Heart Beats- January/February 2019

Heart

BEATS

$ On Thursday, January 24th, 61 McDonald’s Restaurants and various other locations in the Ozarks, will begin placing red, pink and gold “adopted” paper hearts on their walls and windows in support of our Ronald McDonald Houses and the 26th Annual “Share a Heart” Campaign. The campaign runs through February 28th, and we encourage you to visit your favorite McDonald’s and share hope, love and encouragement for our families by sharing your heart and adopting a $1, $5 or $20 paper heart. Hearts are also available at both Ronald McDonald Houses.

1 $5

JAN/FEB 2019

Every heart comes with an official entry to win a $1,000 gift card provided by

20

$

PRESENTING SPONSOR

The 2019 Share A Heart Campaign is presented by McDonald’s of the Ozarks, and continues to thrive with support from Leadership Sponsor, Great Southern Bank; and Supporting Sponsors, Mid-Am Metal Forming, The Coca-Cola Company and KY3.

LEADERSHIP SPONSOR

Visit ShareAHeart.org to view this year’s Family Profiles, Ronald McDonald House Facts & Figures, and see where our families come from on our Share a Heart Map.

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

McTJ Night Join us for “McTJ Night” at McDonald’s in Marshfield on Monday, February 4 from 4 pm – 8 pm. Twenty percent of all sales that evening will go towards longtime volunteer, TJ Slocum’s personal goal

for the Share a Heart Campaign.

TJ looks forward to meeting each of you while supporting the Ronald McDonald Houses.

From The

Staff Happy

Anniversary 1 YEAR Maddie Urhahn, House at Mercy

5 YEARS Ava Uzzell, House near Cox South

10 YEARS Cliff Ricketts, House near Cox South

Heart of the House House Near Cox South Ann Adams Tyler Austin Nicole Boles Elizabeth Bottorff Nadean Burnett Jillian Carlile John Carr Terri Carr Larry Chainey Nancy Clark Tyler Cockrum Tammi Davis Shannon Deakins Kathy Dennis Lynelle Dock-Peck Cheryl Douglas Blake Dowdy Judy Duncan Tessa Eldridge Angela Fairchild Brenda Ferris Clydene Freeman Amanda Fronzaglia Calan Froula

Madison Gibson Becky Gillham Shawn Gott Ashley Grady Amy Grubaugh Dorothy Harlan Darren Harrelson Laura Harrelson Aston Heinrichs Kaya Heinrichs Gracie Holt Lisa James Briana Jenkins Derek Johns Levi Kemp Becky Lang Shawn Lowery Dylan Mally Austin Marlowe Eileen Meinsen Larry Meinsen Mackenzie Meyers Sandy Morris Nolan Musick

Jordan Myers Andrea Parker Asha Parvathaneni Karla Peck LeRoy Peck Gretta Phillips J Aidan Plank ulie Prod Kay Prost Jessica Rawlings Beka Razor Rebecca Reser Cliff Ricketts Jan Ricketts Savanna Roberts Joe Roushdi Alexis Schafer Timothy Schmelz Anne Schubert Debbie Slocum Randy Slocum T.J. Slocum Alyssa Smith Mary Smith

House At Mercy Kids Stephanie Bube Mary Carlson April Carmichael David Carmichael Katy Chambers Jerrica Conrad Sean Copeland Jennie Crabbe Kristin Custer Sandy Emberton Mason Gaspard Ashley Green

Terry Greer Ann Griesemer Brenda Havens Kanadae Holmes Jenni Jacka Lillian Jacka Leah Jackson Danielle Kelly Jenna Kinyon Ami Le Hannah Le Pranav Mandava

Brady Marshall Kassie Medina Madison Mickan Jianna Mills Kiera Mills Krista Mills Rebekah Mitts Marel Morris Alexis Mundell Tracie Nicholson Kate Okland Jamie Phariss

Richard Sowell Grace Stagner Kim Stagner Madeleine Sullivan Kaden Sumter Aly Thomas Anna Trenkamp Violet Turner Ava Uzzell Sondra Uzzell Tristen Uzzell Garret Volner Carsten Warner Abigail Weitzel Lucy Weitzel Joanna Weitzel Scott Weitzel Travis Weitzel James Winstead Meghan Zengel

Taylor Pistel Sarah Phillips Keely Richter Linda Schultz Hannah Shoemaker Megan Siebert Breanna Sundet Lavanya Tiriveedhi Madeline Urhahn Kyley Vienot

Welcome, New Volunteers To Houses

Nicole Boles, April Carmichael, David Carmichael, Katy Chambers, Jerrica Conrad, Angela Fairchild, Aston Heinrichs, Kaya Heinrichs, Kanadae Holmes, Dylan Mally, Andrea Parker, Gretta Phillips, Aidan Plank, Pranav Mandava, Taylor Pistel, Alexis Schafer, Linda Schultz, Hannah Shoemaker, Breanna Sundet, Lavanya Tiriveedhi, and Kyley Vienot.

RMHC Staff Heart Beats is published monthly or bi-monthly for volunteers of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks and The Tooth Truck, Inc. ©2019 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.

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President & CEO Bonnie Keller

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS

Vice President Debbie Kinser

Program Manager Laura Winstead

Program Manager Ashley Burton

Tooth Truck Program Director Mindy Muñoz

Associate Program Manager Associate Program Manager Melanie Ball Heather Hyde

Project Manager Amber Price Development Assistant Kim Booth Administrative Assistant Debbi Gafner

Family Care Managers Karis Agnew Jacinda Canfield Emma Chadwell Rebekkah Wall Sara Wilken

Family Care Managers Danielle Exner Jacob Golden Sydney Helms Kennedy Keller Savannah Keller Hannah Major Jack Osborn Lacey Wildschuetz

Family Dinner

Birthdays

Spotlight

January 1 Jamie Phariss Kaden Sumter January 2 Amy Grubaugh Terri Libel

The Ramsey Family The Strouse-Ramsey family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in July of 2018. Their daughter Celestia was born 7 weeks premature. The family stayed at the House for about two weeks with their other children Casen, Addison, Casselynn, and Alexandria.

January 3 Jim Hallam January 6 Lucy Weitzel January 9 Danielle Exner

When did you start providing meals at the Ronald McDonald House?

January 12 Tim Schmelz

“Six months ago.”

January 15 Kim Stagner

How did you get involved with the Family Dinner Program?

January 20 Becky Gillham

“We signed up right after our daughter was discharged from the NICU. We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House near Cox during the summer. We talked with Melanie about it while we were staying the House.”

Do you have any favorite memories from your volunteer experience?

January 23 Lynelle Dock-Peck Jean Grabeel

“It’s my favorite place in the whole world.” – Casen, age 6.

January 25 Kim Booth Cheryl Douglas

What is your favorite thing about participating in the Family Dinner Program?

What would you say to anyone considering volunteering for the Family Dinner Program?

“Giving back; We were so grateful we had a place to stay when we were here.”

“Give yourself plenty of time to cook! It seems like we are always late. Hahahaha.”

February 11 Scott Weitzel

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH Second Baptist Small Group Second Baptist Church Sothern Baptist University Move Forward Bolivar Spring Hill Baptist Church Strafford High School Future Career and Community Leaders of America Strouse-Ramsey Family The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Chesterfield Ward The Good Family The Girlfriends The Hamilton Family Trish Musick and David Taylor Union Hill Church of Christ Unity of Springfield University of Missouri Kansas City School of Pharmacy December Meal Groups Cerner Si3

February 6 Brenda Ferris February 10 Jordan Myers

Dinner Groups November Meal Groups Ashley and Friends Battlefield United Methodist Church Buffalo McDonalds Cerner Si3 Covenant Presbyterian Fremont Elementary Glendale Christian Church Hillcrest Presbyterian Church Julie Prod and Friends Just Friends Knights Templar Knights of Columbus Missouri State University Kindness Commission Oak Grove Assembly of God Osceola Junior and Senior High School Future Christians of America Ozark United Methodist Church Parkcrest Baptist Church

January 27 TJ Slocum

Christian Care Community Trinity Lutheran Church Cox 700 East Cub Scouts Pack 210 Dale’s Roofing Fordland Church of Christ Fremont Elementary Jackie Wagoner and Friends Just Friends Knights Templar Knights of Columbus Larissa Jackson and Family Little Caesar’s Mercy Women and Children’s’ Educator Group Oak Grove Assembly of God Parkcrest Baptist Church Payton Dehart and Family PSC Accounting Quinton Booth and Friends Sandra Orther and Family

Second Baptist Church The Goodman Family The Buttram Family The Girlfriends The Akers Family The Mikolajczyk Family The Strouse-Ramsey Family The Stallcup Family The Washam Family The Gronniger Family The Hart Faimly The Carr Family Unity of Springfield

February 14 Karen Taylor Laura Winstead February 19 Ann Griesemer

Open Dinner Dates: January: January 1st, 9th, 13th, 25th, and 30th February: February 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 26th, and 28th

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS November Meal Groups Arvest Bank Ash Grove UMPC Calhoun Family Courageous Church Diamond Resorts Drury Volunteer Corp East Sunshine Church of Christ Fair Grove NHS Hedgpeth Family Jordan Valley Figure Skating Club Little Caesars Pizza Lois & Jessica Louise Morgan Mercy 7B Mercy Catering

Mercy College of Nursing Student Organization Mercy Injury Prevention Center Trauma Services Mercy Insurance Team Mercy Medical Supply Office Mercy SBU College of Nursing MSU Child Life Student Association MSU Student Nurse Organization Mychelle & Jen Robinson Family The Getalong Gang Turning Point Church Wellington Hills Friends Wilson Family December Meal Groups Ash Grove FCCLA

Ash Grove UMPC Bartels Family Battlefield UMC Bolivar FCCLA Calhoun Family Carlson Family Davison Family East Sunshine Church of Christ Fair Grove NHS Hillcrest Presbyterian Church Houlihan’s Kimberly Cook Leah Shelton Louise Morgan Meadows Family Mercy SBU College of Nursing Mizzou Med

Monica Whitworth for Evalee and Easton Villarreal Mychelle & Jen Penny Sheers Ozark United Methodist Pleasant Hope FCCLA Wellington Hills Friends Turning Point Church Union Hill Church of Christ Wilson Family YEP at Marshfield Highschool Ziegler Family Open Dinner Dates: January: 1st, 11th, 14th, 16th, 19th, 27th February: 1st, 2nd, 14th, 24th

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Wish List 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

House at Mercy Kids

HE Laundry detergent Swiffer liquid Coffee filters Coffee & tea Magic Erasers Labels for food Drink mixes Hygiene products Gallon-size Ziploc bags Laundry baskets Aluminum foil Travel-Size Toothpaste Fabric Softener

House near Cox South

8-gallon trash bags Individually wrapped breakfast items White queen deep pocket sheets (fitted and flat) White standard-size pillowcases White bath & hand towels White wash cloths Detergent Stamps 8 1/2 x 11 Paper K-cups Large Tupperware containers White Bath Mats

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Around the Houses

Mission Moment The Vancil Family

On November 30th, 2018, our three-yearold daughter Olivia woke up feeling a little cranky and sore but otherwise normal. By 11:00 am she had developed a large red ring and swelling around various regions of her body. We had two E.R. trips that day in which they diagnosed her with possible allergic reactions to red food coloring. During the overnight hours, the red areas blistered and her body began to burn her skin from the inside out. The following day, December 1st, a third E.R. trip quickly turned into a transfer from our local Branson hospital to Mercy Kids Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Springfield, where we would remain until December 7th. Olivia was diagnosed with Scalded Skin Syndrome, a staph infection which causes the top layers of skin to separate and “burn” off of the body. Only 48 hours after her first redness appeared, 75% of her skin had burned.

My sister came to the hospital to provide Johnny and I some relief. During that time, we visited the RMH and were positively overwhelmed at all it offered. It was exactly what we needed to face the chaos and devastation happening to our baby girl. We received a wonderful hot meal every evening provided by volunteers who had kind hearts and friendly dispositions. We showered, slept, made food and found healthy ways to regenerate ourselves so we could be everything Olivia needed from her family. We couldn’t be more thankful that the RMH was inside the hospital!!

Mr. James Jordan

We see this smiling face often, as Mr. James Jordan drops off pop tabs to benefit the families of Ronald McDonald House Charities. Mr. Jordan has been donating since 2011 and is a member of the United States Marine Corps Aviation. Mr. Jordan also adopts a room at the House near Cox South annually. In fact, he often comes by to tell us when his “rent” is due. We are so thankful for this gentleman.

House Volunteer Spotlight Marel Morris

Marel started volunteering at the Mercy House in December of 2017, and has volunteered over 100 hours with us. Every week, Marel brings our Happy Wheels wagon around the hospital to deliver goodies and information to patients and their families. Let’s learn a little more about Marel…

What is your favorite thing to do (or a couple things) at the House?

“I love getting to do Happy Wheels and getting to be the face of RMH for the families.”

What do you enjoy to do in your free time?

“I like to do crafts, decorate and watch TV.” Do you volunteer anywhere else in the Springfield community?

“I volunteer with my church, Connect Church. I love to be able to visit with families within my church to do crafts with kids.”

How did you learn about the Ronald McDonald House?

“I used to volunteer at the RMH in Dallas, Texas.”

Do you have any favorite memories?

“The one time a special patient at the Mercy St. Jude Clinic actually talked to us! There is this little boy who is in St. Jude every week while we are doing our Happy Wheel rounds and we always try to interact with him but he never wanted to talk with us.

He finally did!”

What do you enjoy most about volunteering with our organization?

“I love being able to interact with the parents and kids.”

Ronald McDonald Houses of the Ozarks House Near Cox South STATS December 2018 Families Served..............54 Nights...................................331 Families from Missouri................................39 Families from other states.........................15 Year to date.................... 422 Program to date.... 10,439

House At Mercy Kids STATS December 2018 Families Served..............38 Nights..................................298 Families from Missouri................................34 Families from other states...........................4 Year to date....................388 Program to date.......2,771

Mercy Clinic Finance Department

After enjoying their time serving dinner for our families in August, the Mercy Clinic Finance Department wanted to contribute more towards helping our families during the holiday season. Together the co-workers raised $500 to help support our families! They presented us with a check and even brought new cookie sheets and Tupperware too!

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Heart Tooth Talk of the Truck Megan Blake Chelsea Breihan Tori Bridwell Emma Chadwell Stephanie Daniels Luke Ellickson Melinda Fielder Olivia Horton Susan Lemmon Connie McCarter Breanna Mareschal Emily Murray Dylan Stewart Melinda Thurman John Velo Chloe Williams

STAFF

PRESIDENT & CEO Bonnie Keller PROGRAM DIRECTORRONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE Mindy Muñoz GENERAL DENTIST Dr. Sarah Cimino COMMUNITY DENTISTS Dr. Raymond Burton Dr. Aaron Dannegger Dr. Brett Durbin Dr. David Hacker Dr. Blake Keaster Dr. Misty Shelton OFFICE MANAGER Abbie Dohmen DENTAL ASSISTANTS Megan Sanders Delina Nguyen PART-TIME DENTAL ASSISTANTS Amy Baker Chelsea Murray Kristi Terry HEALTHY SMILES ACADEMY PROGRAM MANAGER Tamra Thomas

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Booths, Boxes, and Presentations

By Tamra Thomas

What has the Healthy Smiles Academy been up to lately? I’m so glad you asked! Here are some of the things we have been focused on over the past few weeks. With spring right around the corner, we are checking in on established sites, providing oral hygiene presentations, and hosting informational booths at special events.

Checking in on established sites throughout the year is so important. A critical step to the brushing process is making sure toothbrush boxes are being cleaned properly. If too much moisture gets into the toothbrush box, bacteria can start to grow. Boxes also need to be cleaned frequently to ensure toothpaste residue doesn’t get stuck inside. Lastly, we make sure toothbrushes are looking good and not getting worn out before it is time to change them out (which we do several times throughout the year).

It is vital students, teachers, and HSA staff work together to keep boxes tidy and ready for daily brushing.

Each site is given enough supplies for the semester when they first start brushing with a plan to restock supplies around winter break. Every site will be contacted to discuss their current stock of supplies and to arrange a time to drop off more for the spring semester. Lots of deliveries of toothpaste, toothbrushes, condiment cups, and much more start happening in December and January. Every item is tracked so we can gauge supply needs for the future. Did you know we utilize some awesome RMHC volunteers to run many of these errands?

We have been busy providing oral hygiene presentations to a variety of different classrooms, from pre-k to middle schools.

It is a lot of fun to plan age-appropriate material and experiments to keep them engaged. Each presentation focuses on the importance of brushing and flossing your teeth and what happens if kids don’t take good care of them. For young students, we Continues on page 7

Students raise their hands to answer a question during a presentation at Study Alternative School. They were an attentive audience!

Continued from page 6

talk about the teeth they will be getting and what a cavity looks and feels like. With the older ones, we may get a little more graphic on just what the decay of cavities can look like and what harm it can do if one doesn’t take care of their teeth. The students have been very receptive and we hear they learn a lot!

We love having the opportunity to share about the Tooth Truck and Healthy Smiles Academy by hosting booths at different events. Not only do we provide detailed information about our programs for adults, but we also have some fun games and activities for kids stopping by. DecayAway Dragon usually makes an appearance as well!

Thank you for letting us give you an inside glimpse into all the things we have been doing lately!

Our amazing and faithful volunteer, Susan Lemmon, graciously assisted HSA Program Manager Tamra with a booth at the Boys & Girl’s Sertoma Club for their “Lights On” event at Sherwood Elementary. She was a HUGE help and really enjoyed playing games with the children!)

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of the Ozarks November 2018 Children Treated:............... 144 Dental Appointments Provided:..................................253 Year to Date Dental Appointments:.................2,347 Program to Date Dental Appointments:..............55,136 Program to Date Value of Treatment:......$15,522,223 Children Who Received Treatment: Ash Grove Schools Bissett Elementary Great Circle Pipkin Middle School

Tooth Truck Wish List

Action figures Matchbox cars Hair accessories (clips, headbands) Chapstick Jewelry (necklaces, bracelets) Handheld games

DVDs for older children Outdoor toys (bubbles, sidewalk chalk, Frisbees, sports balls) Walmart gift cards Beanie Babies Backpacks Lunch Totes

New Volunteers on Board the Tooth Truck!

The Tooth Truck is happy to have two new volunteers join its program.

Dylan Stewart

is a Biology major at MSU with plans to apply to dental school.

He currently works as a dental hygiene assistant at a local community dental office and volunteers at the Ozarks Food Harvest in his free time. Dylan loves having the opportunity to give back to underserved children.

Emily Murray

is currently a student at MSU pursuing a career in dental hygiene. Her brother, Caleb, also volunteered with the Tooth Truck before leaving town to attend dental school. She is excited to be a part of the program and help brighten the smiles of our patients.

Welcome Dylan and Emily.

Portland Elementary Reed Elementary York Elementary

Birthdays January 30 Megan Blake February 8 Britton Jobe February 17 Dr. Raymond Burton February 22 Dr. Alison Nelson February 23 Sarah Jobe

Happy Anniversary 1 YEAR Tori Bridwell (2/14)

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Heart Beats

949 E. Primrose Street Springfield, Missouri 65807-5257

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Price Cutter Charity Championship Supporters of the Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper recently gathered at the annual Celebration of Sharing to honor and observe the gifting of $920,352 to 49 Ozarks children’s charities. Of those proceeds, the Ronald McDonald Houses of the Ozarks were the proud recipients of $41,793, bringing our 29-year total to $1,264,263!

AMAZING! A very special congratulations to our very own Development Assistant, Kim Booth, for her outstanding work during the tournament. Kim and the Sweepstakes Ticket Team were presented with the Judy Weekley Volunteer of the Year Award at the event luncheon! Congratulations, Kim!