Heart
BEATS
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023
A Night to Remember:
The 9th Annual Red Shoe Gala
On October 20, friends of Ronald McDonald House Charities put on their red shoes and joined us for a night of dinner, dancing, mission and fun at the White River Conference Center. Red Light Runner took the stage and captivated our audience with their classic sound! Springfield’s ultimate rock band is a collaboration of musicians from some of the area’s premier bands, including remaining Smokey Folk members, Drew Beine and David Pyck, Steven Sparks (formerly of Mood Ring Circus), Richie Allen (formerly of Pearl Nation) and Nick Archambault (formerly of Luna J). Their performance was incredible, and we were so fortunate to welcome them to the stage this year! The night’s fun included the Red Shoe Cam, “Shoebox Surprise”, Selfie Mirror Photo Booth, ShowStopper Spin Booth, Red Shoe Contest, Heads or Tails game, Adopt a Family Program and a Champagne Wall! 100% of proceeds benefitted Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks, helping children and families through Springfield’s two Ronald McDonald Houses and the Tooth Truck (our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile), and resulted in net proceeds of more than $185,000 for our organization!
Southern Living® Cookbooks on Sale Now! Dillard’s at the Battlefield Mall in Springfield is joining stores across the country in offering a special edition of the Southern Living Christmas Cookbook to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities through their annual holiday fundraiser. Since 1994, Dillard’s has supported RMHC with a fundraiser benefitting the Ronald McDonald House program. This exclusive, hardbound cookbook is filled with more than 200 recipes and dozens of decoration ideas for Christmas, plus seasonal gatherings! This “must-have” cookbook is available for only $15 and is available now in all Dillard’s stores nationwide, as well as online at www.dillards.com until December 24. Proceeds from cookbooks sold at Dillard’s in Battlefield Mall will benefit our two Springfield Ronald McDonald Houses.
From The
Staff Birthdays October 5 Justin Wilson October 17 Eddie Marmouget October 19 Savannah Keller October 24 Julie Holt October 28 Beka Rasor November 3 Rachel York November 5 Lee Ann Neill November 8 Eileen Meinsen November 13 Austin Gormely Gail Sours November 14 Barry Chole November 27 Abigail Weitzel 3
Heart Beats is published monthly or bi-monthly for volunteers of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks and The Tooth Truck, Inc. ©2023 RMHC The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald’s Corporation and its affiliates and are used under license: Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities logo, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, RMHC, Keeping Families Close. The Tooth Truck name and logo are owned by The Tooth Truck, Inc.
PAGE 2
Heart of the House House Near Cox South Current Active Volunteers: Ceilia Briley Terri Carr Barry Chole Sandy Davis Kathy Dennis Blake Dowdy Amy Grubaugh Dorothy Harlan Carol Harris
Reagan Hill Briana Jenkins Ginny Lohkamp Regina Marshall Larry Meinsen Donna Patterson Brenda Podewitz Kay Prost Beka Rasor
Becky Reser Hailey Rehkop Ashley Rosetta Crystal Schneider Anne Schubert Randy Slocum Grace Stagner Kim Stagner Ivy Starks
Gail Sours Karen Taylor Paul Walley Kellie Wirtz Abigail Weitzel Joanna Weitzel Scott Weitzel Travis Weitzel
Welcome to the House near Cox South, Donna Patterson and Paul Walley!
House At Mercy Kids Current Active Volunteers: Sandy Emberton Ann Griesemer Sarah Han
Stori Johnson Zachary McCubbins Sondra Rader
Alexandra Ross Sheridan Sellers Jessica Steward
Molly Stood Tori Tomlin
Welcome new Volunteer to the House at Mercy Kids: Sondra Rader!
Happy Wheels Wish List
Small bottles of lotion Mini hand sanitizers Activity books (crossword puzzles, Sudoku, word finder) Small packs of crayons for the activity books Travel manicure sets
Chapstick Individual packs of Kleenex Individually packaged snacks (Goldfish, granola bars, Teddy Grahams, gum, mints, Lifesavers, etc.) 12-ounce water bottles
RMHC Staff President & CEO Bonnie Keller
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS
Vice President Debbie Kinser
Program Manager Danielle Harp
Program Manager Justin Wilson
Tooth Truck Program Director Mindy Muñoz
Associate Program Manager Associate Program Manager Lindsey Kimes Breanna Wilson
Development Assistant Kim Booth Development Coordinator Katie Serangeli
Family Care Managers Austin Gormley Jennifer Grooms Danielle Henson Makayla Martin-Wise Megan Mashburn Jessica Steward
Family Care Managers Samantha Ball Skylar Ball Julie Holt Savannah Keller Makayla Martin-Wise Jack Osborn
Family Dinner Spotlight SBU Nursing Returns Each spring and fall, the Southern Baptist University Nursing Program sends groups of students to volunteer at the House at Mercy Kids to prepare and serve dinner to families of children receiving medical care. The students are always eager and excited to interact with the families, and they fill several of the dinner spots available. Assistant Professor Shannon McKinzie answered a few questions about the students’ time volunteering with Ronald McDonald House Charities:
When did you start providing meals at the Ronald McDonald House? The college has been providing meals since approximately 2015. How did you get involved with the Meals from the Heart Program? We have an educator who worked in the NICU with these families. She brought the idea to the college to use as a community service project. We sent a group once per month for a few years and then added it to our third semester as their community service project. We send 8-10 groups per semester now. Our faculty loves to go and help as well.
What is your favorite thing about participating in the Meals from the Heart Program? Our favorite thing is working with the families. We sit and talk with them and learn their stories. They teach our students valuable lessons in communication and empathy. What would you say to anyone considering volunteering for the Meals from the Heart Program? Preparing meals is one of the easiest and most fun ways to provide an essential need for these families. It takes a small amount of time but produces a big result in both our hearts and theirs.
Dinner Groups! Jack Henry Physicians for Women Parkcrest Baptist Church Girl Scout Troop 71364 Fordland Church of Christ Union Hill Church of Christ Pat Moore-Cook Pyatt Dental Arvest Bank Kickapoo FCCLA Mid Mo Bank Fair Grove National Honor Society
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER
House Near Cox South STATS Families Served..............35 Nights...................................521 Families from Missouri................................29 Families from Other States.........................6 Year to Date....................200 Program to Date..... 11,581
House At Mercy Kids STATS Families Served..............50
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH Melissa Dallas Acute Care Therapy Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Oak Grove Assembly of God Brylee Welch Covey Family The Girlfriends Courageous I-Serve Cox Health Information Technology Acute Care Therapy Team Janet Hamilton Family
Monthly Statistics
Nights.................................. 455 Little Ceasars Turner Urgent Care Awaken Church King’s Way United Methodist
OPEN DINNER DATES:
December: 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31 January: 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
Families from Missouri.................................41 Families from Other States.........................9 Year to Date....................259 Program to Date.....4,044
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS Mid Mo Bank Johnson Family SBU Nursing Ziggie’s Café Pasta Express Bricktown Brewery Mercy Ambulatory Leadership Jordan Heinz State Farm Marci Dowdy Mercy PreReg Asians at Amazon Inpatient Oncology Kamryn Hesington
Sanchez Family Little Caesars Dialysis/Critical Care National Imaging Ash Grove United Methodist Presbyterian Church Courageous Church Bambinos Nursing Administration Houlihan’s Townplace Suites Wilson Family Belin Family DRG Validation
Mercy Core Lab Kastning Family Ball Family Lois & Jessica Blue Eye FCCLA MSU Pre-Med Society
OPEN DINNER DATES:
December: 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31 January: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
PAGE 3
Around the Houses
Kendra Scott Fundraiser We continue to be thankful to Kendra Scott for their ongoing support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks. Through their “Kendra Gives Back” initiative, RMHC has received over $1,000 this year. This community giving program allows community members to host in-store events for causes and organizations that work to improve health and wellness, education and entrepreneurship, and empowerment. We appreciate the generosity of our Kendra Scott friends at the Battlefield Mall location.
2023 Fall Outing! We tipped our hats to our amazing volunteers and board members at our annual Fall Outing on October 24th, and boy, was it a hoot! We set up at the beautiful Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park where the warmth of summer held on to this autumn evening with vibrant foliage that created a picture-perfect setting for our celebration. As guests arrived, they were greeted with warm smiles and friendly hellos followed by a scrumptious spread of burgers, hot dogs and sides. After everyone had filled their plates, we gathered around a bonfire to enjoy our meal. As we ate and chatted, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the incredible community that supports Ronald McDonald House. Our volunteers and board members are the heart and soul of our organization, and their unwavering dedication makes a difference in the lives of families with sick children. After dinner, it was time for some fun! We hopped on a hayride and took a scenic tour of the farm park as the crisp night air greeted the evening. The laughter of our guests filled the air as we passed by fields of pumpkins, cornstalks, haybales and grazing cows. After the hayride, we gathered back around the bonfire to roast marshmallows and make s’mores. It was the perfect way to end a perfect evening. As the night ended, we reflected on the evening’s events and were grateful for our volunteers and board members and for the chance to celebrate with them. Their unwavering support is what makes the Ronald McDonald House possible, and we are so lucky to have them.
Happy Birthday Analiese Welcome to the Ronald McDonald House Family, Analiese McEachern Kimes, daughter of our Associate Program Manager at the Cox House, Lindsey Kimes!
PAGE 44 PAGE
Analiese was born October 4, 2023, and weighed 8lbs, 8oz and was 20 in long. Both Analiese and Lindsey are doing well!!
Volunteers Needed Our Ronald McDonald Houses provide a safe and supportive “home-away-fromhome” for families of seriously ill and injured children undergoing medical treatment. But we couldn’t do it without our dedicated volunteers. Volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization. They provide essential support to our families in so many ways by helping to check-in families, cooking meals, restocking rooms, cleaning different areas of the Houses, answering the phone, assisting with mailings, running errands and various computer tasks. In addition to these specific tasks, volunteers can also play an important role in providing emotional support to families. They offer a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and a helping hand when needed. Our volunteers come from all walks of life. They are retirees, students, working professionals, and stay-at-home parents. They are united by a desire to make a difference in the lives of families facing
HOUSE
difficult circumstances. If you are interested in becoming a Ronald McDonald House volunteer, we encourage you to contact us today. We would love to have you on our team! For the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids, contact Breanna Wilson at 417.820.0764, breanna.wilson@rmhcozarks.org For the Ronald McDonald House near Cox South, contact Lindsey Kimes at 417.875.3501, lindsey.kimes@rmhcozarks.org Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of families!
WISH LIST Food Items
Shelf stable milk K-Cups Individual coffee creamer Individually wrapped snacks Canned soda Bottled water
Gift Cards Gas cards Walmart Amazon Target
Family Items
Beauty gift sets for women Body wash sets for men Adult and child activity books Travel coffee mugs Deodorant Fleece throw blankets Small gifts for children Gifts for teens
Miscellaneous Items
Exterior Upgrade to the House near Cox South Over the last few weeks, you may have noticed a major update to the exterior of the House near Cox South. Ryan Lawn & Tree recently completed an upgrade to our irrigation system, playground and entire landscaping. Our special thanks go to Chip & Teresa McGeehan for contributing our new playground surface and more! We were also able to replace our sidewalks, thanks to a donation from Donco3 Construction LLC and Springfield Ready Mix. We are grateful to Board Member, Rachel York, for facilitating this contribution. The update also included new furnishings from Polywood for our front porch and back deck, which you will learn more about in our next issue of Heart Beats. We are excited to watch all our new plants emerge in the spring and for our families to have a refreshed playground and yard to enjoy!
White Queen fitted sheets White matching bath towels Bakeware Cookie sheets Set of pots and pans Daily planners Lip balm Small bottles of lotion Crayons Blank note cards Notebooks Board games Rubik’s cubes and mind puzzles Playing cards Travel-size hand sanitizer Travel manicure sets Individual packs of tissues On-the-go drink mixes Small stuffed animals Sweatpants (all sizes) Boys, Girls, Mens and Womens Underwear (new and unopened) – all sizes
PAGE 5
Staff Stuff Welcome Jessica Please join us in
welcoming Jessica Steward as one of our new Family Care Managers at the House near Cox South! Jessica started volunteering for RMHC at the House at Mercy Kids. She made the switch and officially joined our FCM Team in September. Jessica is covering our Saturdays at the House as well as filling in when needed. Outside of RMHC, Jessica attends school at OTC where she plans to become an ultrasound tech. We can’t wait to see all Jessica will accomplish in her career here!
Mission Moment The San Miguel Family On June 23rd, at only 27 weeks along in her pregnancy, Markenzie San Miguel was admitted to the hospital and was dilated to a 7! Upon arrival, she was told that she would likely be having a baby right then and there, but fortunately, she was able to be closely monitored in the Perinatal Care Unit for two weeks to allow her baby some additional time to grow and develop. After a special delivery from our Happy Wheels Program, Markenzie learned about the Ronald McDonald House, and her mother-in-law, who flew all the way from Puerto Rico, and her husband, Luis, were able to utilize our services as they took care of Markenzie during her time of need. On July 9th, Luis received the best birthday gift, as their baby, Emelina Rose San Miguel, was brought into this world. Weighing only 3lbs 6oz, they consider her to be their tiny miracle. The Ronald McDonald House near Cox South has been able to provide Luis and Markenzie with a place to stay close to their baby. Our Meals from The Heart Program has greatly helped them as well, as it allows them to spend less time away from Emelina. They’re also able to utilize the leftovers for lunch the following day, so that they don’t even have to leave the hospital in the middle of the day to eat! The Ronald McDonald House has lifted a significant financial burden off the shoulders of the San Miguel family, having a place to call home, meals and snacks, and laundry facilities. On their especially hard days, the staff and volunteers have been helpful and encouraging to them. Spending time with Emelina has been their highest priority.
PAGE 6
“There are many things to love about this place, from the convenient Grab and Go Area to the groups who come to prepare dinner and get to know us. There are countless other ways this house has blessed us. After 11 weeks of being here, we couldn’t be more grateful to the people running it for helping our family feel at home here as we await the day we can take our sweet girl home.” -Markenzie San Miguel
House Volunteer Spotlight SANDY
The Ronald McDonald House near Cox South had the privilege of honoring long-standing volunteer, Sandy for reaching 2,000 hours at the House! Sandy spends a large amount of her time volunteering ensuring the kitchen and linens are in pristine condition for the families. We are so thankful for Sandy and all the time, expertise and dedication she has given! What is your favorite thing to do in the House? I don’t have one favorite thing at the house, I just really enjoy being around the House. I also really enjoy talking to the families and seeing if they need anything.
How did you learn about the Ronald McDonald House? My son worked at a McDonald’s in high school and Donna Powers was the owner at the time and asked me to volunteer. What do you enjoy most about volunteering with our organization? The rewards of volunteering. There isn’t just one thing. What is a fun fact few people would know about you? In high school I drove in drag racing at the Ozark speedway and won 37 out of 39 times.
What do you enjoy in your free time? Reading, sewing, baking, and spending time with the grandkids
Welcome Jacob Join us in welcoming
back Jacob Golden as one of our Family Care Managers at the House near Cox South. Jacob worked at the House at Mercy Kids from October 2017 until March 2023. Jacob then transitioned into a new role before coming back on staff at the House near Cox South in September. Jacob is covering the Tuesday and Thursday shifts as well as filling in when needed. Outside of RMHC, Jacob enjoys playing trading card games, hanging out with friends, and watching his little sister play volleyball. We’re so excited to have Jacob back as part of the RMHC family!
Mercy Hospital NICU 40th Anniversary and Reunion On October 1, the RMHC team at Mercy Kids had the pleasure of attending the Mercy NICU 40th Anniversary and Reunion. The theme of the event was “Under the Sea,” and it was truly a day filled with gratitude, kindness, and joy. All Mercy NICU graduates and their families were invited to the open house event at the McAuley Conference Room inside Mercy Hospital to catch up with other families and staff. Many families went all out, dressed as their favorite “Under the Sea” characters. We loved seeing the creativity and enthusiasm on display! It was especially heartwarming for the team to catch up with some precious former families and see how their little ones have grown. Many families expressed gratitude for the support they received during their NICU journey. It was a beautiful reminder of why our team loves doing what we do. We were truly honored to be a part of this beautiful and inspiring event that celebrated the strength and resilience of NICU families. We are grateful for the opportunity to support these families and help make a difference in their lives.
PAGE 7
Heart of the Truck Katie Baird Makenna Becker Patch Clay McKenna Courtney Emily Dunn Anna Gunderman Jennifer Hardy Kaydance Knifong Susan Lemmon Clare Scheier Kenady Solmon Joanna Stalzer
Birthdays November 17 Dr. Howard Shayne November 24 Dr. Misty Shelton November 26 Dr. Sam Zimmer
PAGE 8
Tooth Talk The Tooth Truck staff
works closely with school nurses to ensure we reach all the students at the school in need of our dental services. Earlier this year, we visited Robberson Community School in Springfield where we provided more than $16,500 in free dental treatment! Nurse Katelyn worked hard to coordinate all of the logistics needed to make our stay go smoothly. Following our stay, she shared the following about her experience: “The Tooth Truck is an amazing resource for families in the Robberson community and other surrounding schools. Students have the ability to see a dentist and get work done that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. As the school nurse for Robberson Community School, I enjoyed being able to help my students in this process and seeing the students happy with the care they are given and smiling when leaving The Tooth Truck. I am also a parent that used The Tooth Truck for my own kids. “My oldest daughter, Zaelah, needed a filling, I had not been able to make an appointment for her elsewhere. I signed her up to be seen and she came out smiling after the experience. She spoke highly of the care given and the education regarding flossing to prevent further cavities. My youngest, Stellah, was a little shyer to have an exam due to previous issues. She conquered that fear with the help of the amazing Joscelyn (Tooth Truck Office Coordinator), who helped talk her through the whole process. She came out smiling and claims to no longer fear the dentist! I am grateful for this opportunity for our students, my own children, and our community. Thank you!”
Zaelah and Stellah are ready to maintain their cavity-free smiles after receiving treatment on the Tooth Truck while parked at Robberson Community School.
Sometimes fears creep in and kids need a little extra reassurance during their appointments. Dental Assistant Kassidy gives a comforting squeeze on this patient’s hand while receiving sealants.
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of the Ozarks September 2023 Children Treated:................ 99 Dental Appointments Provided: ...............................183 Year to Date Dental Appointments: ..............1,963 Program to Date Dental Appointments: ............66,768 Program to Date Value of Treatment: .......$23.2 million
STAFF
Volunteer Welcomes Our volunteer program has been growing with several new additions. We are thrilled to add the following individuals to the heart of the Tooth Truck and Healthy Smiles Academy! Makenna Becker
Kaydance Knifong
Susan Lemmon
Clare Scheier
Kenady Solmon
Joanna Stalzer
Thank you for generously sharing your time to positively impact our patients and brushers!
Tooth Truck Wish List
Action figures Matchbox cars Hair accessories (clips, headbands) Chapstick Clorox Wipes Handheld games
Jewelry (necklaces, bracelets) DVDs for older children Outdoor toys (bubbles, sidewalk chalk, Frisbees, sports balls) Walmart gift cards Beanie Babies
PRESIDENT & CEO Bonnie Keller PROGRAM DIRECTORRONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE Mindy Muñoz HEALTHY SMILES ACADEMY PROGRAM MANAGER Ashton Hartweg GENERAL DENTIST Dr. Sarah Cimino COMMUNITY DENTISTS Dr. Aaron Dannegger Dr. Brett Durbin Dr. Misty Shelton DENTAL ASSISTANTS Megan Sanders Kassidy Tuttle PART-TIME DENTAL ASSISTANT Amanda Honor OFFICE COORDINATOR Joscelyn Flores VOLUNTEERS Patch Clay Emily Dunn Jennifer Hardy
PAGE 9
Heart Beats
949 E. Primrose Street Springfield, Missouri 65807-5257
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Heart the Houses by Adopting a Room Our annual “Heart the Houses” Campaign is underway! This special annual giving program encourages the community to Adopt a Room at one (or both) of our Ronald McDonald Houses for a month, quarter, or year. Since the inception of Heart the Houses in 2014, our supporters have contributed over $925,000 for our two Ronald McDonald Houses through this initiative. Heart the Houses contributors are providing our families with a safe haven, a place where sorrow and fear can be expressed without censure, and a retreat from the daunting feelings of a worst-case scenario. We encourage friends of RMHC to consider Adopting a Room during the upcoming giving season. If you would like additional Heart the Houses packets to share with family and friends, please let us know!
The
Heart the Houses Campaign is Presented by