospital opened last spring. "It's kind of neat. The first time Dennis [Sampier, Pistons Director of Community Relations] called me about the concept, I thought, 'What a great fit.' It's a perfect complement for the Pistons and the "Read to Achieve" program, and then for the House. It's a perfect fit for both of our organizations."

Every good house party needs entertainment.

The Live, Learn and Play Center did not open until after the ribbon was cut. That didn't stop the kids from lining up next to the construction cones almost 90 minutes early, trying to catch a glimpse of the fun to come.

Fortunately, Pistons head coach Flip Saunders arrived early, too. Just like that, crowd control was no longer a concern. Within six minutes of walking in the door, Saunders was surrounded by a group of children, showing them magic tricks and talking Pistons basketball. When joined by Pistons forward Amir Johnson, whose listed height of 6-foot-9 has been of some debate, the coach made his second-year forward stand against the Chauncey Billups growth chart on the wallpaper. "6-10," Saunders said. "6-11, really," Johnson replied.

When Pistons forward Jarvis Hayes soon joined them, a signing spree began. All three signed autographs while Saunders also juggled photo opportunities. He'd start spinning a ball on his finger and spin it onto the child's finger for the picture. Why say “cheese” when you can get a smile like that?

"So many times people look at us because we're on TV a lot and they think we're really not approachable. We're part of the community too. We want to do things to help any way we can," Saunders said. "For us, maybe spending time is as important as anything, so being able to come here, dedicate this room, get with the kids and talk to them, play with them a little bit, maybe that's as important as anything."

Every good house party needs a guest of honor.
Selietha Parker was not on the original guest list for Thursday's event, which had enough festivities planned that a "Michigan Heroes" Medal presentation with the American Red Cross might have been a bit much under normal circumstances.

But "normal" is only what Ronald McDonald House strives toward for its guests, because what can feel normal when your child's fighting for his or her life? Selietha's presence Thursday provided a very sober reminder of the comfort the House provides – making her the most important guest of all.

Selietha's 7-year-old daughter, Alexis Goggins, made national headlines earlier this month when she blocked her mother as Selietha's ex-boyfriend tried to shoot her to death with a handgun. Alexis is now at Children's Hospital recovering from six bullet wounds, and Selietha is staying at the Ronald McDonald House. She accepted the "Michigan Heroes" Medal on behalf of herself and Alexis.

"She's God-sent," Hayes said of Alexis as he introduced Selietha before presenting the medal. "For her to live, it's a testament that everything happens for a reason, and she was here to save her mother's life and continue her own life."

"This is wonderful," Selietha said. "It's overwhelming. Me and Alexis really appreciate it and I just love it. I just can't wait until she's well to be able to enjoy some of this."

When the ribbon had been cut and kids were playing with the new toys, Hayes signed an autograph for Selietha. Then put his arm around her shoulder and told her he had seen her story on the news when it happened. "She has my prayers," he said.

Not all unexpected guests are unwelcome ones.

Every good house party needs good food.
Mario Etemad, the Pistons' senior vice president of facility operations, oversees all catering operations at The Palace. But rarely does "Chef Mario" don the apron himself. Thursday, Chef Mario and his entire staff of chefs were running the Ronald McDonald House kitchen, staring at 7 a.m. to make breakfast for the families. They were among the 30 Palace employees who volunteered to help with house operations during the day. At 7 p.m., Mario was still putting out trays of coconut shrimp, chicken breast strips stuffed with asiago cheese and roasted peppers, potato-and-parsnip pancakes and roasted pork tenderloin. But don't tell Mario it was a long day.

"You come here early in the morning and yes, maybe it's dark and cold but then the families start coming and you start talking to some of the families and it changes all of your perspective: 'Oh, it's a long day?' It all goes away," Mario said. "It's a great thing and I'm so glad I was a part of it. The long day doesn't matter right now. I look forward to coming back again."

Every good house party needs to include the kids.

If every good house party needs someone to clean up the mess, Irma Hudson, a longtime House resident who lives on the premise and is on call throughout the night for emergencies, embraces the role. "I like the rules over there," she said, pointing at a sign held by a life-size replica of Hayes. "Open 9 a.m.-6 p.m., which is good; no food, no drink; sharing – we might have to get a little sign-in system in the front office."

Hudson said Thursday's party "ranks right at the top" because the kids could be a part of it, rather than simply "reap the benefits" after the fact. A lot of valuable fundraising events for the House are adults-only. "I'll give it a 10, because a lot of the events that we have, we raise money for the house but the kids don't always get to be involved," Irma said. “It's at the top, to see the families (here).”

The children themselves, however, weren't really available for comment. Fortunately, the replica Pistons hardwood floor made a statement on their behalf. Within an hour, it was littered with legos, dolls, stuffed animals and pieces of Mr. Potatohead. If O'Reilly has his way, the Pistons won't make a mess and run.

"I am going to ask you to do one thing," he said in his opening remarks. "Be sure, if this is the first time you've been here, I'm talking to anybody here: come back.”

Because what every good house party doesn't need is an ending.