Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest Newsletter Fall 2012

Hot Dish: From Our House To Yours

IN THIS ISSUE

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www.rmhc-um.org | 1

NEWS!

Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest

Fall | Winter

2012

Little Superman

Isaac teaches compassion and a fighting spirit

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he Twin Cities medical community is treating some of the world’s most complex cases, sometimes involving extensive surgeries and procedures, requiring patients to stay nearby for weeks or even months. Due to the critical nature of the diseases treated in this community, the

Dedicated pop tab collectors make a real difference

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Isaac is only three years old and has endured more than 30 surgeries.

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Ronald McDonald House – Oak Street supports families for longer average stays than any other Ronald McDonald House program in the world.

Some families, such as Isaac Crawley’s, must make repeat visits to Minneapolis. Isaac is only three years old and has endured more than 30 surgeries

3 Staying close to family at RMH-Oak Street

8 Celebrating families in Glam style

“He first left the hospital when he was six months old, for a two month stay at the Ronald McDonald House. ”

and procedures to combat Esophageal Atresia – a rare condition he was born with. Esophageal Atresia occurs when the esophagus is split into two pieces and doesn’t connect in the middle.

Attempts to give him a whole esophagus were unsuccessful and painful. Isaac spent the first four months of his life in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), where he experienced vocal cord paralysis and was slowly losing his ability to breathe, which resulted in a tracheotomy. He was transferred from his home in Virginia to the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. Isaac’s parents, Kim and Greg, thought the trip would take two or three months.

It took 14.

photo: Jim Bovin

“He’s pretty remarkable,” Isaac’s mom, Kim, said.

“No matter how many painful or uncomfortable procedures Isaac endures, at the end he reaches over to give a hug and a smile. He’s just such an incredibly happy, outgoing little boy. He loves life.

He loves everything around him.”

During that time, Isaac was kept completely paralyzed and sedated for a total of 11 weeks while an esophagus was literally grown for him using a technique created at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital. Isaac slept for much of his early months, while the Crawleys watched and prayed. He first left the hospital when he was six months old, for a two-month stay at the Ronald McDonald House, because he needed to be near his medical team while he was getting strong enough to continue treatment. continued on page 3

www.rmhc-um.org

2 | Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest

From the President & CEO “Three months in a hospital is no easy feat, but your amazing facility with all of the warm and welcoming people made it so much easier on all of us, especially during the more difficult days.”

“Thanks for giving my family a place to stay when my sister was sick with cancer.” above. President and CEO John Stanoch far right. At the 2012 Golf Classic in June, we were honored to present the Kelsey Lynn Roberg Spirit Award to the service project “Cash’s Cans.”

This award honors Kelsey Lynn Roberg.

Though Kelsey lost her battle with cancer, she never lost her enthusiasm for life and passion for helping others.

Two-year-old Cash Heemeyer and his family from Marshall, Minn. are among our most dedicated pop tab collectors. photos: Mike Krivit

Contact us office

818 Fulton St SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 612.331.5752

hours

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm www.rmhc-um.org info@rmhc-um.org

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hese are just a couple of the many notes we’ve received this year from families expressing their sincere appreciation for the caring support and services provided by our organization.

Our cornerstone program, the 48-family Ronald McDonald House – Oak Street, continues to have the longest average length-of-stay of any Ronald McDonald House program in the world. This is due to the transplant program at University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital and the other world class medical care provided here in the Twin Cities.

We are proud to continue to be here for families like the Hatlens from Fargo, North Dakota.

They’ve been staying with us for nearly four

“We serve thousands of local families.”

months while their son, Cash, is receiving care at Amplatz. Cash’s brother, Brody, started Kindergarten this fall as one of 12 students at our in-House, K-12 school. From the Cooks for Kids meals served by volunteers each night, to our school that makes it possible for families to stay together during a time of great challenge, we take items off each families “to do” list, making it possible for them to focus on what’s most important … their child’s health.

Over the past three years, we’ve expanded our reach to a House inside the hospital at Children’s Hospitals & Clinics in Minneapolis and a Ronald McDonald Family Room inside Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul. At these two locations, we are providing lodging and supportive services to thousands of families per year. Most of the families using these services are from the Twin Cities metropolitan area, meaning local families are now receiving support and comfort from our amazing team of employees and volunteers.

Our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program provides dental services to uninsured children and expectant mothers in the 14-county metro area.

Our dental services, like all of our programs, are

left to right. Marcy Heemeyer, John Stanoch, Adam Heemeyer and Cash Heemeyer not fee-based, meaning families are not expected or required to pay for services.

During my first year as President & CEO of this exceptional organization, I have found many people in our community are unaware of our program expansion. We serve thousands of local families, and we are in need of expanded financial resources and volunteer efforts to support this crucial mission. You can help us build awareness and support. Tell your neighbors, families, friends and colleagues about today’s Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest; we’re not just the House on Oak Street anymore! Do you know a community group we should meet? Let us know, or ask them to invite us for a presentation about the amazing work we’re doing.

For those of you who continue to support us financially, please accept my heartfelt thanks and appreciation. We wouldn’t be here without your generosity. For those of you who have donated in the past but haven’t contributed yet this year, please consider a gift to support our efforts. If you are not able to support us with a donation, there are many other ways you can help the families we serve–volunteer, help us with pop tab and video game collections, support our partners or be our goodwill ambassadors in the community.

On behalf of our staff and the thousands of families we serve every year, thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

John Stanoch President & CEO

www.rmhc-um.org | 3 “There’s no precedent with Isaac,” Kim says.

“We just have to watch and see what he does.

We just truly appreciate the support that we’ve been shown. I think Isaac does so well because he’s loved by so many.” left. Isaac is never far from Dad and brother Elijah when they are at the RMH. below. Issac is close to his siblings.

Sister Talia holds baby Elijah.

Isaac spent the first four months of his life in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), where he experienced vocal cord paralysis and was slowly losing his ability to breathe, which resulted in a tracheotomy.

photo: Jim Bovin

“Our family has grown by leaps and bounds throughout this journey with Isaac,” Kim said.

“After more than 30 surgeries in three years, he is our Little Superman.”

“The connections you form at the Ronald McDonald House are not easily described. You are meeting families under the worst of circumstances, and seeing them through what will likely be remembered as the worst days of their lives. In a situation like this, your guard is down, you are looking for support (as you are often far from home), so finding someone who is able to relate to your own stress is a relief.”

Isaac’s case is extreme, and as he grows there are more procedures. “Every time I think they’re done with the major procedures, something new is thrown at him,” Kim said.

On October 2, 2009, after his fourteenth surgery, Isaac received his new esophagus. It was just before his first birthday. This surgery was in no way the end of the road for Isaac. He spent a total of 11 out of his first 13 months in the ICU (intensive care unit), and since then, the Crawley’s have returned to Minneapolis at least three times a year, sometimes for additional surgeries, sometimes for outpatient procedures to open Isaac’s scarred esophagus.

“Many of those we include as family now have not had children with the same birth defect as Isaac,” Kim says. “But they have lived side by side with us in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) and at the Ronald McDonald House. They have seen you on your worst days, encouraged you to keep fighting and celebrated victories big and small.”

“We have met families with children suffering from diseases and illnesses we have never heard of before meeting them. All of this connects us, in a way we are not connected to anyone else in our lives. It makes us a different kind of family, one that can live miles and miles apart, and speak only rarely – but still feel like we have an unbreakable connection.”

Currently, the Crawley’s are dealing with a recurrent fistula (connection) between Isaac’s esophagus and right lung. Anything he swallows can enter the lung, resulting in pneumonia among other illnesses. He recently returned home from a six-week stay in Minneapolis where he had two surgeries to correct this problem. Just weeks after returning home, the fistula reopened and the Crawley’s returned to Minneapolis again. His most recent visit ended with a request to followup every month; so the family will be traveling more than ever this year.

“His resiliency and love keep us all going, and we will continue this journey for as long as he needs us to,” Kim says.

Hot Dish editor Sarah Nelson contributors Abby Johnson Eric Johnson Ruth Kewitsch Donna Moores Carynn Roehrick Meredith St. Pierre John Stanoch Carol Westley photographers Jim Bovin Mike Krivit

4 | Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest

Core Program Spotlights: Ronald McDonald House® - Oak Street You be there for them; we’ll be there for you.

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he Ronald McDonald House – Oak Street was our very first program and serves families who live 60 or more miles away while their child is receiving care for a life-threatening illness. Our cornerstone program has expanded several times since its 1979 opening, now providing housing for 48 families each night, 365 days per year. In 2011, we provided lodging to over 400 families.

House dog, Jerry, recently celebrated his sixth birthday and the families and staff of RMH – Oak Street threw him a party, with gifts and treats for dogs and humans.

As the resident cheergiver, Jerry spends his work day playing, cuddling and listening to troubles and heartaches.

We provide basic needs including comfortable beds and private bathrooms. Emotional support through our caring-community setting is essential

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We believe when children are ill, any distance from their side is too far.

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and family activities include bingo, music and art, movie nights and summer programs.

Cooks for Kids, our volunteer meal program, serves dinner to families every night, as well as brunch on weekends, which allows parents to focus their energies on their children.

Our fully accredited K-12 school keeps kids (patients and siblings) on track with their studies while staying far from home.

We are a proud member of Community Health Charities of Minnesota, an alliance of leading nonprofit health research and service organizations whose mission is to improve lives affected by chronic illness by investing in health research, services and education.

photo: Jim Bovin

The Snyder-Korn family stayed with us three times throughout the last year and a half.

The original House opened in 1979 and had rooms for eight families.

It was a remodeled University of Minnesota fraternity house that stood on the grounds of the current House.

The Ronald McDonald House – Oak Street has the longest average length-of-stay of any Ronald McDonald House program in the world. This speaks to the high-quality of the medical care available in the Twin Cities. We wouldn’t be here without it.

The average length of stay for a family who came to receive a bone marrow transplant was 131 nights. The average length of stay for all other families staying at the Ronald McDonald House – Oak Street was 29 nights.

See page 7 for ways to support this unparalleled program

photo: Mike Krivit

The current House provides rooms for 48 families each night, covering 75,000 square feet of space.

www.rmhc-um.org | 5

Helping children and families heal faster, cope better and stay well Ronald McDonald Family Room®

Lunch & Learn All About Us We would love to show you inside the House and share what we do.

Serving the local pediatric disability and trauma communities

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ur newest program, the Ronald McDonald Family Room, inside Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, opened its doors in July 2011 and has served over 1,130 families since. With this program, we’ve expanded our range of services to more local families, as well as

We meet the last Wednesday and Thursday of each month, from 12 to 1pm, at one of our locations for lunch and learn tours. photo: Jim Bovin

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hen a child is born with pediatric disabilities, it’s not unusual for families to stay for long periods of time at hospitals either close to home or thousands of miles away. Imagine the stress of trying to juggle life in the hospital with life back home. Imagine then trying to manage this balancing act with two sons born with pediatric disabilities.

the pediatric disability and trauma communities.

Thanks to your support, we continue to open doors to health care to families in need.

The home-like atmosphere offers a welcoming space for a family to rejuvenate without being too far from their child. All families with an in-patient child are welcome to use the common areas, including a kitchen, lounge and laundry facilities. Private sleeping rooms are available to four families each night.

How to help Cooks for Kids: Round up a group of three to

five volunteers and prepare dinner (Monday–Sunday) or a weekend brunch.

Housewarmers: Greet and check-in families, answer the telephone, keep rooms clean, stock household products, conduct tours and help create a warm, friendly and supportive atmosphere for families.

See page 7 for details

For almost two decades, the Hasaberasoul family has traveled to hospitals for countless surgeries and procedures. Seven years ago, they made the decision to come to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul for their sons’ care. Their mother, Samar, firmly believed it was the right choice.

When this program opened on July 1, 2011, the Hasaberasoul family was in the hospital for one of their son’s procedures. A social worker recommended the family stop in and check out the space. They soon discovered a place of respite and a “home-base” while at the hospital.

“The kitchen, the bedrooms, the entire space is so beautiful and clean,” Samar said. “Staying in the hospital is much easier with a fully-stocked kitchen.” The family’s social worker also referred the family to one of the four comfortable overnight sleep rooms, just down the hallway from their son in the Neuroscience Unit.

“Everything about this program is wonderful.

Just walking into the space doesn’t feel like a hospital. You feel like you’re home. I just love the Family Room,” Samar says.

A light lunch, brief intro, short video and a tour are on the schedule.

Upcoming dates: October 31 November 28 Ronald McDonald House – Oak Street November 1 Ronald McDonald Family Room at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, St. Paul November 29 Ronald McDonald House – Chicago Avenue For more information contact: Ruth Kewitsch 612.238.8440 ruth@rmhc-um.org

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Corporate Support Spotlight:

Ryerson Cares

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yerson, an international metal supplier with Midwest operations based in the Twin Cities, has supported us through numerous Ryerson Cares events over the past year, including:

In Loving Memory

• Themed Cooks for Kids meals at

“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.” - Proverb

• Volunteer support at our events.

Arileigha Black Bear

all three locations.

• The landscaping group planted

a raised-bed herb and vegetable garden in an unused space along the side of RMH-Oak Street.

• Their company-wide awareness-raising events have included collecting

items for the help-yourself pantries, as well as video games in support of our newest fundraising initiative.

Robert Brown III Tessa Chasing Hawk Kenny Cooper Rhett Cowley Grace Delaney Daniel Duncombe Duke Eggen Chloe Evans Dylan Gadbois Natali Guazchambo Miles Hannon Alyah Haynes Jennifer Jacobsen Jamal Mohamed Jacob Osman Derek Rootkie Seth Rose Gabriel Sanchez Isabella Smith Damian Thomas Destiny Thomsen Jeffrey Watson Barbara Jean “Niibin” White Francis Willette Cody Wilson

• They have also raised dollars for specific projects, including electronic equipment for our school.

In September, as part of their national management conference, 31 senior executives prepared and served Cooks for Kids meals at two of our locations.

We salute Ryerson for their corporate involvement in Ryerson Cares events for RMHC-UM and throughout the country. photo: Mike Burbach is part of the CFK meal group at RMH-Oak Street.

Heart of Gold Wall

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very year, we are the recipient of several planned gifts in which donors have chosen to contribute to our current and future programs by creating a new named endowment fund or by including us in their estate plans. These planned gifts usually range from $10,000 to $100,000 and provide immediate and ongoing support to our work.

The Heart of Gold Club and Wall is our way of recognizing the individuals who notify us in advance of their intent to leave a planned gift and honor the named endowment fund or estate gift when we receive it. Membership is secured by returning the nonbinding Heart of Gold form which also allows you to state your recognition preference.

We are currently adding the names of the latest Heart of Gold Club members to our Heart of Gold Wall located in the Donor Atrium at RMH-Oak Street.

We would love to add your name to the wall and thank you for your commitment to the services we provide to families.

The envelope in this newsletter includes a place for you to notify us or to check and learn more about including us in your estate plans. To discuss planned giving options, please contact Donna Moores at 612.767.2784 or email dmoores@rmhc-um.org.

www.rmhc-um.org | 7

Volunteers are at the heart of what we do Help families feel at home

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olunteers play a key role in supporting our core programs. Without the support of volunteers, we would not be able to support 4,000 families each year. With the beginning of the school year and the grand opening of our newest program, the Ronald McDonald Family Room inside Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, there is even more demand for volunteers.

It’s a great time to get involved.

CSM Corporation serves a themed CFK dinner at RMH-Oak Street. Families love themed meals.

Featured activity: Cooks for Kids Cooks for Kids (CFK), our volunteer meal program, takes place at all three of our locations.

Cooks for Kids groups purchase and prepare food, set up a buffet service in our community kitchen and clean up after the meal.

Featured activity: Help kids get excited about reading

This is a great opportunity for groups to provide families a home-cooked meal. Meals can be prepared in our community kitchen or may be prepared ahead of time. Options include dinner at 5:30pm, Monday through Sunday, or brunch at 11:30am on Saturday/Sunday.

The Kids Book Club at RMH – Oak Street meets the second Wednesday of every month from 11:30am to 1pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for groups of volunteers to interact with children at the House and help them develop a love of reading. It’s also a great way to connect with other volunteers who love books.

He is currently working his way through the House and has painted five family rooms, as well as the toy room, a hallway, a living room and dining room.

Interested in volunteer opportunities?

Volunteers read books with individual kids, eat lunch as a group and then join in recess. We select the books and order the pizza, and we request the volunteer group to cover the cost. photo. The Kid’s Book Club is a great way to interact with kids at the House and share a love of reading with them.

Nothing freshens up a home like a coat of new paint. We are fortunate to have volunteer painter Dan Schultz on hand to help make the RMHOak Street a bright and inviting place for families and staff.

CFK volunteer group Aveda Research and Development, led by Catherine Pham, serves dinner at RMH – Oak Street.

contact Carynn Roehrick carynn@rmhc-um.org 612.767.2788.

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2012

Saturday, November 10, 2012 Marriott City Center 30 S 7th Street | Minneapolis

Thank you to the Laborers Ride for Charity for their continued support.

The 9th Annual event brought in a record $12,000. Community events raise much needed funds for our programming.

The ABC’s of Community FUN-draisers!

Community fundraisers are an integral part of raising support and awareness for us. In 2011, these events brought in over $175,000. Contact Meredith St. Pierre at mstpierre@rmhc-um.org or call 612.767.2783 for more information. Need inspiration for a community fundraiser? Check out our A to Z listing of ideas.

Ideas for Individuals • Art sale • Bake sale, book sale, • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

bowl-a-thon Carnival Date auction Easter lily sale Fun run in your neighborhood Golf tournament Holiday tour of homes In-line skate party, ice skating party, ice fishing tournament Jazz fest Kids craft sale Lemonade stand Motorcycle ride Nickel drive Outdoor concert Pancake breakfast Quick drive-thru car wash Read-a-thon Spaghetti dinner or silent auction Texas hold ’em poker tournament Used book/CD sale

• Valentine’s Day flower

grams • Wine tasting or walk-a-thon • X-tra stuff? Have a garage sale • Year-long food drive

• Zamboni ride Ideas for Companies • “A portion of the proceeds” from a service or item will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

• Begin selling paper hearts for a dollar – customers sign their name on the heart and hang it on your store’s wall.

• Casual for Kids Day – allow employees to dress down/ wear jeans to work for a small donation.

Fam Glam…a truly spectacular night to support FAMilies in GLAM style!

The evening opens with a silent auction, featuring a variety of great items, including a wall of wine and items created by RMHC-UM families.

The event continues with a three-course dinner and program featuring the presentation of the Don Shelby Service Award for outstanding commitment to RMHC-UM. The program also highlights the story of a family and their firsthand experience with our mission.

The event concludes with dancing and celebrating the work we do for families.

This year, we aim to surpass the $267,000 in proceeds from last year.

Sponsorships and individual event tickets available. www.rmhc-um.org | 612.331.5752.

www.rmhc-um.org | 9

2012 Golf Classic Honorary Chairs Pete and Ros Kormanik. $105,000 (net) was raised to support our mission.

Thank you to presenting sponsor Johnstech International and all the other sponsors and golfers who made the 2012 Classic a fun and successful event.

Proceeds directly support families though our core programs and services.

Surly Brewing Company was one of ten vendors offering 34 regional craft brews at Brew Love 2012. We broke attendance records with over 200 beer enthusiasts sampling beers.

Members of the Ecolab foursome watch John Rolando putt.

Brew Love was held at Target Field and raised funds for the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®.

Presenting Sponsor Twin City Bond Club Sponsors ESPN1500 Minnesota Monthly FOX Sports North 2012 vendors:

Crispin Cider Finnegan’s Flat Earth Brewing Co. Lift Bridge Beer Lucette Brewing Co. Schell’s Brewing Stagecoach Summit Brewing Surly Third St. Brewhouse

The Red Shoe Society, a young-professional’s philanthropic group with the mission of “networking for a cause,” at Brew Love. For information, contact Meredith at mstpierre@rmhc-um.org.

All event photos: Mike Krivit

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In-Kind donors

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e would like to thank all of our in-kind donors who provide so many of the things that make our House a home. Below is a sampling of the individuals and companies who have helped with our in-kind donation needs.

Pop tabs Since 1987, our Pop Tab program, which earns money by recycling the valuable aluminum, has raised nearly $1 million for our organization.

To get started, simply pop off tabs from your cans— pop, soup, pet food, tennis balls and collect them in a container. Drop off your pop tab collection at the Ronald McDonald House – Oak Street any weekday during office hours (9am to 5pm). Or, drop them at your favorite McDonald’s restaurant!

Special pop tab collection houses are available to schools and organizations.

Contact Carynn 612.767.2788 carynn@rmhc-um.org

Donate used video games Did you know you can also donate used video games at our Ronald McDonald House-Oak Street? (see page 2 for hours and address).

We recycle the games and Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest receives 100 percent of the proceeds, which help support our services to families.

Donna Beaudry Peggy Bouthius Jay Bradley Becky Gabbert Brianna Gohman Rita Katona Ron Kintzi Kristina LaVelle Angela Mann

In-Kind giving makes a huge difference Support us as we support families

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t takes a lot to keep a household running, and we rely upon donors to help us keep our pantries well-stocked for the families staying with us.

We are especially in need of the following items:

Jill Orhn Sonia Schmidt Michael Svenddal Angela Swatfager Todd Tarvin Laurie Webster Patricia Whitson

• Laundry detergent • High-efficiency laundry detergent

Aitkin Riverboat Lions Club

• Trash bags with drawstrings

Bren Road High School

• Paper plates and cups

Capella University

• Plastic silverware

Chez Arnaud French Bakery

• Paper towels

Coit Services

• Travel-size toiletries (toothpaste, floss,

COKeM International Ltd

mouthwash, shampoo, conditioner)

• Pantry items (single-serving snacks, granola bars, fruit snacks, cake and cookie mix, cereal, canned soup, pasta, etc.) and fresh produce

• Queen-size white sheet sets • Bath towels • New small toys/stuffed animals for prizes A comprehensive list is available at www.rmhc-um.org.

Coldwell Banker Burnet Country Kids 4-H Club Double Tree Hotel Kelly’s Confections and Catering Lakeville Girl Scouts - Troop #24710 Martin-Brower Fridley Pearson’s Candy Company Pullman Place Station

www.rmhc-um.org | 11

Remembering Robert

A plaque honors Robert’s life on the tribute wall at the Ronald McDonald Family Room.

An extraordinary young man and a shared passion for hot rods introduced these donors to the Ronald McDonald Family Room

years. They were also impressed by the Ronald McDonald Family Room and were happy to see it gave their friends a place to get a meal and a good night’s sleep when Robert needed them close by. Carole and Michael decided to honor Robert with a donation to the Ronald McDonald Family Room and have a By the age of seventeen, Robert had already had special plaque for Robert on the tribute wall in the dozens of surgeries to address multiple health isentry. They made arrangements with staff Carole and Michael were deeply and were excited for Robert to see his name on touched by Robert and all he had the wall.

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e all have special people in our lives who touch our hearts in remarkable ways. For Carole and Michael Petersen that special person was Robert Brown, a young man they met through a shared love of hot-rod cars and the Minnesota Street Rod Association (MSRA).

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been through in his 17 years.

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sues. He was often a patient at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare where his parents, Mary and Bopper, often found respite at the Ronald McDonald Family Room.

In-between hospitalizations, Robert fervently worked on cars and attended many car shows with his parents, and it was there they met the Petersens and their friendship grew quickly. The Petersens and their group of MSRA friends took

Robert’s health deteriorated quickly and he passed away before seeing the tribute from his friends.

The plaque was installed the day Robert died, and it honors an amazing and loving young man who left an indelible mark on the lives of all those who knew and loved him, including Carole and Michael Petersen.

decided to honor Robert with “ They a donation to the Ronald McDonald Family Room. ” Robert under their wing and soon he was “one of the guys,” hanging out in garages and “talking cars.” They loved his infectious smile and laughter and his unwavering zest for life. Robert brought joy to everyone he met.

During one of Robert’s many surgeries at Gillette, Carole and Michael visited their friend and experienced the Ronald McDonald Family Room firsthand when Robert’s mom brought them to the space for a cup of coffee. “We never knew such a place existed, and we quickly found out how important it had become to Robert’s parents,” Carole said. The program gave them a place for quiet reflection, a space where machines weren’t beeping, a place to recharge while being just steps away from their son.

Carole and Michael were deeply touched by Robert and all he had been through in his 17

Coit keeps on cleaning RMH-Oak Street

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or over 20 years, Coit has volunteered their services to help keep RMH – Oak Street carpets and upholstery clean. When needed, Coit comes to clean rooms at the House to help get them ready for families moving in. Coit also recently cleaned the slate flooring and grout in our common areas.

We salute Coit as a volunteer partner who is keeping Ronald McDonald House – Oak Street a beautiful home-away-from-home for the families we serve.

Board of Directors Chair Dave Overman Chair Elect Thomas Lynch Past Chair Dan Statsick Vice Chair Gregory Larson Treasurer Thomas Hogan Secretary Debbie Roberts William Bluhm Deb Cathcart James Duval Karin Gessner Jill Hamburger Peter Hasselquist David Johnson Michael Krauss Andrea Novak Rick Pins John Rolando Jeffrey Smith David St. Peter John Stanoch Anthony Stewart-Moore Kathryn Wardrop

UNITED WAY If you make your charitable contributions through the United Way, you can designate Ronald McDonald House CharitiesUpper Midwest as a recipient of your donation.

2012

A spectacular night to support

FAMilies in GLAM style!

Saturday, November 10, 2012 Marriott City Center 30 S 7th Street | Minneapolis details page 8

Honorary Chairs Ken and Susan Seiler Fred and Trina Keller Presenting Sponsor

photo: Mike Krivit photo: Jim Bovin

We support families.

818 Fulton St SE Minneapolis, MN 55414

NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT #2091