Fall/Winter 2019
St. Louis
HEARTBEAT
Laila Anderson & Colton Parayko SHOW THEIR LOVE FOR RMHC
WHAT’S INSIDE 2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9 10 11-12 13-14 15 16 17 18 19-20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Letter from the President Connor's Cause; Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Spotlights 2019 Special Events Recap Community Fundraisers Building Blocks How to Help at the Holidays 2019 Home Away from Home Appeal A Home Run for the House Heartwarming Moments New Faces Meet the Flynn Family Memorials; Memorial Bricks & Tree of Life Tributes; Red Shoe Society Meet the Whitworth Family Caring Hearts Legacy Circle The Butterfly Garden Wish List; In Loving Memory Heartbits
OUR MISSION: To provide a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children
2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEB VOGT, CHAIRPERSON JEFF BARONE, VICE CHAIRPERSON BRIDGET HOY, TREASURER KEITH SCHIELER, SECRETARY KAREN BAER STEVE BESHORE DAVE BRANDT DR. MARY MICHAELEEN CRADOCK GREG DIEKEMPER SHAWN DRYDEN JOAN ELHOFFER STEVE FAHRIG BEVERLY GARNER CHRIS GIARLA MARK HEFFERNAN
ANTHONY IRACE ALICIA JETT DR. JOSEPH KAHN RYAN KURYLA STEVE MALTER JIM MOSBY MICHELE MUSCARELLA-HARMON JILL OLLER TIM REEVES NOLAN RUIZ DAVE TORNETTO
RMHC ST. LOUIS STAFF DAN HARBAUGH, PRESIDENT CHERI WUERTZ, VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE FRANK COGNATA, VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT JUDY SCHULER, VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS ALISON KASPAR, DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES PAT NEWBY, DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATION RICH RODGERS, DIRECTOR, FACILITIES VERONICA BIVER, SR. MANAGER, FAMILY SERVICES, PARK AVENUE MICHELLE BURMANN, SR. MANAGER, FINANCE KATIE NEPUTE, SR. MANAGER, COMMUNICATIONS ABBY MAUER, EVENT MANAGER KELSEY CRIPE, FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST PINE COURTNEY FISCHER, MANAGER, FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM JACOB MCGUIRE, FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST COUNTY LANISHA THOMAS, DATA MANAGER MCKENNA COOPER, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR MALLORI GREEN, COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR BARB JARVIS, FINANCE COORDINATOR LAUREN ST. JOHN, ANNUAL GIVING COORDINATOR COURTNEY BRADSHAW, FAMILY ROOM COORDINATOR ALLYSSA BOTTINI, ASST. FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, PARK AVENUE CLARE BURKE, ASST. FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST PINE KATIE NIMTZ, COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT STEPHANIE PATTON, FAMILY ROOM ASSISTANT MANAGER ANDREA PRUITT, ASST. FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST COUNTY LARRY PRY, DATA ASSISTANT NICKI ISLAND, RECEPTIONIST, PARK AVENUE SHANNON BROADWAY, HOUSEKEEPER, PARK AVENUE APRIL CUSAMANO, HOUSEKEEPER, WEST COUNTY VICKI RUCKMAN, HOUSEKEEPER, WEST PINE JOY TATE, HOUSEKEEPEER, WEST PINE
A Note from the PRESIDENT Recently, I was invited to participate in a “speed mentoring” program that was conducted by a local organization for young professionals. This type of event was new to me and was fun to experience. I ended up spending six to seven minutes with seven young professionals. One question that all seven asked me was, “Do you like your job, and if so, why?” Well, for me, that is the easiest question in the world. I love my job. In fact, it is hard for me to even refer to it as a “job”. It is a true labor of love. I can’t wait to get to “work” and see what new, cool or unbelievable things will happen at the Ronald McDonald House. I get to see all the good that takes place in this world on a daily basis... and folks, there is a lot of good – a whole lot. For me, being in the Ronald McDonald House on a daily basis is literally the greatest thing in the world. Volunteers arrive daily to help us with everything in all areas of the House. Folks bring in dinner each night, and committee members and Board members give so much of their time leading our organization and ensuring our events are always a success. Many companies and places of business here in St. Louis donate items for the House, sponsorships for our events, items for our auctions, items for our Family Rooms, and even tickets to local shows and sporting events for our guest families. Even opening the mail is fun. The best part about all of this is, with our offices being located inside the House, we (the staff) get to interact daily with the families who live here and who are constantly sharing their gratitude for all the comforts of home that Ronald McDonald House has provided for them. We are entering a very exciting and maybe even a challenging time as we embark upon a large capital campaign to raise the funds needed to build our new Ronald McDonald House that will accommodate more families. I am positive that, because of you, we will meet this challenge. If you don’t believe that the spirit of giving is alive and thriving, come spend a day with us. Thanks so much for all you do to keep the “spirit” growing. Always Grateful,
Dan Harbaugh RMHC St. Louis President
Left: Connor Voigt; Right: Whitney and Neil Voigt with their daughter, Annie, in the Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. Louis Children's Hospital
PAYING IT FORWARD Connor’s Cause provides the comforts of home to families inside the Ronald McDonald Family Room.
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hitney and Neil Voigt’s son Connor was born on April 28, 2015. During the first few weeks of his life, Connor endured multiple surgeries and procedures at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, where he stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for nearly a month. During that time, Whitney and Neil found comfort in the Ronald McDonald Family Room. “Once he was comfortable and resting, Neil and I were able to find a bit of an escape at the Family Room in Mercy Hospital,” says Whitney. “We typically made afternoon trips for a cup of coffee.” Despite Connor’s complex medical issues, the Voigt family was determined to live their lives as normally as possible, so they went on a family vacation to Florida about six weeks after Connor’s NICU stay. They had a wonderful week full of memories, but on the drive home,
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Connor became ill and they had to rush him to the ER. What ended up being a severe infection kept them at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, for two weeks. “Being away from home with a very sick child was beyond scary and difficult to handle, but we were immediately comforted with the Family Room that was located right outside of the PICU doors,” says Whitney. “We could not have survived that week without that room – purely as the comfort that we knew from home.” After returning home, the Voigts had one additional unexpected hospital stay at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and, again, found comfort in the Family Room. “While the Family Room most certainly gave us an escape – to simply grab a snack or walk around – it also became our good luck spot,” says
Whitney. “When Connor would have surgery or a procedure, we would leave the hospital room and come to the Family Room to wait and pray. It was our safe place.” In 2016, Whitney and Neil established Connor’s Cause in memory of their sweet baby, whose powerful legacy helps other little warriors through their fights with tragic diagnoses. Connor’s Cause generously supports families and local charitable organizations by donating meals or purchasing special needs equipment. “There is no better program than RMHC to directly impact those families that are dealing with the unexpected and the unimaginable, and we hope that it continues to be a safe place for families during these difficult times,” says Whitney. Connor’s Cause supports Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis and the Family Room program both financially and through volunteerism. On several occasions, Whitney and Neil have purchased and delivered hot meals to the Family Rooms to “pay it forward” for their time spent at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. “After eating out every day for a week (and paying for it), to have a warm, delicious meal that was not hospital food was simply amazing,” Whitney recalls. “I will never forget feeling such surprise and delight for something so simple.” And we know that the families who rely on our Family Rooms feel the same way about the thoughtful, delicious donations that Connor’s Cause provides. We are so grateful to this wonderful family and generous organization for their support. ■
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Our volunteers make a difference in the lives of families with seriously ill children by donating their time and talent. Monthly information sessions are held for those interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities. Current opportunities are listed below. For more information, please contact McKenna Cooper, Volunteer Coordinator, at mcooper@rmhcstl.com or visit www.rmhcstl.com/volunteer.
RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed for evening and weekend shifts at our St. Louis Children’s Hospital Ronald McDonald Family Rooms.
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed for a variety of shifts throughout the week at our Park Avenue and West Pine Ronald McDonald Houses.
MAINTENANCE VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers with varying skills are needed on a weekly or bi-weekly basis at our Park Avenue House to help keep it up and running for the families we serve.
Joyce Thuston has been a volunteer at our Park Avenue House for nearly 22 years.
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THE NEXT
GENERATION JOE AND LINDSEY FINGER FIND TIME TO GIVE BACK.
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indsey and Joe Finger lead busy lives. They have two young children – James, 5, and Claire, 2 – and both work full time. Without a doubt, their day-to-day lives keep them on-thego. However, the Fingers still manage to make time for something else that is near and dear to their hearts – giving back. According to Joe, volunteering is something that comes naturally because it’s what he witnessed growing up. Joe’s father, Jim Finger, has been donating his time and talents to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis for over two decades. He’s served in many leadership roles over the years, including Board Chairperson from 2001-2002. Joe's mother, Connie, is also a longstanding RMHC volunteer. Now, Joe and his
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own family are following in his parents' footsteps. Ten years ago, when Joe and Lindsey began volunteering for RMHC, they would make the trip to the West Pine House every other week. These days, Lindsey volunteers at the West Pine House with her sister-inlaw Julie. Joe is a member of the planning committee, alongside his dad, for our annual Kids & Clays Dinner Auction and Tournament, which raises more than $300,000 for RMHC St. Louis every year. He even serves as the Raffle Corral co-chair for the event, soliciting donations of big-ticket items for the raffle portion of the dinner auction. Being parents, working and volunteering takes a lot of time, but Lindsey and Joe take it even one step farther by encouraging their peers to get involved. They know that sometimes it just takes one invitation to a meeting or event to bring someone new into the Ronald McDonald House Charities family. “Just explaining to them how to get involved, spreading it through word of mouth, and using social media to express the message of service and involvement helps so much to push friends to come out and participate,” says Joe. The Fingers also expressed that, above all, what is most meaningful about their experience with RMHC St. Louis is being able to help seriously ill children and their families. “Volunteering has had a big impact on us,” says Lindsey. “It puts some type of normalcy into these families’ lives, making you grateful for what you can provide for them.” Thank you, Lindsey and Joe, for setting an incredible example of service and dedication for their peers and young children. With support and leadership like this, our future is looking bright! ■
A DYNAMIC DUO: LAURA AND ANNE MAKE THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM A WARM, WELCOMING SPACE INSIDE THE HOSPITAL.
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very Thursday, you can find Laura Ehret and Anne Strong in the Ronald McDonald Family Room located on the third floor of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, greeting families of pediatric patients. Together they have over two decades of experience bringing the comforts of home to those who need it most. Both women have been passionate about giving back to the community, specifically through the hospital, for many years. These St. Louis natives know what it takes to keep a Ronald McDonald Family Room running smoothly. From making coffee to restocking snacks, helping a family with laundry or simply listening, they are there with smiles, making the room an inviting atmosphere for all who enter. “[St. Louis] Children’s Hospital has always held a special place in my heart,” says Laura, who volunteered in the Recreational Therapy Department, now known as Child Life Services, before becoming an Assistant Director there in the 1970s.
Now, 40 years later, she continues to make a difference for seriously ill children and their families through her volunteer work with RMHC. Anne, a retired school teacher, became involved in 2010 after learning more about RMHC St. Louis from a friend. She and Laura began sharing the 3-6 p.m. shift on Thursdays when the Ronald McDonald Family Room opened on the third floor in 2018. “I love the people,” says Anne, noting that she especially appreciates the opportunity to meet international families, many of whom have shared their life stories with her. We couldn’t be more grateful to Laura and Anne for sharing their time and warm hospitality with the guests of the Ronald McDonald Family Room. If you are considering volunteering on nights or weekends in the Family Room, we leave you with these words from Anne: “The people have made my time here fulfilling. You’ll enjoy it too!” ■
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2019 SPECIAL EVENTS RECAP 15TH ANNUAL TAB TOP PANDEMONIUM SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2019 On Saturday, May 4 supporters gathered at the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House to turn in their collections of aluminum tab tops, competing for the largest collections and most creative collection containers. Everyone enjoyed a day of fun including lunch, games, and incredible balloon animals. We'd like to extend a special thank you to our friends at Bunge for their continued support through in-kind donations and dozens of volunteers that keep this event running smoothly every year. St. Louis
34TH ANNUAL CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD/RMH GOLF TOURNAMENT & DINNER AUCTION ■ JUNE 2 & 3, 2019 In June, we hosted the 34th Annual Cushman & Wakefield/Ronald McDonald House Golf Tournament & Dinner Auction once again at Meadowbrook Country Club. During this twoday affair, guests enjoyed a dinner auction that featured an exciting silent and live auction before hitting the links on Monday to try and take home the 1st place prize. Thanks to the incredible generosity of this community, this event raised a record-breaking amount and surpassed our $1,000,000 goal!
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THANKS FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR 19TH ANNUAL KIDS & CLAYS TOURNAMENT AND DINNER AUCTION ■ AUGUST 18 & 19, 2019 On August 18 and 19, the BENEFITING RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES 19th Annual Kids & Clays event, presented by ARCO Construction, was held at a new dinner auction venue, the Sheraton Westport Chalet, and Black Hawk Valley Hunt Club. On Sunday evening, guests enjoyed dinner, raffles and silent/live auctions. The following day, 200 participants headed out to Old Monroe, Missouri, for an 84-target sporting clays tournament, enjoying side game competitions and a barbecue lunch courtesy of Syberg’s.
26TH ANNUAL SCRAMBLE FOR CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019 This fall marked the 26th Annual Scramble for Charity Golf Tournament, presented by McDonald’s, and was hosted once again by The Country Club at The Legends. This fun and affordable tournament featured games along the course, snacks, drinks and raffle items from the Ladies of McDonald’s, as well as a delicious lunch of McRibs and more, thanks to our friends at Martin Brower! St. Louis
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COMMUNITY FUNDRAISERS Thank you to all of the individuals, organizations and corporations that hosted fundraisers on behalf of RMHC St. Louis. We appreciate your generosity!
1 Donny Fandango's 9th Annual 28-
Hour Radiothon on 105.7 The Point In June, Donny Fandango broadcasted live for 28 hours straight to help raise funds through ondemand listener requests and business plugs on 105.7 The Point, raising a record-breaking $54,000 for RMHC St. Louis. Thanks so much to Donny and everyone who called in and supported this awesome fundraiser!
nd 2 32 Annual IUOE Local 148 Reel Help for
Kids Charity Bass Fishing Tournament
The 32nd Annual IUOE Local 148 Reel Help for Kids Charity Bass Fishing Tournament took place in September at the Lake of the Ozarks. Hundreds of participants braved the wet weather and enjoyed competing for cash prizes, all for a great cause. The event raised $34,000 for RMHC!
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3 BAM Contracting's Bowl-A-Palooza
BAM Contracting, a local general contractor company, hosted their 2nd Annual Bowl-aPalooza event on August 10, 2019. Bowlers hit the lanes and enjoyed delicious snacks, a raffle and 50/50 drawing. The fun event raised more than $12,000 for RMHC St. Louis! Supporters also donated several boxes of Wish List items to keep our Houses and Family Rooms running as a home. Thank you BAM Contracting!
4 Optimist Club of Washington, MO The Optimist Club of Washington, Missouri, collected ten boxes of Wish List items and donated $8,300 to RMHC St. Louis in July! Thank you for your generosity!
For more information about our Caring Partners Program and how you can get involved, visit www.rmhcstl.com/thirdpartyfundraisers.
Building Blocks BUILDING THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR SUCCESS Our Building Blocks are those who sponsor RMHC special events with gifts of $1,000 or more, or host third-party events that raise $1,000. By underwriting and hosting these fundraisers, Building Blocks help fund our core programs while reducing expenses. This helps ensure that our individual donors’ contributions directly provide comfort, care and a home-away-fromhome for seriously ill children and their families. The list below features RMHC’s Building Blocks from January 2019 through September 2019. 105.7 The Point 23rd Group, LLC Above All Development/Home2 Suites Forest Park Adam's Auction and Real Estate Services, Inc Alpha Delta Pi - Eta Nu Chapter Alpha Delta Pi - Delta Nu Chapter AME Constructors Ameren ARCO National Construction Company, Inc. Argent Capital Management, LLC Arrow Box Company AssuredPartners of Missouri BAM Contracting LLC Bank of America Banterra Bank BJC Healthcare Brown Smith Wallace, LLC BSI Constructors, Inc Bull Moose Tube Company Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc. Carrollton Bank Cass Commercial Bank CBIZ MHM, LLC CI Select Citigroup Clayton Financial Group CMG, Inc. Coldwell Banker Gundaker Collins and Hermann, Inc. Comfort Experts, Inc. Contegra Construction Company, LLC
Select Marketing CSG West CSI Leasing Cushman & Wakefield Deeken Properties, LLC Dillard's Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Drury Hotels Enterprise Bank & Trust Fletcher and Friends Gardens of Grace Gateway Warehouse & Transportation German May PC Golden State Foods Gori, Julian & Associates Haberberger Mechanical Contractors HBM Holdings Hemphill Financial Group, Inc. Husch Blackwell LLP icon Mechanical ISC Contracting J.F. Electric, Inc. Johnny Londoff Chevrolet Karpel Solutions Kienstra Enterprises, Inc. KPMG LLP Lee & Clare Renz Lewis Rice, LLC Lion Petroleum, Inc. Lodging Hospitality Management LoneRiders McCarthy Holdings, Inc. McDonald's Co-op of Metro St. Louis, Inc.
Mechanical Solutions Mercy Kids Midland Optical Midwest Equipment Company Midwest Valve & Controls, Inc. Moneta Charitable Foundation Mueller Prost LC Nexstep Financial Group, LLC OE 148 Charitable Fund Optimist Club of Washington Packaging Concepts, Inc. Paric Corporation Parkside Financial Bank & Trust Pine Street Construction Precision Daylighting, Inc. Premium Retail Services, Inc. Protective Life Corporation Rob Hamann Agency, Inc. RubinBrown LLP St. Louis - Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council The Ritz Carlton, St. Louis The Village Bar Teamster Horsemen Chapter 13 TJ Wies Contracting Triad Bank Trophy Properties and Auction Vivian Company Walgreens World Wide Technology, Inc. Zeller Technologies
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HOW TO HELP AT The McGift Shoppe Our annual McGift Shoppe provides a place for RMHC guest families to shop free-of-charge for loved ones during the month of December, easing the pain of being away from home for the holidays. The McGift Shoppe is operated by our volunteers and depends on donations, which can be dropped off at any of our three Houses. Because some children are immune-suppressed, all items must be new and unwrapped. To donate an item or for more information, please contact Kelsey Cripe, Family Services Manager, at 314-880-8374 or kcripe@rmhcstl.com.
HOLIDAY WISH LIST CHILDREN & TEENS
Action figures and accessories Popular, trendy kids’ gifts Dolls (not Barbie) Lego sets Bath and body gift sets Makeup kits Costume jewelry and fashion watches DVDs: recent hits or new releases Headphones Nintendo Switch video game systems Nonviolent video games Sporting equipment Blues or Cardinals apparel Gift cards: iTunes, Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Target or Wal-Mart
INFANTS & TODDLERS
Push, pull and musical toys Fisher Price and Playskool toys
ADULTS
Perfume and aftershave sets Costume jewelry and fashion watches Bath and body gift sets Small coolers (collapsible type) Luggage (lightweight and easy to store) Small crossbody purses
FAMILY
Gift certificates to Target or Wal-Mart Gift cards for gasoline or groceries
Visit http://a.co/3wdLpRu to shop for these items directly from our Amazon Holiday Wish List, where they can be purchased online and mailed directly to the Ronald McDonald House McGift Shoppe!
Holiday Shopping with AmazonSmile Do you shop online at Amazon.com? If so, you could help support Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis at no cost to you. Simply go to smile.amazon.com and select “Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis” as your charity of choice the next time you shop. You’ll find the exact same prices and vast selection, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase price to RMHC St. Louis. In fact, our organization has already received thousands of dollars thanks to shoppers like you!
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THE HOLIDAYS Holiday Cards & Holiday Card Inserts Let family, friends, coworkers and clients know you’re thinking of them this holiday season by making a donation to RMHC St. Louis in their name(s). Holiday tribute cards feature a snowglobe design, read “Happy Holidays” and are signed and mailed by RMHC to a list provided by you. Prefer to send your own cards? Our holiday card inserts are flat note cards that acknowledge your tribute gift and can be placed inside your own holiday cards. A donation of at least $5 per card or insert is suggested. Inserts also ready “Happy Holidays” and feature the same snowglobe design, pictured right. Visit rmhcstl.com/holidays or contact Lauren St. John at 314-932-4146 or lstjohn@rmhcstl.com for more information or to purchase holiday cards or holiday card inserts.
Southern Living Christmas Cookbook Southern Living’s Christmas Cookbook, available exclusively at Dillard’s, is just $12! Best of all, its proceeds from St. Louis-area Dillard’s stores benefit RMHC St. Louis. This beautiful, full-color cookbook includes hundreds of delicious recipes and ideas for stylish place settings, fresh centerpieces and other seasonal table decorations. For more information, visit rmhcstl.com/holidays or contact your local Dillard’s store. St. Louis-area Dillard’s locations include: St. Louis Galleria, South County Center, Mid-Rivers Mall and St. Clair Square.
Recycle Your Old Holiday Lights Decorating for the holidays? Don’t throw away your old or broken holiday lights - donate them instead! Thanks to Didion Orf Recycling, your old lights can be turned into a monetary donation to RMHC. You can recycle holiday lights, extension cords, PC towers, network gear, cell phones, laptops, power adapters, chargers, or office phones. For more information, visit rmhcstl.com/recycle.
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BY HER SIDE
EVERY STEP OF THE WAY Three-year-old Zosia has cerebral palsy. In Spring 2019, her family traveled from their hometown of Gdańsk, Poland so that she could undergo a lifechanging spinal surgery at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. The goal of their 3,000-mile journey? That she would, one day, be able to walk on her own. Although the Marcinkowski family was far from home, thanks to the Ronald McDonald House, they were never alone. And during Zosia’s strenuous, sometimes painful recovery, her parents and twin sister, Tosia, were always by her side. “Staying here makes a difficult time easier to endure,” says Adam, Zosia’s father. “It really feels like home.” RMHC staff and volunteers also made sure that the Marcinkowskis could experience the best of St. Louis during their time here, from visiting our world-famous zoo to catching a St. Louis Blues hockey playoff game - even spending the afternoon with Blues defenseman, Colton Parayko! “I love this place,” says Ola, Zosia’s mother. “We will never forget the good that we found here. Thank you a million times.” 13
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HOME AWAY FROM HOME 2019 Appeal
WHAT CAN YOUR MEET OUR DONATION DO? 2019 CO-CHAIRS: Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues #55, and Laila Anderson, St. Louis Children's Hospital patient and the Blues' good luck charm!
WHAT WHAT CAN CAN YOUR YOUR $50 fills the DONATION DONATION DO? DO? pantry at one of $100 sponsors a
THE 2019 HOME AWAY FROM HOME APPEAL, now in its
eighth year, provides the financial foundation for the yearly operation of our three Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms. The actual cost of a family’s one-night stay at the Ronald McDonald House is $102; however, we ask families to contribute just a small fraction of that amount. Due to mounting medical bills and other uninsured living expenses, nearly half cannot afford even this small contribution - but no family is ever turned away if they are unable to pay. This year, our goal is $800,000 - and we can't do it without your help! To make a contribution to the 2019 Home Away from Home Appeal, please use the donation envelope attached to this newsletter. Or to make a gift online, visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate. Those who give $1,000 or more will become members of our Cornerstone Society, which celebrates our most generous donors.
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A HOME RUN FOR THE HOUSE St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong donated $11,000 to RMHC St. Louis in return for the Big Mac Land "M" he smashed with a home run hit.
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t. Louis Cardinals' shortstop Paul DeJong hit the "M" in Big Mac Land at Busch Stadium with a home run on August 20, 2019. Cardinals fans recieved free Big Macs as a result, but two local charities, including RMHC St. Louis, received so much more. On September 17, Paul stopped by the Ronald McDonald House on West Pine to present our organization with a check for $11,000. He also donated $11,000 to Cardinals Care, contributing
$22,000 in total in honor of it being his 22nd homer of the seaon. In return, Paul got to take home the M. "It's a privilege and an honor to be able to contribute to the city I play for," says Paul, who also took a tour of the Ronald McDonald House during his visit and even spent some time with our guest families. We couldn't be more grateful to Paul for his generosity, and we are honored to be part of such a special moment in his career!
DID YOU KNOW? Now you can Round-Up for RMHC at most St. Louis-area McDonald's restaurants! Just visit your local McDonald’s* and round-up your bill to the nearest dollar during checkout. Your extra change will be donated to RMHC, even when you pay with a credit or debit card! *Not available at all locations
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HEARTWARMING MOMENTS We were thrilled to share these special moments with our guest families! Gone Fishin' Eddie, who is staying at our West County Ronald McDonald House, loves when friend and fellow RMHC guest Josh takes him on a quick trip to the lake. And we love that he is getting the Midwest experience before going home to Belize! Thanks to The Belize Project, families like Eddie's are able to travel to St. Louis for life-changing medical care.
Go Cards! RMHC guests Josh and Mercedes took their older sons to their first Cardinals baseball game thanks to a generous ticket donor! We love when families have the opportunity to step away from the hospital and enjoy our city.
Finally Listed Our friend Hank is one step closer to a new kidney. He's on the transplant list and is in search of an A+ or O+ match. Until then, we will be here for Hank and his family, who currently call our Park Avenue House "home."
Thank You, John! "Papa John" stayed at our Park Avenue House when his twin grandchidlren were born prematurely and treated in the NICU. During his stay, John enjoyed pitching in around the House, including power-washing the porch and trimming the lawn. We appreciated his helpfulness and smiling face!
A Fond Farewell Jadiel and Kyla both headed home after a summer of healing at the West County House - Jadiel to St. Vincent and Kyla to Barbados. It warmed our hearts to see them walking around without crutches before they said goodbye!
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NEW FACES Meet the newest staff members of RMHC St. Louis! COURTNEY BRADSHAW is our new Family Room Program Coordinator. From working with patients and families in a hospital setting at her previous job, she knows this will be an exciting experience coordinating the Family Room volunteers, as well. Courtney enjoys traveling with her husband, playing with her dog Keira, and visiting her family in Iowa.
MALLORI GREEN is thrilled to have joined the RMHC St. Louis family as the Community Relations Coordinator. Mallori previously worked as a marketing assistant for the Fabulous Fox Theatre and is happy to transition into a role that will allow her to work more directly with our community partners. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends and family, her dog, Pede, and exploring the different St. Louis neighborhoods.
RICH RODGERS is eager to be part of RMHC to make a positive difference in the lives of guest families as Facilities Director. Rich was born and raised in Kirkwood and brings over 15 years of experience to our organization. He owns two puggles and loves to travel and spend time with his family.
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KELSEY CRIPE is very excited to be a part of the RMHC organization as the Family Services Manager at our West Pine location. Kelsey recently moved to St. Louis from Charleston, Illinois, where she worked in higher education within residence life. Kelsey enjoys baking, working out and spending time with family.
ANDREA PRUITT is very excited to work alongside great individuals at RMHC as the Assistant Family Services Manager of the West County House. She is currently pursuing her degree in Software Development at St. Louis Community College and aims to graduate from University of Missouri St. Louis with a Bachelor’s in Computer Sciences. Andrea enjoys hanging out with family, reading and playing her guitar.
"Working hard for
SOMETHING WE LOVE is called passion.” - SIMON SINEK
MEET THE FLYNN FAMILY
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n 2005, when he was an infant, Will Flynn was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a hereditary disease that affects the lungs and digestive system and the same disease his older sister, Anna, had been fighting for nearly four years. Over the next decade, the Flynn Family sought care in medical centers across the country, including the University of Iowa, the University of Michigan and Colorado Children’s Hospital. In 2016, 11-year-old Will was transferred back to his home in Peoria, Illinois, after a culture test found an infection called nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in his lungs. Will was treated over the course of the next 18 months for NTM, but when he did not show signs of improvement, his team of medical experts determined a transplant would be the only option to move forward. In the spring of 2019, Will was accepted into the St. Louis Children’s Hospital transplant program. In April, Jim and Will traveled to St. Louis to stay at Ronald McDonald House on West Pine, and by May 17, Will was officially listed for his double-lung transplant. While waiting for the much-anticipated call, Jim and Will found refuge in one of our RMHC longterm apartments on West Pine Boulevard - truly making it a space of their own. “Before coming here we had a paint night where each family member painted something for Will to remind him of them,” says Jim, showing off the scattered paintings propped on every free edge of the entryway and living room space inside their temporary home. Jim and Will also brought a pair of chairs with them to sit out on the front porch area and enjoy the outdoors together.
On the afternoon of Friday, June 7, after a month of waiting, Jim received the call. The next day, Will underwent the 11-hour life-saving surgery. This was just the beginning of a new chapter before the Flynn family could head back to Illinois. While Will started his 90-day recovery, the apartment offered a place for Jim and extended family to stay. “Throughout the course of time, my daughters and Will’s stepmom have been back and forth. All of Will's grandparents and most of my nieces and nephews have also been here one time or another, as well as my siblings,” says Jim, recounting the list of family members that made the trip numerous times during their stay. One visit that Jim and Will recall fondly is the weekend before surgery. The whole family came for a surprise stay. While Will went to the store with his cousins, everyone else sneaked into the apartment. “They were all hiding in the kitchen as Will walked in,” says Jim. “We made a day of it and just enjoyed being together.” During his recovery, Will actively explored everything St. Louis had to offer. The father and son duo found themselves swimming, biking, kayaking, swinging golf clubs and even running the 2019 I love Forest Park 5K in August – taking full advantage of the fresh air. In September, after 137 days in St. Louis, the Flynn family packed up their paintings and headed home. They were happy to be reunited with their dog, friends and loving family. “It is so important for people to know how much of an impact it [Ronald McDonald House] has on families,” says Jim as he recalls his journey with Will. “No way could I ever do this alone.” Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2019
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MEMORIALS The following gifts were made in memory of someone special from March 1 to July 31, 2019. Andrew Akin Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Butler Ruthann Alberti Ms. Michele Kratky Abel Aleman Mrs. Diane Beroiza Mrs. Sara Brooks Mr. Jim Keith Ms. Shirley King Ms. Teresa Kuchling Ms. Stephanie Prenger Paige G. Altmann Mr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Altmann Opal R. Barnes Ms. Deborah M. Pelch Ruleen Barnes Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Pelch, Jr. Andrew Barton Ms. Dolores F. Vermont Matthew K. Bazoian Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Brewbaker Ms. Lynn Conard Patricia Belcher Mr. and Mrs. William Canepa, Jr. Mary H. Bender Ms. Carmen Oslager Jack Bernsen Ms. June Downs Mr. and Mrs. Lee J. Schuler Ms. Nancy A. Spehr John Bernsen Mr. Rich Katke Elaine Betts Anonymous Viola Bitter Ms. Phyllis Schaeffer Janice Brander Kinnison Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Alex Brown Mr. and Mrs. Dawsey Brown Doris Brown Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Roman Bushmeyer Mr. Colin Houchins Sandy Cardinale Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blankemeyer Suzanne Cardinale Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blankemeyer Ed Carley Mrs. Joyce Carley Roberta Carpenter Mr. and Mrs. Jason Hanks Cindy Johnson Ms. Doris Johnson
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Dr. J. Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Larry Crittenden Mr. and Mrs. Alan M. Meyer Christopher Davis Ms. Patricia Burton Mary Diliberto Mr. and Ms. Craig Diliberto Rita Doerner Mrs. Rosemary A. Kilgore Andrew J. Durkin Mr. and Mrs. Andy Pullen Jeanne Effinger Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Chase Elmendorf Mr. and Mrs. Rob Loewenstein Mrs. Megan Wandersee Mrs. Ellen Broadway Mr. and Mrs. Bill Elmendorf Mr. and Mrs. Daniel A. Plackemeier Joe Fahrig Kelly and Dan Harbaugh James Kevin Foley Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Rylan Foster Mrs. Donna Deschepper Ward Freitag Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Judy Galli Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Dierker Beverly Gallman Ms. Joan M. Althaus Maurice Geisler Ms. Ruth M. Houlihan Joseph Genne Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ferman William C. Goeddel Mrs. Peggy A. Goeddel Grace Goessmann Ms. Martha Harbaugh Maurice Goffstein Ms. Kimberly M. Kutis Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt Ernestine Gouin Ms. Dorothy Gouin Buzz Grant Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Bart Greifzu Ms. Carol Anderson Mrs. Anna Mae Bare Ms. Cassandra Bare Mr. Brett Greifzu
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2019
Greifzu cont’d Mrs. Georgianna Judy Mrs. Judith Markman Ms. April Rister Robert Greenan Tom and Sue Armstrong Gavin Hale Anonymous Edward Hallam Ms. Kristie Scherrer Tripp Hallstead Ms. Angela Simms Mike Harper Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Art Hein Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blankemeyer Frances Herrell Ms. Carol A. Schanz Ginny Herrick Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Nies Murrel L. Hines Ms. Ella D. Hines Kurt S. Hoener Ms. Jacqueline M. Hoener Logan W. Hudson Ms. Rosemarie Hudson David Hynes Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Ann Ingoldsby Mr. and Ms. Craig Diliberto Eleanor Irace Mr. Anthony W. Irace Paige James Mrs. Mary Jo Sgro Gerald Jenner Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Patrick Kennedy Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Brooks Virginia K. Kerrick Mrs. Pamela T. Gomes Rose Klotzer Ms. Sally Needle Chris Klugesherz Ms. Marijo Arthur Mrs. Debbie Barnhart Mrs. Christine Bergen Mr. Stephen Bernstein Ms. Sally O. Bokal Mrs. Susan Bruemmer Mrs. Faith Caster Mrs. Kathryn Greer Mr. Jimmie R. Hilterbrand Ms. Joleen Klausman Mrs. Nancy H. Pace Mrs. Susan G. Reiss
Klugesherz cont’d Mr. and Mrs. George M. Schoen, Jr. Mrs. Geraldine Schoen Mr. John M. Schoen Mr. and Mrs. Walter V. Starck III Roberta Koch Mrs. Teresa Barnhardt Wanda Kuba Ms. Melanie Petsch Washington Lodge No. 30 CSA Kelly Kutsche Mr. Jeffrey Kutsche Mr. Mark Richmond Mr. Ronald Rieseing Mr. Werner Sabo Mr. Michael Grossmann Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mr. Patrick Jessee Mr. Richard Siegler Joseph Lenox Ms. Mary Drakesmith Jane Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Al Lewis John M. Lincoln Ms. Mary Ginocchio Mr. David Markovich Mrs. Joyce Skitt Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Spaunhorst Mrs. Gina Koch Aiden Little Mr. Joshua Rodriguez Mr. and Mrs. Edward Coker Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Sierawski Ms. Louise White Traci Little Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L. Brown Sheldon Marcus Mr. Scott Sandler Betty L. Martin Ameren MO David and Susan Blickhan Greg and Lessly Sharpe Megan Nelson Ms. Mary M. Nelson Carl McCormick Mr. and Mrs. Dean T. Perry Dot McGinnis Ms. Margaret F. Normile Lena Meeker Mrs. Kimberly Bushmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann Mrs. Lisa Kempf Mrs. Joan Koechig Mr. Thomas Luedloff Mrs. Cynthia Mosbacher Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mudd
Meeker cont’d Ms. Mildred Neff Joe Mele Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ferman Mary Ann Mertens Mr. Roland J. Schoenhoff Mike Mitler Ms. Glenda Easterday Alfred T. Moellenhoff Ms. Patricia Dickherber Mrs. Mary Fischer Mrs. Kathleen Franklin Mr. Norbert Huether Ms. Jennifer Jackson Mrs. Betty Kling Mr. and Mrs. Ronald E. Knoerzer Mr. Terry Lewis Ms. Tammy McFarland Cheryl A. Moellenhoff Ms. Carla Northcutt Mrs. Sarah Politowski Hefner Mr. and Mrs. Michael Preiss Ms. Nicole Rose Mr. and Mrs. John Shipley Ms. Gina Wentz Mrs. Mary D. Williams Ms. Darlene Woods Marie B. Moore Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Austin Ms. Neda Bansbach Ms. Dorothy Brookes Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Brooks Ms. Janet Deranja Mrs. and Mr. Kimberly A. Duprey Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mr. Donald Jablonski Ms. Angeline Jamjamian Mr. and Mrs. Ron Johnson Mrs. Marie V. Markowski Ms. Meredith A. May Mrs. Lillian Ozimec Mrs. Alice Paladin Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Scherrer Mrs. Leigh A. Schuh Mrs. Mary L. Smith Mr. Anthony F. Sokolich Ms. Kathryn A. Sokolich Ms. Joyce E. Thuston Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Timmerman Don Morros Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Brandt Linda Sue Murchison Ms. Betsy Eckols
MEMORIALS CONTINUED Carol Newbold Ms. Irma Holmes Janet Newborn Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Thornsberry, Sr. Gail NoBlot Ms. Joyce E. Thuston Clarence & Mary Nonn Ms. Mary M. Nonn Bobbie Oliver Ms. Ann Shaw Roberta Oliver Mrs. Peggy Brant Ms. Barbara D. Burford Ms. Lora G. Knight Carl A. Ostmann Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Leonhard Eileen O’Toole Ms. Michele Kratky Joan T. Packer Mr. Richard Sharp Blake Penner Ms. Paula Campbell Edmond Pfaff Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Cummings Francis H. Ponsler Maxene and Cheri Batten Sharon R. Przybylski Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Przybylski Edward Przygoda Mr. and Mrs. John C. Hill Wanda L. Reitz Mrs. Suzann Antoine Ms. Beverly Jones Joyce Riede Mr. Larry Parres
Tierney L. Riley American Academy of Procedural Coders Mrs. Lisa Bowman Mr. and Mrs. John Fugate Mrs. Kathy Hull Ms. Jane S. Kane Ms. Marla A. Koester Ms. Anne Koleson Pamela Martin Ms. Mary McMackins Mrs. Kathleen Parks Ms. Mary J. Riley Mr. Ronald Sattler Martha Story The Center For Advanced Orthopedics, LLC Mr. Clyde H. Wehmeier Mr. Eric Wehmeier Mr. John M. Wehmeier Ms. Norene K. Wright Merrill Rippinger Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Helen Rohlman Mrs. Judith Barnes Mrs. Sandra Borgschulte Family of and Mrs. Dan Ceriotti Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Greene Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mrs. Kate Mercurio Mr. and Mrs. Rich F. Rafuse Ms. Colleen Raley Mr. David L. Tornetto Town & Country Pharmacies, Inc.
Louie Roques Ms. Terri McDonald Ms. Jessica Wildebrandt Joseph Rosette Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Armstrong Tom Rotermund Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Garland Benjamin Rovey Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Rovey Elizabeth Roy Mr. Gregory Hronick George Ruzicka Mrs. Renee Barry Carpenters Retirees Club 21 Jonathan Sackberger Mr. and Mrs. Jerry A. Sackberger Rosemary Saffo Mrs. Janice Offermann Mrs. Linda J. Polka Marilee Sams Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Nies James L. Sanders Mr. Thomas Bryon Paul Sands Ms. Mary Collier Rowan Sasse Mr. Norman Kirchhofer Mr. John Petzing Opal Schneider Mr. and Mrs. Al Lewis Betty Schonhoff Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Pelch, Jr.
MEMORIAL & TRIBUTE BRICKS The following bricks were installed from March through September 2019 in memory or honor of someone special.
Elva Schubert Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Martina Schutte Mr. David L. Tornetto Hilda Sellers Mr. and Mrs. John J. Vogt Maureen Sheets Mr. and Mrs. Edward Shay Ella Nora and Tiffany Souers Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Souers Stewart “Stew” Sramek Mrs. Carol Cleve Mr. and Ms. Ray Cleve Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mr. and Mrs. Rich F. Rafuse Mr. and Mrs. Timothy M. Rohlman Mr. David L. Tornetto Sammy Stausing Mr. David L. Tornetto Dorothy Steinberg Ms. Elaine Nieberg Aubrey Stephens Ms. Donna M. Rivera Valier P. Stewart Mrs. Pamela T. Gomes Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Misuraca Tara L. Stoffel Steeleville Eagles Betty C. Stoppa Mr. Jeffrey Dobner, Jr. Hank Tarloff Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt
Ken Tharp Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Joseph Tucker Ms. Joyce E. Thuston Carlos Vielledent Mr. David L. Tornetto Connor R. Voigt Connor’s Cause Frank Ward Mr. and Mrs. Ervin D. Weinmeister Lucy Weissert Mrs. Carolyn Wottowa Herman Wende Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Audrey Wenkel Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Boron Pat Whalen Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Jewell M. Wilson Ms. Neva Bissette Raymond B. Wilson Mr. George Solovic Dave Winkler Mr. and Mrs. James Glavin Gabrielle Wintjen Mr. and Mrs. George Wintjen Robert Wintzinger Mr. David L. Tornetto Thomas “Tom” E. Worley Mrs. Alisa Artioli Mr. Ernest Beutenmiller Chris Wottowa Mrs. Carolyn Wottowa Jerry Yost Mr. and Mrs. Wilson W. Berry
TREE OF LIFE The following leaves on our Tree of Life were recently installed in memory of someone special.
In Loving Memory of Ariana Lindsay
In Loving Memory of Izabella Embree
In Loving Memory of Valorie Stone
In Loving Memory of Aubrey Stephens
In Loving Memory of Jayla Horn
In Loving Memory of William Pruitt
In Loving Memory of Barrett Bone
In Loving Memory of Kiersten Trantham
In Loving Memory of Yuliza Fernanda Chaires
In Honor of Marty Davis and 60 Years as a McDonald’s Family Member
In Loving Memory of Cooper Ball
In Loving Memory of Logan Taylor
In Loving Memory of Martha Hundelt
In Honor of Brandon Scott
In Loving Memory of Daniel Zhakut
In Loving Memory of Rowan Sasse
In Loving Memory of Isaiah Dunn
In Loving Memory of Tariyah L. Malone
In Loving Memory of Bart Greifzu Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2018
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TRIBUTES The following gifts were made in honor of someone special from March 1 to July 31, 2019. The Ablan Family Mrs. Pamela Townsend Mark Amen Ms. Carol A. Lieb Mr. and Mrs. Bob Angle Mr. and Mrs. Richard Shields Richard R. Arnoldy Ms. Nancy A. Spehr Jeffrey and Diane Barone Mr. Brian I. Pultman Jake and Jack Barton Mr. and Mrs. Ben Barton Sherran Battas Ms. Paula Weidner Ronald A. Becker Mr. and Mrs. Allan Feinberg Daniel Beutler Ms. Ruth Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Michael Grady Mr. Roy McLaurin Tracy Brosch Dr. Nancy Singer Jo Della Camera Mr. and Mrs. Steve Della Camera Ayaan Choudhary Mr. Bhavana Choudhary Jackie Concannon Mr. Edward M. Concannon Pat E. Coppinger Mr. Dan Lesin Ms. Gail Youngman Dr. Jeff Dawson Mrs. Joan Wright
Deidre Decious Mr. and Mrs. Steve Kuhlmann Mike DeCola Mr. and Mrs. James G. Castellano Dr. Richard C. Pennell Arlene Diekemper Mr. and Mrs. Greg R. Diekemper Dianna DiMartino Mr. and Mrs. Hiram C. Martin III Shea Dresner Mr. David Dresner Jacob Eller Ms. Susan G. Klukis Bahram Fartashpour Mrs. Rebecca Rantanen Judy and Bob Finck Mr. and Mrs. Larry Burke Mary A. Fox Rabbi Randall Fleisher Brenda Govro Ms. Kristi Labitska Robert and Penny Hale Maxene and Cheri Batten Dan Harbaugh Mr. Brian I. Pultman Ann Haubrich Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Kelly Greg and Joan Hempen Ms. Maureen Scheve Euman Henson Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust Violet Holtmeier Ms. Jamie Holtmeier
Brighley Hunt Ms. Elaine Hoover Nolan T. Kissing Mr. Tommy Kissing Julia Knowles Mrs. Ashley Echterhoff Mrs. Lauren Heyman Zoey Kobylarz Mrs. Tanya Kobylarz Howard and Joy Kurz Mrs. Susan Almgren Marion Lipetz Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sundet Justin Litteken Anonymous LoneRiders Mr. and Mrs. Alan J. Weststeyn Nancy A. Maniaci Mr. James A. Maniaci, Jr. and Philippe L. Moebius Reed Maxwell Mrs. Stephanie Braun Dean McGee Mrs. Marlyn Donaldson Mrs. Stephanie Sinclair Mr. Robert Villareal Cheryl McKay Mr. and Mrs. Gary Scrivner Isaac Mercer Mr. William Rombach Jacob T. Moak Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Moak Lucas Moak Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Moak
Tim Nimtz Ms. Katie M. Nimtz Lisa Perkins Mrs. Rita Duke Andrew & Alyssa Radtke Mr. and Mrs. William A. Radtke Dalia & Elie Regev Mrs. Denise Greenberg Mr. and Mrs. Richard Roesch Mrs. Geraldine Leeker Christine Rogers Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Manal Safi Mr. and Mrs. Fawzi Safi Bill Schulz Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ferman Lori St. John Lauren St. John and Jared Storment Bentley Stage Mrs. Christine Linneman Mrs. Angie Mason Declan Stevens Ms. Diane Stevens Chuck and Suzanne Stokes Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Whelan Tanya Storment Lauren St. John and Jared Storment Jean Sundet Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sundet Jack Till Ms. Joanne Ferguson
Victoria Tornetto Mr. David L. Tornetto Sebastian Van Horn Mr. and Mrs. Steve Baker Elizabeth Waldhoff Mrs. Sharon Waldhoff Claire D. Wallace Drs. Kelli P. and Lincoln R. Wallace Eileen M. Weber Ms. Kay F. Siegrist Velma Weidner Ms. Paula Weidner Shirley Weiss Mr. and Mrs. Howard Tischler Frannie and Hannah Wise Mr. and Mrs. Milton C. Lewis Shanna Witges Mrs. Rita Duke Woodard Cleaning & Restoration Mr. Joseph Klobe Patti Wright Ms. Paula Weidner
CALLING ALL YOUNG PROFESSIONALS! Are you a young professional looking to get involved with Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis and meet likeminded individuals? Then the Red Shoe Society of St. Louis is for you! Learn more by visiting www.rmhcstl.com/redshoesociety. Activities include: • • • •
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Preparing meals for Ronald McDonald House families Planning and executing special events Professional development activities Service projects at the Ronald McDonald House
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2019
ST. LOUIS
MEET THE WHITWORTH FAMILY Baby Caesyn's family calls the Ronald McDonald House "home" during his stay in the NICU at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.
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n July 12, 2019, Caesyn Whitworth was born 10 weeks early in Springfield, Missouri. Because of his early arrival, he was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the hospital, where doctors and nurses planned to monitor his progress until he was strong enough to go home. However, over the next month, little Caesyn was diagnosed with a serious intestinal disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and was transferred by helicopter to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. Once he was admitted, Caesyn’s parents, Monica and Cameron, found out their son also had meningitis, an inflammation of the membrane surrounding his brain and spinal cord. Along with this diagnosis came many complications. “It’s hard being a preemie,” Monica explains, about her baby boy. “One minute we are doing amazing and in a blink of an eye, we are going through another battle.” As so many of our RMHC families know, it’s hard being the parent of a preemie, too. The Whitworths were four hours from home and pouring every ounce of energy into helping their baby boy fight for his life. Thankfully, Monica and Cameron, as well as their oldest son, Laetyn, found comfort at our Ronald McDonald House on Park Avenue, just a short walk away from the hospital. In addition to finding a home-away-from-home, they also discovered an entire community of supporters
to lean on. “They treat you like you’re family, and they’re there to help,” says Monica of the staff, volunteers and other guest families at RMHC. Thankfully, Caesyn overcame the small case of NEC and continues to receive specialized treatment in the NICU at Cardinal Glennon. We have no doubt that having family close by is helping him every day. And for that, the Whitworth family is grateful. “We just want to say thank you for everything,” says Monica. ■ Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2019
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CARING HEARTS LEGACY CIRCLE RMHC St. Louis volunteer Brenda Haalboom leaves a lasting legacy.
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ifteen years ago, Brenda Haalboom answered a call for volunteers needed at the Ronald McDonald House Golf Tournament. Little did she know, that day would be the first of many spent volunteering for The House That Love Built. As the organization has grown over the years, Brenda has taken on numerous volunteer roles. From assisting at special events to working at the West Pine and West County Houses, her responsibilities have increased tremendously from that first day on the golf course. Most recently, Brenda has assisted with the revitalization of our Meals from the Heart Program, where community groups prepare delicious meals for guest families. She helped create and implement new processes and procedures to make sure this popular program would be sustainable as we continue to expand. “Providing meals for the families is one thing we can do to make sure they can focus on what matters most – their sick child,” says Brenda. More than a decade after her first volunteer shift, Brenda took her passion for the mission one step farther. She recently disclosed that Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis is part of her estate plan. With this legacy gift, she is not only helping our families today, but also in the future.
To honor this generous pledge, Brenda became a member of the Caring Hearts Legacy Circle, which recognizes supporters who have chosen to help families of seriously ill children beyond their own lifetime with a legacy gift. Brenda’s name is displayed on our Caring Hearts Legacy Circle wall – a one-of-a-kind, hand-blown art glass installation inside the foyer of our Park Avenue House. Building a bright future for RMHC is something Brenda is extremely passionate about. “It is very important to support the legacy of an organization who does so much for families during an unimaginably difficult time in their lives,” she says. “I wanted to do my part to be sure these services can continue being offered for as long as possible.” By making a lifetime gift, Brenda is helping us do just that. What started as a day volunteering on the links has transformed into a lasting legacy that will provide families of seriously ill children with comfort, care and a home-away-from-home for years to come. ■ If you would like to discuss options for including charitable giving in your estate plans, or if you wish to disclose that you have included RMHC St. Louis in your will or trust, please contact Frank Cognata, Vice President of Development at 314-932-4148 or by email at fcognata@rmhcstl.com.
Did You Know? If you are 70 ½... Did you know that with the new tax law, you could still receive a tax advantage by transfering a contribution from your IRA to RMHC St. Louis? By doing this, you will avoid capital gains tax on the money you are required by law to distribute. 23
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2019
THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN
In honor of his family’s past stay at a Ronald McDonald House, Nicholas Purschke designed and built an outdoor oasis for families to enjoy.
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hen St. Louis native Nicholas Purschke had to choose his Eagle Scout Service Project, it was clear how he wanted to give back. He decided to help provide the comforts of home to guest families by creating a beautiful butterfly garden at his local Ronald McDonald House. “I chose to do my project for the RMHC because it was like a second home to me,” says Nicholas. Nicholas was born with a rare genetic neurological disease called adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Throughout his young life, Nicholas has traveled frequently to seek treatment at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, until he needed a bone marrow transplant, which took place in Minnesota. In 2016, the Purschke family called the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis their home-away-from-home for three months during
Nicholas’s recovery. Since that time, they make an annual trip for follow-up appointments to monitor his progress, always making time during their visits to see the Ronald McDonald House. “We know firsthand how much of a homeaway-from-home this is for families dealing with sick children. The Ronald McDonald House was a lifesaver for ours,” says Nicholas’s mother, Julie. This August, Nicholas led Boy Scout Troop #630 in the designing and building of the new butterfly garden, located right off the front steps of the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House. Julie sums up the experience well: “Nicholas knew he wanted to give back in a special way to this special place.” And for that, we couldn’t be more grateful. Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2019
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OUR WISH LIST We rely on donations of these household items to provide all the comforts of home inside our three Ronald McDonald Houses and four Ronald McDonald Family Rooms. To donate items, please call 314-773-1100 or email info@rmhcstl.com. Kitchen Items: Sweet/salty individually wrapped snacks (cookies, soups, mac ‘n’ cheese, breakfast bars, hot chocolate, trail mix, dried fruit, peanut butter or cheese sandwich crackers & candy bars) Dishwasher detergent Gallon-sized Ziploc bags Aluminum foil Large Tupperware containers Paper plates Plastic forks and spoons Nonstick frying pans
Laundry Facility Supplies: High-efficiency laundry detergent Softener sheets Cleaning Supplies: Disinfectant (Lysol) spray Multipurpose cleaner Floor cleaner Hand soap SOS pads and sponges Swiffer hand duster sheets Pledge and Windex Toilet bowl cleaner
Miscellaneous: Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shaving cream and toothpaste Disposable razors Feminine products 60-watt lightbulbs iPhones (version 4s or newer) Nintendo Switch video games (nonviolent)
IN LOVING MEMORY Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis extends its deepest sympathy to the families of these very special children:
Daniel Zhakut
William Pruitt
Kinslee Dial
Jayla Grace Horn
Valorie Stone
Carson Travis
Izabella Embree
Cooper Ball
Malachi Lee
Tariyah Malone
Yuliza Fernanda Chaires
Jenson Hartle
Kiersten Trantham
Yaretzy Chaires
Drake Guffey
Rowan Sasse
Miracle Kennedy
Ethan Craig
Barrett Bone
Miles Paris
HEARTBITS Over 30 members of the Ameren Management Team visited all three of our Ronald McDonald Houses in September to lend a hand with outdoor projects. Thank you, Ameren!
Our RMHC families are amazing! Jamie Worthen and her family collected over $300 worth of Wish List items and a very heavy tub full of tabs from their community to "give back" to the House!
The Elmendorf Family collected thousands of Wish List items and tab tops in memory of their son, Chase. Chase’s little brothers Brody and Wesley were a big help. Thank you!
Families using the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at St. Louis Children’s Hospital loved getting crafty with paper flowers and creating cards for Mother’s Day!
A team from HBM Holdings prepared a fun fiesta-themed dinner at our West County House. Our guest families had a great evening playing games and even taking a swing at a cactus piñata!
Little girl, big heart! Lena raised money to purchase snacks for the Ronald McDonald Family Room by selling her artwork outside her local Great Clips. Thank you, Lena!
Consultants from Thirty-One cooked dinner at over 160 Ronald McDonald Houses across the U.S. and Canada in July. We are so grateful they stopped by all three of our locations!
After staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City, the Greene Family paid it forward by hosting an evening of food, crafts, face-painting and laughs at our West County House. Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2019
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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID JEFFERSON CITY, MO PERMIT NO. 210
St. Louis
3450 Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104
If your name and/or address are incorrect, please let us know by contacting Lanisha Thomas at 314-932-4133 or lthomas@rmhcstl.com. Do you prefer to receive the Heartbeat newsletter electronically? Let us know via email at info@rmhcstl.com. Thank you!
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES® OF ST. LOUIS West Pine Ronald McDonald House 4381 West Pine Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108 314-531-6601
Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House 3450 Park Ave. St. Louis, MO 63104 314-773-1100
West County Ronald McDonald House 300 Ronald McDonald House Ln. St. Louis, MO 63141 314-485-0300
VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.RMHCSTL.COM, AND FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: facebook.com/rmhcstl
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