RMHC DC 2013 Annual Newsletter: Love Notes

Lo e Notes

ca m e to st ay, while 15 years ag o, K im in th e ho sp ita l. he r ba by gi rl was

15 years later, Kim shares her story of staying at the Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald House when it was brand new.

N ow, we ce le b rate 15 years of R ache l’s life a nd th e Hou se th at he lped th em.

Thanks to you, we are celebrating the Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald House’s 15th Anniversary!

Our Mission

A Message from Executive Director, Karen Torres

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C. creates and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. ®

Dear Friends, This year marks the 15th anniversary of our 2nd Ronald McDonald House, opened on the grounds of Inova Fairfax Hospital in 1998. I would like to take this opportunity to say a heart-felt “Thank you” for 15 amazing years.

2013 Board of Directors Dorinda W. Burroughs Robert P. Drumheller Chair Jason G. Everett Patricia A. Ferrick Mary T. Orzechowski Kerri Johnson Vice Chair Julie L. Jones Angelique Kelly-Lara Neva Van Valkenburg Cindy Levine Treasurer Ilene L. Levine Lori Loker Craig R. McCune James F. Norris Secretary Harry J. Pilson, II Dennis W. Prescott Ryan S. Whittier Heather Russell Member at Large Clair S. Sassin Brenda ShepherdChris Chatman Vernon Celine J. Crowson Rhiannon Swanson Brian deKowzan Judith Yavit

Contact Information RMHC of Greater Washington, D.C. info@rmhcdc.org www.rmhc.greaterdc.org www.facebook.com/RMHCofDC Washington, DC House 3727 14th St. NE, Washington, DC 20017 Phone: (202) 529-8204 Northern VA House 3312 Gallows Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042 (On the campus of INOVA Fairfax Hospital) Phone: (703) 698-7080

The Northern Virginia House is 15 years old!

See pictures of construction, the opening, and families on page 6.

Thanks to you and your generous support, this House provided well over 30,000 nights of comfort to families struggling through the most difficult times of their lives.

Thanks to your kindness, more than 3,500 families from all walks of life were able to stay close to their seriously ill children as they fought to get well; a constant presence so their child did not have to battle alone.

Thanks to the remarkable gifts of your time and resources for the past 15 years, we have shared countless stories of hope, courage, strength, smiles and tears with the many families who have needed us.

And thanks to your continued support, we will provide this same comfort and hope to help the many families who will need us in the future.

Family L♥ve Notes “We love it here! Thank you so much for providing a safe, welcoming place, close to the hospital and our son’s doctors!”

"The best part of the House is the people. Everyone is very helpful and kind. The house itself is extremely comfortable and beautiful! There is evident love inside the walls as well as the people.”

"This was a great environment for our family. Everyone was very friendly. The volunteers did a great job helping relieve the stress from family members. ” "Thank you for letting us stay here. It really helped decrease our stress levels. All the friendly staff and supportive families were great to have around.”

"Everything, from the staff to the apartment and shuttle, was excellent! It was like being home-away-from-home and it made the process a little easier. Thanks!”

“This house was a godsend during a horrifying and stressful situation. Everything that could make us comfortable was provided to help us stay focused and take care of ourselves.”

For more information, visit www.rmhc.greaterdc.org

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Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Washington, D.C. addresses the most urgent need of our community – children’s health. We are dedicated to improving children’s access to quality health care through our three core programs.

Your 2012 Impact

40

scholarships awarded to freshman

701 14

total families served by our houses

2,248

average days stayed

U.S. Families Served West Virginia 6%

Other 14%

Virginia 46%

free health care visits to under-served kids in DC wards 5-8

3,994 volunteer hours served

Since 1980, over

Maryland 29% New York 4% South Carolina 1%

157

thousand nights served

22

grants given to non-profits serving the needs of children in our community. Funds come from the generous McDonald’s Owner Operators serving the Greater Washington, DC area.

Five Ways You Can Help Change a Child’s Life 1. Give at Work. Workplace Giving Campaigns begin in the Fall. Please designate Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC on your pledge card. Federal employees, use CFC #15005. DC One Fund number #8961.

2. Hold a Wish List Drive. See our Wish list on the back cover. For a full list, visit us online and go to How Can I Help? www.rmhc.greaterdc.org 3. Pull for the House. Collecting pop tabs is a great way to teach kids about giving and recycling.

4. Leave a Legacy of Hope. One way you can help tomorrow is to remember us in your estate planning today.

5. Donate your change. Drop your change in donation boxes at local McDonald’s. Your small change makes a big difference to our little ones.

3

Kim’s Story

Rachel’s mom, Kim, tells the story of her family’s experience staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Northern Virginia, the first year it was open:

Fifteen years ago, my life took a turn no new parent should ever have to experience. When I took my newborn to the hospital, I had no idea it would be so long before I could bring her home again. Rachel’s lungs were not fully developed, her kidneys were struggling to function, she needed to have open heart surgery, and she was diagnosed with a genetic disorder.

“When I saw that door, memories of how I felt back then resurfaced.”

When we were transferred to a hospital for Rachel’s heart surgery, we had the opportunity to stay right next door at the new Ronald McDonald House.

With all the stress going on, it was such a relief that we did not have to worry about traffic, a hotel, or the extra costs involved when your child is in the hospital.

When I arrived at the House, I was greeted like an old friend. They had just opened and I was one of their first guests. I could still smell the fresh paint. The House was quiet, relaxing, and homey. I remember waking up on Easter morning to an Easter basket full of Beanie Babies for Rachel. It made me smile and cry to know that someone cared enough to think of us on that day. Rachel still has those Beanie Babies! My stay at the house was only for 24 days and it was bittersweet to leave.

Now, I lead Rachel’s Girl Scout Troop and when they were choosing a local charity to donate cookies to this year, one option on their list was Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC (RMHC). I didn’t mention my connection to the House because I didn’t want to sway their decision.

In a twist of fate, they chose to donate to RMHC. When we pulled up to the House, my first time back since we left, I looked at the front entrance and smiled a teary smile. It was just like I remembered. The front lobby, the floors and the wonderful sunlight coming “Back then, many people said she wouldn’t survive, thru the windows, were all the same. While touring the House with the troop, we were shown the room I but in my heart, I knew she could pull through.” stayed in. When I saw that door, memories of how I felt back then resurfaced. I could still see that Easter basket sitting there on the floor. The best part about being back was, this time my daughter was there with me, standing in the halls, taking the tour, sitting next to Ronald on the bench just like her grandmother did, and being a goofy teen with her friends in the courtyard.

The Ronald McDonald House helped me in the kindest and simplest way... they were there, no questions asked and nothing needed from me. I was able to be a mom and an advocate for my little baby girl. I could come and go as I pleased and for that I am

forever grateful.

“I’m not sure how I would have managed without the House and without being so close to Rachel at all times.”

Thank you to all the donors, volunteers, and supporters that made it possible to build the Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald House and keep the doors open these 15 years for families like Kim’s.

For more information, visit www.rmhc.greaterdc.org

The 3 Annual Red Shoe Run & Walk 5k took place on the beautiful morning of Saturday, April 6th, at Dulles Station in Herndon. More than 600 runners, walkers, and strollers joined Ronald McDonald, himself, to raise their feet to raise hope for healing families! rd

Thank you to Strayer University for sponsoring the crowd-favorite Kid’s Fun Run, where more than 25 kids participated and proudly earned their souvenir medal. Two DJs played music to keep everyone’s feet moving at the Start/Finish line and along the route. At the end of the race, Ronald joined the participants in dancing the Cupid’s Shuffle, which you can see on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/rmhcofgreaterdc!

Team Elms was awarded prizes for the Largest Team and Most Money Raised By A Team. Some groups kept fundraising after the run and teams Created a Monster and Jazz-ercise Cares raised almost $3,000 each!

Thelma Moss raised the most money for an individual, with Mary Helen Shulte in a close second.

Participants, Mid-Atlantic, and PGA, and LGPA golfers joined us at the private Woodmont Country Club for RMHC’s 29th Annual Pro-Am Golf Tournament on July 1st. Title Sponsor McDonald’s Family Restaurants, Platinum Sponsor Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and many more enjoyed swinging alongside the pros to support families of seriously ill children. This event has enjoyed the longstanding support of Martin-Brower for over 22 years, Fitzgerald and Co. for 18 years, McCain Foods for 15 years, and CocaCola North America for 13 years. Thank you to these and our other sponsors for making this event possible!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year a success! We raised over $30,000, which goes directly to our programs. Thank you Kilometer sponsors: The McDonald’s Family Restaurants of Greater Washington, D.C. and Crimson Partners; and other sponsors and goods providers.

Donors in Action Rockin’ for Ronald - “The Ronald McDonald House made one of the worst times in our lives that much easier by giving all they did to our family. We were so very grateful that shortly after our stay at the House, we started our own charity event, Rockin’ for Ronald, to raise money for the House we once called home. To date, our event has raised over $58,100 and we’ve collected more than 300 pounds of pop tabs.

All of the money raised has supported the D.C. House in the purchase of many items, including a playground that was built in 2012.” - Jessica Klug The McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community. About 3,000 big-hearted people attended the first leg of McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel on Tour May 9th, at Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland. Their Love Offerings resulted in a $14,308 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C., which will go a long way in helping children heal faster and cope better. We are grateful for this incredibly generous audience.

The Road Gang - Joung Lee, 1st VP of the Road Gang, toured the D.C. Ronald McDonald House with Karen Torres and Claudia Lewis. The Road Gang has been a great friend to us for over 22 years. During that time, the Road Gang’s support has included proceeds from the Tony Kane Golf Tournament, silent auctions at their Holiday parties, and supporting our capital campaign for building the new D.C. House.

To help us tell our story better, the Road Gang and one of their members, Voice Associates, donated production of three videos. Funds donated over the years total $124,381. The value of their friendship is priceless!

5

15

years of helping

families of seriously ill children find a home-away-from-home.

When the need for a Ronald McDonald House in Northern Virginia became evident, the community rallied around the cause. Thanks to supporters like you, enough funds were raised to build an 8-bedroom House with all the comforts of a home.

Groundbreaking took place in 1996 and by 1998, the House was ready to serve families like Kim’s on page 4.

To the left you can see several original newspaper clippings and pictures showing the beginnings of the Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald House, and the hope that it brought to the Greater Washington, DC area. In 15 years, this House has been a homeaway-from-home to more than 3,500 families going through some of the most difficult days of their lives, and we have been honored to be a stable place for them to heal.

It is with hearts full of gratitude that we celebrate this shared milestone with our supporters and our community. With your help our doors have remained open, and continue to do so for future families who need our care.

Celebrating 15 years, thanks to you!

Donors August 1, 2012 - June 15, 2013 $100,000 + McDonald’s Loyal Customers, Washington DC Regional Co-Op

Pulte Homes, Washington Division Six Flags America The Road Gang

$50,000 to $99,999 Southwest Airlines

$5,000 to $9,999 Alpha Delta Pi , Alpha Pi Chapter, GWU AXA Foundation Coca Cola North America Dell Corporate Giving Fitzgerald and Company IREX La-Z-Boy McCain Foods Martin-Brower Company Strayer University

$25,000 to $49,999 The Klug Family’s Rockin’ for Ronald $10,000 to $24,999 Birk Family Foundation Mary C. Clear Columbia Capital, LLC

Chris Warner Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Widgeon Foundation World Bank Community Connections Fund

$1,000 to $4,999 Acumen Solutions, Inc. Ambit American Legion Brandywine Post #277 Anna H. Hall Charitable Lead Unitrust Arnold Worldwide AVE Living The Bama Companies Bonner, Kiernan, Trebach & Crociata

Bowman Consulting Group, LTD Mr. Joseph J. Bross Brownie Brittle, LLC Mr. & Mrs. Benton Burroughs Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Butts Mr. & Mrs. Michael Carver CGH Cardinal Bank Mr. Russell W. Coe Columbia Furnace United Methodist Church Crimson Development & Leasing LLC Davenport & Co. LLC DaVita - Total Renal Care, Inc. Delta Resources, Inc.

Ms. Sara-Ann Determan Mr. & Mrs. Robert Drumheller Dr. Geoffrey Evans Dr. Pepper ExxonMobil Foundation, Inc. Fru-Con Foundation Goddard Systems, Inc. Goldman, Sachs & Co. GolinHarris Mr. & Mrs. Isaac Green Keystone Foods Mr. & Mrs. Michael Hedges The Hogettes The Employees of IBM Imagen Records Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Kikuchi Ms. Cindy Levine Macerich, Tysons Corner Center Ms. Bette J. Mader Marshall B. Coyne Foundation, Inc. Mr. Martin Micklin MillerCoors National Student Clearinghouse Mr. & Mrs. David Natysin Nonprofit Advisors LLC Northeast Foods/ Automatic Rolls Novartis Plumbers Local Union #5 Mr. Timothy Pritchett Mr. & Mrs. Dave Rardin Reed Smith LLP Mr. & Mrs. Herbert G. Reines SA Lone Star Truck & Equipment Inc. Mr. Christopher Savcak Mr. & Mrs. Billie Shaddix Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Smith Social Cluster SRA International Mr. & Mrs. Adrian L. Steel, Jr. Stellar Solutions Foundation Mrs. Eugenia R. Sugg T-Mobile Mr. & Mrs. Ramesh Takata Taylor Farms

TD Bank Ms. Margaret A. Tribby Mr. & Mrs. Jason K. Trueman Mr. & Mrs. Max Van Valkenburg Welburn Management Ms. Kia T. Williams

Goods and Services $10,000 to $24,999 Nike Select Comfort Tempur-Pedic $5,000 to $9,999 Children’s National Medical Center Martin-Brower Company My Plumber $1,000 to $4,999 American Society for Microbiology Blendetec, A Division of K-Tec Ms. Lily Chang Chong Hwa Saint Tao Yuan Coca Cola North America Fairfax County Police Association Mr. & Mrs. Eric S. Francis Generous George’s Positive Pizza Place Goode Heating & Air Conditioning Goodwin Proctor LLP Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C. INOVA Fairfax Radiology Department Keurig Kohl’s #340 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries Lumber Liquidators, Store #1016 NII Holdings, Inc. Northern Virginia Assoc. of Legal Administrators Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Oriental East Restaurant Mr. Will Patten

Potomac Disposal Services Mr. & Mrs. Nathan Quach Scoops2u Shenandoah’s Pride Dairy Shinnyo En Shirley Contracting Company, LLC The Jessie Rees Foundation Thompson Creek Window Company Urban Petals

$500 to $999 Ms. Alexis Alvarez Association of Corporate Counsel Avalere Health LLC Beta Sigma Phi Mr. Richard Campbell Ecolab Edens ExxonMobil Foundation, Inc. Fairfax County Office for Children - SACC First Potomac Management Foresters Game Stop Georgia Pacific Corporation Mr. Gary Glover Hearts & Hands Reaching Out Holland & Knight LLP Mr. Murray Horwitz Knit & Crochet Group Franconia Knitting & Crochet Group Cascades Senior Center MC Services, Mr. Mark Cox Nabisco National Association of Power Engineers, MD #5 One Brick Ravensworth Elementary School Southwest Airlines The Carolina Kitchen The Potomac School Tzu-Chi Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Jay Wallin

Young Women’s League, Inc.

Memorials Reece Edward Andercyk Joey Angel Charles Matthew Baer Patricia Bowling Martha A. Bradley Rusty Clark Michael A. Collins Louise F. Cool Jennfer and Tyler Davies John J. Degnan, Jr. Steven Determan Lilo Dillon Hannah Edwards Abigail Kathleen Ellis Thelma and Louie Garlow Dolly D. Gilliam Connor Hill Marilyn “Jeanne” Hockmuth Donald Lee Jerry Mendelson Gene Merrill Gabriel Miller Nathan Morehouse Miller Shirley Milliner Brandon Scott Minter Wayne R. Murray Triston Nixon Caitlin O’Haver Marie Victoria Orbe Ashley O’Riordan Shirley A. Pearl Kyle Phelps Brian Redmond Shelly Reed Sandra Reeves Lauren Ellen Reines Troy Satterley Isabella Schueneman Dorothy M. Scott Lester Scott Billie Jennean Shaddix Barbara Silverman Naomi Ruth Smith Dennis P. Sterling II Carol Van Valkenburg 7

3727 14th St. NE Washington, D.C. 20017

2013 Wish List Household Items • Bleach • Copy Paper 8.5 x 11 • Dryer Sheets • Fantastic or Mr. Clean • Swiffer Wet/Dry Wipes • Hand Sanitizer • High Efficiency Liquid Laundry Detergent • Lysol Antibacterial Wipes • Swiffer Dusters • Shower Curtain Liners

Kitchen & Pantry Items • Cereal • Dishwasher Tablets • Disposable Cutlery • Fresh Veggies & Fruits • Individual Juices • Individual Snack Foods • Keurig Coffee and Tea K-cups • Plastic Wrap & Foil • Tupperware containers • Ziploc Bags (all sizes)

Gift Cards • Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter • Target, Walmart • Office Depot, Staples • Bed, Bath & Beyond • Home Depot, Lowes • Michaels, AC Moore • CVS, Walgreens

Big Ticket Items • Blue Ray DVD Players • Brown Twin Sheet Sets • Flat Screen TVs for bedrooms • Hair Dryers • New or gently used DVDs • Pots, Pans, Baking Dishes • White Full Sheet Sets

For more information, visit www.rmhc.greaterdc.org

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