2016 Fall/Winter Heartbeat Newsletter

HeartBeat

St. L

a publication of ronald mcdonald house charities® of st. louis FALL/WINTER 2016 • 314.773.1100 • www.rmhcstl.com

in this issue: big steps j’amaya took her first steps while staying at our west county ronald mcdonald house

the season of giving how you can help rmhc at the holidays

What’s inside 2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9 10 11-12 13-14 15-16 16

17-18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Letter from the President; On the Cover Meet the Lowery Family; Helping Hands Club Volunteer Spotlights; Volunteer Opportunities 2016 Special Events; Caring Partners Program Building Blocks On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! How to Help at the Holidays 2016 Home Away from Home Appeal The Elmendorf Family A Heartwarming Update on the Cary Family; Red Shoe Society Memorials Tributes; Donating your Vehicle to RMHC A Gift from the Heart Memorial & Tribute Bricks; Tree of Life Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Family Dinner Program New & Familiar Faces Heartbits Our Wish List; In Loving Memory

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.

2016 board of directors Felicia Malter, Chairperson Steve Pelch, Vice Chairperson Steve Holste, Treasurer Tami Keller, Vice Chairperson, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Karen Baer Dave Brandt Ann Bueler Dr. Mary Michaeleen Cradock Greg Diekemper Shawn Dryden Steve Fahrig George Gipson, III Lincoln Gray Ed Harmon Bridget Hoy

Anthony Irace Alicia Jett Dr. Joseph Kahn Sirus Karimi Derek Martin Jim Mosby Lee Renz Dave Sadler Keith Schieler Colleen Schoendienst Brad Seabaugh

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, Operations Alison Kaspar, Senior Manager, Human Resources Matt Lauer, Senior Manager, House Operations Abby Bandelow, Event Manager Jenifer Braucksieker, House Manager, West Pine Michelle Burmann, Finance Manager Ian Lindquist, House Manager, Park Avenue Kathy McDermott, Data Manager Katie Nepute, Communications Manager Barb Jarvis, Finance Coordinator Danielle Spencer, Annual Giving Coordinator Crista Dillinger, Communications Assistant Courtney Fischer, Assistant Family Room Manager Jaclyn French, Event Assistant Ginny Kappel, Human Resources-Volunteer Assistant Larry Pry, Data Assistant Clare Burke, Assistant House Manager, West Pine Nicki Castrianni, Assistant House Manager, West County Kerry O’Brien, Assistant House Manager, West Pine Lizzie Poe, Assistant House Manager, Park Avenue Nicki Island, Receptionist, Park Avenue April Cusamano, Housekeeper, West Pine Vicki Ruckman, Housekeeper, West Pine Joy Tate, Housekeepeer, West County

Letter from thE president

R

ecently a group of our staff members attended a Ronald McDonald House Charities conference in Chicago. This conference, which was hosted by our Global organization, featured workshops, seminars and sharing of best practices in our system. Hundreds of Ronald McDonald House Charities employees from the Americas and Canada participated.

Several of the primary themes of the conference included hospitality to our families, delivering a high level of care and support within our Houses and Family Rooms, and understanding how to best help our families during a very difficult time.

Shortly after returning from the conference, I received an early morning phone call from the West Pine House informing me of a water issue. Evidently, a pipe had burst or a plumbing malfunction occurred, and we had a half inch of water in the basement of the House.

Water had cascaded down from the third floor through the walls and floors on the second and first floors. As I headed to the West Pine House, I was upset and angry about another “major problem” that occurred in the facility that would cost us greatly.

Upon arriving at the West Pine House, I encountered our friends from Woodard (who are always there to help) and Jenifer, our House Manager, trying to soak up the water and survey the damage. Jenifer then pulled me aside and shared with me what had taken place. One of our dads, who had spent the whole night at the bedside of his son who is awaiting a heart transplant, just like every night, had returned to our House that morning to take a shower. This father fell asleep in the shower for over an hour and was blocking the drain; water built up and

spilled out from the shower as he slept.

I was heartbroken. I felt about two inches tall and couldn’t imagine the stress this father must be going through, and all I had been worried about was how much the damage would cost.

When I sent a note to our Board of Directors advising them of the status, one board member responded, “Dan, the good news is that this family really needs a place like the Ronald McDonald House, and we are there for them.

I’ve dealt with water damage and can handle that. I have never had to deal with a child or family member who needs an organ transplant, and I don’t know how I would deal with that.”

For me, this further demonstrated the importance of understanding, as best we can, the stress and pain that our families are dealing with. Whenever things get hectic in our Houses or Family Rooms (and they do), we have to put ourselves in the place of the families and do the best we can to help them through their journey.

Yes, thank God the Ronald McDonald House is there for families like these, and thank God for friends and donors like you who make it possible.

Sincerely,

Dan Harbaugh, President

On the Cover:

J’amaya and her mother, Zilta, stayed at our West County House earlier this year while she received orthopedic services at Shriners Hospitals for Children - St. Louis.

They returned to their home in St. Lucia in April, but not before J’amaya took her first steps while staying with us at the RMH.

Rashawn Lowery (left) and his mother, Joanie, stand outside the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House in September 2016.

meet the lowery family the ronald mcdonald house helped keep the lowery family close at a time when it mattered most

S

eptember 15, 2016, marked the end of a long journey for the Lowery family. For the past six weeks, they had called the Ronald McDonald House “home” as 16-year-old Rashawn underwent radiation treatments. While this long-awaited moment was filled with excitement, it was also bittersweet. Although returning home meant being reunited with family and friends, it also meant leaving the place that had provided them with

3 Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

comfort and care at a time when they needed it most.

On May 25, 2016, doctors found a mass on Rashawn’s optic nerve. Blind in his right eye, Rashawn was quickly airlifted to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Shortly after arriving in St. Louis, Rashawn underwent his first craniotomy, followed by a second several weeks later.

After his second surgery, Rashawn needed to

undergo six weeks of radiation treatments. It was during this time that Rashawn and his mom, Joanie, found comfort and care at the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House.

Whether it was the homecooked meals each night, the clean, comfortable rooms or the friendliness of the volunteers and staff, the Lowerys say they always felt at “home” during their stay.

In addition, both Joanie and Rashawn found the calm, comfortable environment of the House to be especially helpful, as Rashawn’s radiation treatments would often leave him tired and in need of a lot of rest.

“The peacefulness and quietness of the House was what Rashawn needed to help him recover,” says Joanie.

Staying at the Ronald McDonald House also allowed both Joanie and Rashawn to receive love and support from their family.

Because most of the rooms at each of the three Ronald McDonald Houses accommodate up to four people, Rashawn’s 12 siblings were able to take turns traveling to St. Louis to visit their mom and brother.

Because his condition sometimes caused short-term memory loss, interacting with his brothers and sisters on a regular basis was especially beneficial for Rashawn.

“Being able to see his brothers and sisters was really helpful,” says Joanie. “It was great that the kids were able to come visit,” she says.

Although they have returned home for now, the Lowery family will continue to travel to St. Louis throughout the next year for followup visits. The Ronald McDonald House will serve as their homeaway-from-home during this time.

At Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis, we couldn’t be more excited about Rashawn’s recovery. We look forward to seeing him continue to heal, alongside his family, at The House that Love Built. ■

helping hands

S

ince before she was born, Caroline Blankenship has been a fighter.

When her mom, Kelly, was just 17-weeks pregnant, she experienced premature rupture of membranes Caroline Blankenship (pictured right) (PROM), meaning and her sister, Addi, stand in front of a van filled with Wish List items her water broke.

While most women go into labor hours or, at most, days after this happens, Caroline defied all odds and waited 13 more weeks to be born. However, being born in Kelly’s 30th week of pregnancy still meant that Caroline was premature, and she stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Mercy Hospital for 60 days before coming home.

During this time, Kelly and her husband, Jeff, as well as Caroline’s other family members, found comfort and care inside the Ronald McDonald Family Room. Throughout the first few years of her life, Caroline did struggle with some health issues, which required additional stays at Mercy Children’s Hospital. Each time they returned, the Blankenships knew that the Ronald McDonald Family Room would be there waiting.

Today, Caroline is a happy, healthy 7-year-old. Recently, she told her parents that she wanted to do something to help people, so she formed the Helping Hands Club. Caroline decided her first order of business would be to collect Wish List items for the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Mercy Children’s Hospital, where her family spent so much time after she was born. After a couple months, her fundraiser had become a huge success, and on September 8, 2016, Caroline and her family delivered several cart-loads of items to the Family Room from the Helping Hands Club.

“I decided to do this because my parents used the Ronald McDonald Family Room when I was a baby, and I wanted to do something for them,” says Caroline.

We couldn’t be more grateful to Caroline and those who supported her Helping Hands Club for their generosity! ■

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

4

volunteer extraordinaire sandi mauger has been donating her time and talent to rmhc for more than 20 years

S

andi Mauger began volunteering for Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis 20 years ago, when the Park Avenue location opened. Sandi was first introduced to RMHC because her husband, Rick, was working for CocaCola, one of RMHC’s national donors.

Sandi, Rick, and their daughter, Ellen, prepared Thanksgiving dinner at the House every year until 2010, when the West County House opened, and they moved their culinary talents to our Creve Coeur location. Throughout the years, Sandi and her family have shared Thanksgiving dinner with hundreds of families, making many wonderful memories along the way.

Five years ago, Sandi decided she wanted to do more to help RMHC and its guest families, so she began volunteering in the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Mercy Children’s

5 Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

Hospital every other week. In addition to these Tuesday shifts from 3-6 p.m., Sandi also fills in as needed, helping to make sure the Family Room stays open to help as many families as possible. But her good work doesn’t stop there – Sandi also donates her time and talent to Mercy Children’s Hospital in the Child Life department once a week.

Interacting with children and their families is one of Sandi’s favorite aspects of volunteering. She has formed friendships with families over the years and even recalls one mother in particular who visited the Family Room frequently and eventually invited Sandi to meet her newborn baby, Mark, in the NICU. “I think sometimes people just want you to ask how their day is going,” she says.

Sandi also takes pride in

providing a calm, comfortable place where a patient’s parents, grandparents, siblings and more can get away from the clinical atmosphere of the hospital, all just steps away from their child. Whether a family is in need of a hot shower, laundry facilities, a cup of coffee, or a quick snack, the Family Room is there to help.

“It gives them a little bit of a break from the same four walls,” says Sandi.

“Anything that will provide some relief, we are happy to do.”

We are so grateful to Sandi and more than 300 fellow Ronald McDonald Family Room volunteers who help us keep these very special spaces open 12 hours a day, 365 days a year! Because of their service, we anticipate serving more than 12,000 families in our three Family Rooms this year. ■

good friends, great cause four friends make the ronald mcdonald house feel like “home”

Pictured from left to right: Kathy Crump, Carol Isaak and Kathy Rubie

F

or 26 years, Carol Isaak, Kathy Rubie, Vincee Eckstrand and Kathy Crump have been making the Ronald McDonald Vincee Eckstrand House feel like “home.”

In the fall of 1990, the group of friends began volunteering at the West Pine House, which served families of children being treated at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. With a small staff and only a few regular volunteers, they took on a variety of tasks. Cleaning rooms, hanging holiday decorations or sending thank you notes to donors, the ladies were always willing to tackle any project.

Throughout their years of volunteering, RMHC St.

Louis has grown tremendously. The West Pine House has undergone several expansions and renovations, transforming it into a 20-bedroom facility with eight long-term apartments located next door. A second House opened on Park Avenue in 1996, and in 2010 the third St. Louis Ronald McDonald House and 300th in the world opened on the campus of Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur.

As the organization grew, so did its network of dedicated volunteers, allowing the group of friends to take on a more-defined role. In 2010, this group moved their talents to the West County House, where they now volunteer every Monday morning.

Whether it’s cleaning, stocking shelves or organizing food items, Carol, Kathy Rubie, Vincee and Kathy Crump are always willing to go above and beyond to ensure that the kitchen is as comfortable as possible.

As long-standing volunteers, Carol, Kathy Rubie, Vincee and Kathy Crump have witnessed not only the growth of the organization, but also the increasing need for its services.

“The Ronald McDonald House serves a real need,” says Kathy Rubie. “When families come here they feel alone, but the House provides the community atmosphere that they need.”

We couldn’t be more grateful for the passion and dedication that Carol, Kathy Rubie, Vincee and Kathy Crump have brought to RMHC for so many years. ■

interested in volunteering?

Our volunteers make a difference in the lives of families with seriously ill children by donating their time and talent. Monthly information sessions are held for those interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities. Current 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

Park Avenue & West Pine ronald mcdonald House Volunteers

Volunteers are needed for weekend and evening shifts at our Ronald McDonald Volunteers are needed for a variety Family Rooms located inside of St. Louis of shifts throughout the week at our area pediatric hospitals.

Park Avenue and West Pine Ronald McDonald Houses.

delivery drivers and handy volunteers Delivery drivers are needed to make weekly runs to distribute and pick up House and Family Room supplies. Handy volunteers are needed to perform maintenance projects at the Houses.

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

6

2016 special events recap

12th Annual Tab Top Pandemonium ■ saturday, april 30, 2016 On Saturday, April 30, supporters gathered at the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House to turn in their collections of aluminum tabs and keys, competing for the largest collections and most creative collection containers. Despite the rainy weather, everyone was able to enjoy a day of fun including lunch, games and prizes! Many thanks to our sponsor, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, volunteers from Bunge, and our friends at Didion Orf Recycling. Save the date for next year’s Tab Top Pandemonium, which will take place on Saturday, May 6 at the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House.

31st annual cushman & wakefield/rmh golf tournament and dinner auction sunday, june 5 and monday, june 6, 2016 This summer we once again hosted our Annual Golf Tournament & Dinner Auction at Meadowbrook Country Club. On Sunday, guests enjoyed an elegant evening, featuring delicious food and live and silent auctions. On Monday, over 200 golfers participated in the tournament, enjoying food and drink all day long, while competing for the 1st place title. More than $800,000 was raised for The House that Love Built! We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to every committee member, sponsor and volunteer that made this event a success.

7 Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

Presented by

thanks for a successful year!

16th annual kids & Clays tournament and dinner auction sunday, august 14 and monday, august 15, 2016 On August 14 and 15, the 16th Annual Kids & Clays event, presented by Moneta Group, raised a recordbreaking $365,000! The dinner auction was held at the Missouri Athletic Club – Downtown, where guests enjoyed live music, dinner, raffles and silent/ live auctions. On the following day, 200 participants headed out to the gorgeous Strathalbyn Farms Club in Weldon Spring for a 100-target sporting clays tournament, enjoying side game competitions and a barbecue lunch.

23rd Annual Scramble for Charity golf Tournament friday, september 16, 2016 The 23rd Annual Scramble for Charity Golf Tournament, presented by McDonald’s, was hosted once again by The Country Club at The Legends. Rainy conditions kept the golfers from playing a full 18 holes, but we were grateful for the staff at The Legends for keeping the course in the best conditions possible. A special thank you to the Ladies of McDonald’s for providing an array of food and drinks for the golfers, as well as raffle items, all to benefit RMHC. Over $128,000 was raised thanks to the efforts of our committee, sponsors and participants!

caring partners program 29th annual IUOE LOCAL 148 charity bass tournament ■ september 10, 2016 The 29th Annual “Reel Help for Kids” Charity Bass Tournament, hosted

by IUOE Local 148, was a huge success! On September 10, 110 teams participated in this event, which took place at Lake of the Ozarks Public Beach Area #2 Marina, and helped raise $26,000 for RMHC St. Louis.

RMHC St. Louis would like to thank all of the individuals, organizations and corporations that hosted third-party fundraisers such as this on behalf of our charity. For more information about the Caring Partners Program, or how you can help host a fundraiser, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/thirdpartyfundraisers. To see a complete list of upcoming events hosted on behalf of RMHC St. Louis, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/aroundtown.

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

8

Building Blocks building a foundation for our success

O

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.

The list below features RMHC’s Building Blocks from January 2016 through October 2016.

105.7 The Point 38th Street Financial Above All Development/ Home 2 Suites Forest Park Airport Terminal Services Alan Green 4 Chesed Fund Ameren Anheuser-Busch Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield ARCO National Construction Company, Inc. Argent Capital Management, LLC AssuredPartners of Missouri AT&T Avala Marketing BJC Healthcare Branded Group Brown Smith Wallace, LLC Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc. Cass Commercial Bank Citi Clark Logistic Services CMG, Inc. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Coldwell Banker Gundaker Comfort Experts, Inc. Contegra Construction Company, LLC Core States Group CSG West General Contractors CSI Leasing Cushman & Wakefield Daniels Family Deeken Properties, LLC Dillard’s Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Dynamic Vending

9

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

Enterprise Holdings Foundation FedEx Services Full Care, Inc. Gardens of Grace Gateway Truck & Refrigeration Gateway Warehouse & Transportation George Gipson Golden State Foods Gori, Julian & Associates Guarantee Electrical HBM Holdings Hemphill Financial Group Husch Blackwell LLP ISC Contracting IUOE Local 148 Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour J.F. Electric, Inc. Johnny Londoff Chevrolet Kadean Construction Company Karpel Solutions La Z Boy Lafayette High School Senior Women’s Club Lee K. Renz Lewis Rice, LLC Lion Petroleum Lodging Hospitality Management LoneRiders Marcone Supply Marty Cancila Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram McCarthy Holdings, Inc. McDonald’s Co-op of Metro St. Louis, Inc. McDonald’s USA Heartland Region Mercy Kids Midwest Equipment Company Midwest Valve & Controls, Inc.

Missouri Lottery Moneta Group Mulligan’s Grill O’Charley’s - O’Fallon Packaging Concepts, Inc. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust Parkway West High School Plaza Motors Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. Premium Retail Services Quality Solutions, Inc. RAM Racing Relocation Real Estate Services Rent N Roll of Missouri Rothman Furniture Stores, Inc. RSM RubinBrown, LLP Sharon Hopkins Spectrum Business St. Louis Blues/Blues for Kids TCG Services, LLC Teamster Horsemen Chapter 13 The Retina Center, P.C. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis The Steward Family Foundation Thirty-One Timothy Loy TJ Wies Contracting True Media Tyson Foods, Incorporated Vee-Jay Cement Contracting Company Vivian of St. Louis, Inc. Walgreens Willert Home Products World Wide Technology Zeller Technologies

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO! love to walk or 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 11, 2016. Enjoy a scenic downtown course, culminating in a finish line party at Soldier’s Memorial that any chocolatelover would 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! for a cause

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of St. Louis is excited to partner with GO! St. Louis for the 2016 Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend on April 8-9, 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 for the 5K, Half Marathon, Marathon, or Marathon Relay. All Team RMHC members will receive free race registration, a Team RMHC-St. Louis technical shirt, access to a training newsletter, and much more! For more information or to join our team, visit www.rmhcstl.com/teamrmhcstl.

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

10

how to help at 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 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 RMHC 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.

11

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

the Holidays holiday cards & holiday card inserts 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(s). Holiday tribute cards feature a snowflake heart image, read “Happy Holidays” and are signed and mailed by RMHC to a list provided by you.

Prefer to send your own cards? 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, and all inserts feature a snowflake heart image.

Traditional holiday cards, which read “Season’s Greetings” on the front and “Wishing you a bright and joyous holiday season and happiness in the coming year” inside, are also available for purchase and are $12 for 10 cards. For more information, visit www.rmhcstl.com/holidays or contact Danielle Spencer at 314-932-4146 or dspencer@rmhcstl.com.

Above, left: Traditional holiday cards feature a snowman design and can be purchased in packs of 10 for $12; Above, right: Holiday tribute cards are signed and mailed by RMHC to a list provided by you, while holiday tribute card inserts are flat notes that can be placed inside your own holiday cards. Both of these options let your recipients know that you have made a gift to RMHC St. Louis in their honor this holiday season.

don’t forget to shop with Amazon Smile 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 and vast selection as on Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to RMHC St. Louis!

In fact, our organization receives hundreds of dollars 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 for future purchases, and you can even bookmark the link.

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

12

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

The Arnold Family finds all the

comforts OF HOME Samantha and Lucas Arnold discovered that their son, Ezekiel, would be born with spina bifida, a condition in which a baby’s spine does not develop properly, when Samantha was just 18 weeks pregnant. The Arnolds traveled from their hometown of Pekin, Illinois, to St. Louis, where Samantha underwent fetal repair surgery.

The Ronald McDonald House on Park Avenue

became their home-away-from-home during Samantha’s recovery and continues to provide comfort and care when their family travels to St. Louis for Ezekiel’s medical care.

“Traveling back and forth can be a major hardship,” says Samantha, “but having the Ronald McDonald House is such a blessing.” ■

“For 35 years, RMHC St. Louis has been serving families like mine. They exist to make sure that children receive the very best medical care possible, even if it is hundreds or thousands of miles from home, all while keeping mom and dad close by every step of the way. That is why I am proud to serve as Honorary Chair for the 2016 Home Away from Home Appeal.”

- John O’Leary Photo by Susie Gaal

19

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

#1 National Bestselling Author & Inspirational Speaker 2016 Home away from Home Appeal honorary chair

Home Away from Home 2016 Appeal

The Home Away from Home Appeal,

First Ronald McDonald House opens in St. Louis

1981

Celebrating 35 Years

Second House Expansion

1989

West Pine Boulevard • 8 bedrooms

Property to the left is purchased • 20 bedrooms

First House Expansion

An expansion takes place to accommodate more families • 14 bedrooms

1996

Second House opens in St. Louis

2003

Park Avenue • 31 bedrooms

Long-term apartment building opens

First Family Room relocates

2010

St. Louis Children’s Hospital

2013

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is launched

In partnership with Eye Care Charity of Mid-America to deliver free eye care to underprivileged children

Third Family Room opens

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital (formerly SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center)

2010

Mercy Children’s Hospital

First Ronald McDonald Family Room opens

Mercy Hospital (formerly St. John’s Mercy Medical Center)

2008

Second Family Room opens

2007

Adjacent to West Pine House • 39 bedrooms

2005

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 2016 will become members of the Cornerstone Society. Last year, 409 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 to do so again next year to honor our newest Cornerstone Society members.

All 2016 Cornerstone Society members will be listed in the Spring/Summer 2017 Heartbeat newsletter. For more information about the Cornerstone Society, please contact Frank Cognata, Vice President, Development, at 314-932-4148 or fcognata@rmhcstl.com.

St. Louis Louis St.

1984

now in its fifth year, is an annual giving program that provides the financial foundation for the yearly operation of our three Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms.

The actual cost of a family’s one-night stay at the Ronald McDonald House is $85; however, we ask families to contribute just a small fraction of that amount. Due to mounting medical bills and other uninsured living expenses, nearly half cannot afford even this small contribution - but no family is ever turned away if they are unable to pay. That’s why we need your help now more than ever!

To make a contribution to the 2016 Home Away from Home Appeal, please use the donation envelope attached to this newsletter. Or to make a gift online, visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate. All 2016 Annual Giving donors will be listed in the Spring/Summer 2017 Heartbeat newsletter.

Because you open your hearts, we are able to open our doors to 14,000+ families every year. Thank you for your support.

Third St. Louis Ronald McDonald House (and 300th in the world) opens

On the campus of Mercy Hospital • 59 bedrooms

Find more RMHC history at rmhcstl.com/35years

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

14

the elmendorf family christie and jeremy elmendorf channeled their grief into giving back

O

ne day last June, boxes upon boxes arrived at the West County Ronald McDonald House, each filled to the brim with tab tops or items from our wish list. Soon, the entire lobby was filled with tabs and household items for families of seriously ill children.

While the incredible size and scale of this donation was special, what made it all so extraordinary was a little boy named Chase.

One year earlier, Christie and Jeremy Elmendorf of St. Charles welcomed their first child, Chase, into the world. Chase was born four weeks early and was soon diagnosed with neuroblastoma, requiring immediate chemotherapy. Although both he and his family fought hard,

15

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

Chase passed away just 17 days after he was born.

To honor and remember him, Christie and Jeremy hosted a party for Chase in June 2016 on what would have been his first birthday.

Instead of gifts, they asked friends and family to bring donations of wish list items for Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. They chose RMHC because of the time they spent in the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Mercy Children’s Hospital after Chase was born.

But even before they collected donations for RMHC families, the Elmendorfs started a Facebook page dedicated to Chase that encouraged people throughout the St. Louis community to partake in random

acts of kindness. It caught on quickly, and Christie and Jeremy were beyond inspired by all of the thoughtful things that complete strangers were doing in Chase’s memory.

Although his time here was short, Chase’s life has already made a lasting impact on so many. Their cousin, Angie Elmendorf, even presented Christie and Jeremy with the Pay It Forward reward, a $500 gift card on behalf of First Bank and Fox 2 News, which they immediately donated back to RMHC. “It’s incredible,” says Dan Harbaugh, RMHC St. Louis President. “They are turning their grief into something very, very positive to help other families. ■

a heartwarming update one year later, the cary family returns to the house that love built The Cary family at our Park Avenue House

D

o you remember the Cary family? They called the Park Avenue House “home” when their baby, Jade, was born six weeks early in March 2015.

The Cary family returned home in August of last year, where Jade would spend the next several months waiting for a kidney transplant. During this time, Jade underwent dialysis treatments that, eventually, kept her in her crib for 18 hours each day.

Finally, on September 16, 2016, Clint and Amanda Cary received the phone call they had been desperately

waiting for – a kidney was available for Jade. The next day, she underwent an 8-hour, life-saving surgery.

As their daughter recovered, Clint and Amanda spent the next few nights by her side in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Soon after, they moved back into the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House where they would take turns staying while Jade recovered from surgery.

“After staying in the hospital and getting little sleep, it was nice to be able to get the rest we needed,” says Clint.

“Everyone is so welcoming and the other families really understand what you are going through,” says Amanda.

Recently, Jade was released from the hospital and joined her parents at the Ronald McDonald House.

In addition to spending time with her mom and dad, Jade enjoyed the playroom, going for walks and sharing her contagious smile with the volunteers, staff and other families.

At Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis, we couldn’t be happier about welcoming the Cary family back to the Ronald McDonald House. We look forward to seeing Jade continue along her road to recovery. ■

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 • Help plan and attend fundraising activities and social functions • Valuable experience to include on your résumé • Opportunity to support RMHC and serve as an ambassador throughout the St. Louis community

The annual 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 Red Shoe Society on social media at www.facebook.com/RedShoeSTL or www.twitter.com/RedShoeSTL. Upcoming Meeting: Red Shoe Society Membership Meeting Tuesday, November 15, 2016 West Pine Conference Room 4381 West Pine Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108 Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

16

memorials The following gifts were made in memory of someone special from January 1 to June 30, 2016.

Shirley Albietz Joseph P. Vollmer and Susan Bartoni-Vollmer Paige Altmann Mrs. Dorothy Altmann Mr. Perry Jahnke Jean Astroth Mr. Robert Astroth Donald Bachman Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Blankemeyer Alfred Bader Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Carmen Arlene Bancroft Mr. Donald H. Bancroft Barbara Baskin Mr. Gregory A. Zeiger Tim Basler Mr. and Mrs. Mark Schnable Ruth Bauer Mrs. Jeanette Laury Matthew Kelly Bazoian Ms. Beatrice Bazoian Mr. and Mrs. J L. Brewbaker Virginia Mae Beckwith Mr. Ronald Auer Ms. Elizabeth Hodge Mr. Martin Templin Mike Beishir Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Garland Jack Gordon Benoist The Private Bank and Trust Company Mrs. Patti Thomas Rick Berry Greenview Elks Lodge #2857 Mrs. Mary Ann Kaiser Mr. and Mrs. Ed Lang Mrs. John Nassif Ms. Lola J. Westhoff Mr. and Mrs. John Winkleman Alice Malene Bible Jennifer Valier Drury Marci Bikshorn Mrs. Robin Roach Ms. Abby Schneider Mrs. Beverly M. Spector Eden Bisker The Boeing Company Ms. Lea-ann Morton Delbert Boone Mr. David L. Tornetto John C. Braucksieker Anonymous Mr. Dale Bolte Ms. Marie E. Bolte Mr. and Mrs. John P. Britt Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Brooks Mr. Frank J. Cognata, Jr. Ms. Peggy Connelly Mr. Charles Darling

17

(Braucksieker cont’d) Mr. and Mrs. Gary G. Deeken Mr. David Desmond Mr. and Mrs. Timothy C. Dolan Mrs. Judith K. Farthing Mr. Bill Hacker Mr. Larry Hall Dan and Kelly Harbaugh Mr. Jack Heeger Mr. Jim Helfrich Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hendrix Ms. Carol Holt Mrs. Shelley M. Honer Ms. Ruth M. Houlihan The Honorable David and Janet Hoven Mr. and Mrs. Phil Jarvis Ms. Amy Key Ms. Kimber Key Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Malter Ms. and Mr. Kathleen A. McKeon Mr. and Mrs. Brian Menking Mr. and Mrs. Timothy A. Messex Mr. Kevin Monahan Ms. Marie B. Moore Ms. Margaret F. Normile Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Perkins Mr. and Mrs. Mark H. Petty Mr. and Mrs. Neal G. Slaten Mr. and Mrs. Kirk P. Syberg Ms. Joyce E. Thuston Ms. Deborah M. Vogt Ms. Jeannie Will Mr. and Mrs. Gavin Woolley Mr. and Mrs. Jerry J. Worley Alex Brown Mr. and Mrs. Dawsey Brown Bob Bruce Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Tevlin Lloyd Bruckerhoff Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Adeline Buddemeyer Mr. and Mrs. Vincent J. Tedeschi Alec Burkeen Ms. Jeanette Gift Essie Burlison Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Misuraca Roman Bushmeyer Mr. Colin Houchins Luke Gordon Butler Mr. and Mrs. Keith Butler Paul Geoffrey Carlisle Mr. and Mrs. Harvey M. Cohen Hughes Carter Mrs. Robin Roach Carol Casper Anonymous Bernard Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Dan P. Brennan Sunny Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

Carolyn Cole Mrs. Connie J. Asselmeier Mrs. Betty Barstad Ms. Mary L. Hosea Ms. Elisabeth Iftner Tops # 37 St. Ann Lori Coleman Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Yazmine Collins Mrs. ShaKeena Avery-Collins Mary Collins Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Byrne Emily Marie Convery Mary and Tom White Archer Monroe Cook Mr. and Mrs. Tony Cook Mr. William Getz Elsie Corbett Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Gorman Daniel G. Croghan Mr. Tony Gillick Martha Davey Mrs. Betty Urban Rebecca Dickerson Mr. and Mrs. Howard Goldenberg Joan Dolan Mr. David L. Tornetto Robert Donohue Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Donohue Wanda Dowell Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Pogulis Cindy Dresner Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Hamann Jack Drunett Ms. Pat D. Cooseman Cecilie Dukay Mrs. Ella Marie Taubel Robert W. Dunn Mr. and Mrs. M. Myron Hochman Andrew Durkin Mr. and Mrs. Andy Pullen Viktor Ebers Mrs. Doris Decker Margaret Effan Mrs. Suzanne D. Bierman Kathleen Eiswirth The Boeing Company Mr. Donald Boekemeier Dr. Kevin Bowcutt Ms. Kay Brody Bullhorn Dr. and Mrs. Harry D. Burack Coldwell Banker Gundaker Corporate Centre Sales Ms. Hannah Dumey Lambert Ebbermeyer Mr. and Mrs. Angel Espinosa Ms. Judy S. Grewe Mr. & Mrs. Michael Grote Mrs. Joecile M. Hoerner Mr. and Mrs. Dennis H. Kaeser

(Eiswirth cont’d) Mrs. Jeanne C. Lau Mrs. Tina Liberto Ms. Charlotte McFarlin-Strong Mr. and Mrs. George F. Orton Ms. Jaime Pendill Mr. and Mrs. Phillip S. Ruben Mr. Thomas Smith Mr. and Mrs. James Sorensen Mr. and Mrs. Philip J. Strasser Chase Elmendorf The Boeing Company Ms. Bonnie Burton Mrs. Carol Elmendorf Zane Epperson Bryant Burke Ms. Barb Houghton John Bob Evans Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Newton Brian Faerber Mr. Kevin J. Brennan Paul Faris Mr. and Mrs. David Silverman Myrna Feiner Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Sterneck Martin R. Feit Mr. and Mrs. Gary Levinson Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Sterneck Kevin & Todd Ferguson Mrs. Shirley Ferguson Dorothy Finan Ms. Mary M. Nonn Gary Fisher Marc Schreiber Paul Flatt Mr. and Mrs. Gary Adams Phillip Fleetwood Ms. Betty Kronemeyer Robert Fleming Mr. and Mrs. James M. Hamilton Benjamin Fliesher Mr. and Mrs. David R. Segal Macquorn Forrester Mr. and Mrs. Paul Szewczyk Rylan Foster Mr. and Mrs. Bryan A. Deloose Mr. and Mrs. Joe Deschepper Mr. and Mrs. Melvin L. Marr Gregory A. Fox Mr. and Mrs. Larry Eilbott Lisa Frazen Mrs. Beverly M. Spector Nadine Frericks Ms. Teri L. Graves Tom Gabriel Ms. Mary M. Nonn Vito Gelezunas Mr. David L. Tornetto Edward M Gerli Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Naugle, Jr.

Mary Gierhart Mr. and Mrs. William D. Luttrell Mark Scott Giulvezan Ms. Irma L. Zurmuehlen Marjorie C. Gleiforst Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Barbara F. Goldberg Mrs. Pattylynn Fogle Ms. Constance Lohr Evan Goldberg Mr. and Mrs. Brett Boyle Virginia Gough Mr. and Mrs. Bart Saracino Lawrence A. Grady Mr. and Mrs. Gene F. Wesley David Greenstein Mr. and Mrs. Mike Greenstein Derek Griffitts Ms. Joanne Nelson Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wiley Virginia Grigaitis Ms. Thelma Chilton Steven Grimes Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Char Grossman Ms. Emily Schneider Lois Haley Ms. Carolyn G. Cole LaVerne Haley Ms. Joan Huntebrinker Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kissel Mr. and Mrs. Lev Reynolds Mrs. Betty Schippers Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Staten Mr. Ronald Taake Steven Hanks Dr. Meenakshy Aiyer Matthew and Nicole Bramlet Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Button Mr. Kevin Byrne Ms. Paula Charlton Ms. Mary Egli Mr. Melvin Esselman Mr. Scott Fischer Mae Meta Hanks Mr. and Mrs. John Hanks Mr. and Mrs. Neil Hanks Mrs. Debra Henkins Ms. Jean L. Johnson Ralph Keck Ms. Bree Kerley Mr. Bud Klaustermeier Mr. and Mrs. Craig M. Laudeman Mrs. Janet M. Laudeman Mr. Charles Lewis Mr. Steven McAdams Mr. and Mrs. James W. McCriskin Ms. Maryanne McKay Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Meeker Mr. Dennis Nagel Mr. and Ms. Anthony Orfanos

Memorials Continued (Hanks cont’d) Ms. Kathleen Parr Mrs. Margaret Quick Mr. and Mrs. Keith Rahn Mr. David P. Rieger Mr. Jim Rood Mr. Robert Schmidt Ms. Gail Shimer Mr. Kahlil Thomas Mrs. Lesley Wagner Mr. Richard Whisler Mrs. Bonnie Willis Mr. and Mrs. Craig M. Woodley Chris Hemmen Mr. and Mrs. Dean Perry Kasandra Herrin Mr. Clyde Hentz Lynn Hittler Mr. and Mrs. Patrick J. Knoll Debbie Mae Hofmann Mrs. Victoria Tornetto Marie E. Hoge Mrs. Audrey Sczepanski Rae Hollingshead Mr. and Mrs. Phil Jarvis John Horan Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Steve Horvath Mr. and Mrs. Joe E. Kube Theresa Hughes Mrs. Marci Fendelman Mary Marjorie Hurst Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Malter Patricia Hutton Mr. Robert Blankemeyer Eleanor Irace Mr. Anthony W. Irace Benjamin Jackson Ms. Shirley M. Good Noah James Mr. and Mrs. Paul W. Hagman Paige James Mr. and Mrs. Eric James Mrs. Mary Jo Sgro Jeff Johl Mr. Justin Johl John S. Jones Mrs. Mary Jones Silas Kaley Mr. Nathaniel Kaley Ruthann Karr Mr. James Arnold Mr. Richard Baseler Ms. Lucy Feltman Mr. and Mrs. Gary S. Gianino Ms. Patricia Heskes Ms. Victoria L. Hollenbeck and Mr. David G. Gavwiner Mr. and Mrs. Norman Holzwarth Mr. Thomas E. Intagliata Mrs. and Mrs. Linda M. Poth Lt. Col. and Mrs. Gregory C. Raimondo Mr. and Mrs. Lee J. Schuler Mr. and Ms. Willi Splisgardt Mrs. Kathleen A. Steel Voss Family Gene Katz Mr. and Mrs. Elliot M. Glassman

Kevin Kelley Mrs. Chris McCormick Oscar Killean Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Frankie Kinyon Mr. and Mrs. Phillip J. DeWein Donald Klein Ms. Janet Krupnik Robert N. Klos Mr. Jon Goding Hue Vista Neighborhood Association George W. Knapstein Mr. and Mrs. James Glavin Edwin & Jerome Kohler Ms. Nancy Haynes Mary Kopsky Mr. and Mrs. James L. Kellar Adam Kornblet Mr. and Mrs. Gary Tockman Gertraud Kotar-Diener Mrs. Betty Urban Joseph Land Mr. and Mrs. Alan S. Nissenbaum Dorothy Levison Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt Michael Levy Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt Werner Levy Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt Traci Little Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L. Brown Geraldine Lovan Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Newton Glen Lovan Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Newton Julia Maness Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley James McAleenan Ms. Christine Alvey Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Becherer The Boeing Company Mrs. Barbara Brooks Mrs. June Gagen Ms. Betty Grites Mr. and Mrs. William Obermark Mr. Steve Ruckman Mr. Drew Stoker Ms. Diane Wilson Mrs. Laura Youngs Bob McCormick Mrs. Elizabeth T. Perry Teresa McLafferty Mr. and Mrs. James M. Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Newman Wilbert Meyer Mr. and Mrs. John J. Vogt Leo Miederhoff Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Charlie Mills Mr. and Mrs. David R. Brandt Adam Mlynarczyk Anonymous Geraldine Moeller Mrs. Laura Adams Bright & Associates Inc. Mrs. Lynne Caldwell John Covilli Mr. and Mrs. John Heppermann

Jeremy Morales Ms. Pamela S. Laplant William D. Morris Mr. and Mrs. Wendell R. Baxter Steve Morris Mr. and Mrs. Steve Hedges Janice B. Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Steven C. Schultz Jaxson Murphy John Willy Charles Nash Mr. David L. Tornetto Tony Neal Mr. and Mrs. Matt Vossen Megan Nelson Ms. Mary M. Nelson Michelle E. Nickel The Boeing Company Ms. Janet M. Dunham Ms. Gail Schutte Joan Raye Nicolay Mr. Philip Nicolay Charence Nonn Ms. Mary M. Nonn Mary Nonn Ms. Mary M. Nonn Robert Oatley Mrs. Jeanette Laury Etta Oberle Mr. and Mrs. Dean Perry Ester A. Ochs Mr. Ed Meyer Nick Olsen Mr. and Mrs. Irving Boime John O’Malley Ms. Jeanne Whitehead Anna Marie O’Neill Mr. and Mrs. Francis Stroble Cyrilla Overkamp Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Betty Lou Padgett Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Swift Giovanna Palazzo Ms. Josephine Byrne Francis Patton Mr and Mrs. Buzz Swanston Paula Bean’s Mother Mrs. Suzanne D. Bierman Eileen Peisker Mr. David L. Tornetto Kathryn Pendergast Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Sohaney Seth Pippin Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Hill James Powers Mr. and Mrs. Larry Behymer, Jr. William C Prasuhn Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Malter Richard Dwain Pry Mr. and Mrs. Phil Jarvis Mrs. Diane Slaven Sharon R. Przybylski Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Przybylski Joni Rasmussen Mr. Robert E. Rasmussen John L. Rice Mr. and Mrs. Larry W. Wilkerson

Howard A. Rohlfing Mr. Bert Judedmann, Jr. Helen Romberg Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Rose Rosen Mr. and Mrs. Gary Levinson Dorris Rosenberg Mrs. Beverly M. Spector Fr. Kenneth Rowles Mr. and Mrs. David R. Segal Carl Ruether Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Pelch, Jr. Andy Sager Mr. Clyde H. Wehmeier Jessica Sapp Mr. and Mrs. Larry Sapp Bartholomew Saracino Mr. Dave Hall Sharon Schlenther Mr. Richard A. Zakrewski Herman Schmitz Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Eleanor Martha Eugenia Schneider Jere Brew Mary A. Schonert LS Custom Painting & Carpentry, LLC Wilbert Schuchardt Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Mary Schutt Ms. Lois R. Flaxbart Michael Sczepanski Mrs. Audrey Sczepanski William Seeger Mr. and Mrs. Donald F. Barr Dan Selke Clayton Hanley Insurance Service, Inc. Don and Maggie Seymour Ms. Pam D. Hinkamp Naomi Silvermintz Mr. Charles Kessler John Smith Mr. and Mrs. Ervin D. Weinmeister Ronald Splean Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Art Steiger Mr. and Mrs. David Silverman David Steiner Ms. Sharon Bathje Tara Lynn Stoffel Ms. Jennifer Diercks Robert Streab Mr. and Mrs. William D. Luttrell Loraine Stroble Mr. and Mrs. Francis Stroble Theresa Suter Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Suter Arthur Lee Tate Mr. and Mrs. Phil Jarvis Antonia Tedeschi Mr. and Mrs. Vincent J. Tedeschi June Thebeau Mr. and Mrs. Bill Kendall Charles Rolf Steve Timmons Mr. David L. Tornetto

Mark Tulper Ms. Paula Gieger Christine Tyree Ms. B. L. Dallinger Mr. Tim Gleason Mrs. Claranne Gleason Ms. Janice Hermacinski Mr. Arthur Hipple Ms. Glenda Lowery Mrs. Laura Shane Paul von Gontard Mr. and Mrs. John Klipsch Henry & Rose VonRohr Ms. Joyce A. Gray Henry & Rose VonRohr Ms. Joyce A. Gray Gordon E. Wall Mrs. Marilyn Wall Jazzmine Wallace Mr. and Mrs. Ray A. Bolduc Vivian B. Waters Centene Collaboration Team Circle Of Hope Bracelets Ms. Margaret A. Currinder Ms. I’Lee Lobdell Rosalie Weber Mr. Sidney Weber Ruth Weingart Ms. Gail I. Lapin Newton White Mr. and Mrs. Richard V. Wagner Ernie Winkelmann Mr. and Mrs. William C. Goeddel Gabrielle Wintjen Mr. and Mrs. George Wintjen Wilbert Witthaus Mrs. Dixie Eckelkamp Tricia Woods Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Zach Yeager Clayton Hanley Insurance Service, Inc. Judy Zeidman Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Doris Zumbehl Ms. Pamela Biondo Mrs. Barbara Canovi Deer Run Library Mr. Edward Hill Ms. Deanna Hollrah Mr. Tom Koenig Ms. Judith E. McCown Mrs. L. J. Meers Ms. Kathleen Meers Ms. Lois Richterkessing Ms. Laura Russell Melinda Walker Ms. Melba J. Wehmeier Mrs. Mary J. Wehmeyer Mrs. Darleen Wiederhold Mr. R. Howard Zumbehl We make every effort to include everyone correctly.

If you have a correction, please contact us at 314.932.4134. Please visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate to make a donation.

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

18

tributes The following gifts were made in honor of someone special from January 1 to June 30, 2016.

Julie Aleshire ESCO Technologies, Inc. Shirdi Sai Baba Mr. Gopinath Vijayakumar Stephanie Barta Mrs. Mimi Levy Scott Bazoian Ms. Beatrice Bazoian Tracy Bazoian Ms. Beatrice Bazoian Elsie Black Mrs. Andrea Stranghoener Stuart L. Block Dan and Kelly Harbaugh Stuart L. Block Mrs. Brenda J. Shaw Stuart L. Block Mr. Michael Staenberg Isaac Bomtrager Anonymous Charles N. Brandt Mr. and Mrs. Steven Zamler Kahli Brauch Ms. Carol A. Schanz Kilah Brauch Ms. Carol A. Schanz Fr. Gary Braun Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. Daniels Emmalyn Brown Ms. Tanya Bisso Ms. Larissa Brown Blanche L. Bueler Ms. Donna Garlich Miriam Buford Mr. and Mrs. Willie Epps Percy Coleman Mr. Elmer Dunker Bobby Cooke Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Lanser Michael D’Alfonso Mr. and Mrs. Larry Eilbott

Gloria and Gary Deeken Mr. and Mrs. Phil Jarvis Arlene Diekemper Mr. and Mrs. Gregory R. Diekemper Dianna Dimartino Mr. and Mrs. Hiram C. Martin III Kate & Lily Embree Mr. Charles M. Embree Mr. and Mrs. Buzza Feinfold Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Shoss Ryder Fogel Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ferman Janet French Ms. Joyce Miller Hannah Fricker Anonymous Lisa Friedman Ms. Joyce Boonshaft Brian Gasey Ms. Monica Gasey Lacey Gellsinger ESCO Technologies, Inc. Dave and Andrea Giarla Dan and Kelly Harbaugh Mickey and Marvin Goldman Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Lasker Gary Growe EHFS Taylor Hackworth Mrs. Martha Grah Sue and Dave Halpern Mr. and Mrs. Tab Cohen Dan Harbaugh Mr. and Mrs. William C. Goeddel Giovanna Ainslee Hill Mrs. Sally James Liz Isgriggs Ms. Mary Signaigo Scott Jarvis Ms. Janet Murley

Bob & Mary Ann Jauer Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mihanovich Barbara E. Jestic Mr. and Mrs. Dan Jestic Gregory Jewell Ms. Tara Van Den Boogert Christine M Joyce Ms. Mary Ann Cicero Bailey Kaiser Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Seamands Penelope Key Mr. and Mrs. Philip Key Fritz Leistner Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Gruenloh Al and Roberta Lewis Mr. Al Lewis Alejah Little Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Sullivan Arlene Maloney Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Bosse Felicia M Malter Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant RubinBrown LLP Robert W. Manges Ms. Laura Hooker-Davison Michael Massoni Mr. David Misselhorn McDonald’s USA Heartland Regional Sales & Service Center Taylor Company Jacob T Moak Ms. Lou Ann Moak Margie Moon Ms. Mary Signaigo Mrs. Moss’ 2nd Grade 2015-2016 United Hebrew Congregation Gary Muenster ESCO Technologies, Inc.

Rae Narcisse-Bryant Mr. and Mrs. James P. Hennessy Saraswathi Palanivelu Mr. Gopinath Vijayakumar Dominic Perotta Joseph P. Vollmer and Susan Bartoni-Vollmer Peterson Family Dr. Sujatha Ayyagari The Pelham Plunketts Mr. Michael Plunkett Bill Prater Sigma-Aldrich Louis Primeau Ms. Joyce Primeau Jennifer Raley Mr. Ray W. Raley Alice Louise Range Ms. Gail Range Madeline Rauh Mr. Ron Rauh Seth and Stephanie Reeder Ms. Elizabeth Rainey David Reese Mr. Terry Zahn Bobby Regnell Mr. and Mrs. Phil Jarvis Chase Reisinger Walter B. Reisinger Thea Margaret Rowsell Ms. Sherri Lopatin Jaxon Saenz Ms. Susan Delariva Chris Saracino Mr. and Mrs. Bart Saracino Ava Schanz Ms. Carol A. Schanz Emily Schindler Ms. Mary Signaigo Constance Schmuke Mr. and Mrs. Mike T. Klak

Joan Schorfheide Anonymous William Alexander Schultz Ms. Jill Fitzgerald David and Connie Senften Amy Casey Janice Shewmake Anonymous Kay F. Siegrist Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Weber Mark Stika Joseph P. Vollmer and Susan Bartoni-Vollmer Mark and Cindy Tampow Ms. Jennifer L. Dolce Thyme the Support Dog Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Siegfried Jane and Eugene Viscardi Amy Casey Barbara Whitehead and James Spence Mrs. Glenda Bridges Mr. Dennis Cerneka Ms. Michaeleen Gelhaus Mr. Mark Koenig Mr. and Mrs. Terry Schaefer Mrs. Linda Schmulbach Dr. and Mrs. Gregory J. Simmons Mrs. Prudence Wolf Mary Zebrowski Andrea Marlow We make every effort to include everyone correctly.

If you have a correction, please contact us at 314.932.4134. Please visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate to make a donation.

A nice tax deduction could be rolling your way!

Are you looking to get rid of a used or unwanted vehicle? Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis now accepts vehicle donations!

When you donate your vehicle, we will arrange for someone to pick it up and sell it on your behalf. The proceeds will help support families of seriously ill children, and you will receive a tax deduction for the sale value of the vehicle. In fact, the average vehicle donation amount covers the cost of a family’s one-week stay at the Ronald McDonald House.

To donate your vehicle, please visit www.onecarhelpsrmhc.com or call 1-855-227-7435. For more information, email Frank Cognata, Vice President, Development, at fcognata@rmhcstl.com.

19

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

a gift from the heart

T

hanks to an extremely generous legacy gift from Inez and Wendell Koch, the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House underwent a beautiful renovation in Spring 2016. Updates included new paint, wallcovering, flooring, as well as remodeled bathrooms for our guest families. Most notably, however, is the now-updated kitchen, which better allows our Family Dinner Program volunteers to prepare nightly meals, as well as breakfast on the weekends, for families staying at the House.

During a small open house celebration in April, Inez Koch’s sister, Carol Gronau, stopped by to see the completed renovations that were made possible by Inez and Wendell’s gift.

Carol shared with us that more than 20 years ago, Inez and Wendell’s cousins, Bernie and Marvin, had a daughter who required serious surgery at a hospital in Chicago, during which they stayed at the Ronald McDonald House.

“They were so impressed with the stories that they heard from Bernie and Marvin about the Ronald McDonald House,” says Carol. “When it was decided that their estate would be dedicated to helping children, the Ronald McDonald House was at the top of the list, along with local pediatric hospitals.”

In addition to a plaque in the Park Avenue House kitchen, Inez and Wendell are being recognized and remembered for their meaningful gift through the new Caring Hearts Legacy Wall that is displayed in the foyer of the Park Avenue House. ■

Above, left: The kitchen at the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House was renovated in Spring 2016 to better serve families of seriously ill children. Above, top: Inez and Wendell Koch, Caring Hearts Legacy Circle members who made the renovations at the Park Avenue House possible through a generous legacy gift. Above, bottom: Carol Gronau, Inez Koch’s sister, visited the House after renovations were complete.

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

20

memorial & tribute Bricks The following bricks were installed from March 2016 to August 2016 in memory of someone special.

In Loving Memory of Robert Schoffstall Jr.

In Loving Memory of Sophie Kay Gardner

In Loving Memory of Kyler Edward Kibbons

In Loving Memory of Judy Elise Hart

In Loving Memory of Judson George Stewart

In Loving Memory of Corbyn Michael Roberts

In Loving Memory of Mesa Evon Kibbons

In Loving Memory of Brinly June Rayoum

In Loving Memory of Trinity Storm Nicholson

In Loving Memory of Raylyne Parker

Maplewood Lions Club Lion Gloria Murabito 12/12/1930 to 6/27/2016

In Loving Memory of Audrey Janine Burnett

In Loving Memory of Desmond Jawuan Porter

In Loving Memory of Heather Ann Gwin

In Loving Memory of Archer Monroe Cook In Loving Memory of Zachary Scott Hunter

In Loving Memory of Royce Alexander Bourque

In Loving Memory of Lillian Marie Dial

In Memory of Charles M. Huddleston 11/19/1919 to 8/12/2016

In Loving Memory of Randall Lee Smith

tree of life The following leaves on our Tree of Life were installed from March 2016 to August 2016 in memory or honor of someone special.

In Loving Memory of John Braucksieker Christine M. Joyce Mme. Butterfly John T. Joyce A gentle man In Loving Memory of Bob Klos, who helped provide dinner for over 20 years 21

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

In Loving Memory of Ruthann Karr Longtime friend of RMHC In recognition of Dave & Andrea Giarla’s 50th Anniversary In honor of Grant Peterson In honor of Jovie Peterson

a brighter future creating more opportunities for children throughout the st. louis-area and beyond

F

or more than three years, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile has been providing an innovative, oneof-a-kind solution to closing the gap between those who are underprivileged, uninsured or underinsured and those who are not. Without proper vision correction and eye care, thousands of children might not realize their strengths, creativity and capabilities. Our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile provides the basic tools to both

fulfill children’s often-neglected vision health and raise awareness of health and wellness. When young students return to school the very day they receive their exam and new prescription glasses, they can begin to thrive academically. In addition, the Care Mobile creates an opportunity for children to participate in progressive health care and walk back to their classrooms to learn in the spirit of compassion and leadership.

Did you know?

90

%

nearly 90% of children examined aboard the care mobile demonstrate a need for glasses

since 2013,

since 2013,

5,256

5,971

children have received a pair of free prescription eyeglasses thanks to the care mobile

children have received a free, comprehensive eye exam

80

%

approximately 80% of vision impairments are curable

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

22

family dinner program Our RMH families enjoyed many meals prepared by the following volunteer groups between January 1 and July 31, 2016. For a list of available dates or more information, please call the Family Dinner Program line at 314.531.6601, ext. 1202, or email to dinner@rmhcstl.com.

ACN GPTW/AH-Symphony Adaptive Solutions Group AJ Rosenberg Alpha Delta Pi-SLU Amdocs HR Ameren Wise Ameriprise Financial Jennifer Barbey Ameriprise Financial - Kulik, Rosenbaum & Associates Anheuser Busch Past & Present Ann Wittman Anthem-Angle ARK/Living Lord Church/ Lake St. Louis Astellas Pharma US Athleta St. Louis B&D Central Reform Congregation 7th Grade BAI Barbie Whitehead & Friends Barry-Wehmiller/Drury Hotel Bazoian Family Belleville Ladies Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Bloomsdale Baptist Church Bloomsdale Excavating Blum Family Boeing Boeing BDS Diversity Council Boeing Women in Leadership Bonnie, Lynda & Friends Book Club Gals Boone Family Brehm Prep School Brentwood GNO Brown Smith Wallace Buckner Family Bunge Centene BI Team Centene Internal Audit Christ Prince of Peace Parish Christy Carter Church of the Good Samaritan Columbia High School Beta Club Contegra Construction Crew Cookin’ Crowns Cooking For A Cause Crawford County FCCLA Crestwood Sunset Hills Kiwanis Cross Family Crystal Pham CSI Leasing Cushman & Wakefield Customer Direct LLC CYC 14 Volleyball Team Debby’s Friends in Memory of Makayla Dentons Dillard’s - Mid Rivers Dinner Divas Disney Volunteers Do Good Have Fun Dogtown Ecovillage Edward Jones Friends Edwards Jones - Ops & Service Training: Des/Tech

23

Enterprise Holdings - Truck Rental Division Enterprise Security Team Fang & Friends Faulhaber Family FBA fit-flavors Foreign Trade Support Group Fox FCCLA Freeburg High - FCCLA Fresh Ideas Gamestop Garner Family Gateway Christian Church Gateway Christian Church Life Group Gateway City Church Geyer Road Baptist Church Girl Scout Troop 45 Girl Scout Troop 247 Girl Scout Troop 283 Girl Scout Troop 387 Girl Scout Troop 1442/2738 Girl Scout Troop 2216 Girl Scout Troop 2734 Girl Scout Troop 3066 Girl Scout Troop 3698 Girl Scout Troop 4980 Girl Scout Troop 8139 GMC Youth and Young Adult Ministry Grace Church Grace East Gray Design Group Hannah Rubin-Schlansky Hazelwood West FCCLA HCHS Tri-M & Xi Iota Omega Herman London Highland High School Football Hofman, Keeven, Valenti Families Holy Infant Catholic Church Holy Infant Confirmation Group Hubbs Family ICL-Group IJM Queens Immacolata Girl Scout Troop In Memory of Nellie Richter In Memory of Pat Wilken International Exchange Students - Greather St. Louis Iola Presbyterian Iris Elliott Group J.T Baumgarth Farm Jacob Wacker Eagle Scout Project JALC LPN Students Jazz Jean Iezzi and Friends Jefferson College CKI Jessica Mangus Family Jim & Barb McElroy JM Family Enterprises JoAnn & Friends Job’s Daughters Bethel #4 John & Mary Hofman John C. & Bonnie Hill John C. Hill & Friends

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

Junior Miss Midwest Kristen Hill Kappa Epsilon Kathy & Crew Kathy & Friends Kehoe Family Keysor Elementary School Kids Showing Kindness - IL Kirkwood Kiwanis Kirkwood Youth Service Kiwanis Club of Chesterfield Knights of Columbus Council 11437 Knights of Columbus/Ladies Auxiliary #2012 Lake Saint Louis Water Ski Team Laquita Ogle Lauren & Mike Becker La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery LIFE Ladies LifeSavers Civic Memorial High School Lindbergh Interact Lord of Life Lutheran Church LSS-Laclede Groves Lutheran Hour Ministries M/R Health Care M/R United Healthcare MAB and Friends Mannings Marcone Supply Marie O’Leary Maritz Travel Maryville Student Nurse Association Maryville University SERVE Maryville University Service Club Massa’s Italian Restaurant McBride Charitable Foundation McDermott Family McVey Family Medinal Temple #39 Youth Group Meet Up St. Louis Volunteer (Kate) Meetup Volunteer Group (Christy) Meetup Volunteer Group (Cindy) Meetup Volunteer Group (Vince) Megan Massey Mercy HR Systems Team Mercy Kids Merkel, Berra & Mr. H Merkel Family and Friends Messiah Lutheran - Weldon Spring Microsoft Millipore Sigma QA Miranda Foster and Friends Moneta Group Monsanto Procurement Monsanto Regulatory Group Monsanto Young Professional Network Mothers of Preschoolers Bethalto, IL

Mudd/Hohgrefe Nancy Benson New Neighbors League Club (NNLC) Odd Fellow Lodges O’Fallon Township High School (Illinois) Softball Team Order of Eastern Star Ostmann Elementary Papa John’s Pizza Parkway UCC Youth & Adults Patrylo Family Peregrine Society Perficient Pi Kappa Alpha - UMSL Pittmann Small Group Pond Elementary Read Right Run Potts Family & Friends Prairie Farms Prince of Peace Church Couples for Christ Marriage Ministry ProPharma Protective Asset Protection Protiviti Provident Insurance Agency Quest Church of St. Louis Rawlings Sporting Goods Red Shoe Society Remembering Georgie Resurrected Life Church Women Richmond & Friends Riley Peick Ritterskamp Family & Boy Scout Troop 957 River City Casino & Hotel Robert Becker Rockford Rebels 4H Rockwood Summit High School National Honor Society Rockwood Summit SMILE Rose Family Rubin Brown LLP Ryan Roundup Sadler Family Sandberg Phoenix SC West Key Club Second Helping Shared Accounting Shelter Insurance Shelter Insurance/St. Louis Claims Sigma Chi/Alpha Phi Wash U SIUE NRHH SLU Nursing SLU School of Medicine SLUDA SMOTJ - Avery SMOTJ - Burgoyne SMOTJ - Stumpf So You Think You Can Cook Sodexo SoTel Systems South County Kiwanis Southwest Airlines

Southwest St. Louis County Kiwanis Club St. Agatha Confirmation St. Louis AAA Blues 16U St. Louis Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Delta St. Louis Rainbow Assembly #3 St. Lukes UUC Women’s Evening Circle St. Mary’s Alton St. Paul’s Lutheran School National Junior Honor Society St. Peter Confirmation Class Steege Family & Friends STLCC Wildwood Student Nurse Assoc. at Southwestern Illinois College Sunday Dinner Crew Talley Family Target Target Store #1539 Team Marissa Temple Israel The Bunzl Group The Helping Hands The Journey West County Group The Robinsons The Sczesniak Family The Zeldin Family Thomas Family & Friends Tillman Elementary Staff Tim Davis TRWC Jones Life Group U Mass Alumni Network of St. Louis United Healthcare University of Michigan Alumni Club Urban League Guild of Metropolitan St. Louis Ursuline Academy Valley Park Middle School National Junior Honor Society Venture Crew 2450 Victory Christian Academy Wade Family Walden Wallyballers Washington University APO Washington University Black Alumni Council Washington University SAE & DG Webster Moms Wenger Family WGE White Hats of Harrisburg High School Windsor High School S.A.D.D. Women’s Electrical Board Wright Family Wright-Sivier-Bliss Families Xi Psi Phi Dental Fraternity Zeta Tau Alpha

new & familiar faces Meet the staff members who have taken on new positions at Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis! clare burke is

the new full-time Assistant House Manager at the West Pine Ronald McDonald House. She worked in the Guest Service Staff position for a year where she developed a passion for the mission of RMHC St. Louis. Clare graduated from the University of Missouri - Saint Louis in May of 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Before Ronald McDonald House, she worked for Starbucks for four years and worked as the Program Coordinator at Kids Under Twenty-One (KUTO). Clare is thrilled to be a part of the RMHC team!

kerry o’brien is delighted to join the RMHC St. Louis team as the new part-time Assistant House Manager at the West Pine Ronald McDonald House. She is currently completing her last semester as an undergraduate student at Fontbonne University where she is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Social Work. She has a passion for working with people and, after finishing her undergraduate degree, she has plans to pursue a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology so she can continue helping others.

When not studying or at RMHC, Kerry enjoys trying new recipes of all sorts and attempting to teach herself Spanish.

ian lindquist has taken on a new role at RMHC St. Louis as the Park Avenue House Manager.

Before transitioning into this role, Ian served as the Assistant House Manager at the West Pine Ronald McDonald House for six years. In his free time, Ian enjoys playing golf and training for the GO! St. Louis Marathon in which he will run as a member of Team - RMHC St. Louis. He is also excited to explore new hobbies now that he is working regular business hours and his evenings are free.

judy schuler

transitioned from her role as Director of the Family Room Program to Director of Operations in 2016, and now oversees both the Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room programs. Judy celebrates her 10th anniversary as an RMHC St. Louis staff member this year, and prior to that, she served as an RMHC volunteer for several years while working for our longstanding partner Coldwell Banker Gundaker.

In her free time, Judy enjoys spending time with family.

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

24

Heartbits

25

Our friend and resident therapy dog, Frankie, celebrated her 1st birthday this year! Many thanks to our partners at Treats Unleashed for helping her celebrate with a delicious canine-approved birthday cake!

Every month these sweet siblings drop-off their tab top collection at the Family Room inside of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital! Thank you, Cole and Bella! We appreciate your support!

When Hallie had heart surgery, the Schumacher family utilized the Ronald McDonald Family Room.

They recently collected Wish List items, including lots of much-needed snacks! We are excited to see Hallie, happy and healthy!

Bruce and Mitsy Daniels called the RMH “home” in July 2015. Earlier this year, they hosted the 1st Annual Ride for Kyia fundraiser in memory of their granddaughter. We couldn’t be more grateful for their generosity!

Many thanks to the Women of the Hyatt Regency Hotel for preparing dinner for families at the Ronald McDonald House and Family Room! We couldn’t be more grateful for their support and generosity!

Thank you to the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour for raising nearly $10,000 for RMHC St. Louis! A special thank you to volunteer, Shawanda, for speaking on behalf of RMHC at the event!

After 7 months and several surgeries, our sweet friend, Genesis, and her mom finally returned to their home in El Salvador! They couldn’t leave without taking a photo with RMHC staff members, Frankie and Matt!

After finding comfort and care in the Ronald McDonald Family Room inside of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Kayla decided to give back by bringing in snacks for other families to enjoy!

Thank you, Kayla!

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

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.

Cleaning Supplies:

Kitchen Items:

Disinfectant spray Dishwasher detergent Dawn dishwashing soap Multipurpose cleaner Floor cleaner Swiffer hand duster sheets Windex

Sweet/salty individually wrapped snacks, such as cookies, soups, mac ‘n’ cheese, breakfast bars, hot chocolate, trail mix, dried fruit, sandwich crackers, and candy bars Gallon and quart-size Ziploc bags Large Tupperware containers Paper bowls

Miscellaneous:

Laundry Facilities:

Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shaving cream and toothpaste Disposable razors Individually packaged toothbrushes Feminine products iPhones (new or used)

High-efficiency laundry detergent Softener sheets To donate items, please contact Matt Lauer, Senior Manager, House Operations, 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: Sophia Gardner

Trinity Nicholson

Heather Gwin

Mesa Kibbons

Desmond Porter

Lillian Dial

Corbyn Roberts

Royce Bourque

Rachael Van Dyke

Randall Smith

Kyler Kibbons

Judy Hart

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2016

26

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID JEFFERSON CITY, MO

St. Louis

PERMIT NO. 210

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