2026 F A M I L Y
P R O F I L E
Bell-Newell Family Home: Billings, MO (Christian County)
“My daughter, Bailey Newell, who was 16 at the time,
and her boyfriend were so looking forward to spending a day in Branson at White Water. They’d been looking forward to it for quite some time, and as they were arriving back at Nathaniel’s grandparents’ house, they were in a horrific car accident. A distracted teenager T-boned them, and Bailey received the full force of the impact. She was life-flighted to Cox South. I could not get there fast enough. To this day, that first week seems like a complete blur. I was in a state of shock and just desperately wanted my daughter to be okay. The staff at Cox South and the Ronald McDonald House could not have been more helpful. The day after the accident, I received a room at the Ronald McDonald House for Bella, my younger daughter, and me. Bella found comfort in the welcome package given to her on our first day at the Ronald McDonald House. It consisted of a blanket and a teddy bear, and they even gave her $100 to get school clothes and supplies because school was starting the next week. They also allowed my sister to stay as well. I cannot express what a relief it was not having to worry about paying a hotel bill or coming back to make dinner every evening after being at the hospital all day. These amazing volunteers make a home-cooked meal every night for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Bailey went from being in the neurotrauma ICU on a ventilator, to the pediatric floor, and eventually we were transferred to Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The Ronald McDonald House staff had already gotten me approved for the transfer, so we had a place to stay in St. Louis as well. We were in the hospital a little over two months total, and I had a lovely place to go back to every night because of the Ronald McDonald House. The staff is empathetic, knowledgeable about every part of the organization, and goes above and beyond to assist you and make your stay more comfortable. I don’t know what we would have done without the support of our amazing town in Billings, Missouri, and the Ronald McDonald House. I will always, always round up or donate to this organization because I know firsthand what an incredible blessing from God they are. Truly, thank you for being there for us.
SHAREAHEART.ORG #FORRMHCOZARKS #FORRMHOZARKS