Fall/Winter 2018 Heartbeat Newsletter

Fall/Winter 2018

St. Louis

HEARTBEAT

Colton Parayko OF THE ST. LOUIS BLUES VOLUNTEERS HIS TIME AT THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

WHAT’S INSIDE Letter from the President The Lee Family; Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Spotlights 2018 Special Events Recap Community Fundraisers Upcoming Caring Partners Program Events How to Help at the Holidays Building Blocks Heartwarming Moments 2018 Home Away from Home Appeal New Faces Meet the Linnell Family Memorials; Bricks & Tree of Life Tributes; Red Shoe Society Caring Hearts Legacy Circle Tax Benefits of Giving; A Valued Partnership Wish List; In Loving Memory & Transplant Recipients Heartbits 26 27-30 Thank you for the Memories! A Tribute to Ronald McDonald 2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9 10 11-12 13 14 15-16 17 18 19-21 22 23 24 25

OUR MISSION: To provide a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children

2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS STEVE PELCH, CHAIRPERSON DEB VOGT, VICE CHAIRPERSON JEFF BARONE, TREASURER STEVE FAHRIG, SECRETARY KAREN BAER STEVE BESHORE DAVE BRANDT DR. MARY MICHAELEEN CRADOCK GREG DIEKEMPER SHAWN DRYDEN JOAN ELHOFFER CHRIS GIARLA GEORGE GIPSON, III ED HARMON BRIDGET HOY

ANTHONY IRACE ALICIA JETT DR. JOSEPH KAHN SIRUS KARIMI RYAN KURYLA DEREK MARTIN JIM MOSBY JILL OLLER DAVE SADLER KEITH SCHIELER DAVE TORNETTO

RMHC ST. LOUIS STAFF DAN HARBAUGH, PRESIDENT CHERI WUERTZ, VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE FRANK COGNATA, VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT JUDY SCHULER, VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS ALISON KASPAR, DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES PAT NEWBY, DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATION MICHELLE BURMANN, SENIOR MANAGER, FINANCE ABBY BANDELOW, EVENT MANAGER VERONICA BIVER, HOUSE MANAGER, PARK AVENUE COURTNEY FISCHER, MANAGER, FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM IAN LINDQUIST, HOUSE MANAGER, WEST PINE JACOB MCGUIRE, HOUSE MANAGER, WEST COUNTY KATIE NEPUTE, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER LANISHA THOMAS, DATA MANAGER MCKENNA COOPER, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR JANE FOERSTEL, FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM COORDINATOR JACLYN FRENCH, ANNUAL GIVING COORDINATOR BARB JARVIS, FINANCE COORDINATOR LAUREN ST. JOHN, COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR ALLYSSA BOTTINI, ASSISTANT HOUSE MANAGER, PARK AVENUE CHANEY BROWN, ASSISTANT HOUSE MANAGER, WEST PINE CLARE BURKE, ASSISTANT HOUSE MANAGER, WEST PINE KATIE NIMTZ, COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT STEPHANIE PATTON, FAMILY ROOM ASSISTANT MANAGER LARRY PRY, DATA ASSISTANT KATIE SMITHSON, ASSISTANT HOUSE MANAGER, WEST COUNTY BETH VOEGTLI, HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT NICKI ISLAND, RECEPTIONIST, PARK AVENUE SHANNON BROADWAY, HOUSEKEEPER, PARK AVENUE APRIL CUSAMANO, HOUSEKEEPER, WEST COUNTY VICKI RUCKMAN, HOUSEKEEPER, WEST PINE JOY TATE, HOUSEKEEPEER, WEST PINE

A Note from the PRESIDENT Whenever I have a chance to fly, I always try to go with Southwest Airlines. They are by far and away the best airline, and they are an incredible friend and supporter of the Ronald McDonald House.

One of the first things I do when I am on a Southwest Airlines plane is pull out the SWA monthly magazine and read CEO Gary Kelly’s article. It is usually very enlightening.

In one of the recent articles, he talks about the pride he feels in being a father and how a father usually always dotes on his kids and loves bragging about their accomplishments. He then shared how being the CEO of Southwest Airlines is similar to being a father, at least in the sense of getting to brag about his Southwest family.

That truly resonated with me, as there is no question of my tremendous sense of pride in being a part of our organization.

The pride I feel in being friends with and working with so many wonderful volunteers, donors, staff members and others associated with our organization is overwhelming.

The pride in helping so many families every single day. The pride of growing the organization through the years to three Houses, four Family Rooms and a long-term apartment complex for families with extended stays. The pride in representing the organization in the community. In almost everything I do with Ronald McDonald House Charities, there is a sense of pride.

Southwest Airlines is a leader in the airline industry. I hope you, as part of our organization, see us as a leader in the not-for-profit industry, as well.

Thanks so much for all you do.

Always Grateful,

Dan Harbaugh RMHC St. Louis President

In August, Malachi and his brother, Lemar, spent some time hanging out with St. Louis Blues Defenseman Colton Parayko.

MEET THE LEE FAMILY The Lee Family found comfort and care in one of our long-term apartments while Malachi waited for and recovered from a lung transplant.

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t the end of May, Shamyra Lee took her oldest son, Malachi, to the doctor for his annual wellness check-up. What was supposed to be a routine appointment turned into one of the most frightening days of her life when the doctor discovered an abnormal heartbeat. Ten-year-old Malachi spent five

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days in Phoenix Children’s Hospital and was eventually sent to UCSF in San Francisco – far from his hometown of Chandler, Arizona – for one month, where he underwent countless tests and procedures. All the while, Shamyra was 37-weeks-pregnant with her third child and unable to travel to be with him.

While Malachi was at UCSF, a lung biopsy diagnosed an extremely rare form of pulmonary hypertension called pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH). During that time, Shamyra’s third son, A.J., was born in Arizona. Four weeks later, Shamyra and her three sons, Malachi, Lemar and A.J., traveled to St. Louis so that Malachi could be listed for transplant. Unfortunately, her husband, Anthony, had to stay in Arizona for work.

“Our whole world was flipped upside down,” says Shamyra.

Shortly after arriving in St. Louis, the Lee family moved into the Ronald McDonald House on West Pine, just down the street from St. Louis Children’s Hospital. One month later, they moved into an RMHC long-term apartment adjacent to the Ronald McDonald House – a more comfortable space for four people to reside over an extended period.

Malachi was placed on the transplant list on July 27, 2018 and received his new lungs just over two months later on October 5. The added privacy of the RMHC long-term apartment is especially important now, as Malachi recovers from the transplant for a minimum of 90 days, when his immune system is suppressed and his surroundings must be as hygienic as possible.

Throughout the next couple months, Malachi’s road to recovery will include physical therapy, clinic and follow-up bronchoscopies. He will also continue to attend 5th grade remotely through the school at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and by laptop once he’s back at RMHC. Thankfully, there is no doubt that his 4-year-old brother, Lemar, will help keep his spirits high, as he is well known around the Ronald McDonald House for his friendly and playful personality. (In fact, Lemar has made a lasting impression on one group of volunteers, The Dinner Divas, who recently made a special batch of green beans and corn just for him!)

“It’s a new normal,” says Shamyra as she recalls all of the ups and downs her family has experienced in a matter of months. “I don’t know where we would be without the Ronald McDonald House,” she says. “It just gives you that feeling of being home.” ■

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP FAMILIES LIKE MALACHI’S? CHECK OUT OUR CURRENT

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 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 McKenna Cooper, Volunteer Coordinator, at mcooper@rmhcstl.com or visit www.rmhcstl.com/volunteer.

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.

RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed for a variety of shifts at our St. Louis Children’s Hospital and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Ronald McDonald Family Rooms.

The 5th Floor Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. Louis Children’s Hospital underwent renovations in 2018 and reopened in July as a beautiful space dedicated to serving families with children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: SABRINA WAGONER Sabrina enjoys “spending some time” with guest families inside the Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room.

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hen Sabrina Wagoner’s youngest son left for college, she found herself with an empty house and extra time. After hearing about her sister’s experience volunteering with Ronald McDonald House Charities in Berlin, Germany, Sabrina decided to help bring the comforts of

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home to guest families here in St. Louis.

Sabrina, an Air Force veteran and research lab manager at Washington University, has been volunteering for four years at the Ronald McDonald House on Park Avenue.

Every other Thursday evening, she helps our Data Assistant, Larry Pry, with scanning projects.

“Sabrina’s attention to detail and positive attitude are such gifts to our team, and to the House,” says Larry, who often refers to Sabrina as the resident Scanning Queen and has even given Sabrina her own tiara.

Sabrina is also famous around RMHC for checking in on Facebook during her shifts, sharing our mission with family and friends by letting them know she is “spending some time” at the House.

Sabrina’s time and talents are also appreciated inside the walls of St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where she brings comfort and care to families visiting the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms twice a month.

“Volunteering here comes with an emotional investment,” says Sabrina. “You can’t leave here unchanged. Most days will be fun, but some will be hard. I have so many good memories of my time here, be it with parents, patients or staff. It’s a privilege to walk with the guest families even just for a short time.”

Here at RMHC St. Louis, we are grateful to count Sabrina among our most dedicated volunteers, and we are thrilled the feeling is mutual!

“I came here thinking I would be giving back, but in reality, what I receive from my interactions with the families and the patients far outweighs anything I could ever give.” ■

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: JOHN SUTHERLAND “What would we do without John?”

It’s a phrase that you are likely to hear if you spend enough time around Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. You see, John is what we like to call a “volunteer extraordinaire.”

When it comes to supporting the mission, he’ll do whatever it takes to lend a hand.

John’s first introduction to RMHC was years ago, through his business partner, Ralph Turney.

Ralph volunteered on the RMH Golf Tournament Committee, and their company, Red Arrow, provided free trucking services for our fundraisers.

It wasn’t until 2010 that John began volunteering for RMHC on a regular basis, shortly after the West County Ronald McDonald House opened. He was retired, he had just beaten stage 4 cancer, and he resides only two blocks away: it was the perfect fit.

Now, John serves as an RMHC Ambassador, delivering speaking presentations and leading tours of the three Houses to assist with community outreach. Over the past eight years, he has helped spread our mission to hundreds of groups throughout St. Louis and beyond. Whether he’s thanking a large corporation for hosting a fundraiser (the oversized checks used for photoops are his favorite!) or counting the number of bathrooms in the Ronald McDonald House alongside a group of inquisitive Girl Scouts, John is always a gracious and hospitable representative of our organization.

“There’s a lot of paying it forward going on here,” says John of the generosity he has witnessed from the St. Louis community through serving as an Ambassador. He’s even driven the RMHC box truck to pick up large donations of items from our wish list.

In addition to his Ambassadors Program efforts, John volunteers his time at the West County

John and Julie Sutherland stopped for a picture with RMHC St. Louis President, Dan Harbaugh, at our 2018 Volunteer Appreciation Night.

House location for three hours every other Tuesday. Occasionally John’s volunteer shift includes checking in a new guest family when they arrive at the House. He brings a special sense of empathy and care to this role in particular because he understands what it’s like to sit on the other side of that table.

In 1990, John and his wife, Julie, lost their third child, Jessica, to a rare seizure disorder. During her hospital stays and treatments, John and Julie spent many days and nights at Barnes Hospital.

He still recalls how much it helped to be able to talk to other parents, even in the hallways, who were in similar situations.

“When people are checking in for the first time, I can, in a way, relate to what they’re going through,” says John. “I want to make them feel comfortable.”

It is in honor of Jessica, as well as his 16-year-old twin nephews who have cerebral palsy, that John volunteers his time to RMHC. Over the years, John, Julie and their family have donated their time and talents to RMHC, as well. For five winters in a row, the Sutherlands spent New Year’s Day taking down holiday decorations. Earlier this year, John and his son, Bobby, a professional videographer, produced an informational video free-of-charge that every guest family views upon check-in.

Here at RMHC St. Louis, we feel incredibly lucky to have a volunteer like John. And, we feel even more fortunate because when asked how long he envisions continuing to help out, John’s reply is simple: “As long as I can.” ■■

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2018 SPECIAL EVENTS RECAP 14TH ANNUAL TAB TOP PANDEMONIUM SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2018 LOCATION: Ronald McDonald House, 3450 Park Ave. St. Louis, MO 63104 On Saturday, May 5, 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. Everyone enjoyed a day of fun including lunch, games, crazy balloon animals and prizes! Save the date for next year’s Tab Top Pandemonium event taking place on Saturday, May 4.

St. Louis

33RD ANNUAL CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD/RMH GOLF TOURNAMENT & DINNER AUCTION ■ JUNE 3 & 4, 2018 LOCATION: Meadowbrook Country Club In June, we hosted the Cushman & Wakefield/Ronald McDonald House Golf Tournament & Dinner Auction once again at Meadowbrook Country Club. On Sunday evening, guests enjoyed delicious food, live/ silent auctions and a high-end wine raffle. The next day, 200+ golfers participated in the tournament. This event saw a record-setting year, raising over $935,000!

We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to every committee member, sponsor and volunteer who helped make this event a success, as well as Honorary Chair, Colton Parayko.

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THANKS FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR 18TH ANNUAL KIDS & CLAYS TOURNAMENT AND DINNER AUCTION ■ AUGUST 19 & 20, 2018 LOCATION: Auction - Missouri Athletic Club Downtown; Tournament - Black Hawk Valley Hunt Club On August 19 and BENEFITING RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES 20, the 18th Annual Kids & Clays event, presented by ARCO Construction, was held at the Missouri Athletic Club – Downtown and Black Hawk Valley Hunt Club. On Sunday evening, guests enjoyed dinner, raffles and silent/live auctions. The following day, 200 participants headed out to the Black Hawk Valley Hunt Club for an 84-target sporting clays tournament, enjoying side game competitions and a barbecue lunch courtesy of Syberg’s.

25TH ANNUAL SCRAMBLE FOR CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 LOCATION: The Country Club at The Legends This fall marked the 25th Annual Scramble for Charity Golf Tournament, presented by McDonald’s, and was hosted once again by The Country Club at The Legends. The event was a success raising over $147,000! Special thank you to the Ladies of McDonald’s for providing snacks, drinks and raffle items on event day, as well as Golden State Foods for providing a delicious lunch for all attendees.

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COMMUNITY FUNDRAISERS Thank you to all of the individuals, organizations and corporations that hosted fundraisers on behalf of RMHC St. Louis. We appreciate your generosity! th 1 8 Annual LoneRiders Raffle Run

The LoneRiders Motorcycle Group hosted their annual Raffle Run on June 30, 2018. The motorcycle ride began and ended at Shamrocks Pub n Grill in St. Peters and featured food, drinks, raffles, games and prizes. The group had a record-breaking year, raising more than $10,000 for RMHC! Thank you for your generosity!

st 2 31 Annual IUOE Local 148 Reel Help for

Kids Charity Bass Fishing Tournament

The 31st Annual IUOE Local 148 Reel Help for Kids Charity Bass Fishing Tournament took place on September 8, 2018 at the Lake of the Ozarks Public Beach Area #2 Marina. Hundreds of participants braved the wet weather and enjoyed competing for cash prizes, all for a great cause.

The event raised $36,000+ for RMHC! Thank you for your continued support!

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3 105.7 The Point Radiothon & The Rizzuto Show’s 24-Hour Lock-In

Two awesome 105.7 The Point events took place on July 26-27, 2018 to benefit RMHC St. Louis. Donny Fandango broadcasted live for 28 hours straight to help raise funds through ondemand listener requests and business plugs.

This year, the Rizzuto Show got in on the fun by spending 24 hours together at Gingham’s Homestyle Restaurant, where 20% of each check was donated to RMHC. These incredible events raised over $52,000 to help keep families close when they need it most. Thank you to everyone involved!

For more information about our Caring Partners Program and how you can get involved, visit www.rmhcstl.com/thirdpartyfundraisers.

UPCOMING EVENTS Mark your calendar and join us for one of these upcoming community fundraisers!

To see a complete list of upcoming events, visit rmhcstl.com/aroundtown.

SHOP FOR A CAUSE

On Sunday, December 2 from 9 to 11:30 a.m., you’re invited to join us for a special private shopping event at lululemon in Plaza Frontenac, where you’ll find something for everyone on your list this holiday season! This event will feature bloody marys, mimosas and gift card giveaways.

Best of all, an anonymous donor will donate 20% of the event sales to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis!

$1, $3 OR $5 FOR RMHC

EXELFIT for RMHC Don’t let holiday treats and sweets get the best of you! Get in shape while giving back to RMHC with St. Louis’ hottest new workout craze, EXELFIT. This 30-minute workout specializes in functional interval training that combines boxing, kickboxing, weights, biking, rowing, plyometrics and more. The best part? For only $5, you can try EXELFIT for 7 days, and 100% of the $5 fee is donated back to RMHC St. Louis. Visit exelfit.com to purchase your 7-day trial.

Help RMHC St. Louis keep families close by participating in the McDonald’s National Fundraiser for RMHC, taking place in local McDonald’s restaurants November 27 December 9, 2018. Last year this fundraiser brought in nearly $25,000 for RMHC St. Louis thanks to people like you!

RECYCLE YOUR OLD HOLIDAY LIGHTS! Decorating for the holidays? Don’t throw away your old or broken holiday lights - donate them instead!

Thanks to Didion Orf Recycling, your old lights can be turned into a monetary donation to RMHC. You can recycle holiday lights, extension cords, PC towers, network gear, cell phones, laptops, power adapters, chargers, or office phones. For more information, visit rmhcstl.com/recycle.

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HOW TO HELP AT The McGift Shoppe Our annual McGift Shoppe provides a place for RMHC guest families to shop free-of-charge for loved ones during the month of December, 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. Because some children are immune-suppressed, all items must be new and unwrapped. To donate an item or for more information, please contact Ian Lindquist, House Manager, at 314-400-4364 or ilindquist@rmhcstl.com.

HOLIDAY WISH LIST INFANTS & TODDLERS

Push, pull and musical toys Fisher 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: 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

Visit http://a.co/7m4MADk to shop for these items directly from our Amazon Holiday Wish List, where they can be purchased online and mailed directly to the Ronald McDonald House McGift Shoppe!

Holiday Shopping 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. Simply go to smile.amazon.com and select “Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis” as your charity of choice the next time you shop. You’ll find the exact same prices and vast selection, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase price to RMHC St. Louis. In fact, our organization has already received thousands of dollars thanks to shoppers like you!

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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 snowglobe design, 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 tribute gift and can be placed inside your own holiday cards. A donation of at least $5 per card or insert is suggested. Inserts also ready “Happy Holidays” and feature the same snowglobe design, pictured right.

Visit rmhcstl.com/holidays or contact Jaclyn French at 314-932-4146 or jfrench@rmhcstl.com for more information or to purchase holiday cards or holiday card inserts.

Southern Living Christmas Cookbook

Kendra Scott Gift Idea

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 rmhcstl.com/holidays or contact your local Dillard’s store. St. Louis-area Dillard’s locations include: St. Louis Galleria, South County Center, Mid-Rivers Mall and St. Clair Square.

Help someone special in your life look good while doing good! This holiday season, support RMHC by purchasing a Mothers & Families Charm from the Kendra Scott Do Good Suite of Charms. From now until the end of 2019, 50% of all proceeds from these beautiful ivory Mother-of-Pearl charms in silver or gold will benefit RMHC. For more information, visit rmhcstl.com/aroundtown.

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Building Blocks BUILDING THE FOUNDATION FOR OUR SUCCESS Our Building Blocks are those who sponsor RMHC special events with gifts of $1,000 or more, or host third-party 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 2018 through October 2018.

09 Pub 105.7 The Point 23rd Group, LLC 38th Street Financial 95.1 Praise & Worship Concert Ahrens Contracting, Inc. Alpha Delta Pi - Eta Nu Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae Association AME Constructors Ameren American Family Insurance - Hoy & Associates Anheuser-Busch Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Arbon Equipment Corp.

ARCO National Construction Company, Inc. Argent Capital Management, LLC Arrow Box Company AssuredPartners of Missouri Avala Marketing BAM Contracting, LLC Bank of America BJC Healthcare Bloomsdale Excavating Brown Smith Wallace, LLC BSI Constructors Inc Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc. Carrollton Bank Casey & Company - Thirty One Cass Commercial Bank CI Select Citi CJC Transport Clayton Financial Group CMG, Inc. Coldwell Banker Gundaker Collins and Hermann, Inc. Comfort Experts, Inc.

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Contegra Construction Company, LLC Core States Group Cornerstone Insurance Group Craftsmen Cares CRB Builders CSG West CSI Leasing Cushman & Wakefield Deeken Properties, LLC Didion Orf Recycling, Inc. Dillard’s First Community Credit Union Forest Hills Country Club Full Care, Inc. Gamlin Whiskey House Gateway Truck & Refrigeration Gateway Warehouse & Transportation Gingham’s Homestyle Restaurant Give Back Volleyball Golden State Foods - St. Louis Gori, Julian & Associates Haberberger Mechanical Contractors HBM Holdings Hemphill Financial Group, Inc. Husch Blackwell LLP icon Mechanical ISC Contracting IUOE Local 148 J.F. Electric, Inc. JM Family Enterprises Johnny Londoff Chevrolet Kadean Construction Company Kehrs Mill Estate Subdivision Kendra Scott K-Meier Roof Systems, Inc./ Mr. and Mrs. Ken Schrautemeier Lee & Clare Renz Lewis Rice, LLC

Lion Petroleum, Inc. Lodging Hospitality Management LoneRiders McDonald’s Co-op of Metro St. Louis, Inc. Mercy Kids Michael and Jamie Lewis Midland Optical Midwest Equipment Company Midwest Valve & Controls, Inc. Moneta Charitable Foundation Moneta Group Packaging Concepts, Inc. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust Piros Signs Inc. Premium Retail Services, Inc. Protective Life Corporation Quest Graphics, LLC RSM US LLP RubinBrown LLP Saettele Jewelers SSE, Inc. St. Louis Italian Invitational Team RMHC Teamster Horsemen Chapter 13 The Coca-Cola Company The Retina Center of St. Louis/ Dr. Joseph Olk The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis TJ Wies Contracting Triad Bank Trophy Properties and Auction Vee-Jay Cement Contracting Company Vivian of St. Louis, Inc. Weber Industries Inc. Willert Home Products Zeller Technologies

HEARTWARMING MOMENTS We were thrilled to share these special moments with our guest families!

Ruthie’s Family Returns to RMHC For her 6th birthday, Ruthie asked for donations to RMHC instead of presents. This past September, she and her parents delivered over $1,000 and tab tops to our West Pine House, where her parents stayed for 12 weeks in 2012 while she was treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Ruthie started the tradition last year and looks forward to continuing it as she gets older.

Happy Birthday!

Friends at RMHC

Laveah celebrated her 5th birthday in our Family Room at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. To her surprise, Anna and Elsa from Frozen stopped by for a special princess birthday greeting!

Chloe and Brody became friends while staying at the West County House together. In November, they had their external fixators removed on the same day and loved being able to share the happy occasion together!

National Teddy Bear Day Through a collaboration between Southwest Airlines and Build-A-Bear, thousands of teddy bears were donated across the country to celebrate National Teddy Bear Day 2018 in September! More than 7,000 bears were delivered to RMHC Chapters, and here in St. Louis, our friends Chloe, Isabella, Violet and Alexis enjoyed joining in on the fun!

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Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues is the Honorary Chair of our 2018 Home Away from Home Appeal! On a recent visit to the RMH, he showed Hank, who has stayed at the House for over a year, how to hold a hockey stick.

COMFORT, CARE AND A

HOME AWAY FROM HOME Hank Walker was born six weeks early in March 2017. He spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units at both SSM St. Mary’s Medical Center and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, where doctors discovered that his kidneys were not functioning properly.

At just one week old, Hank underwent surgery to place a peritoneal catheter for dialysis.

Unfortunately, too many kidney and urinary tract infections would mean four more surgeries in the five months that followed, including the placement of a hemodialysis catheter and finally the removal of both of his kidneys. Now Hank requires dialysis treatments four times each week, indefinitely, until he becomes eligible for a kidney transplant.

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Thankfully, Hank’s mom, Leticia, whose hometown of Carbondale, Illinois, is a twohour drive away, can call our Ronald McDonald House “home” while he receives lifesaving medical care.

For this family, the Ronald McDonald House is home. It’s where Hank, who is now 1, comes when he is released from the hospital, it’s where he shares meals with his mom and older sister, Tegan, and it’s even where they celebrated his first birthday.

“We can stay here together, as a family. Hank knows something other than just a hospital room, and that’s really important,” says Leticia.

“He’s thriving, which is fantastic.”

HOME AWAY FROM HOME 2018 Appeal

THE HOME AWAY FROM HOME APPEAL,

now in its seventh 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 $98; 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 2018 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.

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

Thank you for your support.

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 2018 will become members of the Cornerstone Society.

Last year, 486 Cornerstone Society members donated more than $2 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 2018 Cornerstone Society members will be listed in the Spring/Summer 2019 Heartbeat newsletter. For more information about the Cornerstone Society, please contact Frank Cognata, Vice President, Development, at 314-932-4148 or fcognata@rmhcstl.com.

HOW CAN YOUR DONATION HELP? Every donation to the 2018 Home Away from Home Appeal, whether big or small, helps RMHC keep families close when it matters most. But have you ever wondered exactly how your donation may be spent? $98 IS THE COST TO OPERATE ONE GUEST ROOM AT THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE FOR ONE NIGHT.

$241 COVERS ALL HOUSE WATER USAGE FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK. $305 PROVIDES ONE WEEK OF FRESHLY CLEANED SHEETS AND TOWELS FOR ALL OF OUR GUEST FAMILIES. $1,015 SPONSORS THE DAILY OPERATION OF OUR IN-HOSPITAL RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOMS.

$1,500 COVERS THE SUGGESTED NIGHTLY DONATION OF $15 FOR 100 NIGHTS OF LODGING AT THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE.

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NEW FACES Meet the newest staff members of RMHC St. Louis!

SHANNON BROADWAY is glad to be a part of the RMHC team as Housekeeper at the Park Avenue location.

Shannon is a friendly, outgoing person and has also been working at UPS for 15 years. In her spare time, she loves singing karaoke, especially “Proud Mary.” Most of all, she loves spending time with her four granddaughters.

JACOB MCGUIRE is very excited to return to RMHC as the House Manager at our West County location.

After working with the Family Room program and at the Park Avenue House in previous years, he tried a different career but missed the RMHC families, volunteers and staff too much! In his spare time, Jacob loves to ride his bike and hike.

JANE FOERSTEL is thrilled to be the new Family Room Program Coordinator.

Jane graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia with a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences and has a passion for helping those who are going through a stressful time. She has loved meeting and getting to know all of the families, volunteers, and staff so far!

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Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2018

CHANEY BROWN became the evening Assistant House Manager at our West Pine location in September 2018. Chaney graduated from New York University with a degree in Global Public Health and Medical Science. A few things she loves as much as working with RMHC guest families are shoes, video games and her cat and dog.

KATIE NIMTZ is excited to join the RMHC team as the Communications Assistant. Katie graduated from Ferris State University with a Public Relations degree and moved here from Michigan to launch her career in the nonprofit world. When she’s out of the office, she enjoys discovering St. Louis and visiting “The Mitten” to see her family.

“The only way to do

GREAT WORK is to LOVE what you do.”

- STEVE JOBS

MEET THE LINNELL FAMILY

N

ine years ago, Megan and Tom Linnell welcomed twin children, Hailey and Brody, into the world. Soon after he was born, doctors discovered that Brody was born with a rare condition called Fibular Hemimelia (FH), causing his left leg to be shorter than his right. At birth, the difference was just 1 cm; however, as he grew, so did the difference in length. At nine years old, Brody’s left leg measured two and half inches shorter than his right.

Throughout his life, Brody’s family has made the seven-hour trip from their hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, to St. Louis numerous times to monitor his growth and prepare for treatment.

In July 2018, Brody underwent his first leg lengthening surgery at Shriner’s Hospitals for Children - St. Louis. During this in-depth operation, doctors placed a plate in his knee, broke his tibia and fibula, placed pins in his knee and ankle and placed an external fixator around the lower part of his leg for support during the realignment process.

In the following months, Brody underwent extensive physical therapy as he gained length and strength in his leg. All the while, he and his family found a home-away-from-home at the West County Ronald McDonald House.

“The meals and accessibility of the House were

the most helpful,” says Megan. “We are on an emotional and physical rollercoaster when a child is sick, hurt or recovering, so any little thing that helps in the day-to-day routine is huge!”

Megan also credits the supportive environment and lifelong friendships that form inside the Ronald McDonald House.

“We all bond. We all fall quick and deep with care and love for each other,” says Megan of the other RMHC guest families. “In the midst of sadness and hurt, we found a way to laugh and find happiness through our genuine care for each other.”

The Linnells returned home to Omaha in August 2018. Brody is happy to be home with friends and family and is in fourth grade. He will have appointments once a month until his next surgery to have the fixator taken off, after which more surgeries will follow to help correct his knee. The Linnell Family hopes to stay at the RMH once again, when they need it. Meanwhile they plan to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House Charities chapter in Omaha.

“Thank you for being a safe, comfortable place that our family could call home for the summer of 2018,” says Megan. “The Ronald McDonald House is changing the world one family at a time.” ■ Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2018

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MEMORIALS The following gifts were made in memory of someone special from January 1 to August 31, 2018.

Georgie Ablan Mr. Gerald Townsend Bernice Allgire Anonymous Friend Bob Bachmann Friend Mike Magee Ms. Janice Wendel Paige Altmann Mr. Perry Jahnke Shirley Askuvich Mrs. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Michael W. Backers Ms. Rosanne B. Smith Hattie P. Baldwin Anonymous (5) Doris Barringhaus Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Luella Bartelsmeyer Mrs. Suzanne D. Bierman Maxene Batten Marija Allen Mrs. Carol Bartelsmeyer Ms. Dolores Hogan Ms. Patricia Jenks Ms. Teri Lindsey Ms. Elizabeth Lyons Ms. Crystal Yates Jack Baumstark Missouri Foundation for Health Matthew K. Bazoian Ms. Lynn Conard Evelyn Bentmann Mrs. Chris McCormick Art Blankemeyer Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. Daniels Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Scott Andrea Bradbury Ms. Diana Barnholtz June Brandt Mr. and Mrs. David R. Brandt Arlene Breuer Ms. Shirley M. Good Thomas L. Brinegar Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Helen Bryant Ms. Tammara Goodues Mr. John W. Schaefer Security Title Insurance Agency, LLC Mark Buckner Mr. and Mrs. Frank Berrier Carmen Buescher Ms. Carol A. Lieb James Bujnak Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Pelch, Jr. Lorri Burgess Elser Mr. Keith Huff Roman Bushmeyer Mr. Colin Houchins

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Jill Cale Mr. David L. Tornetto Catherine Cameron Mrs. Judy Plumberg Ms. Lisa Rolwes Tengco, Inc Ms. Tina Wideman Darren Campbill Ms. Vikki Stuart Sam E. Caputa Mr. Sam E. Caputa Marvin Cherry Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Roach Jimmie Chestnut Mr. and Mrs. Harold M. Miles Ann Clark Mr. James F. McConnell Mary Clark Mrs. Elizabeth T. Perry George Clobes Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Gerene Coleman Mr. and Mrs. Edward Justis Robert Conway Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Doris Cooper Ms. Patsy Firebaugh Mr. and Mrs. Howard Rau Mrs. Marie Sullivan Ms. Ruth Sullivan Jane Corson Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Cramer Nicholas Courtney Anonymous Mrs. Crystal Dement Mrs. Linda Hagan Ruben E. Cravens Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Malter Zoe Datillo Mr. James F. McConnell William Dauer Mr. and Mrs. Patrick M. Sanders Christopher Davis Ms. Patricia Burton Larry Diecker Anonymous Mr. Chris Parsonage Darin Dierker Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker James Dierkes Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Mary A. Diestelkamp Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Mary L. Doolina Ms. Margaret F. Normile Miriam Dryden Mr. and Mrs. Harvey W. Ordelheide Judy Dupuis Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Andrew J. Durkin Mr. and Mrs. Andy Pullen

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2018

Dr. J. Dye Ms. Jenny Hosch Maria Earl Mr. Rickey Earl Herbert Eberle Mr. and Mrs. Herbert D. Walker Chase Elmendorf Mrs. Jean Bondy Mrs. Ellen Broadway Mr. and Mrs. Bill Elmendorf Mrs. Carol Elmendorf Ms. Diane Ferry Mr. and Mrs. Rob Loewenstein Mr. Chris Walters Ms. Tamra Westhues Edwina Farris Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Spurgeon Michael F. Faulstich Mr. Mike Aholt Anonymous Mrs. Patrice Beetz Ms. Betty Bradley Mr. James Bruggeman Mr. and Mrs. Bart Castelli Ms. Nancy Daniels Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Fisch Mrs. Valerie Fishcer Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Friedmeyer Ms. Karen Gentry Graybar Electric Company, Inc Mrs. Elaine Greaving Ms. Mary R. Gross Mr. Curtis F. James Ms. Sally Kaley Ms. Shirley Knorpp Mr. Russell McCutchen Ms. Maureen Mezines Ms. Mary Beth Modesto Mrs. Linda Nava Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Pacino Ms. Anna M. Rudolph Mrs. Mary Ryan Ms. Pauline Sampson Mr. and Mrs. John J. Scherer Mrs. Rosemary Schmidt Ms. Marie Siebert Mr. Andrew Spavale Mr. Paul F. Stevens Ms. Ruth Ann Taylor Mrs. Patricia Vaeth Mr. and Mrs. William Verdin Mrs. Andrea Vernon Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Ms. Linda Washington Mrs. Julia Wood Ann Ferguson Cook Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker

Joel Fine Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt Lavergne Fitzgerald Mr. and Mrs. John T. Joyce Don Foshage Ms. Margaret F. Normile Rylan Foster Mrs. Donna Deschepper Merle Friedman Mrs. Ruth Hartstein Elsie Fruend LSS At Breeze Park Ann Gallo Mr. Sean T. Geoghegan Mr. David L. Tornetto Muriel Gilberg Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Kaplan Jackson Gilmore Ms. Avery Hemming Mr. Gary Hemming Joseph Glik Ms. Audrey Adreon Richard Glogoza Mr. David L. Tornetto Barbara A. Gold Mrs. Cynthia Addison Ms. Nancy Gauthier Mr. and Mrs. Carl Gentile Ms. Carolyn Hellwig Mr. Michael Klug Ms. Bonnie McGinley Mrs. Maureen Merkley Miss Katy Moran Ms. Norma Pew Ms. Susan Stroder Mrs. Catherine Wieder Ms. Bernadette Williams Ms. Mary Winters Andy Gonzalez World Wide Technology Inc. Ronald Gray Alton Band & Orchestra Buildrs Ms. Juel Anderson Mr. Zachary Anderson Arthur Ostmann General Contractor, Inc. Ms. Renee Bauer Mr. and Mrs. Steven Baumgartner Mr. and Mrs. Gary Biggs Mrs. Gail Burjes Mr. Andy Burkett Church of God in Christ Congregational Mr. and Mrs. Marty Davis Golden State Foods St. Louis Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mr. Robert Harris Ms. Randi Helgesen Ms. Kimberly Isenberg Mrs. Cynthia Kirbach Mr. Joel Kruse

(Gray cont’d) Ms. Tamara Lawrence Ms. Barbara Lawton Ms. Beverly McCoy Mrs. Laura Plummer Ms. Alicia Reeves Ms. Maria Septh Ms. Evelyn Shermer Mrs. Anne E. Turner Mrs. Jackie Vollman Marianna Weber Rena Hale Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Gomes, Jr. Edward Hallam Haberberger Mechanical Contractors Ms. Kristie Scherrer Sarah J. Hanks Matthew and Beth Hanks Dr. J. Hanway Dr. Jacqueline Hanway Dorothy Harrell Ms. Susan Brown Larry Haywood Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Clint Heil Ms. Susan Brown Donna Heinemann Mr. Jerald Heinemann Charles E. Heitmann Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. Delorenzo Marie Helbig Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Mildred Hettenhausen Mrs. Regina Grelle Thomas Hewitt Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Scott Leo W. Higley, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Murrel L. Hines Ms. Ella D. Hines Kurt S. Hoener Ms. Nancy Latham Robert and Jerrine Holtmeyer Ms. Amy Holtmeyer David Huesing Mrs. Jean Weber Andrew Hughson Mrs. Catherine Mullins Charlotte Hurst Mrs. Shirley Wohlschlegel Paige James Mrs. Mary Jo Sgro H. Jarkow Mrs. Brenda DeWein Norman Jennewein Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Marian Johnson Dr. and Mrs. Harry D. Burack

MEMORIALS CONTINUED Carl D. Jones Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Mary Kacic Mr. David L. Tornetto Sophia Karakas Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Gomes, Jr. Mary A. Kauczka Tinuum Services Marcella Kemper American Legion Auxiliary Unit 312 Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Bredensteiner Ms. Patricia Frasca Mr. William Kuhlmann Ms. Beth Luecke Ms. Linda Ostmann Mr. and Mrs. Ralph J. Paul Ms. Josephine M. Pilla Marie C. Kendrick Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Malter Mary Kless Mrs. Judith Newell Sondra Kootman Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Brandt Helen Koper Ms. Susan Brown Joan Kopf Mr. David L. Tornetto Robert Landwehr Mr. and Mrs. Mark Landwehr Ms. Delores Ruegge Harry J. Lenzen Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Feldman David Lewis Mrs. Julia Ward Tracy L. Little Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie W. Burkhead Bernadelle Long Ms. Carol E. Reichert John P. Lyons Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ahillen Mrs. Jenifer J. Braucksieker Mr. and Mrs. John P. Britt Ms. Janet Colyer Mrs. Rhonda Cummins Mr. and Mrs. Timothy C. Dolan Ms. Karen Ehrhard Mrs. Shirley Forbes Mr. Chris Hahn Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mr. Michael Healey Ms. Kathy M. Jones Ms. Diane Kroupa Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. Lane Mr. and Mrs. John J. Matejcic Mr. Michael McCoy Mr. and Mrs. NickyJ. McMillon Mr. Bill Niemann Ms. Myra Obrien Ms. Kathleen M. O’Bryan

(Lyons cont’d) Mr. John and Mary Jo O’Connell Mr. and Mr. Jim O’Neill Mr. Dennis Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. Matt Wilhelm Shayley Mabury Ms. Dana Bahr Mr. and Mrs. Shayn Mabury Ms. Sara Maschmann Tom Malle Mr. David L. Tornetto Ashlyn J. Malotte Mr. Troy Malotte Ruth Ann Martin Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Mueller Freda McBride Mr. Ron Battocletti Ms. Joyce Noel Glen McCormick Mrs. Elizabeth T. Perry Rick McGraw Mr. and Mrs. Gary Biggs Joseph Menius Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Patti Betty Merkel Dr. and Mrs. Harry D. Burack Jill Mikolas Dr. and Mrs. Harry D. Burack Marilyn Miller Mrs. Evonell Landwehr Greta Milton Mrs. Joanna Lester Thomas J. Moran Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Elizabeth Moriarity Ms. Susan Beach Ms. Betty Bopp Mrs. Diane Branson Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Brennan Mrs. Martha Brown Mrs. Kathy R. Budai Mr. Joseph T. Cahan Mr. Scott Combs Concrete Strategies Ms. Patricia Denny Mr. and Mrs. James E. Deschler Ms. Mary Devine Ms. Mary DuBois Mr. Donald Dupske Mrs. Marilyn Eeten Ms. Agnes Ehrhart Ms. Carie Forrester Gulfeagle Supply Mr. and Mrs. Brian Hagerty Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Ms. Joyce Hayes Ms. Karen R. Heath Mr. Larry Howdeshell, Sr. Mr. Michael Hughes Mr. and Mrs. Kendall A. Itoku Mr. James Joly Mr. and Mrs. Randall S. Jotte Dr. and Mrs. Richard F. Jotte Mrs. Nona King

(Moriarity cont’d) Mr. Charles A. Ladd Mrs. Dena Leuchter Mr. and Mrs. John F. Marx Mr. Kenneth Marx Mr. and Mrs. James R. McCadden Mr. Frank Mistretta Ms. Judith Moeller Mr. and Mrs. William F. Moriarity Mrs. Mary Morini Mrs. Nancy Muller Mrs. John L. Musser Ms. Linda Myers Mrs. Sharon Obrecht Mrs. Sheryl OConnell Mr. Jerome O’Neil, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Pelch, Jr. Mr. Larry Pfile Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Quinn Reynolds & Associates Dr. Maureen B. Riffle and Mr. John J. Riffle Ms. Leonette Rung Mr. James Schallom Mr. and Mrs. Philip R. Schenkenberg Mr. and Mrs. Tom Schilli Ms. Suzanne Z. Schroeder Mrs. Judith Smith Mr. William Smoot Mr. John Solari Mr. John Sommers III Ms. Mary Sommerville Mrs. Patricia Soraghan Ms. Malinda Spurgeon Mr. Robert J. Stuckey Mr. and Mrs. Paul Szewczyk Mrs. Kay Vrlenich Ms. Kathy Waeckerle Wall Street Walkers Ms. Dana Walling Mr. Kirk Warden Ms. Sheila Weiford Mr. Sam Yarbrough Samuel Morrell Mr. and Mrs. Scott Morrell Larry M. Moskoff Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mother of Dr. Adam Sky Mr. and Mrs. M. Myron Hochman Walter S. Mottin Mr. and Mrs. Matt Vossen Helen L. Naeger Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Malter Erma Nelson Ms. Marie B. Moore Eileen M. Newell Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Stephen T. Nowak Affton Elks Bingo Committee Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Garland

(Nowak cont’d) Ms. Michele Kratky Ms. Katherine Nowak Mr. and Mrs. William Voss Phyllis O’Connell B. Beasley Ms. Jean Blaes Mrs. Betsy Brickey Mrs. Kathi Brunetti Mrs. Leann M. Brunetti Ms. Linda Brunetti Ms. Carolyn Buche Mr. Robert Caruso Mrs. Kathleen Cattaneo Ms. Johna Chubb Mrs. Deneve Connors Ms. Carol Darlington Mr. James Evans Ms. Donna Falletti Ms. Dana Fanoele Ms. Barbara Ferry Mr. David Friskel Ms. Valorie Gardner Ms. Marjorie Giffin Ms. Marybeth Grimes Mrs. Janice Grisham Ms. Lorinda Hackett Ms. Shaun Higgins Ms. Rebecca Keller Ms. Sara Keller Ms. Monica Kellogg Mrs. Beth Kotzman Mrs. Betty Kunshek Mr. and Mrs. Kurtis Loy Ms. Patricia Martin Mrs. Lois Mauler Mr. Chris Merando Ms. Heidi Misasi Ms. Beverly Mitchelson Mr. Kevin Mitchelson Mr. Michael Mjelde Mr. and Mrs. W T. Moody Mrs. Susie Murray Mr. John Nettels Mrs. Lora A. Olivier Ms. Mary A. Packard Mrs. Marla Payne Ms. Heidi Peterson Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Pickering Ms. Jeanne Plattner Ms. Kimberly Plouvier Mr. Frank Polsak Mr. and Mrs. Randy Probert Ms. Cindy Pucci Mrs. Johnna Russian Ms. Margaret Ryan Mrs. Marilyn Sarley Mr. Jeffrey Steinmiller Mrs. Corene Stroup Mr. James Swink Dr. Ann B. Timi Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tomassi Ms. Beverly Tustin Mr. James Villamaria Watkins Calcara, CHTD Ms. Christy Watt

(O’Connell cont’d) Mr. Gregory A. White Wilbert And Towner, P.A. Patricia Ottolini Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Pelch, Jr. Giovanna Palazzo Ms. Josephine Byrne Sam Penland Mr. Jeffrey Penland William “Mike” Perrine Mr. and Mrs. Wayne E. Anderson Jim Peters Mr. and Mrs. Luverne L. Stewart Glen Phillips Ms. Carol A. Schanz Richard P. Pisoni Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Raymond Powers Mrs. Gayle Russo Henley Pulliam Callie Bushmayer Jennifer Raley Mr. Ray W. Raley Scott J. Ray Ms. Janet Thompson David Reinhardt Joseph P. Vollmer and Susan Bartoni Vollmer Vera G. Renth Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker George E. Richmond Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Judith Robinson Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Kramer Nancy Rohr Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Clara Rose Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Malter Ronnie R. Rose Mr. and Mrs. Charles Deprow Robert Ryan Mr. and Mrs. Kevin J. Brennan Owen Salters Casey & Company Mrs. Holly Salters James & Lucille Sanders Fr. Thomas Bryon Milan Saulich Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Garland Thomas J. Schaab Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Carl C. Schneider Mrs. Joanne R. Schneider Barbara Schnurman Mrs. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Ms. Kay Diamant Mary Schob Mr. Chris Honold Insight Title Company, LLC

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2018

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MEMORIALS CONTINUED (Schob cont’d) Mrs. Susie McCleskey Mr. Bradley Schob Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Seerey Red Schoendienst Mr. and Mr. Larry Eilbott Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Flagg Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Vito Scorfino Mrs. Shira Siegel Mr. and Mrs. Dale Steinback Fay Seabaugh Mr. Michael L. Seabaugh Chad A. Siebert Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of St. Louis Anonymous Alan Siegerist Ms. Susan Brown CJ Smith Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Margaret Smith Mrs. Judith L. Underhill Virginia M. Smith Mr. David L. Tornetto Anna Marie Sohaney Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Sohaney Keith Soldner Mr. Mark Albrecht Mr. Dennis Belt J M. Horsley Ms. Quetta Karcher Ms. Sally Maynard

(Soldner cont’d) Mr. Robert Melton Mrs. Renee Midgett Mr. Steven Norris Ms. Dixie Pruitt Mrs. Sandra Simpson Mr. Keith Violett Mr. Ryan K. Violett Mr. Bill West Phoenix Spangler Pheonix Spangler Foundation Sam Spehr Ms. Marilyn A. Gibson Mr. and Mrs. Barry Koenemann Ms. Clare C. Martin Roy S. Stephenson Ms. Sarah E. Stephenson Serenity Strubberg Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Jahnsen Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Phillips Mr. Jason D. Thomas Art Sullivan Mr. Chuck Kessler Isabell A. Suria Ms. Natalie Smith Michael Swit Ms. Katherine Bass Richard V. Syberg Kelly and Dan Harbaugh

Chris Tisone Ms. Diane Feldman Donald J. Torno Clayton Hanley Insurance Service, Inc. Larry Triller Mr. Laron Hilke Mr. Terry Triller Darlene H. Turnbough Mrs. and Mrs. Patricia Herman Carol Wacker Ms. Jane Johnston Charlotte Ward Mr. and Mrs. Larry Sapp Paula Webbe Mr. David L. Tornetto Gail Weber Mr. and Mrs. Richard Segura Gail Weinrich Ms. Jo A. Stauffer Annie Wendel Bibb Veach Funeral Homes, LLC Ms. Alice Erlee Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Huber Ms. Joyce Morris Ms. Susan Roberts Troy Chapter NO. 405 O.E.S. Ms. Sherie Wommock Sandy Wertheimer Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ferman

MEMORIAL & TRIBUTE BRICKS The following bricks were installed from February through September 2018 in memory or honor of someone special.

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In Loving Memory of Dillon Thames

In Loving Memory of Thomas Knorr

In Loving Memory of Anthony Rhys Helsel

In Loving Memory of Stella Davis

In Loving Memory of Sylous Hayes

In Loving Memory of Wade Goodman

In Loving Memory of Elliott Llewellyn

In Loving Memory of Abigail Caldwell

In Loving Memory of Edward Sanders

In Loving Memory of Adelaide Jaco

In Loving Memory of James Goodbrake

In Loving Memory of Evelynn Mosier

In Loving Memory of Emmett Stanton

In Loving Memory Art Hein Husband of Anna Father of Amy, Jill, Chip, Andy

In Loving Memory of Kent McPherson

In Loving Memory of Logan McCann

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2018

Jeremiah J. White Mr. and Mrs. Lee G. Krabill Bob A. Widel AG Insurance Agency LLC Mr. Ned Beach Mrs. Carol Benedick Mr. Bryan Bergeson Mrs. Elizabeth Blumhorst Mrs. Joyce Boland Mr. Eddie Brickner Cooper Soil & Water Conservation District Mrs. Mandy Eichelberger Ms. Georgia Esser Mrs. Diana Gerke Mrs. Laura Grathwohl Mrs. Peggy Grissum Mrs. Leticia Harms Ms. Janie Herigon Mr. Nick Imhoff Mr. Robert Kateman Mrs. Roberta Kueckelhan Ms. Betty Kusgen Ms. Jill Lang Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Lang Ms. Doris Linneman Ms. Jane Lorenz Ms. Carol Melkersman Mary Moore Mrs. Donya Quinlan Ms. Marsha Root Mrs. Sandy Schlotzhauer Ms. Julie Schupp

(Widel cont’d) Ms. Katie Shannon Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Shannon Mr. Steve Stith Ms. J L. Thompson Ms. Jennifer Wesselman Ms. Janet Westerbur Mrs. Kimberly Wiemholt Ms. Mary H. Wilhoit Wilmsmeyer Farms, LLC Mark Williams Mr. and Mrs. Dean Perry Debbie Wilson Ms. Karen Davis Mary B. Winston Mr. and Mrs. Thomas R. Fayollat Gabrielle Wintjen Mr. and Mrs. George Wintjen George Workman Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Renice Wright Mrs. Judith Newell Gavin A. Zasaretti Mr. Gary Hirshberg Mrs. Dory Lamont Mrs. Cheryl Lynch Mo. Baptist RNFAs Mrs. Julie Valle

TREE OF LIFE The following leaves on our Tree of Life were recently installed in memory of someone special.

Thank you!

Kellan Rowen Mike & Christie Rowen XOXO In Loving Memory of our Parents Patrick & Phyllis O’Connell In Celebration of Julia Steinback

In Honor of Bob & Clarice Manges 50th – Thank You For All You Do In Memory of John Lyons— Best Volunteer Ever. His Charity Was Unending.

In Loving Memory of Chase Ryan Elmendorf

TRIBUTES The following gifts were made in honor of someone special from January 1 to August 31, 2018.

Susan Banashek Mr. and Mrs. Charles Feldman Joseph Barks Mr. Micah Mayfield Janet E. Baron Mr. Eric Wallerstein Jeff & Diane Barone Ms. Kathleen Ratcliffe Elizabeth Bautista Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Ronald A. Becker Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lyons Kim Bertram Kennerly Elementary School PTP Amy E. Blackburn Mrs. Rhonda Jones Delys Bodenhausen Hon. John Bodenhausen Bo Cochran Mr. and Mrs. Joe Mattei Ms. Luz Robles Razzaq Mrs. Bronwyn Sykes Mr. and Mrs. Scott Wolpert Sharon G. Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ferman Cheri Combs Mr. and Mrs. Patrick G. Lyons Pat E. Coppinger Ms. Gina Horas Mr. Eric Sutterer Estelle Daly Mr. Sean T. Geoghegan Mr. David L. Tornetto Ellie David Ms. Joyce Finneran Michael DeCola Enterprise Bank & Trust Henry Diamant Mrs. Emily Schneider

Bob Diekemper Mr. and Mrs. Greg R. Diekemper Cordelia and Brody Dillon Mr. and Mrs. Ray Litzau Ms. Holly Dillon Dianna Dimartino Mr. and Mrs. Hiram C. Martin III Christopher Donovan Mr. Matthew Donovan Mrs. A. Dunn Ms. Anne Miller Jenna Edwards Ms. Janice Edwards Ms. Kathy Flesner Mr. Gary Fulton Mr. Rodger Hannel Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Huber Mr. and Mrs. William Lantz Ms. Karen Nieders Ms. Yukari Shindo Ms. Evelyn Thompson Donny Fandango Mr. Karl Grable Michael F. Faulstich Mrs. Cori Merkel Mrs. Danielle Radcliff Lincoln Feit The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. Cohen Connor Gaddy Anonymous Crystal Harris and L. Gelsinger ESCO Technologies, Inc. Sean Geoghegan Miss Ann Grasty Jack, Aaron and Mavis B. Greyson Anonymous

Lucas Happe Tracy Happe John and Eileen Hedrick’s Mrs. MaryJo J. McLaughlin James F. Kiley Mrs. Mary L. Henroid Evelyn Kleiman Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ferman James Leeker Mrs. Geraldine Leeker Jack Lite Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ferman Justin Litteken Anonymous Judge Arthur and Adele Litz The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. Cohen Jason Lustberg Ms. Terri Callahan Robert W. Manges Dr. and Mrs. John Perlmutter Marie V. Markowski Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Ms. Marie B. Moore Alan G. Mawhinney Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Freda McBride Mrs. Kimberly Baker Buster & Clara McGowin Ms. Sandra Reiner Linda Mize Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Sterneck Eden Mntanga Mrs. Venessa Van Schalkwyk Tamara Moran Mr. and Mrs. Donald Embree

Murlyn D. Nash Anonymous Mrs. Patricia Seitz Layla E. Nepute Mr. Richard Cunningham Baby Elijah &. Oliver Anonymous Steve J. Pelch Mr. Derick L. Driemeyer Steve Person Mrs. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Larry D. Pry Mrs. Megan Case Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. Daniels Ms. Kristi Kovalak Jennifer Raley Mr. Ray Raley Mr. Ray W. Raley Sherrie Rieves Mrs. Jean Weber Otto J. Robben Joseph P. Vollmer and Susan Bartoni Vollmer Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis Mr. and Mrs. Michael Garner Lilia S. Rushing Mr. and Mrs. Everett Rushing Red Schoendienst Mr. Anthony Hoffman Skye Sears Ms. Carmen Oslager Penny Shaftal Mrs. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Liam and Mason Shand Mr. Jeff Shand Casey Sharp Mrs. Terri Gibbs Steve D. Short Ms. Karen Spalding

Kay F. Siegrist Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Weber Terry Soer Mr. and Mrs. Delmar R. Gillman Chuck & Suzanne Stokes Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Whelan Woody & Leslie Sullivan Terry Yokota Mr. Clint Cruse Mr. Michael Krysl Mark and Cindy Tampow Mrs. Jennifer L. Dolce Helen Vadalabene Mrs. Jean Weber Laura Vivian Mrs. Meredith Osborn Gracie Waldman Dr. and Mrs. Harry D. Burack Landon Waldman Dr. and Mrs. Harry D. Burack Sawyer Waldman Dr. and Mrs. Harry D. Burack Eileen M. Weber Ms. Kay F. Siegrist N. G. Weinrich Ms. Lisa Bruce Grant Weiss Mrs. Laura Weiss Michael Wice Mr. and Mrs. Hiram C. Martin III Mary K. Wiesehan Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Elizabeth Williams Mrs. Barbara Brooks Marissa Wise Mr. and Mrs. Hiram C. Martin III Robert Zeller Ms. Karen Baer

CALLING ALL YOUNG PROFESSIONALS! The Red Shoe Society, our Young Professionals Group, seeks to engage, empower and inspire young professionals to participate in philanthropic and leadership endeavors, all while supporting a great cause. Between membership dues and various fundraising activities, including the annual Kentucky Derby Party and Winetoberfest events, the RSS has helped raise $20,000+ for RMHC in 2018!

Joining the Red Shoe Society is an exciting opportunity for young professionals to gain leadership experience and network while having fun and raising awareness for RMHC St. Louis. For more information, visit rmhcstl.com/redshoesociety.

ST. LOUIS

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2018

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CARING HEARTS LEGACY CIRCLE RMHC St. Louis volunteer Dave Tornetto leads by example.

F

or more than 20 years, Dave Tornetto has donated his time, talent and treasure to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. Over time, he has witnessed our organization expand and grow to fit the needs of our guest families. And now, as both a member of the Board of Directors and Chairperson for the Major Gifts & Planned Giving Committee, he is helping us as we look ahead and plan for the future. Most importantly, he is leading by example.

Dave is a member of the Caring Hearts Legacy Circle, which recognizes supporters who have chosen to extend their generosity beyond their lifetime with a legacy gift to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis.

In honor of this special pledge, Dave’s name is displayed on our Caring Hearts Legacy Circle wall – a beautiful, hand-blown art glass installation inside the foyer of our Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House. Recently, Dave brought his two daughters,

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Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2018

Lindsey and Sydney, to the RMH for a tour and to show them his place on the wall.

“Joining the Caring Hearts Legacy Circle is a great way to show my daughters the importance of giving back,” says Dave. “It’s a perfect way to take care of other families and something I’m intensely passionate about.”

According to Dave, it is extremely important to him that Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis is able to sustain itself in the future. For this reason, he works diligently to spread the word about planned giving options to other supporters in hopes that they will follow his lead.

“It’s simple,” says Dave. “If you are able to help, and you care about the mission, why wouldn’t you?”■ If you would like to discuss options for including charitable giving in your estate plans, or if you wish to disclose that you have included RMHC St. Louis in your will or trust, please contact Frank Cognata, Vice President of Development, at 314-932-4148 or by email at fcognata@rmhcstl.com.

HOW THE NEW TAX LAW COULD BENEFIT YOU A

pproximately 80% of taxpayers who itemized tax deductions in the past will not be doing so in 2019 because the standard deduction has increased. However, one of the opportunities that exists for giving to charities could benefit you.

Most likely, you have been planning for retirement with your 401(k) or 403(b) investment in order to reduce your income tax during your working years and to build a savings for retirement. Unfortunately, you must pay the taxes that were originally deferred. Federal Law mandates every 401(k) and 403(b) investor to withdraw a specific portion of the principal, every year, once they reach the age of 70 ½. Many

individuals do not want to withdraw the monies required because of the taxes that will need to be paid on those required distributions.

There is an option that can reduce the amount taxed. Any person can transfer or “roll over” any amount of the required distribution to a charity.

That amount is not taxed. Charities are seeing a substantial increase in this type of donation, which benefits both the individual and the charity.

CONTACT US If you are interested in making this special type of gift to RMHC, please contact Frank Cognata, Vice President of Development, at 314-932-4148.

A VALUED PARTNERSHIP R

onald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis is honored to partner with World Pediatric Project (WPP), a nonprofit whose mission is to heal critically ill children and build healthcare capacity in the world.

Our organization has been working with WPP for 10 years to provide a home-away-fromhome for children traveling to St. Louis for treatment, like Isabella (pictured right). This year alone, 41 WPP children and their caregivers spent more than 2,600 nights at our West County Ronald McDonald House.

Every year, WPP honors advocates in the community for their work in healing children from the Eastern Caribbean and Central America.

RMHC St. Louis is proud to announce that we were named Humanitarian of the Year 2018.

According to Natalia Rosales, U.S. Referrals Program Director for WPP, “The compassion and kindness of the RMH staff transcends all

cultural differences or language barriers. To them, as it is for us, all children are the same and deserve the same opportunities.”

Here at RMHC, we are very appreciative of this special honor, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our partners at World Pediatric Project.

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OUR WISH LIST We rely on donations of these household items to provide all the comforts of home inside our three Ronald McDonald Houses and four Ronald McDonald Family Rooms. To donate items, please call 314-773-1100 or email info@rmhcstl.com.

Kitchen Items: Sweet/salty individually wrapped snacks (cookies, soups, mac ‘n’ cheese, breakfast bars, hot chocolate, trail mix, dried fruit, peanut butter or cheese sandwich crackers & candy bars) Dishwasher detergent Gallon-sized Ziploc bags Aluminum foil Large Tupperware containers Paper plates Plastic forks and spoons Nonstick frying pans

Laundry Facilities: High-efficiency laundry detergent Softener sheets Cleaning Supplies: Disinfectant spray Multipurpose cleaner Floor cleaner Hand soap SOS pads and sponges Swiffer hand duster sheets Pledge and Windex

Miscellaneous: Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shaving cream and toothpaste Disposable razors Feminine products iPhones (version 4s or newer) 60-watt lightbulbs

IN LOVING MEMORY Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis extends its deepest sympathy to the families of these very special children:

Kent McPherson

Emmett Stanton

Raylee Ellis

Thomas Knorr

Logan McCann

Bailey Hall

Abigail Caldwell

Anthony Helsel

Layton Pezold

Sylous Hayes

Wade Goodman

Anne Marie Laubinger

James Goodbrake

Edward Sanders

TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS The following children who have stayed or are staying at the House have received transplants:

Jack Palmer

Malachi Lee

Eleanor Bowman

Easton Rustemeyer

Murelle Plotner

Aaron Shipman

HEARTBITS Volunteers from Citi Bank stopped by the RMH on Park Avenue in September to donate two Hero Wagons, which were filled with toys and fun activities for our RMHC guest families.

Many thanks!

Our friends from Connor’s Cause donated tons of snacks to our NICUfocused Family Room at St. Louis Children’s Hospital just before its grand re-opening in July!

Thank you!

Thank you to the Harris Stowe State University Men’s Basketball Team for volunteering to unload a large donation from our box truck, in addition to cleaning the West County House!

Many thanks to CRB, whose employees have dedicated 2,600+ hours to helping RMHC in 2018! The St. Louis office has prepared meals, helped with special events and hosted fundraisers.

We are so grateful to Imo’s for donating ten pizzas to our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in honor of National Sausage Pizza Day on October 11. Our guest families loved the delicious treat!

Frankie, RMHC’s Chief Pawsitivity Officer, turned 3 in June! Families, staff, and volunteers celebrated our beloved therapy dog’s birthday with a party at the West County House.

BAM Contracting, LLC hosted their inaugural Bowl-aPalooza bowling tournament in July, raising $12,000+ and collecting many Wish List items for RMHC St. Louis!

Thank you so much!

Our thoughtful friend, Anna, collected toys and games for RMHC in lieu of gifts for her 9th birthday. She and her friends also made bracelets for our guest families.

Awesome job, Anna!

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Thank You for the Memories!

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Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2017

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2017

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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

If your name and/or address are incorrect, please let us know by contacting Lanisha Thomas at 314-932-4133 or lthomas@rmhcstl.com.

Do you prefer to receive the Heartbeat newsletter electronically? Let us know via email at info@rmhcstl.com. Thank you!

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES® OF ST. LOUIS West Pine Ronald McDonald House 4381 West Pine Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63108 314-531-6601

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

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

VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.RMHCSTL.COM, AND FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: facebook.com/rmhcstl

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