2015 Fall/Winter Heartbeat Newsletter

HeartBeat

a publication of ronald mcdonald house charities® of st.STlouis . LOUIS FALL/WINTER 2015 • 314.773.1100 • www.rmhcstl.com

Meet the cary family and their new baby, jade, who was born six weeks early

What’s inside 2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9 10 11-12 13-14 15-17 18 19 20 21 22

23 24 25-26

Letter from the President Meet RMHC Families Volunteer Spotlights; Volunteer Needs 2015 Special Events Recap; Upcoming Events Building Blocks Read, Set, Go! Fitness Fundraisers How to Help at the Holidays 2015 Home Away from Home Appeal Memorials; Memorial & Tribute Bricks; Tree of Life Year-End Giving; Donate Your Vehicle Tributes Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Testimonials New Faces; Brag Board Coldwell Banker Gundaker: 30 Years of Support; Red Shoe Society Family Dinner Program Volunteers Wish List; In Memory Heartbits

Our Mission To provide a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children, and support to organizations that serve the needs of children.

the heart of rmhc These values define for RMHC of St. Louis the right course of action as we serve our guest families, volunteers, donors, partners, and team-members. Through this service, we impact our community and inspire others.

Acceptance

We care for others without prejudice and value diversity.

Accountability

We commit to accepting responsibility for our actions and holding one another to the highest standards.

Hospitality

We welcome everyone as if we are inviting them into our home, while maintaining a professional relationship.

Integrity

We build trust through honesty, sincerity, and mutual respect.

Stewardship

We safeguard the time, talent and treasure with which we are entrusted.

2015 board of directors Felicia Malter, Chairperson Steve Pelch, Vice Chairperson Steve Holste, Treasurer Colleen Schoendienst, Secretary Tami Keller, Vice Chairperson, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Karen Baer Dave Brandt Ann Bueler Dr. Mary Michaeleen Cradock Shawn Dryden Steve Fahrig George Gipson, III Lincoln Gray Ed Harmon Anthony Irace Dr. Joseph Kahn

Sirus Karimi Stephen Lux Derek Martin Jim Mosby Lee Renz Dave Sadler Mark Schlichter Keith Schieler Brad Seabaugh Deborah Vogt

rmhc st. louis staff Dan Harbaugh, President Lisa Stiefvater, Vice President, Operations Cheri Wuertz, Vice President, Finance Frank Cognata, Vice President, Development Pat Newby, Director, Administration Judy Schuler, Director, Family Room Program Alison Kaspar, Senior Manager, Human Resources Matt Lauer, Senior Manager, House Operations Jenifer Braucksieker, House Manager, West Pine Michelle Burmann, Finance Manager Jacob McGuire, House Manager, Park Avenue Kathy McDermott, Data Manager Katie Nepute, Communications Manager Abby Bandelow, Event Coordinator Barb Jarvis, Finance Coordinator Danielle Spencer, Annual Giving Coordinator Crista Dillinger, Communications Assistant Courtney Fischer, Assistant Family Room Manager Jaclyn French, Event Assistant Larry Pry, Data Assistant Ginny Kappel, Human Resources-Volunteer Assistant Nicki Ascoli, Assistant House Manager, West County Ian Lindquist, Assistant House Manager, West Pine Lizzie Poe, Assistant House Manager, Park Avenue Nicki Island, Receptionist, Park Avenue April Cusumano, Housekeeper, West Pine Vicki Ruckman, Housekeeper, West Pine Joy Tate, Housekeepeer, West County

Letter from thE president Recently, we held a reception for several of our staff members who were celebrating milestone anniversaries.

We celebrated one staff member who has been with the Ronald McDonald House for 15 years, two who have been with us 10 years, and one who celebrated five years of working at the Ronald McDonald House.

As I sat among our staff members and their spouses, I couldn’t help but feel a tremendous sense of pride in being part of such a dedicated group of individuals.

When I first started at the Ronald McDonald House, the longest tenured employee had been with us 18 months. Today, we have three folks who have been here 15+ years, an additional four people who have been here over 10 years, and six people who have been a part of our team for 5+ years.

Our staff members are true professionals in every sense of the word, but they also have dual responsibilities. There is a policy at RMHC that no matter how important a project, event or report is that

you may be working on, or what the deadline is, if a guest family walks in (or a volunteer, for that matter), and needs anything, you drop what you are doing and help the family with their needs.

A book that was published in 1977, Servant Leadership, speaks of people leading by serving. This book highlighted and spoke of many characteristics of leadership and how people can use their skills and characteristics inside an organization or company to lead said institutions to great success while serving others. Our staff does an outstanding job of supporting board members, volunteers, and most importantly, our families, to help us achieve great success.

Our staff members recognize the incredible contributions our volunteers and donors make to our organization and strive to do everything possible to support their efforts and provide families with the very best care.

We know that our Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms would not exist and thrive without your involvement. Thank you for another excellent year here at The House that Love Built.

Sincerely,

Dan Harbaugh, President

An Anniversary Celebration In August 2015, the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Mercy Children’s Hospital celebrated its 10th anniversary!

Since it opened in 2005 - and was relocated in 2010 - this special space has served tens of thousands of families and their seriously ill children.

Mercy celebrated its 10-year partnership with RMHC by hosting a tab top collection contest among its departments, and presenting our organization with the results at a reception in September. Together, the various departments gathered more than 400 pounds of aluminum!

Thank you, Mercy, for your incredible support!

Pictured left to right: Dr. Joseph Kahn, President of Mercy Children’s Hospital and RMHC Board Member; Christine Crain, RN, MSN, and Chief Operating Officer of Mercy Children’s Hospital; Dan Harbaugh, RMHC St. Louis President.

meet the cary family clint and amanda called our house “home” after their baby, jade, was born six weeks early Early in the morning on March 27, 2015, Clint Cary rushed his wife, Amanda, to the hospital. Pregnant with their first child, Amanda was experiencing a placental abruption.

Upon arrival at the hospital, both Amanda and the baby were stable. However, the baby’s heartrate suddenly dropped dangerously low and doctors quickly delivered the baby by emergency C-section.

Born six weeks early and sustaining major blood loss from the abruption, baby Jade experienced numerous complications, including acute renal failure that would require surgery and eventually dialysis. Weighing less than five pounds and in critical condition, Jade’s options for treatment were both extremely limited and risky. So much so, the Carys struggled to find a doctor near their home that would attempt the procedure Jade needed to survive.

Fortunately, just a few short days after her birth, Jade was transferred to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital where an expert nephrology team agreed to give Jade the help she so desperately needed.

While doctors could not guarantee the treatment would be successful, if it were, Jade would need to remain hospitalized for several months.

Now in St. Louis and more than 100 miles from their hometown, the Carys did not know how they would endure

3 Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

the added stress of an extended, long-distance hospital stay.

Thankfully, the Ronald McDonald House was there when they needed it. Just minutes away from the hospital, RMHC helped ease the Cary family’s stress, allowing them to focus on what mattered most: Jade’s healing.

“During unquestionably the toughest time of our lives, to have our own room, bed, bathroom and home-cooked meals just minutes from the hospital was a huge relief and an even bigger blessing,” says Clint.

After nearly five months in the hospital with several ups and downs, Jade improved immensely. The Cary family finally returned home with their daughter, who is awaiting a kidney transplant. Although she still requires dialysis treatments, Jade is an otherwise healthy baby whose bright smile and personality continue to melt the hearts of those around her.

Staying at the Ronald McDonald House allowed Clint and Amanda to remain by their baby’s side, loving and caring for her throughout her journey to healing. They continue to write Jade’s inspiring story in a journal they have been keeping since her birth.

“When she’s old enough, we want her to know what she went through,” says Clint. “She will know she can overcome any obstacle in life because she has already accomplished so much.” ■

Giving back to the

ronald mcdonald family room

E

arlier this year, when 18-year-old Fletcher Hopkins was hospitalized for nearly two months, he wanted his family close by. With their hometown of Mascoutah, Illinois, more than 30 minutes away, it was difficult for Fletcher’s parents to support him while traveling to and from home. In fact, Fletcher’s mom, Sharon, never left her son’s side, even though it meant neglecting her own needs.

Fortunately, a hospital volunteer introduced the Hopkins family to the Ronald McDonald Family Room.

Providing the basic comforts of home such as hot showers, a small kitchen with snacks and beverages and laundry facilities, the Family Room served as a true oasis within the hospital.

“The support we received from the Family Room was priceless,” says Fletcher’s Dad, Steven.

Once Fletcher was released from the hospital, his friends organized a bowling tournament in his honor.

Grateful for the care his family received, Fletcher chose to donate the proceeds from the tournament to the Ronald McDonald Family Room. In September, he, along with his dad, also began volunteering in the Family Room. While Fletcher is excited to meet other families with sick children, Steve says he wants to provide the same great experience that he and his family received.

“The Family Room provided so much for us,” he says. “We want to make sure the room continues to be there for future families in need.”

We couldn’t be more grateful for the support of Fletcher and his family.

We look forward to seeing them in the Ronald McDonald Family Room! ■

Comfort & Care far from home When 14-year-old Jameson Andre was just a baby, he suffered from a knee infection, which eventually left his leg crooked and in need of surgery. However, Jameson could not get the care he needed in his hometown of Plaine Du Nord, Haiti.

After meeting a volunteer from the Shriners Organizaton in Indiana, Jameson and his mom, Alta Gedeon, were connected with World Pediatric Project, an organization that helps over 80 children travel to the U.S. each year for medical treatment. In March 2015, Jameson and Alta arrived in St. Louis, where Jameson would finally receive the care he needed.

For the past several months, as Jameson continues to undergo treatment, he and his mother have been calling the West County Ronald McDonald House “home.”

While significantly different from their home in Haiti, according to Jameson and Alta, staying at the RMH has been a great experience.

“I get everything that I need here,” says Jameson.

“The staff and volunteers have been very good to me,” says Alta. “I am happy to be here.”

Now, Jameson and Alta are looking forward to returning home. While they are both excited to reunite with family and friends, Jameson is especially excited to play soccer once his leg heals. He also hopes to one day return to the United States, as he has been taking English lessons during his time here.

The staff, volunteers and other guest families at the House cannot wait for Jameson to make a full recovery.

We are happy to see him continue to heal, alongside his family, at the Ronald McDonald House. ■ Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

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RMHC Board Member Tony Irace volunteers in the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Mercy Children’s Hospital every other Thursday.

volunteer spotlight board member tony irace shares many talents with the house that love built

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hen Tony Irace joined our Board of Directors in January 2014, he was already very familiar with The House that Love Built and all that we do to help families. In fact, he had already been volunteering his time and talent with RMHC for nearly eight years.

Tony was first introduced to our organization at a St. Louis Cardinals game, soon after which he joined the Golf Tournament Committee. Working alongside an incredible group of individuals, Tony helped organize five golf events for RMHC before eventually stepping into the role of Live Auction Chairperson – a position he has held for a few years now. This past June, with Tony’s guidance, the live auction portion of the event exceeded its goal and raised nearly $100,000 for families of seriously ill children.

“It’s a great committee made up of great people,” says Tony. “Everybody works well together, and we have fun raising money for a good cause.”

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Tony and his brother, John, owners of Packaging Concepts, Inc., support the golf tournament with a corporate sponsorship. Tony also participates in a handful of other events throughout the year, including the Kids & Clays event, Scramble for Charity golf tournament, and the Red Shoe Society’s Winetoberfest. He’s also a member of the Cornerstone Society, which recognizes our most generous donors.

According to Tony, one of his favorite ways to give back to RMHC is spending time in the Ronald McDonald Family Room. Every other Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, he and his friend Tiffany volunteer in the room at Mercy Children’s Hospital. In this role, they work directly with families whose children are being treated in the hospital.

Whether it’s assisting them with the laundry facilities or providing tasty treats like cinnamon rolls and cookies, Tony is always willing to go the extra mile to make sure every visitor feels at “home.”

“I love interacting with the families,” he says. “I feel very fortunate that I can help, and I wish I could do it more often.”

In addition to his regular Family Room shifts, Tony also fills in as needed.

He took a shift on Christmas morning and New Year’s Day last winter, knowing that families would need the room more than ever on these special days.

Now a member of the Board of Directors, Tony shares his business acumen and leadership expertise to help guide RMHC. When asked why he has dedicated and donated so much to our organization, his response is simple and straight from the heart: the children.

“I want to help the kids,” he says.

“Children can’t help themselves, and it’s not their fault they are sick.”

And help them he does, in so many ways. We can’t thank Tony enough for his tremendous contributions to our organization and the families we serve. ■

making a difference

Behind the Scenes

Donna Hovis volunteers her time and talent at the West County Ronald McDonald House each Tuesday and Friday morning.

Hovis was first introduced to Ronald McDonald Donna House Charities of St. Louis when her daughter was

hospitalized in 2003. Finding comfort and care in the Ronald McDonald Family Room, Donna experienced, first-hand, the impact that RMHC St. Louis has on families in need.

Inspired by her experience in the Family Room, Donna

began volunteering at the West County Ronald McDonald House in January 2013. Each Tuesday and Friday morning, she arrives at the House ready and willing to assist the Volunteer Program staff with a variety of administrative tasks, including sending volunteer recognition and appreciation acknowledgments, answering inquiries about volunteer opportunities and other various volunteer program projects.

Taking lead on several administrative projects, Donna plays an integral part in the “behind the scenes” work of the House. According to her, this is the perfect role, as it allows her to use her greatest strengths to benefit others, helping not only the RMHC staff, but the families that call our Houses “home,” as well.

“The people are so friendly and appreciative,” says Donna.

“It brings me joy to do it; coming here is never a burden.”

Here at RMHC, we could not be more grateful for Donna’s service. Her hard work and dedication has truly made a difference for RMHC staff members and volunteers alike.

“Her dedication and friendly personality makes Donna the perfect person for helping new volunteers get connected with RMHC,” says Alison Kaspar, Senior Manager, Human Resources. “Having her as a member of the RMHC team has been truly amazing.” ■

interested in volunteering?

Our wonderful volunteers make a difference in the lives of families with seriously ill children by donating their time and talent. Monthly volunteer information sessions are held for people who are interested in learning more about our volunteer opportunities. Current volunteer opportunities are listed below. For more information, please contact Ginny Kappel at gkappel@rmhcstl.com or visit www.rmhcstl.com/volunteer.

ronald mcdonald family room volunteers Volunteers are needed for weekend and evening shifts at our Family Room located inside of St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Volunteers are also needed for a variety of shifts at the Family Room located inside of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Park Avenue & West Pine ronald mcdonald House Volunteers Volunteers are needed for a variety of shifts throughout the week at our Park Avenue and West Pine Ronald McDonald Houses.

delivery drivers Delivery drivers are needed to make weekly runs to distribute and pick up House and Family Room supplies.

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

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2015 special events recap

11th Annual Tab Top Pandemonium ■ saturday, may 2, 2015 On May 2, RMHC supporters gathered at the Park Avenue House to turn in all of the aluminum tab tops they collected throughout the year and enjoy a day of fun with Ronald McDonald, while competing for the largest collections. Participants enjoyed food, games, and more! Join us for next year’s Tab Top Pandemonium on Saturday, April 30, 2016!

30th annual dtz/rmh golf tournament and dinner auction sunday, may 31 and monday, june 1, 2015 This summer, the Annual DTZ/RMH Golf Tournament celebrated a landmark 30th year with a dinner auction and tournament at the beautiful Meadowbrook Country Club.

Sunday evening featured a delicious dinner and an exciting silent/live auction. The next day, over 200 golfers teed off to compete for the championship. The event raised an incredible $771,000 for The House that Love Built!

We are extremely grateful for the dedication of our sponsors, committee members and volunteers. Mark your calendars for next year’s tournament on June 5-6, 2016!

th Annual presented by

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thanks for a successful year!

15th annual kids & Clays tournament and dinner auction sunday, august 23 and monday, august 24, 2015 2015 was a groundbreaking year for the annual Kids & Clays event, sponsored by Moneta Group. We celebrated the 15th year with new days, a new venue, and a remarkable $300,000 raised. On Sunday, the dinner auction was held at the elegant Missouri Athletic Club – Downtown, where guests enjoyed dinner, live music, and a silent/live auction. The sporting clays tournament returned to Strathalbyn Farms Club on Monday, where 175 shooters competed in two flights. A special thank you to co-chairs Phil Brown and Brad Seabaugh, who celebrated 15 years of dedication and leadership.

22nd Annual Scramble for Charity golf Tournament friday, september 25, 2015 This fall, the Scramble for Charity Golf Tournament, sponsored by McDonald’s, returned to The Country Club at The Legends. Teams competed in an 18-hole round in the morning and enjoyed a relaxing 9-hole round in the afternoon, along with a variety of side games along the course! Once again, the Ladies of McDonald’s helped make the day a huge success by offering delicious food and drinks in their tent, as well as exciting raffle items to benefit RMHC. This year’s event raised an amazing $126,129! Thank you to all of our sponsors, participants, volunteers, and committee members.

caring partners program events ■ fALL/winter 2015-2016

Many thanks to all of the individuals, organizations and corporations that host fundraisers on behalf of our charity.

Below are two of our upcoming Caring Partners Program events. For more information about the Caring Partners Program, or to host to your own fundraiser for RMHC St. Louis, visit www.rmhcstl.com/thirdpartyfundraisers.

KENDRA GIVES BACK ■ NOVEMBER 12, 2015

Support RMHC St. Louis as you shop at the brand new Kendra Scott jewelry store at Plaza Frontenac in St. Louis! From 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, November 12, 20% of all sales will benefit RMHC St. Louis.

Plus, enjoy bubbles and bites as you browse!

Please visit www.rmhcstl.com/aroundtown for more information.

blues stick night ■ january 14, 2016

Blues Stick Night returns to Scottrade Center on Thursday, January 14, 2016. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase scratch-off tickets for a chance to win an autographed stick and meet-andgreet with a Blues player after the game. Energetic volunteers are also needed to sell tickets – please contact Jaclyn French at jfrench@rmhcstl.com if you are interested in helping!

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

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Building Blocks building a foundation for our success

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ur Building Blocks are those who sponsor RMHC special events with gifts of $1,000 or more, or host thirdparty events that raise $1,000. By underwriting and hosting these fundraisers, Building Blocks help fund our core programs while reducing expenses. This helps ensure that our individual donors’ contributions directly provide comfort, care and a home-away-from-home for seriously ill children and their families.

105.7 The Point 38th Street Financial AHM Financial Group, LLC AMS Enterprise, Inc. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield ARCO Construction Company, Inc. Argent Capital Management, LLC AT&T Avala Marketing AXA Foundation BJC Healthcare BKD, LLP Brown Smith Wallace, LLC Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc. SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Cass Commercial Bank Central Trust and Investment Company CMG, Inc. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Coldwell Banker Gundaker Comfort Experts, Inc. Concord Village Lions Club Core States Group CITI CSG West CSI Leasing Cushman & Wakefield (formerly DTZ) Datamax/Sumner Gruop Deeken Properties, LLC Don Brown Chevrolet Dynamic Vending Enterprise Fleet Management Equifax Workforce Solutions Fifth Third Bank First Community Credit Union

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Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

Foam Supplies, Inc. Full Care, Inc. Gardens of Grace Gateway Warehouse & Transportation GFH Enterprises, Inc. Gori, Julian & Associates H & L Partners Mississippi Lime Company Hemphill Financial Group, Inc. Husch Blackwell LLP Imagery Marketing Group ISC Contracting J.F. Electric, Inc. J.W. Terrill Jeffrey A. Smith, Inc. Jersey Mike’s Subs JM Family Enterprises Karpel Solutions Kids Helping Kids, Limited Lee & Clare Renz Lion Petroleum, Inc. Lodging Hospitality Management Marcone Supply Marriott McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. McDonald’s Heartland Region McDonald’s Owner/Operators of St. Louis and Metro East McGladrey, Inc. Mercy Kids Midwest Equipment Company Midwest Valve & Controls Missouri Baptist University Missouri Lottery Moneta Charitable Foundation Moneta Group Mulligan’s Grill

Murphy Company Northwestern Mutual Packaging Concepts, Inc. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust Plaza Motors Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. Premium Retails Services Quality Solutions, Inc. Reprise Design The Retina Center, P.C. Rothman Furniture Stores, Inc. Royal Banks of Missouri Rubin Brown, LLP Running Away Enterprises, LLC Schnuck Markets, Inc. Scottrade Sigma-Aldrich Simons and Cordes at UBS Financial Services, Inc. Spray Master Technologies St. Louis Blues St. Louis Children’s Hospital St. Louis Rams Steward Family Foundation TCG Services, LLC TJ Wies Contracting, Inc. Total Lot Maintenance Co. True Media Services UMB Bank Vivian of St. Louis, Inc. Westport Pharmaceuticals Woodard Cleaning and Restoration Services World Wide Technology Zeller Technologies

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO! love to run? Make your miles matter at one of these fun fitness events!

america’s sweetest race

The Hot Chocolate 15/5K returns to St. Louis on Sunday, December 13, 2015, for a beautiful run downtown highlighting St. Louis’ biggest attractions. The event culminates in a post-race party that any chocolate-lover will envy! During registration, sign up to “go the extra mile” by setting up an online fundraising page – all proceeds will benefit RMHC St. Louis! To register, visit www.hotchocolate15k.com/stlouis.

As the official charity of the race, RMHC St. Louis will also be looking for volunteers to help hand out the chocolate treats on race morning. If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity, please contact Jaclyn French, Event Assistant, at 314-932-4141 or jfrench@rmhcstl.com.

Join our Team and Go! St. Louis

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of St. Louis is excited to partner with Go! St. Louis for the 2016 Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend on April 9 & 10, 2016, through the Go! for a Cause charity initiative. With races for all ages and fitness abilities, this event attracts over 25,000 people each year. Runners (and walkers) are invited to join Team RMHC - St. Louis by participating in the 5K, Half Marathon, Marathon or Marathon Relay.

Benefits of joining Team RMHC - St. Louis: • Discounted race entry fee (before March 20, 2016) • Team RMHC - St. Louis technical shirt • Marathon Eve pasta dinner • Training by Big River Running • 20% off shopping day at Big River Running • Personal Crowdrise page for easy online fundraising For more information on how you can join our team, visit www.rmhcstl.com/ teamRMHCSTL. Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

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Help at the The McGift Shoppe

Our annual McGift Shoppe, which will open in early December, provides a place for our families to shop cost-free for loved ones, easing the pain of being away from home for the holidays. The McGift Shoppe is operated by our volunteers and depends on donations, which can be dropped off at any of our three Houses beginning mid-November.

Because of the immune suppression of some of our children, all items must be new. To donate an item or for more information, please contact Jenifer Braucksieker at jbraucksieker@rmhcstl.com.

Holiday Wish List Infants & Toddlers

Push, pull and musical toys Fischer Price and Playskool toys

Children & Teens

Action figures and accessories Popular, trendy kids’ gifts Lego sets Bath and body gift sets Makeup kits Costume jewelry and fashion watches DVDs/videos: recent hits or new releases Gift cards: iTunes, Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Target or Wal-Mart Nonviolent video games

Adults

Perfume and aftershave sets Costume jewelry and fashion watches Bath and body gift sets Small coolers (collapsible type) Luggage (lightweight and easy to store) Small crossbody purses

Family

Gift certificates to Target or Wal-Mart Gift cards for gasoline or groceries

No time to shop? our families love gift cards!

Cookbooks for a Cause This year, give family and friends a gift that gives back. Southern Living’s Christmas Cookbook, available exclusively at Dillard’s, is just $10! Best of all, its proceeds from St. Louis-area Dillard’s stores benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis.

This beautiful, full-color cookbook includes hundreds of delicious recipes and ideas for stylish place settings, fresh centerpieces and other seasonal table decorations. For more information, visit www.rmhcstl.com/holidays or contact your local Dillard’s store.

Holidays holiday card tribute program Let family, friends, coworkers and clients know you’re thinking of them this holiday season by making a donation to RMHC St. Louis in their name. Both holiday cards and holiday card inserts are available. Holiday cards read “Happy Holidays” and are signed and mailed by RMHC to a list provided by you. Our holiday card inserts are flat note cards that acknowledge your gift and can be placed inside your own holiday cards. A donation of at least $5 per card or insert is suggested. “Happy Holidays,” “Merry Christmas,” and “Happy Hanukkah” inserts are available. For more information, visit www.rmhcstl.com/holidays or contact Danielle Spencer at 314-932-4146 or dspencer@rmhcstl.com.

“A few years ago, we began making tribute donations to RMHC in honor of our vendors and clients at the holidays. RMHC allowed us to provide a beautiful message in a card and/or email for our mostdeserving business partners. The response was immediate, and the appreciation was overwhelming.

Never again will we send a ham, turkey or steak. Now, each year, our associates look forward to receiving our holiday message, and they feel great knowing that a donation has been made to RMHC in their name.”

— Larry Carrico, Owner of Rent One, RNR Custom Wheels, and Imagery Marketing Group

don’t forget to shop with AmazonSmile Do you shop online at Amazon.com? If so, you could help support Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis at no cost to you, all with the click of a button. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support RMHC St. Louis every time you shop.

When you shop through www.smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to RMHC St. Louis!

In fact, last quarter, our organization received a donation of nearly $300 from AmazonSmile, thanks to customers who shopped in support of RMHC. Simply go to www.smile.amazon.com, log in using your Amazon account, and select Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis as your charity. Then start shopping! After you have selected our organization, Amazon will prompt you to use AmazonSmile to support RMHC for future purchases, as well.

Clockwise left to right: Kellye Burks, Toni Lankford, Cooper Burks and Mallory Lankford

When you’re here

YOU’RE NOT ALONE Kellye Burks and Toni Lankford met while staying at our West County Ronald McDonald House a few years ago. Kellye’s son, Cooper, was born with dislocated hips and has endured 14 surgeries since he was born. Toni’s daughter, Mallory, suffers from a progressive neuromuscular disease. As these two moms know, having a child with a serious medical condition can be isolating.

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Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

However, living side-by-side made them fast friends. That’s because staying at The House that Love Built means being surrounded by people who understand. It means when you’re here, you’re not alone.

To hear more about these families and the special friendship they formed through the Ronald McDonald House, visit www.rmhcstl.com/video.

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RMHC is 27% the world’s leading NGO supporting the of top se families to access the best medical care for their child, no post-traumatic stress symptoms Ronald McDon accommodation needs of families with children children’s hospitals The actual cost of a family’s one-night stay at monthsfrom after of their child’s top matter how several far away home. have childre RMHC the world’s leading NGO supporting the receiving treatment at aa hospital hospital. oneis RMHC stay,At least discharge from the Ronald McDonald House is $79; however, we More than 40% children’s of tophospitals accommodation needsof of families with children neonatal inten but Ronald McDonald Houses core program provides care for familiesreceiving being served families served at treatment at a hospital.

At least one RMH RMHC is the world’s leading NGO supporting the More than 40% of children’s hospitals help their guests strengthen ask families to contribute just a small fraction of that Ronald McDonald unit core program provides care for families being(NIC serv atisaccommodation 89% ofleading the top hospitals worldwide. needs of children’s familiesbywith children families served at Houses abilities keeping the world’s coping NGO supporting the of hospital administrators In a survey of 250RMHC families, have of children the agree atMcDonald 89% theHouses top in children’s hospitals worldwide receiving treatment at a hospital. At least one RMHC amount. Due to mounting medical bills and other researchers found thataccommodation Ronald needs of families with children families together. children core program provides care for families being servedMcDonald Ronald Houses reduce haveneonatal children intensive in the care receiving treatment at a hospital. At leastthat one RMHC who stayed at Ronaldunit McDonald Houses uninsured living expenses, nearly half cannot affordand their parents, core (NICU). at 89% of the top children’s hospitals worldwide. neonatal intensive care program provides care for families being served 94% hospital a Ronald McDonald House, had 94% of hospital parentaladministrators stress, and 93%of theyadministrato provide spaces toagree play.agree Playing that Ron unit (NICU).

89% of of the top children’s hospitals worldwide. even this small contribution - but no family is ever a better perceivedatquality with other children 1 experiencing reduce parental stress and 93% reduce costs for families. of hospital administrators agree that Ronald McDonald Houses than expected for children94% reduce parental stresssimilar andsituations 93% agree reduc can help thesethey turned away if they are unable to pay. That’s why welife with chronic diseases. children cope with trauma. parental stress and 93% agree they reduce costs for Houses families.

94% ofreduce hospital administrators agree that Ronald McDonald need your help now more than ever! reduce parental stress and 93% agree theyRonald reduce costs for families.

McDonald H To make a contribution to the 2015 Home Away The Ronald McDonald In a study of more than 5,400 families withIn a study of more than 5,400 famil Houses’ Ronald McDonald Housewho Benefits and Impact Ronald McDonald House infants in NICU, those whoBen stayed a children in inpatient pediatric care, those and from Home Appeal, please use the donation envelope proximity to hospitals Ronald McDonald House Benefits and Impact positive overall hospital e provides important benefits for In a study of more than 5,400 families with children in inpatient pediatric care stayed at a Ronald McDonald House reported attached to this newsletter. Or to make a gift online, children and their caregivers,Inand infants in who stayed at achildren RonaldinMcDonald House reported a more a study of more thanthose 5,400 families with inpatient pediatric care In a NICU, study of more than 5,400 families with children in in a more positive overall hospital positive hospital experience thanHouse families who didn’t. such as improved psychological and infants in NICU, thoseoverall who stayed at a Ronald McDonald reported a more visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate. All 2015 Annual 2 Ronald McDonald and infants in NICU, those who stayed at a Ronald McDonal 27% of pa experience than hospital familiesexperience who didn’t. well-being and better perceptions positive overall than families who didn’t.

Houses can provide post-trauma of their child’s recovery. positive overall an hospital experience than fam Giving donors will be listed in the Spring/Summer alternative for several mon 27% of parents experienced Parents whose children have f discharge patients who need post-traumatic stress symptoms 2016 Heartbeat newsletter.

27% of parents experienced longer hospital stays several benefitmonths after but Ronald to remain close to their child’s post-traumatic stress symptoms from higher qualitydischarge sleep fromthe help their g Because you open your hearts, we are able to a hospital hospitalstay, for several months after their child’s at a Ronald McDonaldbut House coping ab 27% of ofparents experienced In a survey 250 families, Ronald McDonald Houses extended periods from a hospital stay, discharge open our doors to 14,000+ families every year. Thank researchers found that children compared to parents whotheir guestsHouses help strengthen do not require post-traumatic stress symptoms famil but Ronald McDonaldbut and parents, who stayed at coping abilities bytheir keeping In a survey ofslept 250 at families, their child’s active daily help hospital their guests strengthen you for your support. several monthsHouse, afterhad their child’s a Ronald McDonald families together. researchers found that children ..................................................................

89 40 40

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coping abilities by medical keeping care.

In a survey of 250 families, bedside. a better perceived quality of 5 and their parents, who stayed at 6 Ronald McDonald Houses from a hospital stay, families together.discharge researchers found that children life than expectedprovide for children a Ronald McDonald House, had spaces to play. Play and their parents, who stayed at Ronald McDonald Houses 3 butwith Ronald Houses chronic McDonald diseases. a better perceived quality of with other children experiencin a Ronald McDonald House, had provide spaces to play. Playing life than expected for children similar situations ® help theirHouse guests strengthen better perceived The Ronald McDonaldaHouse program, quality which isofa core program of Ronald McDonald Charities , can help the with other children experiencing with chronic diseases.3 children cope with trauma.8 lifestay thanclose for children similar situations can help these helps families worldwide to their children while receiving hospital coping care, increasing the abilities by keeping In expected a survey of 250 families, 3 The Ronald McDonald Houses’ chronic children cope with 6trauma.8 caregivers’ ability to spendwith more timediseases. with their child, interact with their clinical care team and participate families together. proximity to hospitals researchers found that children in medical care decisions. It also allows siblings and other family members toprovides be present and engaged. important benefits for The Ronald and their McDonald parents,Houses’ who stayed at children and their caregivers, proximity to hospitals of parents The Ronald McDonald Houses’ aprovides Ronald McDonald House, had such as improved psychological important benefits for References proximity to hospitals experienced and better perceptions children and their(2015) caregivers, 1. Lantz et al., Journal of Health Organization and Management 6. Nabors et al., Families, well-being Systems, & Health (2013) a better perceived quality of provides important benefits for 2. Franck et al., Medical Care Research and Review (2015) (2013) recovery.4 their child’s such as improved psychological 7. Franck et al., Behavioral SleepofMedicine post-traumatic children andthan their 3. Sanchez et al., Archivos Argentinos de life Pediatría (2014)caregivers, 8. Nabors et al., Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing (2013) Ronald McDonald expected for children well-being and better perceptions Parents wh 4. Franck et al., Families, Systems, & Health (2013) 9. Dexter et al., Journal of Perinatology (2004) symptoms such as improved psychological 4 stress Houses can provide 3 of with their child’s recovery.

Ronald McDonald 5. Wray et al., Journal of Child Health Care (2011) chronic diseases. longer hos well-being and better perceptions an alternative for ©2015 RMHC several Houses months can provide from highe Parents whose children have of their child’s recovery.4 patients who need alternative for afterantheir child’s Parentslonger whosehospital childrenstays havebenefit to remain close toat a Ronald who need 5 compared higher quality sleeppatientsthe hospital for longerfrom hospital stays benefitdischarge from close to a at a Ronald McDonald Houseto remain extended periods slept at the from higher quality sleephospital the hospital for but stay, The Ronald Ronald McDonald Houses’ The McDonald Houses’ b compared to parents but do not require at a Ronald McDonald Housewho extended periods Ronald McDonald slept at child’s proximity to active daily proximity to hospitals hospitals compared to their parents whohospital but do not require 9 7 bedside. medical care. slept at their hospital Houses activehelp daily their provides important important benefits for provides benefits forchild’s bedside.7 medical care.9 guests strengthen 7

In order to meet our financial needs and recognize our most generous donors, we have established the Cornerstone Society. Those who make a donation of $1,000 or more to RMHC St. Louis in 2015 will become members of the Cornerstone Society. Last year, 381 Cornerstone Society members donated $1.5 million!

We celebrated their generosity and support with an appreciation event at Palladium St. Louis in February, and we plan do so again next year to honor our newest Cornerstone Society members.

All 2015 Cornerstone Society members will be listed in the Spring/Summer 2016 Heartbeat newsletter. For more information about the Cornerstone Society, please contact Frank Cognata, Vice President, Development, at 314-932-4148 or fcognata@rmhcstl.com.

9

27%

children and their children their caregivers, caregivers, The Ronald McDonald House program, which is a helps families worldwide stay close coping abilities byto their childre such as as improved improved psychological such psychological caregivers’ ability to spend more time with Charitie their ch The Ronald McDonald House program, which is a core program of Ronald McDonald House keeping families well-being and better perceptions well-being perceptions inwhile medical care decisions.

It also allows siblings helps families worldwide stay close to their receiving hospital care, increasing the ® a The Ronald McDonald House better program, which is achildren core program of Ronald McDonald 6House Charities , together.

4 4their child, interact with their clinical care team and partic caregivers’ ability spend more timechildren with of their their to child’s recovery. helps families worldwide stay close to their while receiving hospital care, increasing the of child’s recovery.

in medical decisions. alsowith allows and other family to be present engage caregivers’ abilitycare to spend more Ittime theirsiblings child, interact with their members clinical care team and and participate References Parents whose children have Lantz et al., Journal of Health Organization and Management (2015) in medical care decisions. It also allows siblings and other1. family members to be present and engaged.

References

2. Franck et al., Medical Care Research and Review (2015) 3. Sanchez et al., Archivos Argentinos de Pediatría (2014) et al., Systems, Families,&Systems, & Health (2013) 4. Franck6.etNabors al., Families, Health (2013) Franck et al., Sleep 5. Wray 7. et al., Journal of Behavioral Child Health CareMedicine (2011) (2013) 6. Nabors al., Families, Systems, & Health (2013)Pediatric Nursing (201 8.etNabors et al., Issues in Comprehensive 7. Franck9. et Dexter al., Behavioral SleepofMedicine (2013) et al., Journal Perinatology (2004) 8. Nabors et al., Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing (2013) 9. Dexter et al., Journal of Perinatology (2004) ©2

longer hospital stays benefit from higher quality sleep at a Ronald McDonald House compared to parents who Heartbeat • slept Fall/Winter 14 at their2015 child’s hospital 7 bedside.

1. Lantz et al., Journal of Health Organization and Management (2015) References 2. Franck et al., Medical Care Research and Review (2015) 1. Lantz et Journaletofal., Health Organization (2015) 3.al., Sanchez Archivos Argentinosand de Management Pediatría (2014) 2. Franck4. et Franck al., Medical Research and&Review et al., Care Families, Systems, Health(2015) (2013) 3. Sanchez et al., et Archivos Argentinos deHealth Pediatría (2014) 5. Wray al., Journal of Child Care (2011) 4. Franck et al., Families, Systems, & Health (2013) 5. Wray et al., Journal of Child Health Care (2011)

©2015 RMHC

memorials

The following gifts were made in memory of someone special from January 1 to June 30, 2015.

If you would like to make a donation, please call 314.932.4146 or visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate.

Ethan Aguirre Mr. and Mrs. Paul Morales Marcella Ahrens Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Vollmer Peggy Allman Mr. and Mrs. Ervin Frazier Paige Altmann Mrs. Dorothy Altmann Bradley Anderson Mr. Charles Milton Mr. Larry Smith Thomas Angus Ms. Nancy M. Van Dillen Mary Kay Astroth Mr. Robert Astroth Joseph M. Auffenberg Mr. Tom G. Auffenberg Irma Bagwell Mr. and Mrs. Arnold J. Gerschefske Barbara Baldwin Ms. Carol A. Schanz Carmen Arlene Bancroft Ms. Donald H. Bancroft Bud Barrett Mr. and Mrs. David Behrens Matthew Kelly Bazoian Ms. Beatrice Bazoian Ms. Lynn Conard Doran Beaman Mr. and Mrs. Albert C. Waldvogel Dolora A. Beckerle Mr. Kevin J. Beckerle Mark Allen Belline Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Butkiewicz Gladys E. Bliss Mr. Lloyd Bliss Jim Blount Mr. and Mrs. Roy D. Perry Loretta Mae Bono Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hoey Frank Borghi Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Vollmer Carolyn Boyd Mr. and Mrs. Patrick M. Sanders Frankie Brandt Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Brandt June Brandt Dr. Maureen B. Riffle and Mr. John J. Riffle Irvin Breidert Mrs. Charlotte Breidert Darline J. Brennan Dr. Robert V. Brennan Robert Brincefield Mr. and Mrs. James B. Werle Sylvia Brinkmeier Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Dee Broemmelsick Ms. Mary Ann Broemmelsick Marty Brother Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Bonora James Buckley Ms. Minette R. Buhr

15

(Buckley cont’d) Mr. Bruce Buwalda Mr. Darin Groll Mr. Jim Pendleton Jack Buol Ms. Kathleen Torrence Elvera Byrne Mr. and Mrs. John E. Evans, III Judie Campana Mr. Lawrence A. Campana William S. Campbell Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Patti Ed Carley Mrs. Joyce Carley Judith Carna Maplewood Lions Club Kathleen Caruss Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker John Chapralis Mr. and Mrs. Andrew S. Leeker Ronald Chod Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Bobby Clubbs Ms. Leandra Kohnen Ms. Sharon Poppen John Thomas Conrath Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Boone Tyson Creasy Ms. Tanya Bledsoe Pam Creech Ms. Margaret F. Normile Carey Gail Crouch Ms. Berna D. Crouch Wayne Crump Mr. and Mrs. Tom White Jayden Crutcher Ms. Sherry M. Mcquinn Leo C. Culligan Mr. Jeffrey Evenson Ms. Cheryl Gruber Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lumsden Mr. and Mrs. Ronald V. Nelson Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Ringwald Ms. Donna R. Ringwald Mr. Ron J. Schuckmann Jameson Cummins Pat McCosky Janet Cutlin Ms. Cynthia Bass Ms. Helene H. Davis Ms. Judith Meyer Bartoz Czernikiewicz Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Vollmer Victoria Degregorio Mr. David L. Tornetto Richard Dickerson Mr. and Mrs. Richard Easley William Diener Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Joan A. Diprospere Ms. Sandra L. Evans Mrs. Patsy Holt Ms. Judy Miller Ms. Jeanna M. Stoll

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

Chelsi Dockery Mr. and Mrs. Denny Greenwood Marcella Dornseif Ms. Carol Dornseif Bonnie Dozier Mr. William D. Compton Russell Drenon Mr. and Mrs. James E. Drenon Deborah Ann Dressel Ms. Jeanne Dressel Kylie Elizabeth Drew Mr. and Mrs. William G. Hutchison Cecilie Dukay Mrs. Ella Marie Taubel Andrew Durkin Ms. Virginia Davis Mr. and Mrs. Andy Pullen Amy Duvall Ms. Rosemary Boustany Gretel Elken Drs. Robin and Jay Androphy Lawrence E. Farrel Mr. and Mrs. Ken Browning Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Dean Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mr. and Mrs. James Kelly Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Mantych Mr. and Mrs. Terry L. Pennekamp Mr. and Mrs. John W. Rogers Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Streibig Betty Jo Faulkner Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Marie Feltmann Ms. Arlene J. Kowalczyk Ruth Finklein Ms. Susan K. Finklein Rick Fischer Mr. and Mrs. Phil Jarvis Gerald L. Flick Elizabeth A. Flick Rebecca Flick Elizabeth A. Flick Austin Floarke Burris Management James Kevin Foley Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Alan Fortmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Fayollat Susan Fosci Mr. Joseph Fosco Rylan Foster Mr. and Mrs. Joe Deschepper Ms. Joan Tietsort Helen Frail Mrs. Linda Forgas Ina Mae Frankel Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Joann C. Fromm Mr. and Mrs. Herman Thuro Hunter Fultz Ms. Molly Allison

Gloria Adella Gardner Mr. and Mrs. Gary Gardner Sharon Garrity Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Nies Israel Carlito Havier Garza Mr. & Mrs. Crispin Garza Gordon Gerber Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Margaret Gerli Ms. Barbara A. Gerli Edward M. Gerli Mr. Mark Glenshaw ISC Contracting Mr. Bill Ashby and Ms. Vickie Boren Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Bacott Ellen, Kathy, and Barb Brownell Ms. Anita Desai Mr. Christopher Grassi Ms. Johanna Grimoldi Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Ms. Brooke Hurst Mr. and Mrs. John Imo Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Mealer Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Naugle, Jr. Ms. Ruth E. Ponciroli Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Prives Mr. and Mrs. Scott D. Roever Mr. Larry Tornetto Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Tornetto Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Vollmer Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Ward Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Ward Ms. Minnie Winkler Joan Gilbert Mr. Alan R. Skop and Mrs. Barbara F. Goldberg Mark Scott Giulvezan Ms. Irma L. Zurmuehlen Stuart Goldman Mr. Jack Heligman Orville Grah Manchester United Methodist Church Roger’s Lawn Care, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Carl M. Bruns Ms. Deborah Bruns Mr. and Mrs. Todd C. Bryant Mr. and Mrs. William C. Carr Mr. and Mrs. Keith W. Fauss Mrs. Martha Grah Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. House Mr. Roger House Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. King Dr. and Mrs. John F. Mantovani Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Moore Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Parker Mr. Gary E. Wells Ms. Linda M. Wells Justin Greenberg Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ferman Kathleen Grove Mr. James R. Wurm

Francine Guldner Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Sara Hilgedieck Madelyn Olivia Hanks Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Parker Hanser Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Zimbalist Dennis Hayes Ms. Darlene Hayes Mary Ann Heil-Clubb Hank’s Excavating & Landscaping, Inc. Mr. Lenard Clubb Ms. Rebecca Craig Mr. Roger Thomas Mrs. Stephanie Wallace Tobin Noah Higgs Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Arthur Hilbert Ms. Shirley C. Hilbert Anna Hilse Ms. Carol Dornseif Rick Hinds Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Conness Marvin Holtzman Mrs. Ruth Hartstein Logan Wren Hudson Mrs. Rose Hudson Betty Huff Ms. Sherry M. Mcquinn William R. Hurst Ms. Joan Hurst Joseph Iken Mrs. Ruth Hartstein Sandy Jacoby Ms. Debbie Thies Noah James Boonville Aquatic Dolphins Boonville High School Boonville High School Swim Team Penny, Marty, David, and Steven Adams Mr. and Mrs. Kevin M. Alvey Anonymous Mike, Gretchen, Emma, and Anna Armstrong Mr. and Mrs. Don Bardman Mr. and Mrs. Steven C. Barnett Mr. and Mrs. Dick Boardman Mr. and Mrs. Josh Boardman Mrs. Leigh Ann Braley Mr. William Burk Mr. and Mrs. David W. Carlisle Mr. and Mrs. Randall Carter Mr. and Mrs. Bill Clark Dr. Devon Cook Mr. and Mrs. Tom Damir Mr. and Mrs. John Davidson Ms. Rebecca Etinne and Ms. Jody French Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Fleck Mr. Alan Floyd Mrs. Crystal Frost

Memorials Continued (James cont’d) Mr. and Mrs. Joe Goffinet Mr. and Mrs. Steven D. Gresham Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Grimm Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Hagman Mr. and Mrs. Brian T. Hall Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Heubner Mr. and Mrs. Gregory N. Horton Ms. Sara Hubert Mr. and Mrs. Larry James Ms. Cynthia J. Johnson Ms. Marilyn W. Johnson Mr. James H. Jolley Mrs. Julie Klein Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Lance Ms. Caron Leader Ms. Susan Lehr Mr. and Mrs. Jim Little Mr. and Mrs. Darrel Martin Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Mitchell Mr. and Mrs. William K. Overstreet Mr. and Mrs. Gregory W. Perigo Mr. and Mrs. Stewart A. Phillips Mr. and Mrs. William F. Polk Mr. and Mrs. Greg Richmond Ms. Carolyn S. Sephan Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Smith Ms. Marie N. Ward Mr. and Mrs. Rex Wathen Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. Watkins Ms. Ruth Wilson Paige James Mrs. Mary Jo Sgro Norvel Jarvis Mr. and Mrs. Patrick M. Sanders Martha Jasinski Herculaneum Chapter 325, O.E.S. Trevor Joerling Aeja Dillon William Larry Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Steve Lepsky Mr. and Mrs. Brock Tuffli Marialice Jones Mr. Brian Jones John S. Jones Mrs. Mary Jones Junilla Karhoff Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Candace Kintz Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Kintz Joshua Klinger Mr. and Mrs. Steve Runyon Chino Klingert Mr. Michael Mueller Reese Klingler Mr. and Mrs. Steve Runyon Gloria Koehler Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Michael Kostyshock Smartologic Andrew Kruep Mr. and Mrs. David R. Thomas Emily Kuhn Sacred Heart School Michael LaFrance Roof Depot Mr. and Mrs. Billy R. Hency Ms. Karen Myers Ms. Sharon Rice Mr. and Mrs. Steven Schuette Mrs. Carol Stinnett

(LaFrance cont’d) Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Tippit Mr. Thomas Van De Riet Ms. Belinda Voigtmann Daniel B. Larner Enterprise Holdings Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Fred L. Bradshaw Ms. Kathie M. Clark Betty Laury Mrs. Florence Will Paul Lenauer Mr. and Mrs. Don Lenauer George Levin Mr. and Mrs. Larry Eilbott Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ferman Barbara Liberman Mr. and Mrs. Dan Glidewell Mr. and Mrs. Andrew S. Leeker Sidney Lindgren Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dickerson Howard Steven Lite Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ferman Max Lobel Mr. and Mrs. Alvin H. Diamond Sharlet Lockhart Mr. and Mrs. Winston Brunjes Nell Longfellow Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Cowgill Robert W. Lux Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Barry G. Mandel Becker and Rosen, CPAs, LLC Anonymous Ms. Debi Blanchard Mr. and Mrs. Brian Deutsch Mr. Larry L. Glazer Ms. Pamela Greenberg Mr. Charles Kessler Mr. and Mrs. Steven Kimmel Dr. and Mrs. Harvey A. Lehrer Mr. Rob Ormont Mr. Kenneth Rich Ms. Carol Rosen Mr. and Mrs. Bob Rubin Mrs. Brenda Shelton Mr. Richard Singer Mr. Ronald B. Zetcher Remedios “Amy” Marban Mrs. Diane Watkins Terry Marchetti Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Gundlach Katie Margoles Dr. and Mrs. Richard Blath Terry Lee May Mr. Robert May Bud McCain Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Jay McCrillis Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Marlene Merz Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Hamann Margo Miller Ms. Amelia Depaulo Mr. and Mrs. John F. Lynch Mr. and Mrs. Douglas S. Mihal Ms. Regina Miller Mr. Stephen Mraz Mr. and Mrs. John M. Torretta Dustin Miskell Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hilgedieck Charlotte Moebes Mr. Stephen Powell

James Montgomery Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Dorothy Morrison Mr. Joe Marchbein Tom Moynihan Mr. Jim Marra Remy Murphy Ms. Melanie Gefert Paula Myers Mr. Michael Weissman Megan Nelson Mr. Richard H. Nelson Lawrence M. Nichoalds Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Max Nissenbaum Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Charence Nonn Ms. Mary M. Nonn Mary Nonn Ms. Mary M. Nonn Gilbert North Family of and Mrs. Kevin Terry Leon Pappas Mrs. Ruth Hartstein Norma Pashia Ms. Carol A. Schanz Terry Patchett Christopher Bowlin’s Foodland, Inc. Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. David Bartoni Mr. and Mrs. George Dawe Mr. and Mrs. Roger Griffith Mr. and Mrs. Ronald D. Huie Mr. Neal Jacobson Ms. Eileen Patchett Ms. Michelle Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Neal Tinnon David Pearson Mr. and Mrs. John E. Gass Delores Pegorzelski Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Vollmer Seth Pippin Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Hill Sandra Lane Podlasek Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Cowgill Brian Pollihan Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Pollihan Donna Price Mr. Tim Price Sharon R. Przybylski Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Przybylski Jennifer Raley Mr. Ray W. Raley John Reddan Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. David Reinhardt Mr. and Mrs. William C. Goeddel Helen M. Renz Bilfinger Industrial Services, Inc. Pat and Jim Marra Karen Gladbach Gregory Shierling Ann Puhl Lindell Bank O’Fallon Staff Ms. Theresa R. Chiesa Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Clark Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Dunnington Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mr. and Mrs. Al Klein Mr. and Mrs. Harry P. Klein Mrs. Mary K. Lewis

(Renz cont’d) Mr. and Mrs. Stanley J. Marschner Ms. Cheryl M. Mauney Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. McDonough Mr. and Mrs. Frank Merlenbach Ms. Joan Moynihan Ms. Mary Moynihan Ms. Therese Moynihan Mr. and Mrs. Gary L. Peck Mr. and Mrs. Ken Rekowski Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Rosenfield Ms Kimberly J. Scott Mr. and Mrs. Tim E. Shook Mrs. Jeanette Stengel Mr. and Mrs. Jim Szczuka Ms. Anna F. Terry Family of and Mrs. Kevin Terry Ms. Deborah M. Vogt Mr. and Mrs. Joe Weckermeyer Mr. David R. Weitz, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Dan Wendling Janet Reynolds Mrs. Bonnie Turner Ross Richmond Mrs. D J. Knight Ms. Lisa Richmond Walter Richter Sharon Richter Mr. and Mrs. George Bruner Mr. William W. Huff Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Rakers Mr. and Mrs. Mikey Thomas Diane Ricketts Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Germain Gary Rieth Mr. William Matzker Bob Robbins Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Newton Elzora Robey Ms. Marsha Shuler Manuel Rodriquez Mrs. Rita Crain Linda Rosen Anonymous John Pickerel Becky Smith Mr. and Mrs. Bob Balk Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Bloomrosen Mr. and Mrs. James Callahan Ms. Toni Camp Ms. Patricia Carmean Ms. N. Ruth Faerber Ms. Janice Grefenkamp Dr. Yoram Hahn Mr. Eric Levin Ms. Sherry Lipshitz Ms. Joyce E. Martin Mr. and Mrs. James McAleenan Dr. and Mrs. Larry Paskar Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Pogulis Mrs. Stacey Prelutsky Ms. Jessica Restivo Mr. and Mrs. Niles Rosen Mr. and Mrs. Ross Schumaker Ms. Betty Seibert Mr. and Mrs. Steven Seigel Cindy and Lon Shapiro Mr. and Mrs. Winfried Tasker Rose Russo Mr. Louis A. Russo

Marilyn Salzman Ms. Marlene Carey Lilly Sarnoff Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Goldie Satz Mr. David L. Tornetto Robin Schomake-Mueller Ms. Anna Nicoloff Gail Schuermann Maplewood Lions Club William Schuler Mr. James O. Freiburghaus and Ms. Kristine R. McGrady Howard Leonard Schultz Mr. and Mrs. Steve Deutsch Elizabeth Schweizer Ms. Barbara M. L. Barenholtz, TTEE Thomas J. Scott Darlene Scott Mr. and Mrs. Harry Baumhoegger, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Keith A. Brown Ms. Rose M. Busby Mr. and Mrs. John Fitzgibbons Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jackson Ms. Norma H. Jaeger Ms. Ann P. O’Shaugnessy Mr. Landon W. Pendill, III Mrs. Mary L. Pope Fay Seabaugh Mr. Michael L. Seabaugh Robert Sewell Dr. Edda Cava Ms. Deborah Hines Ms. Michele O. McNearney Ms. Cheryl A. Perl Veta I. Szymanski Angela Shearrer Mr. and Mrs. William R. Thompson Walter F. Sifrig Mr. and Mrs. Mark F. Basler Mr. David Beckel Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Ms. Virginia Johnson Mrs. and Mr. Mary Jotte Ms. Sharon K. Lamkin Mr. Mark G. Lawder and Mrs. Janet Lawder Mr. and Mrs. Gary Sansone Mr. and Mrs. Gary S. Schroeder Mr. and Mrs. Raymond P. Sifrig Mrs. and Mr. Joann C. Thompson Father Simon Mrs. Ruth Hartstein Anna Marie Sohaney Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Sohaney John Sommelman Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Dolan Pat Sommer Mr. and Mrs. Terry L. Gooding Ella Nora and Tiffany Souers Family of Susan Souers Frances Spaeth JLZ Enterprises Joan Spradling Ms. Meg Hughes Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kramer Phil Stallone Mrs. Lucille Levitan

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

16

Memorials Continued (Stallone cont’d) The Levitan Family Ruth Stone Ronald McDonald House Charities Hunter Stratton Mr. and Mrs. John D. Stratton Bernard Striebel Mr. and Mrs. William L. Perkins Anna Sue Theising Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt

Robert Thiele Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Thornsberry, Sr. Paul Thiemann Mr. Alan R. Skop and Mrs. Barbara F. Goldberg Jim Thomas Ms. Janet Williams John Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker

Margaret C. Titus Mr. Thomas L. Titus Paul Michael Tornetto Mrs. Victoria Tornetto Florence Tucker Mrs. Ruth Hartstein Adrian Vaeth Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Henry VonRoh Ms. Joyce A. Gray

Lil Voss Ms. Arlene Lang Russell Wagner Ms. Betty Dunbar Jannie Dean Walters Mr. Elmer Dunker Barbara Ann Weis Ms. Martha M. Weis Mary Westerholt Mrs. Emily Westerholt Marion Wice Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt

Gabrielle Wintjen Mr. and Mrs. George Wintjen Elizabeth Wolff Schweizer Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Amma Wurm Mr. James R. Wurm Sam Zoll Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Cosimo R. Zucchero Mrs. Marie Zucchero

We make every effort to include everyone correctly. If you have a correction, please contact us at 314.932.4134.

memorial & tribute bricks The following bricks were installed from March 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015 in memory of someone special.

In Loving Memory of Maria Oviedo

In Loving Memory of Delaia Quintana

In Loving Memory of Ja’Shaun Jackson

In Loving Memory of Riyley Chayse Beck

In Loving Memory of Jonah Gissentanner

In Loving Memory of Annabelle Naysa Tuttle

In Loving Memory of Diego Barch

In Loving Memory of Cheyenne Marie Alford

In Loving Memory of Gabriel Frazier

In Loving Memory of Austin Douglas Stevens

In Loving Memory Joan Diprospere 07/09/33 to 05/14/15

In Loving Memory of Jacoby Miles Sturgis

In Loving Memory of Zackary Hunter Elliott

In Loving Memory of Brynleigh Rose Botkin

In Loving Memory of Martha & Frank Blankemeyer Parents of Bob Blankemeyer

tree of life The following leaves on our Tree of Life were installed from March 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015 in memory or honor of someone special.

Noah James - friend, brother, teammate, bellybuster ♥ BHS Swim Team In honor of Bill & Margie Moskoff ♥ Peter & Maria Schick & Moneta Group

17

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

KUMC Choirs pray for you In honor of Vickie and Tom Heeger for your dedication to families and children In honor of Natalie Gemignani

George & Patti Wootten’s 50th celebrate kids In honor of Evelyn Ginsberg for your ongoing gifts of time, talent and treasure

year-end charitable giving Give back and earn income with a strategic financial plan

W

ith the end of the year and holiday season approaching, there is no better time to consider some end-of-year planning. Below is a brief checklist of topics you may want to discuss with your financial advisor before year end.

Charitable Giving: • Can you use appreciated securities rather than simply writing a check to a charity?

• Does it make sense to accelerate or decelerate charitable gifts into a year with higher expected income? If accelerating gifts, would a Donor Advised Fund make sense?

• Should/can you use part of your minimum required distributions from IRA accounts to directly satisfy gifts to charity if legislation allows?

Retirement Accounts: • Have you maximized contributions to your employer-sponsored retirement plan?

• Are you eligible for Roth IRA or Back-Door Roth IRA contributions?

• If you are 71 or have reached age 70.5 in 2015 have you taken your minimum required distribution from your retirement account(s) by the applicable deadline?

In addition to the above topics, I strongly recommend that you receive an annual financial checkup with your financial advisor (ideally a professional with

the CFP® Designation, www.letsmakeaplan.org). Life is seldom static and changes in your life lead to changes in your financial plan.

Your financial plan and annual review should be comprehensive consisting of at least the following areas: • Financial Independence Analysis (i.e. determining appropriate investment portfolio and necessary budget/savings plan to meet your retirement, education and legacy goals) • Insurance Review - ideally performed by an objective professional • Estate Plan Review - ensure your current documents correspond with your wishes Additional planning areas may revolve around tax planning, business succession planning, major purchases or sales, or intra-generational planning.

If you are interested in making a Year End Charitable Gift to Ronald McDonald House Charities, please contact Frank Cognata, Vice President, Development, at 314-932-4148. ■ Steven A. Frank, JD, CFP®, AIF®, Wealth Manager, Director of Compliance for Plancorp, LLC. is a member of the RMHC St. Louis Planned Giving Committee.

A nice tax deduction could be rolling your way!

Looking to get rid of a used or unwanted vehicle? RMHC St. Louis is now accepting vehicle donations!

When you donate your vehicle to RMHC St. Louis, we will arrange for someone to pick it up and sell it on your behalf. The proceeds will go to RMHC St. Louis and you will receive a tax deduction for the sale value of the vehicle. To donate your vehicle visit www.CarsHelp.org or call 1-855-227-7435. For additional information, contact Frank Cognata at fcognata@rmhcstl.com.

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tributes

The following gifts were made in honor of someone special from January 1 to June 30, 2015.

If you would like to make a donation, please call 314.932.4146 or visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate.

Alan Baron Mr. and Mrs. Larry Eilbott Richard Baron Mr. and Mrs. Larry Eilbott Kohlten Barthelme Ms. Linda Simpson Scott Bazoian Ms. Beatrice Bazoian Matt Bazoian Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Ronald A. Becker Mr. and Mrs. Allan Feinberg Josh Berg Mr. Robert Heideman Adam Block Ms. Sherri Lopatin Marie E Bolte Ms. Marie B. Moore Avery Jane Bond Mr. and Mrs. John W. Bingham Jim Bowles Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mihanovich Kilah Brauch Ms. Carol A. Schanz Tommie Buatte Mrs. Shannon Clifton Kenneth Butler Dr. Maureen B. Riffle and Mr. John J. Riffle Mike Campana Mr. Lawrence A. Campana Charles Carroll Mr. Dude Elliott Justin Cohen Brehm Preparatory School, Inc. Carol Cummings Mr. and Mrs. James D. Milner Roman Davis Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Engelhardt Austin Detering Mr. and Mrs. Charles Detering Dianna Dimartino Mr. and Mrs. Hiram C. Martin, III

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Connor Dorenkamp Mr. Joseph Correnti Mr Erik Merkau Mr. Scott Siebers Mr. Jason Steeno Makayla Duda Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Mark Edelman Ms. Margie Siegel Jacob Eller Ms. Susan G. Klukis Kollin Ely Bank of America Mr. Robert P. Medow Darlene Epperson Mr. and Mrs. Jack Glover Elsie Fallon Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Fromme Ms. Mary Howell James W Finger Dr. Maureen B. Riffle and Mr. John J. Riffle Mike Flynn Mr. Dan Scheller Dave Giarla Kelly and Dan Harbaugh L. J. Graham Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Graham Madison Griffin Ms. Amy Shields Taylor Hackworth Mrs. Martha Grah Debbie Hanson Mr. Landon W. Pendill, III Bob Hantak Mr. and Mrs. Lester Haenchen Cara Hawxby Anonymous Tom Heeger Mr. and Mrs. Steve Haberberger Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Clara Henn Ms. Laura Reif

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

Jaylea Hobbs Mr. Ronald K. Hobbs Kathleen Hoette Ms. Lindsey Schaefer Bridget Hoy Mr. Gregory Jones Hubbart Family Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Hubbart Tim Hunt Mr. and Mrs. Robert Petrofsky Pat Jakel Mr. and Mrs. Wayne E. Anderson Noah James Family of Paul Alvey Donald R. Jones Mr. Brian Jones Kamille Keck Mr. and Mrs. Steven W. Alstadt Jackson Klein Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Klein Donald T. Kukla Moneta Group LLC Bennett Labby Mr. and Mrs. Klayton Labby Don Lafferre Mrs. Carol Bridegroom Alycia Lamartina MetroGistics Gail Lapin Dr. and Mrs. Jerrold L. Vesper Leach Family Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Hubbart Kenny Leitner Mrs. Denise Stoldt Anthony Lubniewski Ms. Jeannie Newhouse Ann Mackie Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Tevlin JD Maher Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. Pratl Joy Malinao Mr. Jack Malinao Felicia M. Malter Mrs. Lara Oberman Joseph A. Maniaci Mr. James A. Maniaci, Jr. Wade Marks Rent One Nicolas Martin Ms. Christine Martin Jacob T Moak Ms. Lou Ann Moak William Moskoff Maria and Don Kukla Maria and Peter Schick Harold Mueller Ms. Pearl Mueller Dave Murley Mr. and Mrs. Scott Jarvis

Stephen Ira Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Wendell R. Baxter Ellen M. O’Brien Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Patrick O’Connell Mr. P.J. O’Connell Ellie Oberman Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Francesca Piazza Ms. Alexandria Brazill John Reilly Ms. Kathleen Becker Brittany Reynolds Mr. and Mrs. Joel Spigel John Rigby Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Van Acker Ronald McDonald House Charities® of St. Louis, Inc. Crowne Plaza St. Louis Airport David C. Sadler Moneta Group LLC Ava Schanz Ms. Carol A. Schanz Fallon Schlautmann Ms. Jeanne Varel Brooklyn Schutte First National Bank of Pana Shelbyville Loyal Order of Moose Mrs. Loressa Selby Ms. Jennifer Wempen Thomas J. Scott Mr. and Mrs. Keith A. Brown Ava Seavers Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Evans Mr. and Mrs. Kyle W. Seavers Edward Shay St. Louis Area Bassmasters Kay F. Siegrist Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Weber Jennie Spadafora Ms. Christine M. Joyce Michael Spicer Mrs. Mae A. King St. Louis Children’s Hospital Mr. and Mrs. John Cook

Lydia Stanley Mr. and Mrs. William G. Stanley, Sr. Don Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. Walter Abell Jane Sulze Mr. Joseph Sulze Mark Tampow Ms. Jennifer L. Dolce Jack Till Mr. & Mrs. Ray Bulte III Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Hoeckelman Mrs. Lisa Peters Mr. and Mrs. James Suellentrop Mr. Kurtis Suellentrop Laura Tumminia Ms. Nicole Isbell Esther May Virgil Mr. and Mrs. Matthew R. Virgil Phil Vonfeldt Mr. and Mrs. Frank Leeker Claire Rose Warren Ms. Rosemary Krupp Briar Wasser The Smile Shoppe Ken White Ms. Andrea J. Muchnick Mr. Alan Silverberg Mr. and Mrs. Ray White Correction from last issue: Sharon and John E. Buckner Ms. Linda Andrews Ms. Patricia A. Andrews Ms. Lynne Kreysar Mr. and Mrs. Andrew R. Mallow Ms. Betty J. Tisius Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Wegel

We make every effort to include everyone correctly.

If you have a correction, please contact us at 314.932.4134.

creating a brighter future During the 2014-2015 school year, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, a partnership with Eye Care Charity of Mid-America, served more than 2,000 children throughout the St. Louis area and beyond. In July 2015, the Care Mobile visited the National Council of Jewish Women’s (NCJW) Back to School event, which helps children in need prepare for school. Here are some testimonials from three kids who visited the Care Mobile that day.

alyssa, age 9

abby, age 11 Before getting her first pair of glasses a few years ago, Abby struggled to see at school. “I had to put books really close to my face and sit in the very front of the class,” she says. Abby was excited to get a new pair of glasses to help her see clearly in the classroom and beyond.

Alyssa has worn glasses since she was three years old. When she could no longer see with her old glasses, she knew it was time for a new pair. “My eyes have gotten worse, so my old glasses don’t help me see anymore,” she says.

Alyssa is excited to have a brand new pair of glasses that help her see better than ever!

derron, age 8 Derron is no stranger to glasses, but has struggled to see since he lost his old pair of glasses at school last year. He now has a brand new pair of glasses that he plans to keep a close eye on.

“I won’t take this pair off,” he says.

“I don’t want to lose my glasses again!”

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new faces at rmhc Meet the newest faces at Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis!

We are excited to welcome them to our team.

LARRY PRY is the Data Assistant at

RMHC St. Louis. He comes to RMHC after spending 18 years with The Muny theatre in St. Louis as the Assistant Marketing Director and Publicity Coordinator. Larry graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Larry also serves as an adjunct professor at Webster University in the Conservatory of Musical Theatre, where he teaches Song Study and music directs. When not at RMHC, Larry serves as a professional musician/keyboard player around the country. Some of his favorite musical experiences include performing with The Beach Boys, singing and dancing with Charo, performing in London and music directing the Papal Visit to Denver in Mile High Stadium. Larry is honored to be part of the RMHC team.

Jaclyn French

is proud to be the Event Assistant at Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. After graduating from Washington University in 2013, she spent two years managing corporate support and sponsorships for KDHX Community Media. In her spare time, Jaclyn plays with several improv teams and volunteers as a Chapter Advisor for Challah for Hunger.

Brag Board Our organization and outstanding volunteers have received the following awards and honors since our last newsletter:

1 2

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Dave Sadler, RMHC Board Member, was named Principal of the Year by Moneta Group in March 2015.

Dan O’Toole, an attorney with Armstrong Teasdale and RMHC Human Resources Committee Member, was recently named in the 22nd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America for 2016. He was also named the Best Lawyers’ 2016 St. Louis Employment Law - Management “Lawyer of the Year.”

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Mike DeCola, RMHC volunteer, received the prestigious 2015 Raven Award from the University of Virginia in September 2015. Mike and his wife, Lee, were also honored with RMHC’s Cornerstone Society Founders Award in February 2015.

In March 2015, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital recognized RMHC with the Community Partner in Healing Award for the Ronald McDonald Family Room services.

sold on this house! coldwell banker gundaker has been supporting rmhc st. louis for 30 years

Jim Dohr, President of Coldwell Banker Gundaker, smiles with Ronald McDonald at a CBG fundraiser for RMHC.

Since 1985, Coldwell Banker Gundaker has been an important partner to the Ronald McDonald House. Over the years, they have hosted a variety of fundraising events, including auctions, golf tournaments, office raffles, garage sales, car washes, trivia nights and more, having raised nearly $2 million for RMHC. In addition, their real estate

agents donate time by volunteering in the Family Rooms and holding Wish List drives to ensure that our facilities are always stocked with the essentials.

Every October, RMHC hosts a Coldwell Banker Gundaker Celebration event, where St. Louis-area agents gather to participate in fundraising activities, such as raffles, a variety of games and a live auction. Last year, thanks to this event and the efforts of individual CBG offices, a total of $111,000+ was raised for our organization.

Last year, Coldwell Banker Gundaker was honored with the NRT Humanitarian Outreach Award for its longstanding support and dedication to RMHC. This annual award recognizes a single organization within the NRT family of companies that showcases extraordinary service and commitment to its community.

“Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis is incredibly proud to partner with Coldwell Banker Gundaker,” says Dan Harbaugh, RMHC St. Louis President. “The dedication of the countless agents and corporate employees truly makes the Ronald McDonald House a home.”

Calling all Young Professionals!

The Red Shoe Society strives to engage, empower and inspire young professionals to participate in philanthropic and leadership endeavors while building awareness for RMHC.

Benefits of joining the Red Shoe Society include: • Networking opportunities • Leadership opportunities • Participate and attend fundraising activities and social functions • Valuable experience to include on your resume • Opportunity to support RMHC and serve as an ambassador throughout the St. Louis community The membership fee for the Red Shoe Society is $35.

For more information, please visit us online at www.rmhcstl.com/redshoesociety. You can also find the RSS on social media at www.facebook.com/ RedShoeSTL or www.twitter.com/RedShoeSTL.

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family dinner program

Our Ronald McDonald House families enjoyed many delicious, home-cooked meals prepared by the following volunteer groups between January 1, 2015 and September 8, 2015. For a list of available dates or information on how to reserve your next date, please call the Family Dinner Program line at 314.531.6601, ext. 1202, or email dinner@rmhcstl.com.

1st Presbyterian Church of Union, MO 4 Trauma/Surg 635th SCOW Abby’s Bday Friends Abengoa AED at Wash U Aldersgate United Methodist Club 56 Alpha Delta Pi - Eta Nu Ameriprise Financial Ameriprise Financial - Jennifer Barbey Amyk Ameling Anheuser Busch Past & Present Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Archonettes of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority ARK Living Lord Lutheran Church Ascension Lutheran Church Evening Guild Aspect and Microsoft Athleta Bakin’ Betty’s Baldwin Technology and Forsyth Capital Ballwin Target Store Team Barb & Jim McElroy Barnes Family Barry Wehmiller Co - IT Dept.

Barry-Wehmiller Co Bartek Family Bazoian Family Behavioral and Social Sciences Club Belleville Ladies Belleville Target Bernard Middle School Beta Sigma Phi Bethany UMCY BKD, LLP Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Boeing Boeing Accounts Receivable Boeing Women in Leadership Boeing-F/A 18 Team Bonnie, Lynda & Friends Boy Scout Troop 957 Brehm Prep School Birke & Friends Brittany Woods Middle School Brown Smith Wallace, LLC Buckner Family Bunge FTS Group Bunge North America Business Community Partnership (BCP) Cadettte Girl Scout Troop 2440 Cardinal Front Office Caribbean Association of St. Louis Carly Ormsby & Friends CDI Centene Internal Audit Central Christian Church Central Reform Congregation 7th Graders Cheryl & Friends Circle K International Circle of Friends - Hope Lutheran Church

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CL Smith Cleveland Family Group Columbia High School Beta Club Corizon Craig Home Care Crestview NJHS Crestwood Sunset Hills Kiwanis CSI Leasing Cudney Group Cushman & Wakefield (formerly DTZ) Darlene Azar DeLana’s Family & Friends Delta Phi Epsilon SIUE Dewey’s Pizza Dillards-Mid Rivers Dinner Divas Disney Volunteers Divas on a Mission Doran Family Dot Foods Dowling & Friends DuPont Nutrition & Health Eagle Bank and Trust EBF ECHO Edward Jones Friends Edwards Jones OST EHI-Barker/Murphy Emerson Family YMCA -Teen Leaders Club Employee Staffing Group Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis First Baptist Church of Chesterfield Inspirational Choir Florissant Ward Youth Group Foresters Fox FCCLA Freeburg High Freeburg High- FCCLA Fun Friends Gateway Christian Church Life Group Gateway Christian Church Young Adult Small Group Geyer Road Baptist Church Girl Scout Troop 1011 Girl Scout Troop 1702 Girl Scout Troop 3181 Girl Scout Troop 3272 Girl Scout Troop 3380 Goldfarb Student Nursing Association Grace Church Grace East Grand Center Arts Academy Student Council HCHS Tri-M Helitech Waterproofing and Foundation Repair Hemenway Family Hermann London Group Hernodon Family Hodge and Simpson Elementary Schools Hyatt Hotels IJM Queens Immacolata Girl Scout Troop 1629 Immacolata Girl Scout Troop 2566

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

Isaacs Family ISM-St. Louis J Crew- Plaza Frontenac Jean Iezzi and Friends Jeff & Sara Runge JenZ & Friends Jess and Family Jim & Barb McElroy JM Family Enterprises JoAnn, Carol & Friends John C & Bonnie Hill John C. Hill & Friends Julius Family Junior League of Greater Alton Kappa Epsilon St. Louis College of Pharmacy Kathy & Crew Kathy & Friends Kennard CJA Kevin Zeldin Kidz Showing Kindness Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church Kirkwood Community of Christ Church Kirkwood Kiwanis Kirkwood Youth Service Klayman and Friends Knights of Columbus Council 11437 Knights of Columbus/Ladies Auxiliary #2012 Ladies Auxiliary of Knights of Columbus 4429 LAF - Lisa and Friends La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery Life Savers Civic Memorial High School Lindbergh Early Childhood Education Lindbergh High Interact Little Flower Service Project Lord of Life Lutheran Church Lunsford Family Lutheran Hour Ministries MAB & Friends Makayla’s Warriors Marcone Supply Maritz Travel Mary Glass & Friends Maryville LIVE Children Maryville University Maryville University’s Student Nurse Association Massa’s Italian Restaurant McBride Charitable Foundation McClure North McK Girls McVey Family Media Cross Medinah Temple #39 Youth Group Meetup Volunteer Group (Christy) Meetup Volunteer Group (Cindy) Meetup Volunteer Group (Vince) Mercy HR Administration Mercy HR Systems Team Mercy St. Louis Real Estate Dept.

Merkel , Berra & Mr. H Mia’s Bat Mitzvah Michelle’s Birthday Revelers Microsoft

Mighty Micros Miranda’s Angels Monsanto Monsanto Global Procurement Monsanto MBT Monsanto MYPN Monsanto Regulatory People Team Monsanto-HR New Neighbors League (NNLC) Northwestern Mutual Oak Hill Presbyterian Church Oakville Dental Care Odd Fellows Lodge #5 Odd Fellows Lodge #2 Orchard Farm Staff Origami Owl Dream Makers Team Ostmann Elementary OTHS Softball Team Parkway United Church of Christ Patrylo Family Pfizer, Inc. Pond Elementary Read, Right, Run Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. Protective Asset Protection Protiviti Rawlings Sporting Goods Raytown Christian Church Youth Red Shoe Society Remembering Georgie Richmond Family River Bend Elementary Robinson Elementary - Kirkwood Rockford Rebels 4H Group Rockwood Summit High School National Honor Society Rockwood Summit SMILE Rubin Brown LLP SAAC Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard PC Saint Louis Women’s Basketball Santacruz/Bogacki SDHS Outreach Club Second Helping Seeser Church of God Senior Girl Scout Troop 2534 Senior Girl Scout Troop 3857 Serati Family Sigma Aldrich SLUDA SMOTJ - Stumpf SMOTJ - Burgoyne SMOTJ - Avery SNOW So You Think You Can Cook Sodexo SoTel Systems South City Friends South County Kiwanis Southwest Airlines Employees Southwest St. Louis County Kiwanis Spencer Road McDonalds St. Agatha Youth Ministry St. Elmo High School FCCLA St. Francis Episcopal Church Youth Group St. Gabriel The Archangel Confirmation St. John UCC

St. Joseph PSA St. Louis Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Delta St. Luke’s Women’s Evening Fellowship St. Mary’s School Alton St. Matthew Baptist Church St. Paul’s Lutheran School NJHS St. Peter Kirkwood St. Rose 8th Grade Girl Scouts St. Thomas/Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Stampers Who Serve Ste. Genevieve County Sherriff’s Office Strano & Associates Real Estate Sun Edison Inc. Talley Family Target Store #2539 Target - Hampton Village Target - St. Peters Team FTP The Bachman Family The Cast of the Battle Isn’t Yours The Helping Hands The Hofman, Keeven and Valenti Families The McDermott Family The Robinsons The Sczesniak Family The Sweet Family Thomas Family & Friends Tracy Brosch & Friends Trenton FUMC Troop 1494 True Media TRWC Life Group UMass Alumni Network of St. Louis UniQue United Healthcare University of Michigan Alumni Club Urban League Guild of Metropolitan St. Louis Ursuline Academy US Bank Valley Park National Junior Honor Society Victory Christian Academy Vineyard Community Church Vocational Skills Program Wade Family Wash U AED Wash U Black Alumni Council Washington U Circle K WestCo Dinner Squad Wheaton Academy Concert Choir Witte Family Women’s Electrical Board WPS-Wisconsin Physicians Service Wright Family Wyman TLP Xi Delta Epsilon Xi Iota Omega Xi Psi Phi Dental Fraternity Zion Lutheran Church ZTA Alumnae Chapter

Our Wish List Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis relies on donations of these household items to provide all the comforts of home in our three Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms. Thank you for your support.

Kitchen Items:

Cleaning Supplies:

Sweet/salty individually wrapped snacks, such as cookies, soups, mac ‘n’ cheese, breakfast bars, trail mix, peanut butter or cheese sandwich crackers, and candy bars Liquid hand soap, pump container Ziploc bags (gallon size) Microwavable bowls (such as Corningware) Paper plates Plastic forks and spoons Large Tupperware containers

Dishwasher detergent Disinfectant spray Multipurpose cleaner Swiffer hand duster sheets Windex

Laundry Facilities: High-efficiency laundry detergent Softener sheets

Miscellaneous: Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shaving cream and toothpaste Disposable razors Individually packaged toothbrushes iPhones (new or used) To donate items, please contact Matt Lauer at 314-485-0300 ext. 1234 or mlauer@rmhcstl.com.

In Loving Memory Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis extends its deepest sympathy to the families of these very special children: Jacoby Sturgis

Zackary Elliot

Diego Barch

Lillian Kinzle

Delaila Quintana

JaShaun Jackson

Brynleigh Botkin

Zane Epperson

Annabelle Tuttle

Bell Barnawell

Riyley Beck

Josiah Zimmerman

Gabriel Frazier

Austin Stevens

Kyia Daniels

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Heartbits

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The McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour raised nearly $6,000 for RMHC St. Louis! Thank you to McDonald’s of Greater St. Louis and Metro East and those who attended the event for your generosity!

A huge thank you to the Concord Village Lions Community Service Foundation for presenting RMHC with a generous donation this year!

Thank you to our friends from Macy’s for planting colorful flowers at our West County House earlier this year.

Thanks to your hard work, the House looked beautiful all spring and summer long!

The Twin Cities Junior Optimist Club hosted a Wish List drive for our Houses and Family Rooms. They helped fill our shelves with cleaning supplies, paper products and more. Thank you for your generous donation!

Many thanks to this great group of volunteers from Central Christian Church for donating their time at the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House this year. Thank you for making our House feel like home!

Employees from Dent Wizard worked hard to make the picnic tables at our Park Avenue House look brand new!

Now families can enjoy meals outside when the weather is nice. Thank you, Dent Wizard!

In 2012, the Cohn family stayed at the Park Avenue RMH while their son, Hudson, was being treated in the NICU. We were thrilled to see them again when they dropped off their tab top collection in June!

This past summer, our friends Sarah and Emma hosted a pink lemonade stand to raise money for RMHC. Thank you for your generosity!

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2015

Thank youthanks to Sheer Many toTerror the David Haunted House owner, and Betty Blumenthal Caden Elzy, for donating Community Service a portion of the proceeds Project for donating these collected fromstuffed his haunted adorable bears! house to RMHC St. Louis!

David and Betty wereWe couldn’t be more grateful for longtime volunteers, your support! whose organization continues to support RMHC. Thank you!

Thank you to the David and Betty Blumenthal Community Service Project for donating these adorable bears to our guest families! David and Betty were longtime volunteers whose legacy of service continues to live on.

Torin stopped by the Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. Louis Children’s Hospital to take a break and lend a hand. Many thanks to our friend Torin for being an honorary RMHC volunteer!

Employees from Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC donated their time and service at the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House in September. Thank you for your hard work and generosity!

On September 29, 2015, our West County Ronald McDonald House, located on the campus of Mercy Children’s Hospital in Creve Coeur, turned 5! Since opening as the 300th RMH worldwide, it has provided a home-away-from-home for more than 3,000 families.

Employees from Datamax St. Louis stopped by the Park Avenue House to present a check from their annual Casual for a Cause fundraiser. Thank you for your generosity!

After 501 days in St. Louis, Yordanis returned home to the Dominican Republic in June. Yordanis and his grandmother, Lourdes, called the West County RMH “home” during his treatment.

Employees from Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals donated their time at all three of our Ronald McDonald Houses this year. Thank you for your support and generosity!

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID JEFFERSON CITY, MO PERMIT NO. 210

ST. LOUIS

3450 Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 Check if appropriate: ___ My name is misspelled ___ My address is incorrect ___ I received more than one copy ___ I no longer wish to receive Heartbeat Do you prefer to receive our Heartbeat newsletter electronically? Let us know via email at info@rmhcstl.com.

West Pine Ronald McDonald House 4381 West Pine Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63108 314-531-6601

Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House 3450 Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104 314-773-1100

West County Ronald McDonald House 300 Ronald McDonald House Lane St. Louis, MO 63141 314-485-0300