Fall/Winter 2020
St. Louis
HEARTBEAT
Coldwell Banker Realty - Gundaker CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF SUPPORTING RMHC FAMILIES
WHAT’S INSIDE Letter from the President Meet the Patrick Family; Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Spotlights 2020 Special Events Recap Community Fundraisers Building Blocks 2020 Home Away from Home Appeal How to Help at the Holidays Cornerstone Society Donors Heartwarming Moments Remembering Art Stumpf; In Memory Coldwell Banker Realty - Gundaker 35 Years of Friendship; Round-Up for RMHC 23-24 Memorials; AmazonSmile 25-26 Tributes; Our Wish List 27-28 Meet the Smith Family; Red Shoe Society 29 Ronald McDonald Family Room Anniversary 30 Heartbits 2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9 10 11-12 13-14 15-18 19 20 21-22
2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEB VOGT, CHAIRPERSON JEFF BARONE, VICE CHAIRPERSON BRIDGET HOY, TREASURER TONY IRACE, SECRETARY KAREN BAER STEVE BESHORE DAVE BRANDT DR. MARY MICHAELEEN CRADOCK GREG DIEKEMPER JOAN ELHOFFER BEVERLY GARNER CHRIS GIARLA MARK HEFFERNAN ALICIA JETT DR. JOSEPH KAHN
SCOTT KARCHUNAS RYAN KURYLA STEVE MALTER JIM MOSBY MICHELE MUSCARELLA-HARMON JILL OLLER ELLYN ROSENBLUM NOLAN RUIZ KEITH SCHIELER DAVE TORNETTO
RMHC ST. LOUIS STAFF DAN HARBAUGH, PRESIDENT CHERI WUERTZ, VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE JASON HUFF, 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 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 COURTNEY BRADSHAW, FAMILY ROOM COORDINATOR CLARE BURKE, ASST. FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST PINE LAUREN BRYANT, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT MAKAYLA JOHNSON, FAMILY ROOM ASSISTANT MANAGER KATIE LAYMAN, COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT EMILY KOHLBERG, HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT LARRY PRY, DATA ASSISTANT APRIL CUSAMANO, HOUSEKEEPER, WEST COUNTY VICKI RUCKMAN, HOUSEKEEPER, WEST PINE JOY TATE, HOUSEKEEPEER, WEST PINE
OUR MISSION: To provide a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children
A Note from the PRESIDENT Greetings all, Is this year just crazy, or what? First and foremost, to our volunteers, we miss you so much. You are the heart and soul of our organization, and we miss not having you in our Houses and Family Rooms or hearing of your incredible acts of kindness. While we have been able to host virtual committee meetings, it is just not the same. Back in April, when things first “hit the fan,” I was on a text exchange with some of our RMH Friends; at the same time, I was on a text chain with our Executive Committee. Both groups asked me the same question. “Are we going to be okay?” My response quickly followed. “Are you kidding? We are the Ronald McDonald House. Don’t ever doubt us!” I feel the same way today more than ever, thanks to friends like you. What has taken place over the last six months has been nothing short of spectacular. When we had to shut down our Meals from the Heart program, we asked our community to send in dinners or funds to keep it going. The response was incredible! We had one great Friend of the House send in $10,000 to support the program. We had another anonymous donor (I hate that I don’t know who it was) send in $50,000 to support the program. We had many other supporters send in money for meals or offer to cover a meal by calling their favorite restaurant and have them deliver meals to the Houses. There was even a new company to St. Louis, Everstream, who called and said, “We are going to send dinner to the Park Avenue House every night during April.” Unbelievable! As I stated in our previous newsletter, we began reaching out to past Sponsor-A-Family Cornerstone Members, asking if they would make a similar contribution this year. Everyone we called said, “yes” without hesitation. Our frontline staff members continued onsite at the Houses to ensure a safe, supportive environment for our families. Our Board of Directors worked closely with our Leadership Team, monitoring all aspects of the organization and strategically made adjustments to ensure stability. Our community partners and donors sent items from our Wish List and extra cleaning supplies as needed - thanks to them we had plenty of toilet paper! Our great friends at McDonald’s held the “Sleeves for Support” campaign, a limited edition large-cupsized sleeve fundraiser, in July that raised over $100,000 for RMHC! In response to their success, the McDonald’s of Metro St. Louis Co-op announced their Round-Up for RMHC Challenge to raise $1 million by December 31, 2020. The response by owner/operators, managers, crew members and customers has been overwhelming. It is incredible to watch how people respond so positively in such challenging situations. And it all goes back to my comment that I made in April. Am I concerned? No, because of great friends, donors, and volunteers like you. The Ronald McDonald House will always be strong and successful. Thank you! Always Grateful,
Dan Harbaugh RMHC St. Louis President
The Patrick Family at their home in Energy Illinois six years after staying at RMHC St. Louis for Charlie's surgery.
MEET THE PATRICK FAMILY Charlie's family found comfort and care in the Ronld McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room.
I
n the spring of 2014, Julie and Ryan Patrick heard the heart-breaking news that their three-year-old son, Charlie, was diagnosed with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis. The incredibly rare brain disorder targets one hemisphere of the brain that causes seizures and development disorders. Charlie’s doctors recommended a surgery called a hemispherectomy, which disconnects the right region of the brain from the left. While the operation would stop the progression of the disease, Charlie would be left with diminished use of the left side of his body. The Patrick family traveled two hours from their home in Energy, Illinois, to seek treatment at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. On May 21, 2014, the day of Charlie’s surgery, the Patrick family found out they had secured a room at the Ronald McDonald House. “This was a tremendous relief because, at the
3
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
time, we didn’t know how we were going to afford housing. Just knowing that my wife and I had a safe, affordable, and comfortable place to stay and freshen up every day was such a blessing to us,” says Ryan. After the surgery, Charlie underwent therapy at the hospital for the next five weeks to learn how to adapt to the use of one hand and how to walk again. Thanks to RMHC, he was never alone. “One of us would stay with Charlie, and one of us would go to our room at the House,” says Ryan “It was so nice to know that every other night I would not have to sleep on the uncomfortable chair in the hospital room.” While the whole family was going through such a difficult time in their lives, the little things in the in-hospital Ronald McDonald Family Room made such a difference. Ryan and Julie could be down the hall from Charlie to grab a quick snack, take a
nap, watch TV, or do laundry. While Charlie was sick, the Patrick Family had a phenomenal support system from their family and friends back home. “One family friend found out that we were staying at the Ronald McDonald House. She contacted RMHC and covered the cost for our stay for the entire month,” says Ryan. “While the cost of staying at the Ronald McDonald House is minimal, it was certainly a weight off our shoulders.” The Patrick Family returned home to Energy, Illinois at the end of June. Now, Charlie, who just turned 10 years old, is a fourth-grader who loves music, swimming, making videos, drawing, and playing on his iPad. After suffering up to 15 debilitating seizures a day pre-surgery, he is now six years seizure-free. “You all do incredible work. We are proud to be evangelists for RMHC,” said Ryan Patrick, recalling his time at Ronald McDonald House. “Thank you for everything.” ■
INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES You can still make a difference in the lives of families with seriously ill children by donating your time and talents. In order to keep RMHC guest families in the healthiest environment possible, we have temporarily paused all on-site volunteer opporunities.
HERE ARE 5 WAYS YOU CAN HELP RIGHT NOW! 1
Have a meal delivered to one of our three Ronald McDonald Houses
2
Round-Up for RMHC at McDonald's
3
Host a fundrasier
4
Donate Wish List items from our Amazon Wish list and have essential supplies delievered to the House
5
Join us for our Ronald McDonald House Party & Virtual Auction (See page 22)
For more information, please contact McKenna Cooper, Volunteer Coordinator, at mcooper@rmhcstl.com or visit www.rmhcstl.com/get-involved.
Our friends Max, Henry and Addie donated Wish List items to the Park Avenue House in April.
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
4
Lisa was introduced to RMHC through her husband’s support of The House that Love Built at special events and dinner donations to guest families. Specifically, Syberg’s is served as lunch at our Kids & Clays Tournament in August each year. “After our kids got older, I was looking for a way to give back,” says Lisa. “RMHC was a perfect fit.” Before the Lisa and Kirk Syberg helping check in guests at a past RMHC St. Louis Kids & pandemic, you could Clays event. find Lisa at the West Pine Ronald McDonald House every Tuesday morning assisting our Financial Coordinator, Barb Jarvis. “Lisa has been helping out the financial department with the guest lodging from all three Ronald McDonald Houses for nearly 20 years,” says Barb. “She’s an awesome person!” Lisa also volunteers at our special events during our largest auctions each year, including the Annual Kids & Clays Dinner Auction and Volunteer Lisa Syberg enjoys Annual Cushman & Wakefield/RMH Dinner Auction, by checking in guests and helping set creating strong bonds with staff up the online bidding account. and volunteers at the Ronald “Lisa has been a regular volunteer at our McDonald House special events over the years, and I can always count on her to fulfill any task assigned to her with a positive attitude! Volunteers are so hen you hear the name “Syberg,” important to ensuring our guests have a great what comes to mind? For many experience at our fundraisers, and we are lucky St. Louisians, it could be a picture to have Lisa on our team,” says Abby Mauer. of a shark, friends sitting around a table for Event Manager. happy hour, or a plate filled with chicken wings We are so grateful for the continued support drizzled with the famous Syberg’s Wing Sauce. from Lisa and the entire Syberg family. If you For us at RMHC, we think of Lisa and her are considering donating your time and talent husband, Kirk. to RMHC, we leave you with these words from As owners of the seven-location local chain Lisa: “I encourage others to volunteer; the return of casual American restaurants, serving fried you feel is immeasurable.” ■ shark, pizza, and burgers, Lisa and Kirk have been serving the community for over 30 years.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: LISA SYBERG
W
5
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
IN MEMORY OF JIM KUBA:
A FOUNDING MEMBER OF RMHC ST. LOUIS
J
im Kuba and his wife, Wanda, were part of a resilient group of parents to blaze the path for the first Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis. They became involved with the organization after they joined the Candlelighters, a parent support group from Cardinal Glennon Memorial Hospital for Children (now SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital), when their daughter Kelly passed away from cancer. Jim wanted to give back to families going through similar situations. In the late 1970s, the Kuba family teamed up with fellow parents to create the Children’s Oncology Services of Metro St. Louis, Inc. Its sole purpose was to select, purchase, renovate, and operate the first Ronald McDonald House. These passionate individuals found each other at local hospital parent-support groups, including the Candlelighters and CURE (Children United Research Effort), from St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Many of these parents, including Jim,
served on the first board of directors for RMHC St. Louis. A fellow founder and long-time volunteer, Bob Manges, shared one fond memory of Jim during a record-breaking winter in 1982. Bob was volunteering at the West Pine Ronald McDonald House over the weekend when a storm hit the area, closing roads, shops, and access to the hospital. As the kitchen slowly ran low on essential grocery items, Bob received a call from Jim to check on the families. Without hesitation, Jim drove across town on the icy roads to deliver provisions to guest families. “Jim was so dedicated to the House and the families we serve,” says Bob. In August 2020, Jim passed away, leaving behind a legacy of care for seriously ill children and their families. We could not be more grateful for the support from Jim and Wanda, who exemplify the mission of RMHC by giving back to fellow families when they need it most. ■ Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
6
2020 SPECIAL EVENTS RECAP 16TH ANNUAL TAB TOP PANDEMONIUM SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020 On Saturday, June 27 supporters participated in a special drive-thru socially distant Tab Top Pandemonium at the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House. Families were able to drop off their collections of aluminum tab tops, competing for the largest collections. We'd like to extend a special thank you to our friends at Didion Orf Recycling for their continued support through in-kind donations and dozens of volunteers that keep this event running smoothly every year. St. Louis
35TH ANNUAL CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD/RMH GOLF TOURNAMENT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 Rescheduled from June, this annual fundraiser took place on Monday, September 28th at Meadowbrook Country Club. Over 180 golfers hit the links in staggered tee times to try and take home the 1st place prize. Golfers enjoyed a light breakfast, snacks, a grab-and-go lunch. For more photos of our events, visit www.rmhcstl.com.
7
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
THANKS FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR 20TH ANNUAL KIDS & CLAYS TOURNAMENT FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 On August 21, the 20th Annual Kids & Clays event, presented by ARCO Construction, was held at STL Skeet & Trap. Over 200 participants headed out to Pacific, Missouri, for an 84-target sporting clays tournament, enjoying side game competitions and lunch courtesy of Syberg’s.
BENEFITING RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
27TH ANNUAL SCRAMBLE FOR CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 This fall marked the 27th Annual Scramble for Charity Golf Tournament, presented by McDonald’s, and was hosted once again at 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, thanks to our friends at Martin Brower! St. Louis
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
8
1
3
2
4
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 10th Annual 28Hour 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 $58,712 for RMHC St. Louis. Thanks so much to Donny and everyone who called in and supported this awesome fundraiser!
2 McDonald's "Sleeves for Support" Fundraiser and Round-Up Goal
This summer, the McDonald's of Metro St. Louis C0-Op hosted the "Sleeves for Support" fundraiser that raised $100,000 through the sale of large cup size, limited edition sleeves for $5, of which all the proceeds went to RMHC. In response to this success, our McDonald's partners launched the "$1 million Round-Up for RMHC Challenge" to raise $1 million by December 31, 2020. 9
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
3 Everstream Everstream team members donated their time and resources to pack individual snack packs and family-sized snack packs for RMHC families to grab and go, as well as hospitality bags with personal care items. In April 2020, Everstream announced it would provide local chapters of Ronald McDonald House Charities with a daily meal for the month in seven of its markets - including RMHC St. Louis. Thank you for your generosity!
for Good 4 Grub Grub for Good was a three-month campaign to benefit local restuarants, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and RMHC St. Louis. Special thanks to Todd & Kathy TeBrink. 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 2020 through September 2020. 105.7 The Point / Hubbard Radio Aetna, Inc. Alpha Delta Pi - Eta Nu Chapter Alpha Delta Pi Foundation AME Constructors ARCO National Construction Company Arrow Box Company AssuredPartners of Missouri Banterra Bank Brown Smith Wallace BSI Constructors Inc Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. Carrollton Bank CarShield Cass Commercial Bank Citi Clayton Financial Group CMG, Inc. Coldwell Banker Realty - Gundaker Collins and Hermann, Inc. Comfort Experts, Inc. Contegra Construction Company Continental Title Company CSG West General Contractors CSI Leasing Cushman & Wakefield Deeken Properties Didion Orf Recycling
Dillard's Gardens of Grace GM Law PC Haberberger, Inc. HBM Holdings Hemphill Financial Group, Inc. Holland Law Firm Husch Blackwell LLP icon Mechanical ISC Contracting J.F. Electric, Inc. Johnny Londoff Chevrolet Kadean Construction Company KPMG LLP Lion Petroleum, Inc. M1 Bank Martin Brower McCarthy Building Co. McDonald's Midland Optical Midwest Valve & Controls MILO Architectural Solutions, Inc Moneta Group NexStep Financial Group NorthPoint Development Packaging Concepts, Inc. PARIC Corporation Parkside Financial Bank & Trust
Paul Mitchell School St. Louis Pine Street Construction Premium Retail Services Protective Life Corporation Rob Hamann Agency, Inc. RubinBrown LLP Schwoeppe Machine & Tool Select Marketing Simmons Hanly Conroy Smart Mouth Oral Health Laboratories Syberg's Team Rizz The Harbaugh Family The Lawrence Group The Renz Family The Sramek Family The Village Bar TJ Wies Contracting Triad Bank Trophy Properties and Auction True Media Services Tyson Foods Walgreens Weissman's Theatrical Supplies World Wide Technology Zeller Technologies
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
10
COMFORT, CARE AND
A PLACE TO CALL HOME When you have a child in the hospital, life turns upside down. But what if you had three children in the hospital and the best medical care was more than three hours away from home? When she was seven months pregnant, Emily Gegg gave birth to triplet boys: Corbin, Carson and Cannon. All three babies were taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mercy Children's Hospital immediately after they were born, where they stayed for 24 long days. Being the parent of a NICU baby can be an overwhelming, round-theclock job. For Emily and her husband, Nathan, it was exponentially more complicated with all three boys needing treament so far from their hometown of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Thankfully, the Ronald McDonald House became their home-away-from-home. For the duration of the boys' NICU stay she and Nathan were able to be just steps away. And for that, they were forever grateful. "The care and attention that we gave the boys would not have been possible if we were not given the opportunity to stay nearby at the Ronald McDonald House," says Nathan. 11
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
HOME AWAY FROM HOME 2020 Appeal
COLTON PARAYKO WITH THE MCKEE FAMILY DECEMBER 2019
PAUL DEJONG WITH THE STEP FAMILY SEPTEMBER 2019
WHAT CAN YOUR DONATION DO?
WHAT WHAT CAN CAN YOUR YOUR $50 fills the DONATION DONATION DO?a MEET OUR 2020 CO-CHAIRS: Coltonpantry Parayko, St. Louis #55, andDO? at one of Blues$100 sponsors
Paul DeJong, St. Louis Cardinals #11, are teaming to support familiesfamily's at RMHC! ourupin-hospital nightly stay at the Ronald Ronald McDonald Family Rooms for McDonald House. one day.
THE HOME AWAY FROM HOME APPEAL, now in its 9th year,
provides the financial foundation for the annual operation of our three Ronald McDonald Houses and four 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, over half cannot afford even this small contribution - but no family is ever turned away if they are unable to pay. This funding will help us continue to serve children and their families. To make a contribution to the 2020 Home Away from Home Appeal, please use the donation envelope attached to this newsletter. Or to make a gift online, visit us online at www.rmhcstl.com/donate. Those who give $1,000 or more will become members of our Cornerstone Society.
HOW CAN YOUR
$50 fills $50 fills the the WHAT CAN YOUR pantry pantryatatone oneof of $100 sponsors $100 sponsorsaa DONATION MAKE ARonald our ourin-hospital in-hospital family's family'snightly nightly DONATION DO? stay stayatatthe theRonald Ronald RonaldMcDonald McDonald
DIFFERENCE? Family FamilyRooms Roomsfor for one oneday. day.
McDonald McDonaldHouse. House.
$300 provides $550 covers the fresh linens to cost of all Ronald Ronald McDonald McDonald House House $300 provides $50 fills theguest $300 provides $550 $550 covers covers the the fresh freshlinens linensto to water usage for pantry at one for of one $100 sponsors a families cost costof ofall allRonald Ronald Ronald Ronald McDonald McDonald our in-hospital family's nightly two weeks. week. McDonald McDonald House House House House guest guest stay at the Ronald Ronald McDonald Family Rooms for one day.
families familiesfor forHouse. one one McDonald week. week.
water waterusage usagefor for two twoweeks. weeks.
Nomatter matterthe thesize, size,your yourdonation donationwill will No help helpus usprovide providecomfort, comfort,care careand andaa $300 provides home-away-from-home to 15,000+ home-away-from-home to 15,000+ covers the donation will fresh to the $550 No linens matter size, your children andtheir theirfamilies familiesthis thisyear. year. children cost of alland Ronald Ronald McDonald McDonald House help us provide comfort, care and a House guest water usage for families for one home-away-from-home to 15,000+ two weeks. week.
children and their families this year.
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
No matter the size, your donation will help us provide comfort, care and a home-away-from-home to 15,000+
12
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.
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 Jewelry and fashion watches DVDs: recent hits or new releases Headphones & speakers Nintendo Switch video game systems 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 Infant clothes (preemie - 12 months)
ADULTS
Perfume and aftershave sets Bath and body gift sets Small coolers (collapsible type) Luggage (lightweight and easy to store) Small crossbody purses Kitchen & grilling supplies
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!
SPECIAL COVID-19 NOTE At Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis, the health and well-being of our guest families, volunteers and staff is our highest priority. RMHC St. Louis follows strict infectious disease protocols to ensure the safety of our guest families and staff. Donations can now be dropped off outside of the House on a sanitized cart. To schedule a time to drop off items or for more information, please contact Kelsey Cripe, Family Services Manager, at 314-880-8347 or kcripe@rmhcstl.com.
13
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
THE HOLIDAYS Meals from the Heart: Delivered with Care In order to keep RMHC guest families in the healthiest environment possible, we have temporarily paused our Meals from the Heart Program. However, we are asking you to serve our families in a different way by having a meal delivered from a local restaurant. We need your help now more than ever to continue providing this source of comfort to those who call our Houses their home-away-fromhome. Being able to offer a meal or a quick snack is one of the most important ways we can provide our guest families with the comfort of home, especially after a long day at the hospital. Visit www.rmhcstl.com/meals or call our Family Services Team at 314-773-1100 to schedule a delivery to one of our three Ronald McDonald Houses.
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 snowflake heart 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 read “Happy Holidays” and feature the same snowflake heart design, pictured above. Visit rmhcstl.com/holidays or contact Jason Huff at 314-932-4145 or jhuff@rmhcstl.com for more information.
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.
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
14
OUR FRIENDS. OUR PARTNERS. OUR FOUNDATION.
W
e would like to thank our 2019 Cornerstone Society members for their generous support. The Cornerstone Society was established in 2012 to recognize the individuals, organizations and corporations that give an unrestricted donation of $1,000 or more to RMHC St. Louis. In 2019, 534 Cornerstone Society members donated more than $2 million to help keep families close at a time when they need it most. For more information about the Cornerstone Society, please call Jason Huff, VP of Development, at 314-932-4145. On February 20, 2020, we hosted a Cornerstone Society Celebration at the Palladium - St. Louis to honor our 2019 donors. A short program recognized Mark and Mary Kohlberg, IUOE Local 148 and Emerson with awards for their incredible commitment to RMHC. We would also like to thank our sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor, Mercy Kids, for underwriting the event. Additional sponsors: The Donald H. and Mary Jane Buchanan Foundation; Edward Jones, Moneta Group, Simons and Cordes Group at UBS, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, World Pediatric Project; Argent Capital Management, Gardens of Grace, Graybar, HBM Holdings, and The Northern Trust Company.
HEART OF LOVE $25,000+ Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust Mr. and Mrs. Stuart L. Block ♥ Donald H. and Mary Jane Buchanan Foundation Emerson ♥ Friends of RMHC (4) Mr. Anthony W. Irace ♥ Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc. Ronald McDonald House Charities (Global) Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tri-State Co-op Larry and Sharon Carrico/ SKC Enterprises, Inc. ♥ Mr. and Mrs. James Sramek ♥ St. Louis Children’s Hospital
HEART OF COURAGE $20,000-$24,999 American Direct Marketing Resources, LLC The Butler Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Flagg ♥ Friend of RMHC (1) Harlene and Marvin Wool Foundation Mercy Kids ♥ Paul Simon Jr. Impact Foundation
HEART OF HEALING $15,000-$19,999
Top Left: Mark and Mary Kohlberg; Top Right: Dan Harbaugh, RMHC President, with IUOE Local 148 representatives, Brian Favier, Darryl Byrd and Eric Mooshegian; Bottom Right: RMHC Board Chair, Deb Vogt, with Dave Rabe, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsiblity for Emerson.
15
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
Mr. Demetrick M. Coleman ♥ Connor’s Cause Edward Jones Mr. and Mrs. Mark E. Kohlberg ♥ Mr. and Mrs. David W. May McDonald’s Co-op of Metro St. Louis, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Potter Mr. and Mrs. Gary Schuette ♥ St. Louis Lodge No. 5 IOOF ♥ Bold - Cornerstone Society Founding Member ♥ - Eight-Year Consecutive Donor
HEART OF COMPASSION ■ $10,000-$14,999 Mr. and Mrs. Scott Bazoian ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Mike DeCola ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Gary G. Deeken ♥ Mr. Paul DeJong Mr. and Mrs. Greg R. Diekemper/ Gardens of Grace ♥ Friend of RMHC (1) Mr. and Mrs. Steve Geeding
Kelly and Dan Harbaugh ♥
Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig ♥ Mrs. Marlyn K. Micheletto Mr. and Mrs. James Mosby ♥ Packaging Concepts, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Zsolt Rumy Mr. and Mrs. Edward Shay Skarie Charitable Fund
St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer ♥ Swanson Masonry Paul and Patricia Taylor Family Foundation WSDC Foundation
HEART OF HOPE ■ $5,000-$9,999 Mr. James Auffenberg AXA Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey J. Barone ♥ Blues for Kids Foundation Brinkmann Constructors Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Burnes ♥ SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Coca-Cola USA Didion Orf Recycling, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dowling ♥ Mr. Derick L. Driemeyer Eagle Nonwovens, Inc. Emerson Hermetic Motor Enterprise Holdings Foundation ♥ ESCO Technologies, Inc. ♥ Express Scripts Foundation Facebook Individuals Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Fahrig ♥
Mrs. Barbara A. Farrel ♥ Mrs. Kay Gaines Mr. and Mrs. Dave J. Giarla ♥ Graybar Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Grimes Haberberger Mechanical Contractors ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Steve D. Haberberger, Sr. ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hamacher Mr. and Mrs. Steve W. Hays, Sr. ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Heffernan Helmkamp Construction Co. Mr. David Helms Mr. John Hewitt Mr. and Mrs. Steve F. Holste ♥ Ms. Bridget Hoy Mr. and Mrs. John Irace ♥ Kadean Construction Company Keeley Companies
Mr. and Mrs. Jerald L. Kent Mr. and Mrs. Dave Kirkhuff Mr. and Mrs. Jon Knauss ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Donald T. Kukla ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Bernard J. Lears ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Melvyn L. Lefkowitz ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Erik K. Lescher ♥ Ms. Nancy Loftus Mr. and Mrs. Dan P. McCoy ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Harold M. Miles MKL Foundation, Inc. Moneta Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. James W. Moore ♥ Mr. and Mrs. William B. Moskoff ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Harmon Mr. and Mrs. Timothy L. Myers ♥ O.K. Fasteners ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Steve J. Pelch ♥ Herman T. & Phenie R. Pott Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Nolan Ruiz Mr. Louis A. Russo ♥ Mr. and Mrs. David C. Sadler ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Lee J. Schuler ♥ Ms. Hannah Siegfried Simons and Cordes at UBS Financial Services, Inc. St. Louis Italian Invitational Golf Tournament for Charities Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Stieven Mr. and Mrs. Kirk P. Syberg ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Raymond R. Van De Riet, Jr. ♥ Von Gontard Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Andrew C. Wegman ♥ Ms. Denise Wool ♥ World Pediatric Project Mr. and Mrs. David Yoder
Nidec Motor Corporation Commercial Motors Opus Foundation Mr. Richard Palank Paul Mitchell The School St. Louis Jacque Phillips, RN, BSN Piasa Charitable Foundation Radian Guaranty Inc. Ms. Mimi Ravarino Dr. Maureen B. Riffle and Mr. John J. Riffle ♥ RNR Custom Wheels and Tires Mr. and Mrs. Timothy M. Rohlman ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Matthew A. Rothgangel Mr. and Mrs. Brian Satterthwaite Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Schlichter K-Meier Roof Systems, Inc./ Mr. and Mrs. Ken Schrautemeier ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Brad S. Seabaugh, Sr. ♥ Dr. and Mrs. Homer Sedighi Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. Seymour Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sifrig ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Roy Spiller
Sprowls Family Charitable Foundation SSE, Inc. Ms. Sarah E. Stephenson Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Stevens The Patricia A. Healey Fund of InFaith Community Foundation ♥ Theresa Caputo Fan Club Mr. and Mrs. Paul Thompson Mr. William P. Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Thornberry Mr. David L. Tornetto ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Brian T. Travers TRUiST Mr. and Mrs. Brian Ungles Ms. Deborah M. Vogt ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey F. Ward Mr. Timothy Ward Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Weible Mrs. Barbara Whitehead and Mr. James A. Spence ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Brian J. Wuertz ♥
HEART OF COMFORT ■ $2,500-$4,999 Frank Adam Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Altmann ♥ Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Argent Capital Management, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Chris Baer Bank of America Mr. and Mrs. Theodore W. Beaty ♥ Mr. and Mrs. David Beckel Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blankemeyer Blaylock Family Foundation ♥ The Boeing Company Ken Boyer Family Mr. and Mrs. David R. Brandt Mr. Wayne R. Brinkman Caring and Sharing Thrift Shop Mr. Frank J. Cognata, Jr. ♥ Concord Village Lions Community Services Foundation, Inc. Ms. Jennifer Day-Fields Mr. and Mrs. John C. Distefano ♥ Mr. and Mrs. David J. Elhoffer ♥
First Community Credit Union Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Fritz ♥ Mr. Sean T. Geoghegan ♥ Mr. and Mrs. George Gipson III ♥ Mr. Lincoln K. Gray ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Mark Haberberger Mr. and Mrs. Matt Harvey Ms. Wanetta Henry Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Hillmeyer ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Eric D. Holland Illinois Tool Works Foundation Mr. and Mrs. David W. Ingram Mr. and Mrs. Alan Kahn Dr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Kahn ♥ Mrs. Ana Kent Mr. and Mrs. Timothy A. Kohl ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Rich Kopp Ms. Chris Kumnick Mr. Robert J. Lieber ♥ Mr. Steven J. Malter ♥ Ms. Felicia Malter ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Jim L. Mather ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Stanley McCurdy Mr. and Mrs. John Meara Mr. and Mrs. John T. Murphy
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
16
HEART OF THE HOME ■ $1,000 - $2,499 Adam’s Auction and Real Estate Services, Inc Ms. Serena Adams Mr. and Mrs. Gary Agne Ahrens Contracting, Inc. Mr. Tyler Alcorn Dr. and Mrs. Jorge Alegre AmazonSmile Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Appelbaum Mr. Dennis Araujo Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Arrick Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Aston Ms. Nikki Athanasiadis Mr. Darran Ayres Mr. Michael Backers Mr. David Bacon Mr. Robert Baer Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Mr. Dan Bannan Mr. and Mrs. Dan Bantle Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Barnes Mr. and Mrs. George Baskin Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bauer Mr. and Mrs. Ted Bergman Mr. and Mrs. Steven Beshore Mr. Dennis Beutler Ms. Jaime Bierk and Mr. Jamie Marr Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bodine Mr. and Mrs. Mike Bokermann Mr. John Boyce Mr. John A. Brennan Mr. Jason Brenton Mr. Stephen Broun Tammy and Mike Brown Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Brown Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bueler ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Larry Burke Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Ed Burris ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Chris C. Busch Caleres Cares Charitable Trust Ms. Quintella Calvert Mr. Jim Camparato Mr. and Mrs. William Campbell Mr. William Caruso Mrs. Tracey A. Cavato Mr. and Mrs. James Chalmers Mr. Andrew Checkley Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Chestnas Chod Family Foundation Dawn Christoffersen and Jared Minkoff Mr. and Mrs. Mike Christopher Clark, Richardson and Biskup Consulting Engineers, Inc Mrs. Jeanne H. Cleveland and Mr. Jason R. Cleveland Color Art Palette Inc Community Health Charities of Kansas & Missouri Dr. Mary M. Cradock and Mr. Stuart Yancey Ms. Christine A. Crain
17
Crowder Family Foundation Dr. and Mr. Angela Culler Mr. and Mrs. Art DeGuire ♥ Mr. Mozell Deloch Dr. Paul Deutsch Mr. and Mrs. John J. Diehl, Jr. Mr. Jeffrey Dobner, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Donohue Ms. Judith Dorhauer Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Douglass Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Dryden Dr. and Mrs. Justin Durel Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Greg Eilerman Mrs. Carol Elmendorf Employees Community Fund of The Boeing Company Mr. and Mrs. John E. Evans III Mr. and Mrs. Mike B. Eveler Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Fedak Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Finerty Mr. and Mrs. James W. Finger II ♥ Mrs. Rita G. Fitzgibbons Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Foster ♥ Friend of RMHC (4) Mrs. Dana Francis Franklin Family Foundation Randy and Sandy Franklin Mr. and Mrs. George A. Franz Fru-Con Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Eduardo Garcia Ferrer Mr. and Mrs. Mark Garner Mr. and Mrs. Michael Garner Mr. and Mrs. Gus Gast ♥ Mr. Daniel Geraty Mrs. Bettie Gershman Mr. and Mrs. Chris Giarla Mr. William Ging Mr. and Mrs. Ron Gingerich GlaxoSmithKline Mr. and Mrs. Milton G. Goldenberg Dr. Elizabeth Goodman Mr. Stephen G. Goold Mr. Eric Gowin Mr. Travis Graham-Wright Mr. Brett Greifzu Mr. and Mrs. Brett Grohmann Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Guffey ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Haag, Jr. Ms. Brenda S. Haalboom ♥ Ms. Joan Haas Mr. and Mrs. Brian N. Hall Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads Hall Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Hanak Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence F. Hanebrink Mr. and Mrs. Craig A. Haney Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hannah Ms. Janet Haselhorst Mr. and Mrs. Alan Hautly/ Hautly Cheese Co. Mrs. Doris A. Hawkins Mr. Timothy E. Hayes Mr. and Mrs. Toby Heddinghaus Ms. Amy V. Heeger Mr. and Mrs. Tom Heeger ♥
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Hehmeyer ♥ Ms. Megan J. Heier Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Hempen Mr. and Mrs. Craig Herron Mr. Michel Heutel Dr. and Mrs. Michael J. Hoffmann Hogan Transportation Companies Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Hogan Hope Chapel United Methodist Church Mr. Randy Horrell Mr. and Mrs. Keith R. Hosto ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Rob Howe Mr. Jason A. Huff Mr. and Mrs. Matthew D. Hunter Icon Mechanical Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Iovaldi JC School District No 1 Mr. and Mrs. Brian Jett Mr. Michael T. Jett JM Family Enterprises ♥ John & Bernadine Foster Foundation John Fabick Tractor Co. Mr. Don Johnson Ms. Cheryl Jones Dr. Ehab M. Kaiser and Ms. Dalia Soliman Mr. and Mrs. David Kaltenrieder Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Karpel Ms. Katherine Kearins Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Kelly ♥ Mr. Corey Kemp Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Kettenbach, Jr. Kiwanis Club of Hampton Midtown ♥ Kiwanis of Crestwood/ Sunset Hills Mr. and Mrs. Mike T. Klak Mr. and Mrs. James H. Klocke Mr. and Mrs. Lester E. Knopp Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Koenig Korean American Association of Scott Area Mr. Jesse R. Kramper Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Kuryla Ms. Kimberly M. Kutis Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lamartina Ms. Donna Moog and Mr. Leonard M. Landsbaum Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. Lane Mr. Jeff Lapidus Ms. Dorothy Laster Mr. and Mrs. Colin Lauer Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Lauer Mr. Jack Lay Mr. Gary Lazaroff Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Leary Mr. and Mrs. Bob Leonard Mr. and Mrs. Eric Lindemann Lochmueller Group Ms. Margaret O. Lockhart Mr. and Mrs. John Londoff, Jr. Ms. Irene Loy Mr. and Mrs. James D. Lucas
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen T. Lux ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Shayn Mabury Mr. David Macke Dr. Jorge Marcial and Dr. Katie Herzog Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Marquitz Mr. Paul Marshall Mr. and Mrs. John J. Matejcic ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Randy Mathews ♥ Mr. Taylor Matthews Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mauger ♥ McAlister Family Foundation Ms. Carole McCabe Mrs. Virginia V. McCook Mr. Jeffrey McCurdy Dr. and Mrs. Douglas McDonald Ms. Veronica McGee Ms. Clara McLeod Mr. and Mrs. Ryan McMasters Ms. Joy McMillen Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Medelberg Mr. and Mrs. Alan M. Meyer ♥ Microsoft Giving Campaign Keiko and George Miller Mr. and Mrs. John D. Modder Mrs. Cheryl Moellenhoff Mr. and Mrs. William L. Moench, Jr. ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Dan Moll Monsanto/Bayer Ms. Betty J. Moskoff Mr. and Mrs. John Moskoff Mr. William A. Moskoff Mr. and Mrs. John Mountain ♥ Mueller Prost Mr. and Mrs. Dean P. Mueller Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mueller Mr. and Mrs. Gary E. Muenster Dr. and Mrs. Jordan Nepute The Northern Trust Company St. Louis Mr. and Mrs. Brian E. Norton Mr. and Mrs. McDara O’Brien Mr. Dave Oller and Mrs. Jill Oller Mr. Brendan Orf Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Orlet Mr. and Mrs. Chris J. Ott Mrs. Tammy Owens Dr. and Mrs. George A. Paletta, Jr. Mr. Scott Partridge Peabody Energy Matching Gifts Program Mrs. Pam Pearson Mr. Michael Petru Ms. Joy Phillips Mr. and Mrs. James A. Piepenbrok Ms. Robyn Pilliod Mr. Bill Pocilujko Ms. Nancy J. Pruitt Mr. and Mrs. Rich F. Rafuse ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Rainford Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ratkewicz Chris M. Ramsey and Lisa A. Moggio Mrs. Christine Y. Rands Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rawlings Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Reeves Ms. Barbara C. Regnell
Mr. David Reiniesch Mr. and Mrs. Lee K. Renz ♥ Mr. Timothy M. Reich and Ms. Tracey L. Reynolds Mr. and Mrs. David D. Rhodes Mr. and Mrs. Kent Richardson Ms. Jacquelynn Richmond Mrs. Paula Richter ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Rodger Riney Mr. Roger Ringering Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Roberts, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Rodgers Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Ross Mr. and Ms. Peter Roy Mr. Larry Runner Mr. and Mrs. Steve Runyon Ms. Catherine M. Sabinash and Mr. Lawrence L. Heinrich Mr. Jim Saffo Mr. and Mrs. John M. Saguto Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Saks Mr. and Mrs. Matt Sander Mr. Tom W. Santel
Ms. Wanda Scheldt Mr. and Mrs. John Schicker Mrs. Barbara A. Schieler Mr. and Mrs. Keith Schieler ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Michael K. Schmid ♥ Ms. Colleen Schoendienst ♥ Mr. Tony Schulte Mr. and Mrs. John W. Schultz Mr. and Mrs. Roger P. Schurig ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Troy Schuster Mr. and Mrs. Andrew V. Sciaroni Mr. and Mrs. James Shaughnessy Ms. Sandy Sheldon Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shepard Mr. and Mrs. Steve D. Short Sidener Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jim Simon Mr. and Mrs. David Simons Simpson Construction Materials, LLC. Mr. Matthew J. Smith ♥ St. Louis Community Foundation St. Louis Pre-Sort, Inc.
Dr. and Mr. Brent Stevens The Stonebright Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Francis Stroble Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Strunk Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Swiecicki Takeda Pharmaceuticals Employee Giving Programs Mr. and Mrs. Jason Tedesco Ms. Nancy Tegeler Mr. James Terry Mrs. Nancy M. Thomas Mr. and Mrs. John M. Thorman ♥ Mr. Shane Twichell UMB Bank US Bank Ms. Carla J. Valenti ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Michael Vasta Vi-Jon Laboratories, Inc. Village Green Vogel Heating & Cooling Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Wagner Major and Mrs. Donald Wallace
Mr. and Mrs. Mike Walsh Mr. and Mrs. Breck R. Washam Mr. and Mrs. Mark Weaver ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Weber Webster-Maclean Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Glen Weeks ♥ Mrs. Kelly Westbrook Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Whelan Mr. Robert Whittingham Mr. and Mrs. Gary Wiethuchter Mr. Kory Wilcox Mr. Kurt Will Mr. and Mrs. William Willhite Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Wist Mr. and Mrs. Keith Wolkoff Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Woodard World Wide Technology Inc. Mr. Chad Wunsch Ms. Marilyn K. Wynd Mr. and Mrs. Scott Zehnder
THANK YOU! We are extremely grateful for all of our generous supporters. If you are interested in becoming a Cornerstone Society member, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/cornerstone.
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU To express gratitude to the outstanding supporters, RMHC St. Louis hosts two appreciation events each year, the Cornerstone Society Celebration and the Volunteer Appreciation Night. The following Appreciation Event Sponsors continue to allow RMHC St. Louis to celebrate the contributions of some of our largest donors and ensure their gifts are put toward the families we serve. PRESENTING SPONSOR
PLATINUM SPONSOR
Donald H. and Mary Jane Buchanan Foundation GOLD SPONSOR
SILVER SPONSOR
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
18
HEARTWARMING MOMENTS We were thrilled to share these special moments with our guest families! A Fond Farewell Guest families from World Pediatric Project staying at the West County Ronald McDonald House had a surprise from their virtual summer tutors! Students from a local high school stopped by with balloons and banners to say good-bye to their new international friends to end the summer.
Puppy Love! Our friend Nathan met Chief Pawsitivity Officer, Frankie, during his stay at the West Pine Ronald McDonald House. Frankie always brings smiles to families who are far from their own pets.
Family Time Brina and her family are on their fifth annual RMHC St. Louis trip! Each time, they travel over 4,500 miles from Slovenia, an Eastern European country, to seek life-changing treatment at St. Louis Children's Hospital.
19
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
Big Sister Surprise While her little brother, Grady, was growing stronger in the NICU, Gracie celebrated her 7th birthday and had a surprise visit from the tooth fairy at RMHC! The whole Sullins Family was excited to recieve a special care kit in their mailbox.
For Ava The Tracy Family collected thousands of tab tops in memory of their daughter, Ava. In August, they delivered the massive collection to the West Pine Ronald McDonald House to mark ten years of this family tradition honoring little Ava.
REMEMBERING ART STUMPF
I
n July, a dear friend of the House, Arthur Stumpf, passed away from cancer. As a member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and FBI Negotiator Trainer, Arthur supported those who needed it most – including families at RMHC. Each month, Arthur would deliver chicken parmesan from Bartolino’s Osteria to the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House with his friends from the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (SMOTJ), an organization that “promotes love and respect in the community.” “He was a friendly and caring man,” says John Avery, fellow SMOTJ member. “We became close friends through RMHC.” The members of SMOTJ have been providing meals since 2000. When the COVID-19 pandemic suspended the Meals from the Heart program and volunteers were no longer able to cook in the House, Arthur made sure that dinner would still be served to guest families. “Art was a guy who never liked change. He would always stick with chicken parmesan for Ronald McDonald House,” says Bart Saracino, owner of Bartolino’s Osteria. Bart explained that he was
friends with Arthur for over 40 years and developed a great relationship with his family. John and his wife, Peggie, along with other members of SMOTJ, will continue the longstanding tradition of delivering monthly meals to families at the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House, along with providing breakfast at the West County Ronald McDonald House. At RMHC, we are honored to call Arthur a friend. His work touched countless lives in the community and thousands of families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. “Art was a kind gentleman who would do anything to help others,” says Bart, thinking back on many years of friendship. “He put everyone before himself.” ■
IN LOVING MEMORY Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis extends its deepest sympathy to the families of these very special children:
Amy Blackburn
Aiyanna Forsythe
Philip Keearns
Will Flynn
Nina Matts Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
20
35 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP
Coldwell Banker Realty - Gundaker celebrates 35 years of supporting The House that Love Built in St. Louis
T
his year marks the 35th anniversary of Coldwell Banker Realty – Gundaker supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. “Housing is what we do. We take pride in providing a home for families, and the Ronald McDonald House is a perfect fit for serving families when they need it most,” says Jim Dohr, Coldwell Banker Realty - Gundaker President. In 1985, four years after opening the first Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis, the team at Coldwell Banker set out to get involved. Quickly they settled on a fitting slogan: “We’re sold on this House.” Now in the Greater St. Louis Region, there are more than 1,500 agents at Coldwell Banker Realty Gundaker, with hundreds of them supporting RMHC St. Louis. Each branch has created its traditions by hosting trivia nights, garage sales, wish list drives, raffles, and golf tournaments. Together the network participates in the Annual Coldwell Banker Realty – Gundaker Auction & Celebration to highlight the team’s philanthropic achievement, and of course, the proceeds benefit RMHC. Through the years, the agents' support has created a ripple effect in the community. “Many agents have used our services with the in-hospital Ronald McDonald Family Rooms,” says Judy Schuler, RMHC St. Louis Vice President of 21
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
Operations. “As our programs grow, so does the support from their team. It is amazing to see the dedication and care that so many agents have. They all put their heart and soul into giving back.” The Coldwell Banker Realty – Gundaker team members also display their support by dedicating birthday and anniversary gifts. Before the pandemic, agents often visited the St. Louis-area Ronald McDonald Houses to prepare meals for guest families and drop off snacks for our Family Rooms. In 2020, they continued to afford families a homeaway-from-home by having meals delivered. This homegrown support provides critical funding and essential supplies needed to offer the comforts of home to seriously ill or injured children. “It’s been such a positive experience through the years,” says Jim. From the first Coldwell Banker Realty – Gundaker event at the parking lot of a Hilton Double Tree, to a memorable evening in a hangar at the Spirit of St. Louis, their team is still “sold” on giving back. We could not be more thankful for the years of memories and support to thousands of families. “Ronald McDonald House is woven into the fabric of who we are at Coldwell Banker Realty Gundaker,” says Jim. “You can see why they call it The House that Love Built.” ■
A LITTLE CHANGE MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE
A
fter the success of the “Sleeves for Support” fundraiser, which raised $100,000 in July to support RMHC, the McDonald’s of Metro St. Louis Co-op announced the launch of a new $1 Million Round-Up for RMHC Challange. The Round-Up for RMHC program began in 2019 with a national launch across the United States. Since then, the McDonald's of Metro St. Louis CoOp has led the pack as a top fundraiser for our local Ronald McDonald House Charities chapter, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars just by asking customers if they want to Round-Up their order to the nearest dollar! McDonald's has supported Ronald McDonald House Charities since the opening of the first House in Philadephia in 1974. It was an easy decision for our local partners to get involved to afford families the
same comfort and care here in St. Louis. "We realized that our guests want to give to our charity that supports seriously ill children and their families," says Joan Elhoffer, local McDonald's Owner/Operator. "With 157 McDonald’s restaurants now in the St. Louis area, our new goal is to raise $1 Million dollars by the end of 2020!" You can support the campaign when you visit a McDonald’s restaurant and help families with ill and injured children by choosing to Round-Up for RMHC when you place your order on the McDonald's App, on a kiosk, in the drive-thru, or at the counter. Just ask a crew member to Round-Up your total! We couldn't be more grateful for the continued support from our St. Louis-region owner/operators, store managers, crew members and customers. ■
JOIN US FOR A HOUSE PARTY LIKE NO OTHER! We invite you to join us from the comfort of your home for a special two-day online fundraiser, presented by World Wide Technology, to benefit The House that Love Built! Our goal is to raise $150,000 to help keep families close together when they need it most.
RMHC HOUSE PARTY & Online Auction October 23 & 24, 2020
Registration will be free for those who want to participate, and you will have access to a variety of auction items, raffle items, SponsorA-Family opportunities and more starting on Friday, October 23 at 9:00am. Register today at www.bidpal.net/rmhc2020. Questions? Please contact RMHC Event Manager, Abby, at amauer@rmhcstl.com. Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
22
MEMORIALS The following gifts were made in memory of someone special from Jan. 1 to July 31, 2020. Abel Aleman Mrs. Lesa Morice Betty Amend Ms. Catherine Clark Debbie Anderson Ms. Martha Evan Ms. Cindy Mohrmann Michele Anderson Ms. Tiffany Anderson Anonymous Mrs. Robin Roach Carmen A. Bancroft Mr. Donald H. Bancroft, Jr. Kay R. Barker Dr. and Mrs. William W. Benedict Kenneth Barringhaus Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Marvin Basler Mr. Richard Ralston James L. Batson Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. James Bear Ms. Melanie Wood Mark Bellanca Mr. and Mrs. James M. Hamilton Eileen L. Benn Ms. Sheryl Otoole Richard Bernard Ms. Melanie Wood Anita Berry Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Mary I. Berry Mr. David L. Tornetto Jackie Billings Ms. Suzanne Casto Ms. Jenna Dauer Mr. and Mrs. Tom Glauber Mr. William Largent Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Quirin Ms. Michele Quirin Terry Blaise Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Armstrong Patricia Blankenship Ms. Gail Andrews Michael Block Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Betty Blumlein Dr. Julie Dobski Barrett Bone Ms. Karla Berra Mrs. Charlotte Kluth Charlotte Borgmann Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Andrea Bornhop Mr. and Mrs. Carl W. Henley
Emojean Boyd Mr. John Gray Mr. Jason Hall Mrs. Mary Webber Owen Boyd Ms. Lindsay Boyd Carson N. Boyer Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Bigard Mr. Leo Burke Mrs. Debbie Schriewer William Bradley Mr. David L. Tornetto Joan Brady Mr. Patrick Browne June Brandt Mr. and Mrs. David R. Brandt Fern Bratten Drs. Robin and Jay Androphy JC Breault JC Breault Memorial Committee Alex Brown Mr. and Mrs. Dawsey Brown Roman Bushmeyer Mr. Colin Houchins Bill Casto Mr. Richard Brune Ms. Suzanne Casto Genoa Healthcare Mr. and Mrs. Tom Glauber Ms. Mary E. Herries Millstadt Community Consolidated School District #160 Ms. Jennifer Porter Ms. Carol Quirin Ms. Michele Quirin Anna Christodoulou Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Nies Doris Clark Mr. and Mrs. Gary Perotti Dorothy W. Coleman Mrs. Karen Belgeri Mr. and Mrs. Larry G. Blincoe Mrs. Janet Blodgett Mr. and Mrs. David J. Buchheit Clark Insurance Agency Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. Heinzman Mr. and Mrs. Terry F. Schuler Mr. and Mrs. Larry V. Sprick Mr. Bud Waters Dorothy W. Coleman Mr. and Mrs. Dennis
Wissmann Andree Collins Ms. Mary Ann A. Regan The Electrical Board Of Mo & Il Aaron Corson Mr. and Mrs. Dale Steinback Catherine Croce Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. Sida Alex Dane Mrs. Dena R. Ferman Christopher Davis Ms. Patricia Burton Joyce Deem Mr. and Mrs. Edward Justis Virginia DeSalvo Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Samuel Diehl Mr. and Mrs. John J. Diehl, Jr. Andrew J. Durkin Mr. and Mrs. Andy Pullen Chase Elmendorf Mrs. Megan Wandersee Dave Engelbach Mrs. Kim E. Bertram and Mr. Dale A. Bertram Glenn Erb Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Luis Espinoza Mrs. Francene M. Guilfoy Jaden Everett Mr. Dean Everett Thomas Farley Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt George Floyd C.L. Rocks Corporation Will Flynn Mrs. Angela Barth Ms. Lynne Brown Mrs. Patricia Flynn Mrs. Judith Fuson Mr. Jeffrey Maas Mrs. Patricia Nedza Mrs. June Rossiter Ms. Theresa Schwindenhammer Mrs. Sandra Sutter Ms. Mary A. Van Antwerp Ms. Tamara White Ms. Mary Wille Mr. Michael Workman James K. Foley Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Rylan Foster Mrs. Donna Deschepper Mr. and Mrs. Melvin L. Marr Joanne Fredel
Mrs. Elizabeth Perry Eugene Frigo Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Geno Frigo Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Elsie Gerecke Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dickerson Edward M. Gerli Ms. Barbara A. Gerli John J. Getz Mrs. Julie Brogan Ms. Ana M. Darby Mrs. Frank Fiock Mr. Kenneth Kapeller Mr. and Mrs. John Maddock Mr. David Mallioux Mr. and Mrs. John Shipley Daniel P. Gittemeier Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Annie Gitto Ms. Jeanette Gift Gavin Glueck Mrs. Carol Sward Adrienne Goldstein Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant John Golinvaux Ms. Jeanette Gift Randy Gori Mr. and Mrs. Eric D. Holland Robert R. Grobe Mr. and Mrs. Matt Budd Mr. and Mrs. Adam Kirstoff Ms. Mary Miller Virginia Guitteau Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Scott Edward Hallam Ms. Kristie Scherrer Luke Hanneke Joseph P. Vollmer Susan Bartoni-Vollmer Thomas Hartman Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Juanita L. Hartwig Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mrs. Melinda Knight John Haverstick Ms. Brenda McCrate Joseph A. Hegger Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Bill Herhold Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blankemeyer Murrel L. Hines Mrs. Diane Hines
Ms. Ella D. Hines Jaylea Hobbs Mr. Ronald K. Hobbs Patricia Hoeft Ms. Colleen Flavin Kurt S. Hoener Ms. Nancy J. Latham James & Rose Horn Mr. Ricky Horn Patrick Hoy Ms. Cheryl Hoy Steven Huber Ms. Reta Casten Michelle Huether Mr. Larry Ashley Ms. Jennifer Fadler Golster - Mary Lee Corporation Mr. John Greatting Mr. and Mrs. Robert Huether Mrs. Karen Jacobus Mrs. Julia Montroy Ms. Gayle North Ms. Christy Stover Jackson Hugenberg Ms. Lisa L. Hugenberg Barbara Hulsey Mr. and Mrs. Jon Baris Norma Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Brown Paige James Mrs. Mary Jo Sgro Dorothy Jennewein Ms. Nancy A. Duffy John M. Johnson Mrs. Carla Alexander Mrs. Christine Johnson Edward Kane Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Charles J. Keithly Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Patti Kelly Mr. and Mrs. James M. Hamilton Cheryl Kemper Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Garland Mark A. Kirkpatrick Ms. Kathy Martin Kathleen Kleffner Mrs. Donna Kendrick Shirley Koenig Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Mary J. Kreigshauser Faure Mr. and Mrs. Shawn P. Rowan Mary Ann Lachenicht Mrs. Liz Hemmer
MEMORIALS CONTINUED Ms. Deborah M. Pelch Sharon Lappe Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dickerson Robert J. Leonard Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Gary Lerman Mr. and Mrs. Elliot M. Glassman Nancy K. Lesshafft Mrs. Cheryl Kincaid Ralph Lia Mr. Tamer Onay Shayley Mabury Mr. and Mrs. Shayn Mabury Susan L. Mather Mr. and Mrs. Steve W. Hays, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Jim L. Mather Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Murphy Mr. Kevin Short Dr. and Mr. Brent Stevens Joan L. Matsler Mr. David L. Tornetto Richard Maurer Ms. Judith A. Maurer Braden May Mrs. Kim E. Bertram and Mr. Dale A. Bertram Larry McGrady Mr. and Mrs. Christopher C. Laster Michael McKay Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Nies Sally Medder Maxene and Cheri Batten Barbara Merle Mr. David L. Tornetto Lauretta Mersinger Mr. David L. Tornetto Allison P. Mills Ms. Fannie L. Atterberry Mr. John Bodenhausen Mrs. Tonya Peter Mr. and Mrs. William R. Thompson
Dorothy Morice Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Brennan Samuel S. Morrell Mr. and Mrs. Scott Morrell Janet Mueller Mr. David L. Tornetto Rita Mueller Mr. David L. Tornetto Bob Myers Mr. and Mrs. James E. Drenon Ruth P. Noakes Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Brooks Mr. Maxwell Gwin Ms. Rosemary Hardy Patrick Oldani Ms. Jeanette Gift Nathaniel Olk Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Bill Olwig Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Karen Parker Ms. Neda Bansbach Mary Ann Pate Mrs. Kim E. Bertram and Mr. Dale A. Bertram James C. Pavelec Mr. Thomas Birkel Byrne Electric Co Inc Classic Instruments Dirig Sheet Metal French Gerleman Frost Electric Supply Company Mr. Gerald Gassel Graybar Electric Company, Inc Mr. Ronald Groh Guarantee Electrical Co. Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mrs. Mary Hood Mr. and Mrs. John Jung Ms. Frieda F. Kaemmerlen Mr. Earl Knight Mr. and Mrs. Robert Matulewic Meglio & Associates Mr. Chris Miller
Ms. Shelly Mueller Miss Diane Nagy Mr. and Mrs. Philip G. Otto Paric Corporation Piece Mill Quilters Mrs. Mary A. Rosner Schaeffer Marketing Group Mr. William Schuette St. Louis Chapter, NECA James C. Pavelec Tech Electronics, Inc. Mr. Robert Toth Mrs. and Mr. Mary Viero Mrs. Carol Watkins Marvin Peirick Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Bax Robert C. Poeschl Mrs. Joan Perotti Mary J. Pollien Mr. David L. Tornetto Jeannie D. Rapert Mr. and Mrs. James Riney Arnette Reeg Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Dale Rich Mrs. Patricia Wehner Carl G. Riepl Ms. Alicia Arnold James Roisslein Ms. Mary Moynihan Bruce Rosen Mrs. Ruth Hartstein Rosalie Rosso Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Mary Ryan Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Joseph Ryder Clayton Hanley Insurance Service, Inc. James L. Sanders Mr. Thomas Bryon Marguerite D. Sands Mrs. Letitia Franklin Mr. Kennith Vaughn Gayle Scheibel American Board of Nuclear Medicine
Ron Sells Mr. and Ms. Gary Ashley Ms. Viola Brown Mrs. Romona Carter Ms. Kelly Clark First Baptist Church of Poplar Bluff Mr. Jeff Gamble Mrs. Barbara Lindberg Mr. and Mrs. Gary Sullivan West Side Church Of God Bill Seybert Mr. and Mrs. James M. Hamilton Sylvia Shapiro Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Ruth Shermer Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker David Sherrill Mr. Curtis F. James Mark Shiegart Ms. Reta Casten Blake T. Siefert Ms. Maria Berezowski Mr. Raymond DeGennaro Kathleen Simpson Mr. Michael Benigno Brenda Skidmore Mr. and Mrs. Max P. Bochantin Samuel S. Sobelman Mr. Kenneth Land Howard Steen Ms. Neva Bissette Glenn Strebeck Ms. Jeanette Gift Alison B. Street Mr. Patrick Brooks Cassandra Stuby Gilster - Mary Lee Corporation Ashura V. Stuckey Mrs. Jinnie Berry Arthur Stumpf Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Anya Svrcek Ms. Zosia Skorko Sherry R. Swiecicki Mr. and Mrs. Alan M.
Meyer Mrs. Theresa Rice Mary Tabash Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Paul M. Tornetto Mr. David L. Tornetto Joyce E. Travelstead Ms. Susan Breck Mr. Larry Grimm Ms. Paula Strange Mrs. Gail Waters Bernie Triplett Ms. Dorothea Meier Seva Twin Ms. Andrea Goldstein Lonnie D. Tyler Mr. Jeremy Tyler Leroy Valentine Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Connor R. Voigt Connor’s Cause Irvin Walkenbach Ms. Viginia Cieslinski Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Erblich Mrs. Patricia Maisdonski Mrs. Carole Pantazi Ms. Nancy Reinbold Mr. and Mrs. Rodger O. Riney Mrs. Eileen Schindler Mrs. Claudia Walkenbach Jim Weatherly Mrs. Susan May Carla Welch Ms. Reta Casten Joyce Westmoreland Mr. and Mrs. Jim Voeller Mike Wieckhorst Ms. Patricia A. O’Mara Carol Wilbois Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Gabrielle Wintjen Mr. and Mrs. George Wintjen
DID YOU KNOW? You can support RMHC when you shop on Amazon! Do you shop online at Amazon.com? If so, you could help support RMHC St. Louis at no cost to you. Simply visit www.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 recieved thousands of dollars thanks to shoppers like you!
TRIBUTES The following gifts were made in honor of someone special from Jan. 1 to July 31, 2020. Josh & Abby Abel Mr. Nathanial Parry All The Children Enterprise Fleet Management Dawn Anderson Ms. Angelika Orywall Mrs. Kendra Householder Mr. Jeffrey Manning Pat Andrews Mr. and Mrs. Larry Burke Jane Baumstark Ms. Elizabeth Amend Ms. Josephine A. McDonald Ms. Virginia McDonald Ms. Mary Mitchell Henry Bernard Mrs. Tanisha Bernard Isabella Bertram Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Doss Kevin Betts Mr. Robert Heideman Rajeev Bhaskar Mr. Abha Bhaskar Betty Blumlein Mrs. Marylyn Luther Tim Braden Mrs. Peggy Braden Kathy Brassil Mr. David L. Tornetto Elizabeth Braudis Ms. Noreen Krebs Frank Burke
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Burke Patricia A. Cura Mr. Brian Curia Don Doty Ms. Christina George Emily M. Dreher Ms. Lindsey Saunders Cindy Drew Mr. and Mrs. Sidney A. Hirsch Garry Embry Mrs. Kristen Ewing John Factor Corbenic Partners Donny Fandango Ms. Julie Eades Stephen & Kathi Gaffney Mr. and Mrs. Scott Bazoian Noah Goscinski Mrs. Charlene Kubernat Dan Green Ms. Mary Bufe Dr. Dennis Done Mr. and Mrs. David G. Everding Mr. Chris Gerli Mr. and Mrs. Denny Jost Mrs. Maureen Thornton Noah C. Griffith Mr. Mark Griffith Sadie Grover SDDC Amelia and Wyatt Hasamear Mrs. Tiffany Hasamear
York B. Hendrix Mrs. Lisa Hendrix Lynda Hertel Ms. Sabrina Brouk Josie A. Hobbs Mr. Ronald K. Hobbs Roger and Kathy Hopper Mrs. Jill Gillman Wade Isringhausen Mrs. Mackenzie Isringhausen Gary & Gerry Jones Mrs. Jill Gillman Ken and Eileen Keune Mr. and Mrs. Ben Murphy Noreen Krebs Mr. Rodney L. Thornton Izabella Marquez Ms. Joan Drury Hiram C. Martin Ms. Dianna Pierson-DiMartino Andy Mayer Ms. Jennifer Myers Willow McDivitt Ms. Sandta McDivitt Mary Lou Miller Mr. Larry Buhr My Healthy Great Grand Children Mrs. Darline Weihl Vincent Pashia Mr. Philip Pashia Larry D. Pry Ms. Soon Martin Mrs. Lynn Working
Nicholas Purschke Mr. and Mrs. David Purschke Carrick Reilly Mrs. Emily Reimer-Barry Annaka Robison Ms. JaLana Robison Bearett Ryan Mrs. Amy Young Denise Sallee Ms. Kathy Dabrowski Brian Satterthwaite Mr. Jack Smith Jack Scharr Ms. Meg Tebo Judy Sheputes Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Olson Katherine Schmiesing Mrs. Kate Banovetz Kimberly Schmitt Miss Lisa Foster Matthew Schneider Ms. Ann Wilson Don and Margie Schroeder Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Garland Jill Schumaier Ms. Karen Clark Kenneth Schwartz Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt Charlie Self Mr. Jason Bayer Karen Spark Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund
Nancy Spehr Ms. Kaye Dement Sophia Lynn Stewart Mr. Ronald K. Hobbs Jean and Ed Szoko Ms. Mary Drakesmith Emma Tallon Mr. Nathan A. Calcari Mark & Cindy Tampow Mrs. Jennifer L. Dolce Jayme Thaller Ms. Dina Lewis Ralph Julius Thurtle-Schmidt Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt David Tornetto Ms. Faith Frank Victoria Tornetto Mr. David L. Tornetto The Waldman Childrens Dr. and Mrs. Harry D. Burack Wes Washko Ms. Brenda Tintori Ms. Ann Zanzenbacher Eileen Weber Ms. Kay F. Siegrist Barbara Whitehead Dr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Simmons Kenny W Wilson Mr. George Dirksen La Salle Iron Works, Inc. Mr. Gary Lamore
FORE THE HOUSE 2020 marks the 20th Anniversary of the Paige Glen Altman (PGA) Golf Tournament benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. In August, president Dan Harbaugh presented Steve and Sue Altman, and their golf committee, with a Ronald McDonald House Family Statue, designed by local artist Rudy Torrini, for their dedication to the mission of RMHC St. Louis. The Altman Family dedicated this golf tournament in memory of their daughter, Paige. In the mid-1990s, they stayed in the long-term apartments on West Pine Blvd. while three-year-old Paige recieved treatment in St. Louis. We are so grateful for their support!
25 | Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
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. Cleaning Supplies: Paper towels Disinfectant (Lysol) spray Multipurpose cleaner Floor cleaner Hand soap SOS pads and sponges Swiffer hand duster sheets Hand sanitizer Glass cleaner (Windex)
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 Aluminum foil Nonstick frying pans
Miscellaneous: Travel-sized & full-sized shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shaving cream and toothpaste Laundry Facility Supplies: High-efficiency laundry detergent Softener sheets
You can purchase these item and more at our Amazon Wish List! Visit www.rmhcstl.com/wishlist to order online and have these essential items shipped right to the Ronald McDonald House.
NATIONAL SUPPORT FOR RMHC Special thank you to the following new National Donors for stepping up to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate their support to provide the comforts of home to families when they need it most. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
FLAVOR REDDY FOODS
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
26
MEET THE SMITH FAMILY The Ronald McDonald Family Room kept this Wentzville family close when it mattered most.
W
hen Megan Smith checked into Progress West Hospital - where she normally spends her days as a nurse rather than a patient - for a scheduled C-section on August 2, 2019, she never dreamed of the journey that lay ahead. However, just minutes after her twin daughters Nora and Josephine were born, Megan and her husband, Josh, heard the frightening words: “We need to call Children’s right away.” And in that moment, their world turned upside-down. While doctors tried to stabilize Megan’s blood pressure, the babies were taken straight to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Nora had been born with a digestive tract abnormality that required surgery, and Josephine was in respiratory distress. Almost immediately, a transport team took Nora to St. Louis Children’s 27
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
Hospital via ambulance, and Megan’s husband, Josh, followed. With Josh and Nora at a different hospital, Megan was determined to see Josephine. She made her way to the NICU floor of Progress West, where the nurses agreed to let Megan hold her hand and stroke her face for just for a moment, and something miraculous happened. “They were preparing to intubate her,” recalls Megan. “I just remember feeling so overwhelmed and praying that God would let her oxygen stabilize as I spoke to her and touched her. From there, she continued to improve, and over the next few days was off of oxygen support altogether and able to stay by my side.” Meanwhile, during the first few days after the girls were born, Josh spent every waking minute
with Nora at St. Louis Children’s Hospital - more than an hour away from their home in Wentzville, Missouri. Megan and Josephine were at Progress West, and their 3-year-old daughter, Sophia, stayed with grandparents. On Nora’s sixth day of life, she underwent a primary repair surgery and received a temporary colostomy. All the while, Josh had not left her side, other than a few short trips down the hall to the Ronald McDonald Family Room. “Josh is a detective, so he is used to not sleeping, but he’s not used to the stress of your child being sick and needing surgery,” says Megan. “The Ronald McDonald Family Room volunteers helped with everything: towels to take a shower, a hot cup of coffee and snacks. They made it feel like home.” As soon as she was able, Megan joined Josh to be near Nora. In fact, she was able to hold Nora for the first time before they wheeled her back for surgery. As a nurse herself, Megan knew the importance of family-centered care. The Ronald McDonald Family Room made it possible for both of them to be advocates for Nora 24/7. “The Family Room was a lifesaver to say the
least,” says Megan. “It helped our family in a big way.” After five weeks, Nora was able to return home and be reunited with her twin sister, Josephine, who had spent a total of three weeks in the NICU at Progress West. Three months later, just before Thanksgiving, Nora’s colostomy was successfully reversed. Now, the girls are happy, healthy, growing babies, with a tiny scar on Nora’s belly serving as a reminder of all they have overcome. Over the holidays, the Smiths asked family and friends to donate Wish List items to the Ronald McDonald Family Room in honor of Nora - the display of gratitude was amazing! Megan and Josh delivered two carloads of household essentials and snacks to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for other families seeking comfort and care through our Family Room Program, and we could not be more grateful for their support. “From our family to all who donate and volunteer with RMHC, thank you,” say Megan and Josh. “Because of you, families like ours are able to focus on what really matters: our children’s health and happiness. God bless."■
CALLING ALL YOUNG PROFESSIONALS! Are you a young professional looking to get involved with Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis and meet like-minded individuals? Then the Red Shoe Society of St. Louis is for you! Learn more by visiting www.rmhcstl.com/redshoesociety. Activities include: • • • •
Providing meals for families at the Ronald McDonald Houses Planning and executing special events Professional development activities Social and networking opportunities
ST. LOUIS
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
28
CELEBRATING 15 YEARS
The Ronald McDonald Room at Mercy Children's Hospital celebrates 15 years of providing comfort and care.
T
his year, the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Mercy Children’s Hospital celebrated its 15th Anniversary! Since 2005, this special room has provided thousands of families with comfort and care just steps away from their child’s hospital room. In 2019 alone, the Family Room at Mercy served 2,102 families. Offering a place for parents, guardians and grandparents to grab a quick snack or cup of coffee, take a hot shower, lounge in comfortable couch and do laundry. We could not offer this special space without the group of 120 dedicated volunteers who allow us to keep the room open to families seven days a week. “Every one of them [volunteers] genuinely enjoyed what they were doing and it showed in how they treated everyone. It was almost like they were welcoming you into their home,” says a mom who used the Family Room in 2019. In April 2020, with the guidance from RMHC Global leaders, we closed our four in-hospital Ronald McDonald Family Rooms for the safety and well-being of those we serve. Over the past months, we have had the opportunity to work with all three of our hospital partners to allow families to access Family Room accommodations 29
Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
on an individual and limited basis. RMHC St. Louis continues to follow the guidance and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), local State Departments and local hospital partners. “Our partners at Mercy treat the Family Room as an integral part of family care within the hospital,” says Courtney Fischer, RMHC Family Room Program Manager. “They have been an exceptional partner to us over the past 15 years.” Each winter, the staff at Mercy Children’s Hospital host a wish list drive to collect essential items to keep the Family Room running. The multiple carload donation fills our shelves and keeps hygiene products and snacks accessible until the spring. We look forward to opening the doors of all four St. Louis-area Ronald McDonald Family Rooms to meet families when they need it most. Until then, we look back on the 15 years of servicing local and out-of-town families inside Mercy Children's Hospital and could not be more grateful to our volunteers, partners and donors who continue to support our program. ■
HEARTBITS Abby and Lucy stopped by our Park House to drop off a HUGE donation of wish list items. This is the second year the Tripp family delivered cartloads of goodies. Thank you for your support!
Special thank you to our friends at Craftsmen Utility Trailer who donted cleaning supplies to the West County House. We were so excited that they found Lysol wipes!
Our friend Cole collected and donated over 200 pounds of tabs at our Tab Top Pandemonium event in June. He was happy to pose by the digital scale during the event!
After 434 days at the West County Ronald McDonald House, Nelvin and his mom went home to the Eastern Caribbean island, St. Lucia. We are so happy for them!
Two-year-old Wes asked his family to donate special siblings toys for his birthday to RMHC. He wanted to give back after staying there when his brother Ty was in the NICU. Thanks, Wes!
These girls are crafty! Jamika and Isha had a great time participating in the "Inspire Your Heart With Art" Day as part of our March Family Fun Month activities.
The Gorham family stayed close at our long-term apartments for 215 days. We are so glad we could offer a home-away-fromhome for their entire family during their time in St. Louis.
Smiles all around! Cailyn, and other RMHC kiddos, received Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong’s exclusive “TOPPS of the Class” baseball cards featuring Burton Rocks and Dr. Rocks. Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2020
30
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
twitter.com/rmhcstl
instagram.com/rmhcstl
