Heart
BEATS OCTOBER 2015
Cup O’Cheer Homes Tour
Mark your calendar for this 20th edition of the Cup O’Cheer Homes Tour, held every year on the Friday before Thanksgiving from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Participants will tour five of the area’s most beautiful homes, decorated for the holidays, in an open-house format. The first 1,200 guests to purchase a $30 ticket will receive a fine china teacup and saucer, designed especially for our event by BridgeBlue Sourcing Partners and Obelisk Home. All ticketholders may participate in a Holiday Tea, including elegant desserts by Chef Roland Parny, when touring the Ronald McDonald House® near Cox South. New this year, we are celebrating 20 years with our first-ever POP-UP MARKET at Remington’s Event Center (also a shuttle stop for a featured home on the Tour), where dozens of local vendors will showcase gifts, beauty products, boutique items, pottery, kitchenware and more, all ready for your holiday shopping! Our special thanks go out to our sponsors for this year’s event, including Leadership Sponsors, Obelisk Home and BKD Wealth Advisors; Supporting Sponsors, Murney Associates Realtors and Arvest Bank; and Contributing Sponsors, Hogan Land Title Company, 417 Magazine, McCann Printing, and Kukes Design. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to ensure the success of this event. Volunteers serve as greeters, parking assistants and help serve refreshments at the Ronald McDonald House. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Brian Powers at 417-820-0764 or Brian.Powers@RMHCozarks.org. You can purchase Homes Tour tickets at the Ronald McDonald Houses, Ellecor Design & Gifts, Gambles Gift Gallery, Jellybeans, Martin’s Floral & Home Décor, Me & My House, Obelisk Home, The Thicket, The Willow Branch and Wickman’s Garden Village; online at RMHCozarks.org; or by calling Kim Booth at 417-875-3505.
Inaugural Red Shoe Gala On September 19, friends of Ronald McDonald House Charities® got their red shoes ready and gathered at Missouri State University Ballroom for the inaugural Red Shoe Gala. It was an evening to remember with dinner, dancing and fun activities including the Red Shoe Cam, “Shoebox Surprise,” and Red Shoe Contest. To top it off, two-time Star Search Grand Champion and favorite of the Oprah Winfrey Network, Jake Simpson, returned home to entertain and kick off the premier event. Thanks to our many sponsors, contributors and supporters, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks was able to raise over $105,000 through this event! A special thank you to our emcee, former Tooth Truck Board Chairperson Dr. Craig Scott; our official greeters, TJ Slocum & Ronald McDonald®; and event photographer, Tooth Truck General Dentist Dr. Sarah Cimino for helping make the night so memorable. Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s event on September 17, 2016 as we continue the Red Shoe Gala tradition!
Heart of the House Staff House Near Cox South
From The Happy Anniversary 1 Year
Ali Burkholder, House at Mercy Matt Freihofer, Tooth Truck Lexie Gambino, House near Cox South Abby Monsees, House at Mercy Micayla Shrimpton, Tooth Truck
10 Years
Sandy McNeive, House near Cox South
Hannah Anderson Johnny Anderson Alaina Arner Haley Barnett Connie Benna John Blocker Maggie Bradley Tyler Brasfield Betty Breshears Paula Bunch Nadean Burnett Ashton Canfield Dave Canfield Phillip Canfield Vivian Carissimo Evelyn Close Mariel Delgado Cruz Kathy Dennis Audrey Dlabach Jan Dooly Judy Duncan Diana Edgington Kate Fletcher Lexie Gambino Autumn Garner Aden Gaulding Avery Gaulding Heidi Gaulding
Becky Gillham Sharon Gillham Shawn Gott Fabian Goyes Maria Goyes Amy Grubaugh Angela Hammond-Hill Darren Harrelson Laura Harrelson Mackenzie Harrelson Cindy Harris Liz Hayes Katie Herman Charity Hightree Link Hill Zoe Hill Gracie Holt Kathy Jenkins Paula Johns Clayton Keller Kennedy Keller Savannah Keller Randi Kerr Betty Kniep Julia Kovacs Becky Lang Caroline Langley Linda Lebow
Brian Liu Shawn Lowery Misty Manes Adrienne McCoy Sandra McNeive Amber Marmon Brittany Means Eileen Meinsen Larry Meinsen Sandy Morris Jordan Myers Abby Neumann Christian Nguyen Ana Ortiz Karla Peck Dani Peterson Kay Prost Kennedy Randles Cliff Ricketts Jan Ricketts Evan Roberts Noel Sandoval George Schlick Joan Schroeder Anne Schubert Gabe Siemens Debbie Slocum Randy Slocum
House At Mercy Children’s Hospital Tyler Austin John Barron Josh Bell Allison Blacksher Michael Bohnert Allison Burkholder Jennie Crabbe Courtney Cramer Megan Dwyer Sandy Emberton Becky Farris
Terry Greer Ann Griesemer Brenda Havens Carri Hummer Jessi Hummer Jenni Jacka Lillian Jacka Tyler Jones MaKenzie Judy Katelin Krusz Bridget Laib
Angel Laukon Angel Le Taylor Lee Barbara McBride Larry McBride Elaina Mihalik Rebekah Mitts Alyssa Mondeaux Abby Monsees Miranda Nelson Erin Parsons
T.J. Slocum Dearicka Smith Mary Smith Rawn Spearman Kim Stagner Brianna Steiert Brandon Taylor Karen Taylor Kelsey Taylor Kristina Taylor Rich Taylor Ava Uzzell Sondra Uzzell Tristen Uzzell Abigail Weitzel Lucy Weitzel Joanna Weitzel Scott Weitzel Travis Weitzel Pat Welle Sara Westbrooks Sara Wilken Arin Williams Megan Zengel
Pooja Patel Jonathan Price Chandler Saner Taylor Schmidt Mikaela Smith Amy Sullinger Serenity Sullinger Katelyn Sullivan Kirstin Terris Debbie Williams Rebecca Won
Welcome, New Volunteers To Houses Paula Bunch, Linda Lebow, Misty Manes, Abby Neumann, Travis Weitzel and Pat Welle
Heart Beats is published monthly for volunteers of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of the Ozarks and The Tooth Truck, Inc. Editor: Staci Holland The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald’s Corporation and its affiliates: McDonald’s, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities logo, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald House logo, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, RMHC. The Tooth Truck name and logo are owned by The Tooth Truck, Inc.
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RMHC Staff President & CEO Bonnie Keller House Program Director Staci Holland Tooth Truck Program Director Mindy Muñoz Project Manager Amber Price Assistant to the President Debbie Kinser Development Assistant Kim Booth Administrative Assistant Debbi Gafner
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH House Manager Megan Schussler Associate House Manager Amber Campbell Assistant House Managers Karis Agnew Jacinda Canfield Taylor Croy Crosby Keller Kayla Love Sara Wikoff
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL House Manager Alexis Rainwater Associate House Manager Brian Powers Assistant House Managers Amy Crawford Bailey Ghan Hannah Major Melanie Ward
RONALD MCDONALD AT MERCY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Family Dinner Spotlight Mercy ROI
October 4 Liz Hayes
When did you start providing meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House? Karla: I have been providing meals for almost 3 years with friends and family members. ROI: We started providing meals this year. How did you get involved with the Family Dinner Program? Karla: I personally got involved with serving dinner with each of my previous work companies. Having been in a similar situation as the families at RMH, I feel like I need to give back. For all of those people that helped us out in our time of need. ROI: Karla informed us of the opportunity to serve and we knew it would be a great fit. What is your favorite thing about participating in the Family Dinner Program? Karla: I love giving back to people when they need to keep their mind on other things that are more important. It’s one less stress for them. I also like getting to know my coworkers on this level as well. You don’t get to sit down and talk about life at work; serving together makes you feel more like a team. ROI: The reward of helping others and seeing the happiness & gratitude on a patient or family member’s face. Do you have any favorite memories? Karla: Having some great laughs with my coworkers. Also, seeing the families’ faces when they have a
October Birthdays October 6 Linda Lebow October 10 Mark Brueggemann October 12 Ana Ortiz
Pictured from L to R: Karla Reed, Sue Jackson, Erin Newberry, Kate Samsel
delicious meal to eat makes my heart warm knowing that we could provide this amazing service. What would you like to say to other groups who are considering volunteering with the Family Dinner Program? Karla: Have fun with what you are doing. Make a dinner out of love and something that you would want if you were in their shoes. Also, enjoy every moment with your friends and make some good memories. At the end of the night, say a little prayer for those families. ROI: They should definitely give it a try because it not only benefits them, but it benefits a family in need. It’s an opportunity that involves giving back and blessing others.
October 15 Debbie Slocum October 19 Kennedy Keller Savannah Keller Taylor Schmidt October 20 Jessi Hummer October 21 Jan Dooly October 24 Judy Duncan October 29 Michael Bohnert Abby Monsees
September Dinner Groups RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH
Battlefield UMC Caudle Church Cerner Si3 Church of JCLDS Cox Labor & Delivery Team Cox NICU Developmental Care Team Craig HomeCare Joplin Evergreen Baptist Church First Christian Church - Ash Grove Girls Service Society at Glendale High School Glendale Christian Church
Hillcrest Presbyterian Church Home Depot Just Friends Kettle Cookers Knights of Columbus Knights Templar Kohl’s Lakeland Behavioral Health MSU Student Nursing Organization Nadean and Gracie Nixa Church of the Nazarene Oak Grove Assembly of God
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL Abacus CPAs Ash Grove UMPC East Sunshine Church of Christ The Jahnke Family Jared Taylor (x2) Julie Gray & Friends Louise Morgan The McCarter Family Mercy Communications Center Mercy Corporate Health and Wellness Mercy Imaging
Mercy Marian Center Mercy ROI Miriam Minter MSU Physical Therapy Students (x2) Mychelle & Jen Original Book Club (OBC) The Powers Family Second Baptist Church Small Group The Smith Family Springfield Catholic Take Charge Torch Club
OTC ASN Ozark Dialysis Pre-Health Professions Club The Girlfriends The Glassman Family Union Hill Church of Christ United Healthcare Open November Dinner Dates: November 20, 27, & 28
Turning Point Church Union Hill Church of Christ Wellington Hills Friends The Wilson Family Open October Dinner Dates: October 31 Open November Dinner Dates: November 28
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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
Around the Houses Alpha Delta Pi Hosts 3rd “PiHop” On Saturday, September 12th, Alpha Delta Pi at Missouri State University hosted the third annual “PiHop,” an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks. Members of Alpha Delta Pi served guests from 8:30-11:30 am at the sorority house and raised more than $4,000 for our House programs!
HOUSE AT MERCY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL 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
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
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RMHC Fall Volunteer Outing We had a great time at our Annual RMHC Fall Volunteer outing at Rutledge Wilson Farm Park! Our volunteers and guests enjoyed a warm campfire, food, hayrides and a haunted trail. What a great way to kick off fall together!
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH
Volunteer Spotlight Shawn Lowery Shawn is one of our newest volunteers and has already earned his 25 hour, 50 hour and 100 hour volunteer awards! His energetic smile and presence at the House is a joy for all of us. Let’s learn a little more about Shawn! What is your favorite thing to do around the House?
What are some of the other activities you’re involved in?
I like going to church and looking for jobs.
I learned about the Ronald McDonald House through my job coach at Alternative Opportunities.
I like saying hi to everyone. What do you enjoy in your free time?
I like looking at monster trucks and watching Dancing with the Stars.
Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks
How did you learn about the Ronald McDonald House?
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with our organization?
HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH STATS
Do you have any favorite memories?
Meeting all the new people.
August 2015
I love watering the flowers every day.
What would you say to somebody that’s interested in volunteering?
Families Served........48 Nights................... 289 Families from Missouri..................43 Families from Other States...............5 Year-To-Date Families Served...... 289 Program-to-Date Families Served... 9,169
Just volunteer!
Staff Stuff Get Connected! Want to stay in the know about the happenings of our programs? Stay connected through our various social media outlets! Be sure to like, comment and share our posts to help spread the word about our mission and the families and @RMHC_Ozarks children we serve!
facebook.com/ RMHC.Ozarks
@RMHC_Ozarks
Welcome, Healthy Smiles Academy Program Manager,
Tamara Maddox
The Tooth Truck is delighted to welcome Tamara Maddox to the Healthy Smiles Academy Program Manager position. In this role, she works closely with school staff to ensure participants have the proper skills and knowledge to establish daily brushing in the school setting. Her hope is to lower the risk of tooth decay for each child by making daily brushing a routine part of the day. Tamara is a 2010 graduate of Northwest Missouri State University with a degree in Theatre and Communications. Prior to joining the Tooth Truck, Tamara spent several years as a Nanny and working with children in theatre camps and preschool programs. Additionally, she has served as a coach for Girls On The Run. Tamara was first involved in the organization as a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Children’s Hospital. She loves doing things that better the lives of children and has a passion for helping one child at a time experience a healthy, happy life. In her free time, Tamara loves camping, hiking and being outdoors with her husband, Dacoda. We are thrilled to have you on our team, Tamara!
HOUSE AT MERCY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL STATS August 2015 Families Served........49 Nights................... 292 Families from Missouri..................48 Families from Other States...............1 Year-To-Date Families Served...... 342 Program-to-Date Families Served....1,313
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Heart of the Truck
Cassidy Bartolotta Megan Blake Samantha Bornaman Chelsea Carroll Allie Dunton Matt Freihofer Jessica Havener Alex Krause Connie McCarter Caleb Murray Terre Redmon Ashlee Robinson Zach Shaw Taylor Shireman Micayla Shrimpton Bryson Starkey Adam Stotts Melinda Thurman
Tooth Truck Wish List
Tooth Talk Paving the Way to a Cavity-Free Smile The Tooth Truck (our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®) has countless opportunities to make a lasting imprint on the lives of its patients. Our staff strives to make a unique connection with each child by empowering him/ her to practice proper oral hygiene while simultaneously instilling a strong sense of selfconfidence. We are so excited to apply these same goals to the Healthy Smiles Academy daily brushing program. The Healthy Smiles Academy has had an amazing start this fall. Since the start of school, we have 47 pre-k and kindergarten classes involved in daily brushing, along with participants at Great Circle (formerly Boys & Girls Town)
Markers and Colored Pencils Chapstick Matchbox Cars Headbands and Hair Accessories Keychains Superhero Themed Toys Kindergartener Cooper from Pittman Elementary School is a SUPER brusher. Every child in his class brushes after eating breakfast. Above right: Volunteers are a crucial part of each site launch. Tooth Truck volunteer Ashlee Robinson helps two Shady Dell students with all the details of brushing in the school setting. Right: Program Manager Tamara Maddox provides a fun brushing presentation to educate participants on the right way to brush before they get to put the knowledge to action.
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and two of the local Boys and Girls Clubs. That totals more than 800 children and youth in our community making the commitment to brush on a daily basis and many more children will be joining this list in the months to come. Led by our new Program Manager, Tamara Maddox, many more exciting additions are in store as the program continues to thrive. After just a few weeks in her role, Tamara had the following to share about the Healthy Smiles Academy: “The amazing thing about this program is that the Healthy Smiles Academy staff and volunteers are teaching a skill which most of us take for granted. For some of these four and five year-olds, they have
never brushed their teeth before and feel apprehensive about the process. It is so rewarding to work with these children in the classroom setting. Teaching daily brushing at this young age is key to establishing a lifelong habit. This age group learns so fast, and even the most skeptical child initially resistant to brushing his/her teeth is interested after only a few minutes of engagement.” It truly is a life-changing opportunity for our young healthy smiles experts! If you are interested in volunteering your time to help ensure a successful start to brushing, please contact Program Manager Tamara Maddox at tamara.maddox@toothtruck.org.
Welcome, New Volunteers
The Tooth Truck would like to extend a warm welcome to three new volunteers! Cassidy Bartolotta is a busy dental assistant who spends most of her week working in the local dental office, McKowen Family Dental. Cassidy describes herself as “someone who always likes to stay busy,” so when she was looking for something to do on her day off, she decided volunteering with the Tooth Truck sounded like an enjoyable way to give back to her community. Cassidy has spent much of her time lately preparing to be a contestant in the Miss Missouri USA pageant! The Tooth Truck loves Cassidy’s enthusiastic nature, and is excited to watch her bring that same enthusiasm to her interactions with our patients. Terre Redmon had been familiar with the Tooth Truck program for several years before applying to become a volunteer. As a former Bingham Elementary schoolteacher, she was inspired to volunteer with the Tooth Truck because she knows what a positive impact it can have on a child’s life. In her spare time, Terre enjoys being outdoors. She loves riding her horses, playing with her dogs and having fun with her family. Caleb Murray is a pre-dental student at Missouri State University and is dedicated to bettering the lives of others. Through his Eagle Scout days and going on youth mission trips, Caleb found a passion for helping others, and he brings that same devotion to helping the patients of the Tooth Truck. Caleb is great at bringing smiles to our patients’ faces, and we are thrilled to have him as a volunteer! Welcome aboard Cassidy, Terre and Caleb!
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of the Ozarks August 2015 Children Treated............160 Dental Appointments Provided....................... 317 Year-to-Date Dental Appointments.............2,185 Program-to-Date Dental Appointments............ 44,910 Program-to-Date Value of Treatments........... $10,682,556
Children Who Received Treatment: Boys & Girls Town DaySpring School Reed Middle School Victory Mission Event Westport School Wheaton Community Outreach
MRS. C’S RECIPES Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream 3 c. strawberries, halved 6 oz. block fat-free cream cheese (about 2/3 c.), softened 2 12-oz. cans evaporated skim milk 1 14-oz. can fat-free sweetened condensed skim milk 1 t. vanilla extract 1 c. frozen reduced-calories whipped topping, thawed
Enjoy wonderful recipes provided by Mrs. Vivian Carissimo, also known as Mrs. C.
1. Place strawberries in a food processor; process until finely chopped, scraping sides of bowl once, and set aside 2. Place cream cheese in a large bowl; mash with a fork until smooth. Add milks and vanilla; stir with a whisk until smooth. Stir in strawberries. Gently fold into whipped topping. 3. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker freezer canister; freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions. Spoon ice cream into a freezer-safe container; cover and freeze for 1 hour or until firm.
VOLUNTEER TIP OF THE MONTH Unexpected Company Coming? No Problem! Use these quick tips to get your house neat and tidy! • Always keep a large laundry basket on hand that you can use to pick up things laying around the house. • Concentrate on the living room, kitchen and bathroom areas. Collect all the things that appear to clutter these rooms in the basket and put the basket in a closet until company leaves. • If you have dirty dishes, either put them in your dishwasher or into your sink and cover the sink with a large cutting board. • Wipe off kitchen and bathroom countertops. • Close doors or curtains to tub area. • Close doors to other rooms in your home and don’t worry about them for the time being.
STAFF President & CEO Bonnie Keller Program Director Mindy Muñoz General Dentist Dr. Sarah Cimino Temporary Dentists Dr. Aaron Dannegger Dr. Brett Durbin Dr. Randi Green Office Manager Emma Davis Dental Assistants Megan Lambert Kim Otradovec Part-Time Dental Assistants Jackie Malik
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Heart Beats
949 E. Primrose Street Springfield, Missouri 65807-5257
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Exclusive Southern Living Cookbooks on Sale Now at Dillard’s! Dillard’s at the Battlefield Mall in Springfield is joining stores across the country in offering the Exclusive Southern Living® Christmas Cookbook to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities through their 22nd annual holiday fundraiser. Since 1994, Dillard’s has supported RMHC® with a fundraiser benefiting the Ronald McDonald House® program. For the eighth time, Dillard’s is offering a special custom edition of the Southern Living Christmas Cookbook to benefit RMHC. This exclusive, 288-page hardbound cookbook is filled with more than 200 recipes and dozens of decoration ideas for Christmas, plus seasonal gatherings. This “must have” cookbook is only $10 and is available now in all Dillard’s stores nationwide, as well as online at www.dillards.com. You can also purchase your book at the Cup O’Cheer Pop-up Market at Remington’s Event Center on November 20th. Proceeds from the local sale of the cookbooks will benefit Springfield’s two Ronald McDonald Houses.