Heart Beats July - October

Heart

BEATS JULY-OCTOBER 2020

You're Invited!

You're Invited!

Volunteer Appreciation Parade You are invited to our Volunteer Appreciation Parade on Friday, October 30th at the Ronald McDonald House near Cox South! Volunteers of the Ronald McDonald Houses and Tooth Truck can sign up for a time between 1-3pm or 6-8pm to drive-thru a fall-themed “parade” located at 949 E Primrose St, Springfield, MO 65807. While in the safety of your car, visit Volunteer Appreciation Volunteer Parade!

Appreciation Parade! with staff, receive an appreciation gift, and have the opportunity to vote for your favorite carved/decorated pumpkin! backmcdonald page) house Be near on the lookout for yourhouse invitation in Drive by(see the Ronald Drive CoxbySouth the Ronald mcdonald near Cox South the mail and/or your e-mail, which includes your ticket for entry. To reserve a time slot, to say hello to staff, receive an appreciation to say hello gift, to staff, receive an appreciation gift, call Heather at 417-875-3501.

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You're Invited!

Friday,

Friday,

view pumpkin contest submissions andview more! pumpkin contest submissions and more!

30th

30th

Volunteer Appreciation Parade!

TIME SLOTS: 1-3pm OR 6-8pm

Friday,

OctobeR

TIME SLOTS: 1-3pm OR 6-8pm

Drive by the Ronald mcdonald house near Cox South ADDRESS RSVP 949 Primrose St. to staff, receive an appreciation 949 E Primrose St.gift, toE say hello Springfield, MO 65807 Springfield, MO 65807 by friday, OCTOBER 16TH view pumpkin contest submissions and more!

ADDRESS

Contact heather to reserve a time slot

30th

Bring your ticket

949 E Primrose St.

by friday, OCTOBER 16TH

drive-thru

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please

Contact heather to reserve a time slot

remain in

417-875-3501 for entry! this is a

ADDRESS

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TIME SLOTS: 1-3pm OR 6-8pm for entry!

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4th Annual

“Red Friday Kick Off Edition” a HUGE Success!

On September 9, our 4th Annual Kansas City Chiefs “Red Friday-Kickoff Edition” started at 6:00am at 55 McDonald’s Restaurants in the Ozarks and Hy-Vee in Springfield. In addition to being a rallying point for Chiefs fans, the event is a chance for the community to make a difference in the lives of local children and families with sales of limitededition Chiefs Super Bowl flags all to benefit our two Ronald McDonald Houses.

Ronald McDonald House volunteers were a significant part of Red Friday’s success by giving their time to wave flags and be ambassadors for our organization. It is because of the efforts and support of volunteers, McDonald’s crews, and our giving community that we were able to sell out of flags in a matter of hours!

We can’t thank all of you enough for your efforts!

An Event Benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities® of the Ozarks.

Red Shoe Gala On October 16, friends of Ronald McDonald House Charities will Kick off their Red Shoes and Party from Home for the 6th Annual Red Shoe Gala. We invite YOU to join us virtually for an evening of music, mission moments and fun. Back by popular demand, Star Search Grand Champion, Jake Simpson, returns to the stage and the night’s fun activities will include the “Shoebox Surprise,” Virtual Photo Booth, Facebook Selfie Contest and the Adopt a Family program. Sign up for our email list — https://rmhcozarks.org/about/ newsletters/sign-up/ — and follow us on social media for your special invitation to tune in!

Featuring Performances by

Jake Simpson

100% of proceeds benefit 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). So, tune in and Kick off your Red Shoes to provide help and hope to those who need it most.

25th Annual Cup O’Cheer If there ever was a year when we need a Cup O’Cheer …

With safety being our top priority, the 25th Anniversary of Cup O’Cheer is going to be different than we expected. Although there will not be an event where we can all gather and celebrate, some of our Cup O’Cheer traditions will take place this year, along with a way to support the children and families who need our Ronald McDonald Houses and Tooth Truck. Our plans will be announced the week of October 19. Make sure you receive the news and sign up for our email newsletter at RMHCozarks.org!

From The

Staff Happy

Anniversary 1 YEAR Renae Harrison Olivia Heinrichs Kylee Heishman Evan Mason Jordan Newman Erin Norris Caitlyn Norris Ellie Norris Roberta Osborn Abigail Richardson Sydney Zupan

5 YEARS Grace Stagner Travis Weitzel

10 YEARS Heather Cottle Dillon Kay Prost

15 YEARS Scott Weitzel

Heart of the House House Near Cox South Ann Adams Karis Agnew Brooklynn Anderson Andrew Bandelow Hannah Braden Nadean Burnett John Carr Terri Carr Nancy Clark Tammi Davis Kathy Dennis Lynelle Dock-Peck Cheryl Douglas Blake Dowdy Judy Duncan Angela Fairchild Clydene Freeman Amanda Fronzaglia Becky Gillham Shawn Gott Ashley Grady Amy Grubaugh

Dorothy Harlan Laura Harrelson Aston Heinrichs Kaya Heinrichs Olivia Heinrichs Corine Isenhower Lisa James Laura Johnson Raegan Johnston Clayton Keller Levi Kemp Caleb Kerr Becky Lang Dustin Long Peyton Long Shawn Lowery Evan Mason Eileen Meinsen Larry Meinsen Sandy Morris Roberta Osborn Karla Peck

LeRoy Peck Gretta Phillips Lerris Pierce Aidan Plank Kay Prost Beka Razor Rebecca Reser Abigail Richardson Cliff Ricketts Jan Ricketts Brenda Rosebrough Robin Rueter Timothy Schmelz Anne Schubert Debbie Slocum Randy Slocum T.J. Slocum Mary Smith Gail Sours Grace Stagner Kim Stagner Keith Steenbergen

Pamela Stout Kaden Sumter Ava Uzzell Sondra Uzzell Tristen Uzzell Janet VanGorkom Abigail Weitzel Lucy Weitzel Joanna Weitzel Scott Weitzel Travis Weitzel James Winstead Ryan Winstead Kelly Wirtz Meghan Zengel Sydney Zupan

House At Mercy Kids Anna Berry Stephanie Bube Katherine Bunch April Carmichael David Carmichael Katy Chambers Jerrica Conrad Jennie Crabbe Glory Ehie Sandy Emberton Alexis Gaono Terry Greer Ann Griesemer Shirley Hall

Renae Harrison Brenda Havens Kylee Heishman Thomas Heye Jenni Jacka Leah Jackson Trot Kinser Ami Le Hannah Le Brady Marshall Kathy Marshall Kassie Medina Jianna Mills

Kiera Mills Krista Mills Rebekah Mitts Marel Morris Jordan Newman Erin Norris Caitlyn Norris Ellie Norris Tracie Nicholson Kate Okland Olivia Parks Jamie Phariss Payton Polino Cathy Sanchez

Linda Schultz Maricielo SchwartzLeon Lauren Stockam Breanna Sundet Kayla Swearengin Madeline Urhahn Will Vance Kenzie Voyles Hanna Wilken Judy Zorn

20 YEARS Joanna Weitzel

Heart Beats is published monthly or bi-monthly for volunteers of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks and The Tooth Truck, Inc. ©2020 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 4

RMHC Staff 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 Larry Chainey

Tooth Truck Program Director Mindy Muñoz

Associate Program Manager Heather Hyde

Associate Program Manager Lacey McKeever

Project Manager Amber Price

Family Care Managers Lexi Beaman Elizabeth Bottorff Mackenzie Meyers Emily Ogle Anna Trenkamp Rebekkah Wall

Family Care Managers Haddie Beard Jacob Golden Savannah Keller Madison Mickan Jack Osborn

Development Assistant Kim Booth Administrative Assistant Debbi Gafner

Birthdays July 2 Debbi Gafner July 5 Ellie Norris July 6 Mindy Muñoz Brian Asberry July 8 Ashley Grady July 10 Tracie Nicholson July 12 David Carmichael Rebekah Mitts James Winstead July 15 Maddie Urhahn July 16 Clydene Freeman July 18 Kiera Mills July 20 Kylee Heishman

July 21 Renae Harrison July 24 Hannah Braden July 25 Ryan Winstead July 27 Kayla Swearengin Shane Cowger August 2 Peyton Long August 13 Sondra Uzzell August 14 Kathy Dennis August 15 Blake Dowdy August 18 Hanna Wilken August 21 Cindy Harris Pam Stout

August 25 Olivia Heinrichs August 26 Brad Risby September 11 Becky Lang September 12 Ava Uzzell September 19 Janet VanGorkom September 20 Kay Prost September 22 Sandy Davis Kaya Heinrichs September 24 Anne Schubert September 27 Lisa James September 28 Jacob Golden September 29 Lauren Stockam

October 7 Aidan Plank October 15 Debbie Slocum Keith Steenbergen October 19 Alexi Gaono Savannah Keller October 24 Judy Duncan October 27 Jordan Newman October 28 Beka Rasor October 30 LeRoy Peck

Thank You, Dinner Groups!

A special thank-you to the dinner groups who were able to provide for the Ronald McDonald Houses in unique ways the past few months. Your flexibility, selflessness, and passion does not go unnoticed. You not only have provided a meal to our guests, but also more time they can spend next to their child receiving care. Whether it was donating funds, dropping off ingredients, or getting a meal delivered for the NICU families, we cannot be more grateful for your support!

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH Battlefield UMC Blue Silo Beef Brandyn Strouse But Love Goes on Forever Carr Family Cerner SI3 Chip Covey & Family Chris & Cindy Hyde Christina Watts Church of JCLDSChesterfield Ward CNH Reman

COC-160 Cox Nutritional Services Cox PEDs Daniela Teodosiev Dru Hovis & Friends Fremont Elementary Greater Springfield Realtors Hamilton Family Hands & Feet Life Group Jack Henry Jeannine Williams

Just Friends Knights of Columbus Larissa Jackson & Family Little Caesars Pizza Loirrane MAE’s Meal Mavens Mary Peterson NICU Developmental Team Oak Grove Assembly of God Parkcrest Baptist Sara Evatt

Team Janet The Girlfriends Union Hill COC Michelle Boehme Val Wilkensen Weitzel Family

OPEN DINNER DATES:

October: 10, 14, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 November: 1, 2, 8, 11, 18, 19, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS Amelia Lux Arvest Bank Ash Grove UMPC Battlefield Methodist Church Covey Family Crossroads of Faith – Mountain Grove DRG Validation East Sunshine Church of Christ Fair Grove NHS Friendship Assembly #15

Jack Henry Jordan Heinz State Farm Julie Pappenfort Kathryn Hayes Lauren Short Family Little Caesar’s Pizza Lois and Jessica Mercy 3CD Unit Mercy Communications Center Mercy Health Foundation Mercy Microbiology/ Immunology

Mercy SBU College of Nursing Miller Family Muller Family Mychelle and Jen O’Reilly Auto On Angels Wings Sanchez Family Show Me Jeepers Club Skidmore/Johnson Family The Goldens Tonya Harris Turning Point Church

Union Hill Church of Christ Youth United Health Care Group Wellington Hills Friends

OPEN DINNER DATES:

October: 10, 17, 24, 25, 30 November: 3, 4, 6, 7, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 28, 29, 30

PAGE 5

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

PAGE 6

Around the Houses

Staff Stuff Last month Sara Wilken celebrated her four-year anniversary as a Family Care Manager at the Ronald McDonald House near Cox! As she moves on to begin her teaching career, we would like to thank her for the years of service she has given the organization. While we are sad to see her go, we know she will do amazing things in the fall as she begins teaching 4th grade at Price Elementary in Republic.

Congrats, Abby! Abby was a Family Care Manager at the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids and recently accepted a full-time position at Cox Medical Center with same-day surgery! Thank you for your service and we wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors. We will miss you!

Kennedy has been a Family Care Manager

at the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids for over 3 years. She just recently graduated from Missouri State University and is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration. Kennedy will be working as a Graduate Assistant in that department and continuing as a barista at Architect Coffee Company.

Thank you for your years of service and we know you will do great things!

Welcome, Madison! Madison joins the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids team as a Family Care Manager! She was a volunteer at both Ronald McDonald Houses for about 3 years. Madison is attending MSU this fall and she will be pursuing a degree in Nursing. She has a pug named Moona that she loves to take on walks! We are so excited to have you, Madison!

Haddie joined our

Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids team in September as a Family Care Manager! She recently moved from Minnesota to attend Evangel University and is pursuing a degree in Social Services. Haddie mentioned that one of the main reasons she wanted to go into that field was because of her adopted sister. She grew up on a small farm and loves to hike, horseback ride, and go four-wheeling. Welcome, Haddie!

Mission Moment The Hendricks family from Mountain View stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for over two weeks when Blake was born 10 years ago. For his birthday, Blake wanted to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House! He made a video, which his mother shared across social media, asking for 20 of his friends and family to donate $20 each to help meet his goal of $400.

He blew his goal out of the water by raising more than $1,115! What a kind and awesome young man!

Monthly Statistics August 2020

Volunteer Spotlight

House Near Cox South STATS Families Served...............13 Nights..................................... 77 Families from Missouri.................................12 Families from Other States......................... 1 Year to Date.....................123 Program to Date... 10,939

House At Mercy Kids STATS

Larry Meinsen

Sunrise Rotary

Larry Meinsen has been volunteering with RMHC for almost 14 years where he has served over 2,500 hours with the organization. Larry runs a wide variety of errands for the Houses and Tooth Truck but also takes care of our soda machines, recycling and Pop Tabs! If you have ever been in the office on a Tuesday morning, you can’t miss him. He loves to joke around with staff and other volunteers! Though our volunteers are not able resume their normal shifts in the House yet, Larry has continued to help outside of the House in his same capacity. He’s taken leaves and recycling to the recycling center, picked up auction items, taken expired soda to Eden Village and even helped us renew the license plates on the van. Thanks for all you do, Larry!

In April, Sunrise Rotary made a three-year commitment to RMHC and the Tooth Truck.

Over the next three years, Sunrise Rotary will be helping our organization in many different capacities. Once this partnership was in place, the members of Sunrise Rotary were eager to help in any way possible. While we were unable to have families in the Cox House, this group worked tirelessly to help us prepare for the future.

Members helped us repaint rooms, repaint vents, re-stain doors, complete outdoor work and even held a large snack drive to help us continue to serve families in the NICU. We are so thankful for all of their hard work and look forward to continuing with this partnership!

Families Served.................4 Nights.....................................38 Families from Missouri...................................4 Families from Other States.........................0 Year to Date.................... 108 Program to Date.....3,269

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Heart Tooth Talk of the Truck Britt Bartels Stephanie Daniels Kathy Evans Angela Fairchild Melinda Fielder Katlyn Frazier Shawn Gott Sarah Jobe Anya Jones Kenny Kleiman Susan Lemmon Connie McCarter Blaine Weiss Chloe Williams Pamela York Jessica Zengel

Reflecting on The

Healthy Smiles Academy 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. Misty Shelton Patient Coordinator Kiara Williams DENTAL ASSISTANTS Megan Sanders Gracie Morton

PAGE 8

COVID-19 has impacted so much of our lives over the past few months, causing many everyday routine things to come to an abrupt halt. While we have begun to see businesses open back up and are discovering a new normal for much of our lives, the lasting effects of this disease can still be seen and felt. Unfortunately, the Healthy Smiles Academy has been deeply impacted by COVID-19 and the program continues to be suspended indefinitely until it is safe to reintroduce tooth-brushing into the classroom setting. In June, we said goodbye to Heathy Smiles Academy’s Program Manager, Tamra Thomas, and wanted to use this space to reflect back on some of the amazing accomplishments achieved under her leadership.

Tamra is an educator at heart and was always looking for fun experiments or presentations

to share with Healthy Smiles Academy participants. She never hesitated to sit on the floor in a circle with preschoolers while they listened to her read our special HSA book.

She educated 3 and 4-year-olds on good foods to eat by having them place a picture of one in the right category on a felt board.

Tamra enjoyed mixing ingredients such as sugar and yeast in front of a classroom to show how plague can attach to our teeth and do harm. She even enlisted her family to record a video to encourage kids to brush and floss at home during the stay-at-home order. She took great care to make sure every lesson was appealing to each specific age group yet would leave a lasting message on how to keep their teeth healthy. We have some great presentations and materials at our fingertips, thanks to Tamra.

Tamra joined the organization in April of

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of the Ozarks June 2020 2018. At that time, HSA had 1,495 students brushing their teeth in 81 classrooms primarily in Springfield Public Schools. Her enthusiasm for the program and desire to educate children was apparent from her very first day. She jumped right into meeting with potential new sites and working through any roadblocks she needed to clear to add them to the program. She never let hearing “no” discourage her and soon saw her efforts

translate into tremendous growth for the program.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, HSA had more than doubled to 12,741 children and youth brushing daily among 155 classrooms, not only here in Springfield but also in rural communities such as Cassville and Monett.

The HSA’s goal of empowering children to keep their teeth cavity-free through good oral hygiene

has touched more lives than we ever dreamed possible when the concept was first created. While we are saddened to hit pause on this wonderful program, we are confident the tools Tamra has equipped the students with will stay with them for years to come. Tamra, we will miss hearing you bound up and down the stairs with all your HSA supplies in tow!

Farewell to Abbie The Tooth Truck staff bids a fond farewell to Office Manager Abbie. After nearly three years with the organization, she is leaving to spend more time at home with her family and support her husband’s growing business. We wish her all the best!

Welcome Kiara The Tooth Truck is happy to welcome Kiara Williams to its team. Kiara will serve in the role of Patient Coordinator, working closely with patients in need of dental care while maintaining the daily dental schedule. Kiara enjoys spending time with her eleven-year-old daughter, photography, reading and writing, and watching scary movies. She loves being a part of the dental field and being someone children can rely on throughout their journey to a healthy smile. Kiara previously worked as a preschool teacher and her love for children is evident in all she does. We are thrilled to have you on our team, Kiara!

Tooth Truck Wish List

Action figures Matchbox cars Hair accessories (clips, headbands) Chapstick Clorox Wipes Dixie Cups Handheld games

Jewelry (necklaces, bracelets) DVDs for older children Outdoor toys (bubbles, sidewalk chalk, Frisbees, sports balls) Walmart gift cards Beanie Babies

Children Treated:................. 84 Dental Appointments Provided:.................................. 145 Year to Date Dental Appointments:....................803 Program to Date Dental Appointments:..............58,851 Program to Date Value of Treatment:..........$17.8 million

August 2020 Children Treated:.................88 Dental Appointments Provided:.................................. 125 Year to Date Dental Appointments:..................1087 Program to Date Dental Appointments:..............59,135 Program to Date Value of Treatment:.............$18 million Children Who Received Treatment: Billings School Boys & Girls Club Musgrave Unit Fremont Elementary Great Circle McGregor Elementary Monett Schools Rountree Elementary Verona School Great Circle

Birthdays July 3 Megan Sanders July 6 Mindy Muñoz July 10 Dr. Sarah Cimino July 20 Breanna Mareschal August 21 Susan Lemmon September 21 Kenny Kleiman September 25 Michael McNaught September 27 Kathy Evans October 14 Angela Fairchild

PAGE 9

Heart Beats

949 E. Primrose Street Springfield, Missouri 65807-5257

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Fall Holiday Spirit!

Let’s Get into the

All volunteers are being asked to help the Ronald McDonald House near Cox get ready for fall! A Volunteer Pumpkin Decorating Contest is being held from 12pm October 26th to 8pm October 30th. The deadline to bring your pumpkin to the House near Cox is Sunday, October 25th at 5pm.

Decorate or carve your pumpkin for a chance to win a yummy pumpkin-inspired gift basket! Vote for your favorite pumpkin on our Facebook page and/or through a physical ballot during the Volunteer Appreciation Parade. The winner will be announced on Monday, Nov. 2nd!