A Little Holiday Magic at the House
Holiday mornings look a little different for families staying at Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis — but thanks to the support of friends like you, they are still filled with joy, laughter and tradition.
Last winter, the House made space for moments that helped families feel like families again. At Breakfast with Santa, children smiled for photos and laughed with one another, glad for a break from long days centered around medical care. Parents and caregivers welcomed the chance to sit together, share a warm meal and spend time focused on their family instead of the hospital.
Just two floors above, the McGift Shoppe offered another meaningful moment throughout the holiday season. This on-site holiday store was open all month long, allowing families to choose gifts at no cost whenever they needed them most. In the quiet evening hours, parents wrapped presents, surprised siblings who had been away from home for weeks and created small traditions during an otherwise uncertain time. Every gift was donated by members of the community who wanted families to feel supported.
Through moments like these, the House was more than a place to stay last winter. It was a place of comfort and care where traditions continued and families were reminded they were not alone — even far from home. And it was made possible by donors and volunteers like you.
DID YOU KNOW?
The House is at full capacity nearly every night of the year, including holidays. Illness and injury don’t follow a calendar, which means families are often spending Christmas, New Year’s and other special days far from home.
Your support makes all the difference. When you give, you help us create moments of joy and normalcy during the hardest times. Thank you for supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis
St. Louis
R.J.’s Corner
Dear Friend,
Spring is a season of renewal, and here at the House, it’s a reminder of what your support makes possible every day.
Because of you, families continued to find a true home away from home during some of the hardest moments of their lives last year. Parents stayed close to their children’s care. Siblings had a safe place to land. Holidays were celebrated, birthdays were remembered, and ordinary days were made a little more bearable, simply because families could stay together.
This past year brought meaningful growth. We served more families than ever before — an increase of nearly 80%, thanks to the expanded capacity at our Grove House. Many came from rural communities across Missouri and Illinois, traveling to St. Louis because local pediatric care was no longer available close to home. Almost every night, the House operated at full occupancy across all available rooms. And because of you, we were ready.
What happens here goes far beyond a roof overhead. Your generosity helped us meet families’ needs with compassion and care, from meals and transportation to emotional support during times of trauma and uncertainty.
Every dollar you give stays local and goes directly to supporting families. Without you, none of this happens.
Thank you for being part of the House that love built. Your kindness continues to touch the lives of families who need it most.
With gratitude,
Heart & Soul Award Honoree: Adam Jokisch
At the December 2025 Board Meeting, Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis was proud to present the inaugural Dan Harbaugh Heart & Soul Award to Adam Jokisch, recognizing his extraordinary commitment to the mission.
For 30 years, Adam has served as an auctioneer at RMHC St. Louis events, bringing energy, warmth and a special ability to connect people personally to the cause. When Adam takes the microphone, generosity follows.
Adam’s dedication is deeply personal. Having once experienced the uncertainty of having a sick child — who is now healthy and thriving — he understands firsthand the comfort, relief and hope the House provides during life’s most difficult moments. That lived experience shapes the way he shows up for families year after year as auctioneer.
Adam’s decades of service, heart and belief in keeping families close made him the perfect inaugural recipient of the Dan Harbaugh Heart & Soul Award. His story is a powerful reminder that the mission of RMHC St. Louis is carried forward by people who give not only their time, but their hearts.
A New Way to Keep Families Moving and
Did you know nearly 50% of families staying at the House face challenges accessing reliable transportation? This adds stress during an already difficult time.
That’s why we’re excited to share the launch of our new Transportation Program, created in direct response to this growing need among the families we serve.
R.J. Crunk President & CEO
Through this program, families now have access to safe, reliable and consistent rides to and from our partner hospitals. This helps remove one more barrier, allowing families to focus on what matters most: being together and supporting their child’s care. The shuttle also provides scheduled trips to
The Road to Healing
For years, Máté dreamed of walking without crutches. Born in Hungary with Cerebral Palsy, he had been told repeatedly that surgery wasn’t an option — that this was simply how his life would be. But Máté and his mom, Nicole, refused to accept that answer.
When he discovered a life-changing procedure through an online community, they made a decision that would alter everything: they would travel more than 8,160 kilometers to St. Louis, no matter what it took.
After months of fundraising and planning, they finally made the journey, but their challenges didn’t end there. Hotels near the hospital were far beyond their reach, and navigating an unfamiliar city added new stress. That’s when they found Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis.
From the moment they arrived, relief set in. For the first time, they felt safe, supported and welcomed into a place that quickly became their home away from home.
In the days and weeks that followed, the House provided far more than a bed. Daily meals, welcoming faces and a sense of community helped ease the emotional weight of surgery and recovery. The Transportation Program became an integral part of their daily lives, providing reliable rides to and from the hospital. Between medical appointments, small moments stood out too — shared dinners, visiting therapy dogs and a surprise visit from St. Louis CITY SC — each one reminding them they weren’t alone.
Just one month after surgery, Máté was already seeing progress. He could walk farther without exhaustion, move in new ways and look ahead with renewed confidence.
It’s a transformation made possible by generous supporters like you who ensure families can find comfort, care and reliable transportation, no matter how far from home their journey begins.
and Connected
a nearby shopping area, giving families the freedom to pick up groceries, clothing and daily necessities with dignity and independence.
We’re pleased to welcome Mike Auer as our new Shuttle Driver. Mike brings a lifetime of service to this role, with five years as an Emergency Medical Technician and 35 years as a firefighter for the City of St. Louis before retiring two years ago. His experience and calm presence make him a natural fit for caring for our families.
The Transportation Program is already making a meaningful difference by reducing stress, removing barriers and helping families stay connected to the care their children need.
St. Louis
2025 Impact
IN OUR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSES
926
FAMILIES RECEIVED LOW OR NO COST HOUSING
26,541 ROOM NIGHTS OCCUPIED
22.5 DAYS AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY
8,000+
UNIQUE DONORS SUPPORTED RMHC ST. LOUIS IN 2025
88% OF FAMILIES SERVED WERE FROM MISSOURI OR ILLINOIS
50% OF FAMILIES WHO STAY AT OUR HOUSE EXPERIENCE DAY-TO-DAY FOOD INSECURITY
FAMILIES FROM 19
COUNTRIES WERE SERVED BY RMHC ST. LOUIS
RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOMS
61,999
TOTAL VISITORS TO THE FOUR ST. LOUIS AREA RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOMS
5,086
FAMILIES SERVED ACROSS ALL FOUR FAMILY ROOMS
15,417
HOURS OF WORK BY FAMILY ROOM VOLUNTEERS
CHAIRPERSON
Chris Giarla
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Dan Hegger
TREASURER
Mark Heffernan
SECRETARY
Joan Elhoffer
DIRECTORS
Dana Bacich
Maggie Bailey
Brandy Beaupre
Brad Beigle
Nora Black
Jeremy Brenner
Jeremy Brummond
Kyle Darnell
Steve Della Camera
Cully Eisenbeis
Andy Kramper
Carrie Lee
April Lopinot
Dr. Hossain Marandi
Brad Miller
Steve Rueschhoff
Phil Saettele
Brian Satterthwaite
Danna Stone
Jenny Schwartz Witek Wroblewski
Tab Top Pandemonium is Back
22nd Annual Tab Top Pandemonium
Saturday, April 25, 2026
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Didion Orf Recycling
206 Didion Dr., St. Peters, MO 63376
Tab Top Pandemonium is a fun and impactful recycling initiative that turns everyday items into meaningful support for families at Ronald McDonald House Charities. Aluminum tabs, brass keys and small electronics are collected and recycled, with proceeds benefiting RMHC.
After dropping off your recyclables, stay and enjoy the event — your small actions make a big difference for families in need!
Learn more or get involved.
Scan the QR code or visit rmhcstl.org/tab-tops.
Connect With Us
ADDRESS: 4321 Chouteau Avenue St. Louis, MO 63110
CONTACT:
(314)773-1100
rmhcstl.org
Louis