Spring/Summer 2019 Heartbeat Newsletter

Spring/Summer 2019

St. Louis

HEARTBEAT

Meet Jase HIS FAMILY CALLED OUR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE “HOME” FOR OVER A YEAR

WHAT’S INSIDE 2 Letter from the Board Chairperson 3-4 Defying the Odds; Volunteer Needs 5-6 Volunteer Spotlights 7-8 2019 Special Events 9 Recycle for RMHC 10 Welcome to the Board; Outgoing Members 11 New Faces; 2018 Heart & Sole Award 12 Shoes News: Red Shoe Society Updates 13-14 Ronald McDonald Family Room Refresh 15-18 2018 Cornerstone Society Members; Major In-Kind Donors 19-20 Memorials; Memorial & Tribute Bricks and Tree of Life Donations Tributes 21 Colton Parayko Visits the McGift Shoppe 22 Retirement Plan Assets 23 Meet the Worthen Family 24 25-26 Meals from the Heart Program Paying it Forward 27 Wish List; In Loving Memory and 28 Transplant Recipients 29-30 Heartbits Cover photo courtesy of St. Louis Children’s Hospital

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

2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEB VOGT, CHAIRPERSON JEFF BARONE, VICE CHAIRPERSON BRIDGET HOY, TREASURER KEITH SCHIELER, SECRETARY KAREN BAER STEVE BESHORE DAVE BRANDT DR. MARY MICHAELEEN CRADOCK GREG DIEKEMPER SHAWN DRYDEN JOAN ELHOFFER STEVE FAHRIG BEVERLY GARNER CHRIS GIARLA MARK HEFFERNAN

ANTHONY IRACE ALICIA JETT DR. JOSEPH KAHN RYAN KURYLA STEVE MALTER JIM MOSBY MICHELE MUSCARELLA-HARMON JILL OLLER TIM REEVES NOLAN RUIZ 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 VERONICA BIVER, SENIOR MANAGER, FAMILY SERVICES, PARK AVE. MICHELLE BURMANN, SENIOR MANAGER, FINANCE KATIE NEPUTE, SENIOR MANAGER, COMMUNICATIONS ABBY BANDELOW, EVENT MANAGER COURTNEY FISCHER, MANAGER, FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM JACOB MCGUIRE, FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST COUNTY LANISHA THOMAS, DATA MANAGER MCKENNA COOPER, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR JANE FOERSTEL, FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM COORDINATOR BARB JARVIS, FINANCE COORDINATOR LAUREN ST. JOHN, ANNUAL GIVING COORDINATOR ALLYSSA BOTTINI, ASSISTANT FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, PARK AVE. CHANEY BROWN, ASSISTANT FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST PINE CLARE BURKE, ASSISTANT FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST PINE KATIE NIMTZ, COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT STEPHANIE PATTON, FAMILY ROOM ASSISTANT MANAGER LARRY PRY, DATA ASSISTANT KATIE SMITHSON, ASSISTANT FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST COUNTY BETH VOEGTLI, HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT NICKI ISLAND, RECEPTIONIST, PARK AVE. SHANNON BROADWAY, HOUSEKEEPER, PARK AVE. APRIL CUSAMANO, HOUSEKEEPER, WEST PINE VICKI RUCKMAN, HOUSEKEEPER, WEST PINE JOY TATE, HOUSEKEEPEER, WEST COUNTY

A Note from our BOARD CHAIRPERSON Family means everything.

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t Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis, family means many things: comfort, strength, support and so much more. That is why family is at the heart of everything we do. It is also why we consider our amazing community of supporters, like you, to be among our very own RMHC St. Louis family.

As a Ronald McDonald Family Room volunteer, I have seen firsthand the hard work and dedication that goes into fulfilling the RMHC mission. Everything we do is made possible by thousands of volunteers and donors, such as Tom Heeger and the original “Wednesday Crew,” whom you can read more about on pages 5 and 6. It is one of the hallmarks of our organization – people rallying together and giving of their time and talents to help others.

In February, we hosted our annual Cornerstone Society Celebration, a gratitude reception that honored our most generous donors from 2018. This year’s recipients of the Cornerstone Society’s Exemplary Partner awards were Jim and Linda Sramek, The Saint Louis Italian Open and Haberberger Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Each of these outstanding supporters had the opportunity to speak about their motivation for supporting RMHC, and there was a noticeable theme: the importance of family. Yet again, it was a wonderful atmosphere of St. Louis individuals and organizations taking care of families when they need it most.

Right now, one of the most significant ways that we are helping seriously ill children and their families is through our Ronald McDonald Family Room program. As you may recall, last year we opened a fourth St. Louis-area Ronald McDonald Family Room located inside St. Louis Children’s Hospital. In addition, we renovated our original Family Room inside St. Louis Children’s Hospital to become a more modern, comfortable respite for our guests. (For a glimpse inside, turn to page 13.) In 2018, our four local Family Rooms hosted a total of 94,000 visits from more than 12,000 families, many of whom live here in St. Louis. What’s even more amazing is that these special spaces are staffed by 300 dedicated volunteers who keep the rooms open 12 hours a day, 365 days a year.

As you can see, family means everything to us. Thank you for being part of ours.

Sincerely,

Deb Vogt RMHC St. Louis Board Chairperson

DEFYING THE ODDS Baby Jack made history while his family found a home-away-from-home at the Ronald McDonald House on West Pine Boulevard.

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iffany and Chuck Palmer learned heartbreaking news during a 20-week routine ultrasound. Their son Jack was diagnosed in-utero with a rare congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The doctor explained that many babies with this diagnosis do not survive to birth, and even fewer do outside the womb. Ultimately, his only chance of survival would be a heart and double-lung transplant.

The Palmers traveled from their hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where Baby Jack was born on January 16, 2018. Two months later, he was listed for a heartlung transplant. During that time, the Palmers

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found a home-away-from-home in one of our long-term apartments on West Pine Boulevard.

Three months later, on May 23, Jack underwent an 11-hour lifesaving surgery, making him the youngest patient in more than a decade to undergo a successful heart-lung transplant in the U.S. However, the Palmers still had a long way to go before they could head home. While Jack was recovering in the hospital, his family found comfort in staying close.

“Being displaced from home for so long was definitely not easy, but knowing we had a nice, quiet and clean apartment to go to was comforting,” says Tiffany. “Financially, we could not have afforded our own hotel or apartment in

St. Louis while paying our mortgage in Kansas City.”

The Ronald McDonald House apartment also offered a place to spend time with their older children, Allison and Maximus, and Jack’s grandmother, Karen.

“My son Max loved the playground.

Playing outside with him was something ‘normal’ we could do during a really stressful time in our lives,” says Tiffany.

She also credits the Ronald McDonald Family Room inside St. Louis Children’s Hospital for being a place of respite from the at-times overwhelming atmosphere of Jack’s hospital room.

In August, Jack was discharged from the hospital, and the Palmers headed home soon after. This momentous milestone ignited interest from the public, and the family was featured in headlines across Missouri and beyond.

Now, nearly one year post-surgery, Jack is a thriving, happy baby. He celebrated his first birthday at home with a live video on his Facebook page with over 4,000 followers. The Palmers use this online community to raise awareness about congenital heart disease and share updates about Jack with friends and family. And even though he is four hours from the hospital, Jack is in excellent hands with Tiffany, a neonatal intensive care unit nurse, and Chuck, a LifeFlight Eagle emergency medical technician base manager. The Palmers’ next trip to St. Louis for a doctor’s appointment is scheduled for late spring 2019, and if they need a place to stay, they know that RMHC will be here for them.

“The Ronald McDonald House was a lifesaver in more ways than one,” says Tiffany, thinking back on the rollercoaster of events and emotions she has experienced. “It gave us a place to call home, and we will forever be grateful for that.” ■

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 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.

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed for a variety of shifts throughout the week at our West Pine and Park Avenue Ronald McDonald Houses.

Volunteers Sean Geoghegan and Shawn Kelly donate their time at the Ronald McDonald Family Room every other Monday. What a great way to spend time with a friend!

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Pictured left to right: Peggy Connelly, Neal Slaten and Kathy Dolan.

A LOOK BACK: CELEBRATING OVER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TOGETHER

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MHC St. Louis has changed tremendously since the first House on West Pine opened in 1981, from expanding its services through two additional Houses to launching the Ronald McDonald Family Room program inside our three partner pediatric hospitals. However, we feel very fortunate for one particular constant through it all: the incredible support of volunteers like Peggy Connelly, Kathy Dolan and Neal Slaten.

Peggy, Kathy and Neal have dedicated their time and talents to RMHC for more than 25 years. This close-knit group began volunteering together in the early 1990s and were quickly dubbed part of the “Wednesday Crew” at our West Pine House.

The three were introduced to RMHC quite differently but were all drawn to the impact the organization has on families. Together, Peggy, Kathy and Neal have helped thousands of families of seriously ill children find comfort and care.

“Over all the years, it’s the families you remember,” says Neal, reminiscing on special moments he encountered with RMHC guests. One fond memory Neal shared was meeting one of the first recipients of a double-lung transplant from St. Louis Children’s Hospital and playing Pong, the classic 1980s video game, together during his recovery.

Kathy shared another memory of the emotion she felt when, upon returning from a trip, a 10-year-old girl with whom she’d grown close walked through the door to greet her. The last time Kathy had seen her, the girl was using a wheelchair. It was a moment of pure joy that Kathy will never forget.

The passion of these volunteers is evident through their years of dedication and from their

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heartwarming stories of helping run the House.

“There were no night staff, so we took care of the House,” says Peggy. During the early years, volunteers served the families in many ways, taking on roles that eventually grew to require the addition of more staff as the organization expanded.

Other Wednesday volunteers at the time included Neal’s wife, Mary Anne, as well as Marge Normile, Pat Britt and John Lyons, one of our organization’s founders. The Crew had a lot of responsibility but always had fun during their shifts. Their lasting friendship is evident throughout stories and memories.

“After years of being together, you become a family,” says Kathy of the entire Wednesday Crew.

Now, after 25 years of making an unforgettable mark upon the history of RMHC St. Louis, Kathy and Neal have recently “retired” from their volunteer positions. Today, you can find each of them spending time with their families and enjoying other community activities. Peggy still enjoys helping RMHC as much as she can.

We couldn’t be more grateful for the longstanding service of Kathy, Neal and Peggy, who have helped countless families through their generosity and dedication to our mission. We feel extremely fortunate to have had them play such important roles in the RMHC St. Louis story.

As our organization continues to grow, we are excited to see what the future holds for a new generation of volunteers. If you are considering donating your time and talent to RMHC, we leave you with these words of encouragement from Kathy: “You get so much more than you give.” ■

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: TOM HEEGER Volunteer Tom Heeger’s generosity and guidance help keep RMHC St. Louis “on target” year after year.

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id you know that more than 15 committees help steer Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Tom and Vickie Heeger with RMHC St. Louis Vice Preident of Development, Frank Cognata, at a recent Kids & Clays event.

Louis and its many programs? These committees are comprised of volunteers who donate their time and talent to our prestigious group, Tom is able to share the organization in a variety of areas, from marketing successful strategies behind our St. Louis event to finance and human resources to special with others, helping them raise more funds for events. One of these committees is dedicated seriously ill children and their families. to planning our annual Kids & Clays fundraiser, “It’s such a good cause,” says Tom. “Hearing a dinner auction and sporting clays tournament these families’ stories – it tugs at your that raises more than $330,000 every summer. heartstrings.”

Tom Heeger is a longstanding member of the Tom also says that working alongside the Kids & Clays Committee. He joined in 2008 after other committee members is what makes the participating in the event as an attendee for a experience extra special. few years. Since that time, he has become an “When you have good people, good volunteers integral part of the team. Every year, Tom goes – there’s fun along with it,” he says. above and beyond to solicit live auction items We believe much of the fun can be attributed and secure event sponsorships, which help drive to Tom, who is well-known among the other revenue. He also volunteers to set up for the volunteers and RMHC staff for his sense of dinner auction portion of the event. humor, generosity and big heart.

Tom’s family is also involved with Kids & In addition to supporting the Kids & Clays Clays. His wife, Vickie, and daughter, Amy, have event at such a high level, Tom and Vickie are volunteered at the tournament, and his other members of the Cornerstone Society, which daughter, Ann, has participated in the shoot. In recognizes our organization’s major donors. addition, Amy’s company, AME Constructors, is a He also serves on the Board of Directors corporate sponsor. for the Donald H. and Mary Jane Buchanan Tom also serves on the National Kids & Clays Foundation, which donates $25,000 to RMHC Foundation Board of Directors, which oversees St. Louis annually. the 24 sporting clays events that are hosted by We couldn’t be more grateful to Tom for RMHC chapters across the country. Throughout sharing his time and expertise with us in so many the past 20 years, the foundation has donated ways. He is truly an all-star volunteer! ■■ $20 million to these chapters. By joining this Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2019

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2019 SPECIAL EVENTS Mark your calendar and join us for one of our annual fundraising events!

15TH ANNUAL TAB TOP PANDEMONIUM SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2019

Drop off the aluminum tab tops, keys and electronics you have been collecting for RMHC St. Louis all year!

Weigh stations for tabs will be available courtesy of Didion Orf Recycling for you to see how your collection stacks up against the competition.

This free, family-friendly event will feature games, face-painting, delicious food, and more. Visit www.rmhcstl.com/recycle for more information or to register (advance registration not required).

34TH ANNUAL CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD/RMH GOLF TOURNAMENT & DINNER AUCTION ■ JUNE 2 & 3, 2019 LOCATION: Meadowbrook Country Club Now in its 34th year, the Cushman & Wakefield/ RMH Golf Tournament is one of the premier golf events in St. Louis. However, you don’t have to golf to make a difference! Join us for an elegant dinner auction, or sponsor a family’s stay at the RMH. You can also represent your company with an ad in the program book or a hole sponsor sign along the course! For more information or to register, visit www.rmhcstl.com/golf.

Presented by

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Each year, proceeds from special events contribute more than $1.4 million toward the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. For more information about our fun-filled fundraisers, or to see how you can get involved, please visit us online at www.rmhcstl.com/events.

19TH ANNUAL KIDS & CLAYS TOURNAMENT AND DINNER AUCTION ■ AUGUST 18 & 19, 2019 LOCATION: Auction - Sheraton Westport Chalet; Tournament - Black Hawk Valley Hunt Club Join us in celebrating the 19th Annual BENEFITING RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES Kids & Clays event sponsored by ARCO Construction! Sunday night will feature a dinner auction with many exciting silent and live auction items, followed by a sporting clays tournament on Monday. Breakfast, lunch and beverages will be served throughout the day, followed by an awards ceremony. For more information, visit www.rmhcstl.com/kidsandclays.

26TH ANNUAL SCRAMBLE FOR CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019

LOCATION: The Country Club at The Legends Sponsored by McDonald’s, this event is perfect for anyone looking for a fun, affordable tournament supporting a great cause! Foursomes will compete for prizes in morning or afternoon rounds and test their luck at several par-3 games along the course. Each player will also receive a gift bag, lunch and refreshments on the course.

For more information, visit www.rmhcstl.com/scramble.

St. Louis

Scramble FOR CHARITY

Golf Tournament

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Help keep families with sick children close while doing your part to sustain our environment by recycling for RMHC! The aluminum tab tops on beverage cans, old keys or small electronics you collect will be recycled and turned into a monetary donation for RMHC St. Louis thanks to our friends at Didion Orf Recycling. While it may seem like a small gesture, your recycling efforts have a big impact on families staying at one of our three Ronald McDonald Houses and those using our four Ronald McDonald Family Rooms.

TAB TOP PROGRAM The Tab Top Program invites people of all ages to collect aluminum tab tops from beverage cans to support The House that Love Built. Annually, these little tabs help generate over $20,000!

KEYS TO THE HEART PROGRAM Collect and donate your unused keys to RMHC St. Louis through our Keys to the Heart Program. When you donate the keys you no longer need, you open doors for families with seriously ill children.

ELECTRONIC RECYCLING PROGRAM Your old or broken electronics don’t need to sit around gathering dust. Instead, many types of electronics, including holiday lights, can be recycled and turned into a monetary donation!

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Accepted electronics include: old cell phones, laptops, AC adapters, holiday lights, home and office phones, extension cords, network gear, satellite receivers and PC towers. *Currently, these are the only items we accept for the Electronic Recycling Program*

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED 1. Find a Container. You can collect tabs, keys and electronics in anything! Visit us online at rmhcstl.com/recycle for printable wraps and signs to place on your collection bin, or get creative and make your own!

2. Start Collecting. Ask family, friends, schools, community groups or local businesses for help.

3. Turn In Your Collection. Tabs and keys can be dropped off at any Ronald McDonald House during regular hours, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Mon-Fri), or directly to Didion Orf Recycling.

All electronics must be dropped off at Didion Orf Recycling. Be sure to tell them that you want your donation to go to RMHC St. Louis! *Tabs, keys and electronics must be separated when turned in*

Questions? Visit rmhcstl.com/recycle or contact Abby at abandelow@rmhcstl.com or 314-932-4116.

WELCOME TO THE BOARD RMHC St. Louis welcomes the following individuals to the 2019 Board of Directors: BEVERLY GARNER serves

MARK HEFFERNAN is a

as Associate General Counsel at Bunge North America, managing Bunge’s claims, litigation and environmental matters. Beverly attended the Washington University School of Law and obtained her B.A. in English from Central Methodist College. She and her husband, Mark, enjoy visiting their children, Morgan and Aaron, in college.

Partner-level financial advisor at Moneta Group with 25+ years of experience in the finance industry. Mark earned his BSBA in Economics from the University of Missouri and his MBA in Finance from Saint Louis University. In his free time, Mark enjoys playing golf and tennis. He and his wife, Cindy, have three children.

STEVE MALTER is the Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis. He holds undergraduate and Master’s degrees from the University of Florida and a doctorate from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Steve and his wife, Felicia, have two daughters, Sarah and Emma.

MICHELE MUSCARELLAHARMON is the Vice

President of Airport Business Development at Enterprise Holdings, where she supports business growth for the airport network of Alamo, National and Enterprise rental car brands. She has been with the company for 28 years. Michele and her husband, Arthur, have two children, Reagan and Tanner.

TIMOTHY REEVES is the

head of investor relations for Emerson, a $19 billion global technology and engineering leader headquartered in St. Louis. He earned a Masters of Accountancy from the University of Missouri and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Tim and his wife, Cathy, have three daughters: Ava, Sidney and Clara.

NOLAN RUIZ is a

McDonald’s Owner/Operator.

In 2015, Nolan started out with one restaurant in St. Louis.

He now owns 19 restaurants with over 900 employees. His commitment to diversity and community is exemplified in his membership on each of his restaurants’ local chambers of commerce. He currently resides in St. Louis City with his wife and newborn son, and enjoys reading, skiing, and hiking.

THANK YOU! We would like to thank our 2018 outgoing Board Members Steve Pelch, George Gipson, Ed Harmon, Dave Sadler, Sirus Karimi and Derek Martin for their outstanding dedication and service to the RMHC mission.

Steve Pelch with 2019 Board Chair, Deb Vogt, and Dan Harbaugh

George Gipson, Ed Harmon and Dave Sadler

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

TODD ALLEN, Data

Assistant, is very happy to be part of the RMHC organization again. Todd was a volunteer for many years and prior to that, his parents helped purchase and refurbish the very first House in St. Louis. Todd has a background in training and development.

In his spare time, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.

LAUREN ST. JOHN has transitioned to the role of Annual Giving Coordinator.

Previously, Lauren was the Community Relations Coordinator for two years.

She recently completed her Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from Washington University and is very excited to dive into the world of development. In her spare time, Lauren loves to travel, bake and run in Forest Park.

2018 HEART & SOLE AWARD I

The Ladies of McDonald’s posing for photos at several of our past Scramble for Charity Golf Tournaments.

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n December 2018, Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis presented the Ladies of McDonald’s, a generous, charismatic group of local female McDonald’s Owner/Operators, with the annual Heart & Sole Award.

The Heart & Sole Award was created in 2005 to honor Coldwell Banker Gundaker for its more than 20-year commitment to our organization. Each year, RMHC St. Louis honors a new supporter or group of supporters who emulate Coldwell Banker Gundaker’s commitment and generosity.

For more than a decade, the Ladies of McDonald’s - especially Deb Klak, Colleen Schoendienst, Joan Elhoffer and Terri Flagg have been a driving force behind our Scramble for Charity Golf Tournament every September.

Year after year, they host the famous “YaYa” tent at this event, which features delicious snacks and beverages, as well as popular auction and raffle items for golfers. All of this is fully funded by their own contributions, and they have consistently raised more than $10,000 each year for RMHC St. Louis! Without their support, we would not be able to reach our annual fundraising goals. In addition, this wonderful group of women brings invaluable joy and fun to the Scramble event. ■

SHOES NEWS Updates from the Red Shoe Society St. Louis, our organization’s young professionals group!

ST. LOUIS

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he Red Shoe Society seeks to engage, empower and inspire young professionals to participate in philanthropic and leadership endeavors while building awareness of our organization, which supports Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. Members will enjoy an array of social activities, fundraising events, professional development opportunities and more!

For more information about the Red Shoe Society, visit www.rmhcstl.com/ redshoesociety or reach out to RSS President, Maggie Bailey, at mrgrtbailey@gmail.com.

2019 RED SHOE SOCIETY EVENTS: 6th Annual Kentucky Derby Party Saturday, May 4, 2019 at Carnivore

7th Annual Washers Tournament Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Shaw Park

Meet the Red Shoe Society’s

2019 LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Maggie Bailey PRESIDENT Kristie Ream TREASURER Phil Saettele SECRETARY

Kimberly Horan PR/MARKETING CHAIR Dustin Brown DEVELOPMENT CHAIR

7th Annual Winetoberfest Saturday, October 19, 2019 at the St. Louis Wine Market & Tasting Room

Julie Leaderbrand SOCIAL CHAIR

Katherine Varraveto SERVICE CHAIR

In 2018, the following individuals were members of the Junior Cornerstone Society, which recognizes our organization’s most generous young professionals: Margaret Bailey Dustin Brown Ashley Diaz Kimberly Horan

Brian & Alicia Jett Michael Jett Jennifer Jines Ryan & Emily Kuryla

Stephanie Lawrence David Macke, Jr. Jodi Maslin

Maura Rafuse Shaughnessy Kyle & Kristie Ream Phil Saettele

Andie Schieler Andrew Szczuka Katherine Varraveto Neil & Whitney Voigt

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A RESPITE REFRESH The original Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. Louis Children’s Hospital received a beautiful makeover after 10+ years in operation.

Photos by Anne Mathias

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n July 23, 2018, RMHC St. Louis hosted a grand reopening for the original Ronald McDonald Family Room inside St. Louis Children’s Hospital! After 10+ years in operation, this special space underwent renovations to become a more welcoming, comfortable and functional place dedicated to families of patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The newly renovated Family Room offers a kitchen, dining area, “quiet nooks” with comfortable seating, a TV room, a play room, laundry facilities, showers, computer stations and more. We are extremely grateful to Ameren and The Manning Family, whose generous contributions made this renovation possible. ■

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OUR FRIENDS. OUR PARTNERS. OUR FOUNDATION.

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e would like to thank our 2018 Cornerstone Society members for their generosity! The Cornerstone Society was established in 2012 to recognize the individuals, organizations and corporations that give an unrestricted donation of $1,000 or more to RMHC St. Louis. In 2018, Cornerstone Society members’ donations totaled more than $2 million, accounting for nearly half of our operating budget. For more information about the Cornerstone Society, please call Lauren St. John, Annual Giving Coordinator, at 314-932-4146.

On February 20, 2019, we hosted a Cornerstone Society Celebration at the Palladium - St. Louis to honor our 2018 donors. A short program recognized Haberberger Mechanical Contractors, Saint Louis Italian Open, and Jim and Linda Sramek with awards for their outstanding commitment to RMHC. We would also like to thank our sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor, Mercy Kids, for underwriting this event.

Additional sponsors: The Donald H. and Mary Jane Buchanan Foundation; Moneta Group; SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital; St. Louis Children’s Hospital; Simons and Cordes Group at UBS; World Pediatric Project; Argent Capital Management, LLC; Gardens of Grace; U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, and The Northern Trust Company.

Top Left: RMHC Board Chair, Deb Vogt, and President, Dan Harbaugh, present Haberberger Mechanical Contractors with the Cornerstone Society Exemplary Partner Award; Top Right: Dave Tornetto and Lynn Webbe; Bottom Right: Quincie and William Humphrey.

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HEART OF LOVE $25,000+ Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust Baumstark Family Foundation Donald H. and Mary Jane Buchanan Foundation Emerson Friends of RMHC (2) Mr. Anthony W. Irace Metro East Industries Inc. Ronald McDonald House Charities (Global) Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tri-State Co-op Mr. and Mrs. Gary Schuette Larry & Sharon Carrico/SKC Enterprises, Inc.

HEART OF COURAGE $20,000-$24,999 The Butler Family Foundation Friend of RMHC Golden State Foods Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Mark E. Kohlberg Mercy Kids Mr. and Mrs. Brian T. Travers

HEART OF HEALING $15,000-$19,999 American Direct Marketing Resources, LLC Mr. Demetrick M. Coleman Connor’s Cause Edward Jones Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Flagg K-Meier Roof System, Inc./ Mr. and Mrs. Ken Schrautemeier

HEART OF COMPASSION ■ $10,000-$14,999 Mr. and Mrs. Stuart L. Block Mr. and Mrs. Mike DeCola Mr. and Mrs. Gary G. Deeken Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Icon Mechanical Ms. Ana Kent

Mr. and Mrs. David W. May Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Micheletto O.K. Fasteners Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Potter Mr. and Mrs. Zsolt Rumy Mr. and Mrs. James Sramek

St. Louis Italian Invitation Golf Tournament for Charities St. Louis Lodge No. 5 IOOF Robertson Benevolent Fund Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Wies WSDC Foundation

HEART OF HOPE ■ $5,000-$9,999 Frank Adam Foundation Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Argent Capital Management, LLC Mr. James Auffenberg Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey J. Barone Mr. and Mrs. Scott Bazoian Blues for Kids Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Burnes SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Coca-Cola USA Mr. and Mrs. David Corley Coupler to Coupler Didion-Orf Recycling, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Greg R. Diekemper Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dowling Eagle Nonwovens, Inc. Enterprise Holdings Foundation ESCO Technologies, Inc.

Mrs. Babara A. Farrel Friends of RMHC (5) R & L & S & D & K Fraley Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Grimes Haberberger Mechanical Contractors Mr. and Mrs. Steve W. Hays, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Eric D. Holland Mr. and Mrs. Steve F. Holste Mr. and Mrs. John Irace Mr. and Mrs. Jon Knauss Mr. and Mrs. Donald T. Kukla Mr. and Mrs. Bernard J. Lears Mr. and Mrs. Melvyn L. Lefkowitz Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Mr. and Mrs. Dan P. McCoy Mr. and Mrs. John Meara Mr. and Mrs. Harold M. Miles MKL Foundation, Inc. Moneta Charitable Fund Mr. and Mrs. James W. Moore

Mr. and Mrs. James Mosby Mr. and Mrs. William Moskoff Mr. and Mrs. Timothy L. Myers Ms. Gayle Ortyl Mr. John Pantanella Paul Mitchell The School St. Louis Mr. and Mrs. Steve J. Pelch Herman T. & Phenie R. Pott Foundation Radian Guaranty Inc. Mr. Ray W. Raley Mr. and Mrs. Matthew A. Rothgangel Mr. and Mrs. Nolan Ruiz Mr. Louis A. Russo Mr. and Mrs. David C. Sadler The Albert Schoendienst Charitable Giving Fund Mr. and Mrs. Lee J. Schuler Mr. and Mrs. Edward Shay

Signature Healthcare Foundation Simon and Cordes at UBS Finacial Services, Inc. Skarie Charitable Fund St. Louis Children’s Hospital St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer Mr. and Mrs. Kirk P. Syberg Paul and Patricia Taylor Family Foundation Mr. William P. Thompson Tracy Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Raymond R. Van De Riet, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew C. Wegman Ms. Denise Wool World Pediatric Project

HEART OF COMFORT ■ $2,500-$4,999 Alan Green 4-Chesed Fund Dr. and Mrs. Jorge Alegre Mr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Altmann AXA Foundation Mr. and Ms. Chris Baer Bank of America Mr. and Mrs. Theodore W. Beaty Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blankemeyer Blaylock Family Foundation The Boeing Company Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brandenberg Brinkmann Constructors Mr. and Mrs. Chris C. Busch Mr. and Mrs. Tony Caleca Mr. Frank J. Cognata, Jr. Community Health Charities of Kansas and Missouri Concord Village Lions Community Services Foundation, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Distefano Mr. Derick L. Driemeyer Mrs. Carol Elmendorf Emerson Hermetic Motor Employees Community Fund of The Boeing Company Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Fahrig Fletcher and Friends

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Fritz Mr. Sean T. Geoghegan Mr. and Mrs. Chris Giarla Mr. and Mrs. Dave Giarla Mr. and Mrs. George Gipson III Graybar Electric Company, Inc. Graybar Foundation Mr. Bradley Green Growe Eisen Karlen Mr. and Mrs. Mark Haberberger Mr. and Mrs. Steve Haberberger, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Darren Hale Mrs. Michele Muscarella-Harmon and Mr. Arthur Harmon HBM Holdings Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Hillmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hilton Mrs. Bridget Hoy The Patricia A. Healey Fund of InFaith Community Foundation Mr. and Mrs. David W. Ingram Ms. Cynthia J. Jacob Mr. and Mrs. Alan Kahn Karpel Solutions Keeley Companies Mr. and Mrs. David A. Kelpe

Mr. and Mrs. Timothy A. Kohl Mr. and Mrs. Rich Kopp Mr. and Mrs. Erik K. Lescher Mr. Robert J. Lieber Mr. and Mrs. John Londoff, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Malter Mr. and Mrs. Jim L. Mather Microsoft Giving Campaign Monsanto Ms. Betty Moskoff Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. O’Brian Opus Foundation Mr. Richard Palank Parkside Financial Bank & Trust Ms. Jaqueline Phillips Mr. and Mrs. James A. Proctor Mr. and Mrs. Lee K. Renz Dr. Maureen B. Riffle and Mr. John J. Riffle Mr. and Mrs. Josh Roedemeier RubinBrown LLP Mr. and Mrs. Brian Satterthwaite Mr. and Mrs. Keith Schieler Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Schlichter Mr. and Mrs. Brad S. Seabaugh, Sr. Security Traders Association of St. Louis

Mr. and Mrs Joseph W. Shipley Mr. and Mrs. Steve D. Short Sidener Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sifrig Mr. and Mrs. David Simons Sprowls Family Charitable Foundation Ms. Sarah E. Stephenson Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Stevens Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Stieven Mrs. Cynthia Tapow TCG Services, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Paul Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Thornberry TRUiST UMB Bank U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management Mr. and Mrs. Brian Ungles Ms. Deborah M. Vogt Von Gontard Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Wagner Mr. and Mrs. Mike Walsh Mrs. Barbara Whitehead and Mr. James A. Spence Mr. and Mrs. Brian J. Wuertz The Wydown Fortnightly

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HEART OF THE HOME ■ $1,000 - $2,499 21st Century Fox America Mr. Jay Ackerman Ms. Serena Adamns Mr. and Mrs. Dennis C. Ahal Mr. and Mrs. Ted J. Ahrens Mr. Brian Akerson AmazonSmile Foundation Ms. Jodi Apter Mr. Dennis Araujo Art Van Furniture St. Louis Art Van Furniture, LLC Mr. Darran Ayres Mr. Robert Baer Mr. Rodney Bahr Banterra Bank Mr. and Mrs. Dan Bantle Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Barnes Mr. and Mrs. William Barta Kirsten Bartholomew Ms. Ayn Bartok Mr. and Mrs. George Baskin Mr. Martin Bathe Mrs. Georgina Bauman Mr. and Mrs. David Beckel Mr. and Mrs. Michael Belshe Berkshire Hathaway Alliance Real Estate Mr. and Mrs. Steven Beshore Mr. Dennis Beutler Ms. Jaime Bierk and Mr. Jamie Marr Mr. and Mrs. Les Block Mr. and Mrs. Mark Boland Bold Enterprises, Inc. Mr. John Boyce Mr. and Mrs. David R. Brandt Mr. and Mrs. Dan P. Brennan Mr. John A. Brennan Mr. Wayne R. Brinkman Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Brown Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bueler Mr. and Mrs. Larry Burke Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Mr. and Mrs. Ed Burris Callaway Golf Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Campbell Caring and Sharing Thrift Shop Mr. William Caruso The Chod Family Foundation Dawn and Jared Christoffersen Mrs. Barbara Christopher Dr. Jeanna H. Cleveland and Mr. Jason R. Cleveland The Connexion Group Mr. and Mrs. Chris Connolly Mr. and Mrs. Bob Costas Dr. Mary M. Cradock and Mr. Stuart Yancey Ms. Christine A. Crain Mr. and Mrs. Ed Criswell Mr. and Mrs. Douglas W. Cross D&L Painting and Drywall, LLC DDI Media Mr. and Mrs. Art DeGuire Mr. Mozell Deloch Mr. Jerrod Deneke Dr. Paul Deutsch Mr. and Mrs. Rick Didion Mr. and Mrs. Rodd A. Dietrich

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Mr. and Mrs. James A. Dohr Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Donohue Mrs. Lesley Dormeyer Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Douglass Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Dryden Mr. and Mrs. Joe Duggan Mr. and Mrs. Karl Dunajcik Dr. and Mrs. Justin Durel Ms. Tiffany Durham DW Mertzke Excavating & Trucking, Inc. Dynamic Controls, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Greg Eilerman Mr. and Mrs. David J. Elhoffer Enterprise Bank & Trust Mr. Joe Ertel Mr. and Mrs. John E. Evans III Mr. and Mrs. Doug R. Fabick Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Fedak Mr. and Mrs. James W. Finger II Mr. Dan Fitter Mrs. Rita G. Fitzgibbons Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Flodberg Mr. Michael J. Foster Mr. Michael Franklin Randy and Sandy Franklin Ms. Mary Garavaglia Mr. and Mrs. Michael Garner Mr. and Mrs. Gus Gast Mr. Eric Gerhardt Mrs. Bettie Gershman Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ginsberg Dr. Harold Goedde Mr. and Mrs. Milton G. Goldenberg Mrs. Pamela T. Gomes Mr. and Mrs. R E. Gowin Mr. Lincoln K. Gray Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Growe Guarantee Electrical Co. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Guffey Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Haag, Jr. Ms. Brenda S. Haalboom Mr. and Mrs. Brian T. Hackett Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hamacher Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Hanak Mr. Lawrence F. Hanebrink Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hannah Mr. and Mrs. James P. Hannon Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Harmon Mrs. Juanita L. Hartwig Mr. and Mrs. Alan C. Hautly Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Hawkins Mr. and Mrs. David T. Hawkins Mrs. Doris A. Hawkins Mr. Richard Hawkins Ms. Geralyn Hayes Mr. Timothy E. Hayes Heartland Barge Management, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Toby Heddinghaus Ms. Deb Hedrick Ms. Amy Heeger Mr. and Mrs. Tom Heeger Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Heffernan Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Hehmeyer Ms. Megan Heier Mr. and Mrs. Brian Heigel Mr. David Helms

Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2019

Mr. and Mrs. Greg Hempen Mr. and Mrs. Brad Hendrich Mr. and Mrs. Craig Herron Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Hogan Ms. Kathy Hondel Horner Sunday School Mr. Randy Horrell Mr. and Mrs. Keith R. Hosto Mr. and Mrs. Rob Howe Mr. and Mrs. Doug Huber Mrs. Charlotte Hulett Mr. and Mrs. Matthew D. Hunter Mr. and Mrs. George Ikemeier Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Intagliata Invest In Others Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Iovaldi J&D Orton Transportation Inc. Mrs. Patricia M Jankowski Mr. and Mrs. Brian Jett JM Family Enterprises John Bender, Inc. Mr. Don Johnson Jon Dee Lawrence Family Trust Mr. Chris Jones Ms. Tiana Marie Jung Dr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Kahn Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Karsh Mr. and Mrs. Joe Keifer Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Kelly Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Kettenbach, Jr. Kiwanis Club of Hampton Midtown Mr. and Mrs. Mike T. Klak Mr. and Mrs. James H. Klocke Mr. Richard Knight Knights of Columbus – Council 14561 Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Koenig Korean American Association of Scott Area KPMG LLP Mr. Jesse R. Kramper Mr. Randy Krohn Mr. Tim Krueger Colonel and Mrs. Ryan Kuryla Ms. Kimberly M. Kutis Mr. Mike Lamartina Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. Lane Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Lauer Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Leary Lee H. Cruse Charitable Trust Mr. and Mrs. Bob Leonard Mrs. And Mrs. Ian Lindquist Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Lowe Mr. and Mrs. James Lucas Mr. and Mrs. Brock M. Lutz Mr. and Mrs. Stephen T. Lux Mrs. Deanna Macke Mr. Daniel Marquitz Mr. and Mrs. Derek L. Martin Mr. and Mrs. John J. Matejcic Mr. and Mrs. Randy Mathews Mr. Taylor Matthews Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mauger Ms. Judith A. Maurer Mrs. Virginia V. McCook Dr. and Ms. Douglas McDonald Ms. Veronica McGee

Mr. and Mrs. Mike McLaughlin Ms. Clara McLeod Ms. Cindy McMahan Mr. and Mrs. Ryan McMasters Mr. and Mrs. Charles Medelberg Mr. and Mrs. Frank Meier Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Meyer, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Alan M. Meyer Mr. and Mrs. Christopher R. Michalak Keiko and George Miller Mrs. Kathryn B. Mleczko Mr. and Mrs. Alfred T. Moellenhoff Mr. and Mrs. William L. Moench, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Dan Moll Mr. Randy Mollet Mr. and Mrs. John Moskoff Mr. and Mrs. John Mountain Mr. and Mrs. Dean P. Mueller Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mueller Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Murphy Mr. and Mrs. Thad Neal Mr. Kyle Nickel Ms. Elizabeth Niedringhaus The Northern Trust Company St. Louis Mr. and Mrs. McDara O’Brian Mr. and Mrs. John D. O’Hara Mr. and Mrs. Dave Oller Mr. Brendan Orf Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Orlet Mr. and Mrs. Chris J. Ott Employees of P&A Drywall Supply Dr. and Mrs. George A. Paletta, Jr. Mr. Dan Peters Mr. and Mrs. James A. Piepenbrok Mr. Sanford J. Poger Mr. Robert Pohrer Ms. Nancy J. Pruitt Mr. Larry D. Pry Ms. Roxanne Putney Mr. and Mrs. Rich F. Rafuse Ms. Roxanne Putney Ms. Mimi Ravarino Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rawlings Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Rea Mr. Timothy Reeves Ms. Barbara C. Regnell Mr. David Reiniesch Mr. and Mrs. Kent Richardson Mr. and Mrs. Alfred G. Richter, Jr. Mrs. Paul Richter Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Roberts, Jr. Ms. Ashley Roedemeier Mr. and Mrs. Timothy M. Rohlman Ms. Kathy Rowen Mr. and Mrs. Steve Runyon Mr. Phil Saettele Mr. Jim Saffo Mr. and Mrs. John M. Saguto Family of and Mrs. Ronald Saks Mr. and Mrs. Don Sanders Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Sansone, Sr. Mr. Tom W. Santel Sanvi Charitable Foundation Inc. Mr. and Mrs. John Schicker Mr. William Schicker

Mrs. Barbara A. Schieler Mr. and Mrs. Michael K. Schmid Ms. Colleen Schoendienst Mr. and Mrs. John W. Schultz Mr. and Mrs. Roger P. Schurig Mr. and Mrs. Troy Schuster Mr. William A. Schuwek, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Adrew L. Schwartz Mr. and Mrs. Andrew V. Sciaroni Mr. Curtis Searcy The Shaughnessy Family Foundation Mr. Tom Sheehan Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shepard Mr. Matthew J. Smith St. Louis Community Foundation

St. Louis Pre-Sort, Inc. St. Paul United Church of Christ Mr. and Mrs. Dale Steinback Mr. Brian Steiner Ms. Karen Stern Mr. and Mrs. Brent Stevens Ms. Anne Stewart The Stonebright Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Francis Stroble Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Strunk Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Suter Tegeler Foundation Thanom and Shirat Temiyasathit Teutopolis High School Mr. Matthew Thomas Mrs. Nancy M. Thomas

Mr. and Mrs. John M. Thorman Mr. Mark Thornton Mr. David L. Tornetto Total Lot Maintenance – World Outdoor Emporium Ms. Carla J. Valenti Vi-Jon Laboratories, Inc. Mrs. Mary Ann Virant Mrs. Deborah S. VonDoersten Mr. and Mrs. Brian Warner Mr. and Mrs. Breck R. Washam Mr. and Mrs. Mark Weaver Mr. and Mrs. Douglas J. Weber Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Weber Mr. and Mrs. Glen Weeks Kris M. Welhart

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC Mrs. Kelly Westbrook Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Whelan Mr. and Mrs. Ronald W. Wiese Mr. and Mrs. William F. Willbrand Mr. and Mrs. William Willhite Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy E. Williams, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Wist Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Woodard World Wide Technology Inc. Ms. Karen Wotli Mr. and Mrs. Rick Wright Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Wrobley Mr. and Mrs. Robert Yost Mr. and Mrs. Scott Zehnders

THANK YOU! We are extremely grateful for all of our generous supporters. To see a list of our 2018 Annual Giving donors, please visit us online at www.rmhcstl.com/donors.

MAJOR IN-KIND DONORS The following organizations and corporations made gifts in-kind valued at $1,000 or more to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis between January 1 and December 31, 2018.

Above All Development/ Home2 Suites Forest Park Accu-Care Home Nurses, Inc. Art Van Furniture St. Louis Bissinger’s Fine Confections CP Fadgen LLC CSI Leasing Didion Orf Recycling Don Brown Chevrolet

Dynamic Vending, Inc. ESCO Technologies, Inc. Event Lanterns LLC Gabriel Group Greetabl Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc. Leach Painting Co. Major Brands, Inc. Marcone Supply

Marquette High School FACS Materialogics Packaging Concepts, Inc. Protective Asset Protection Ronnoco Coffee Schaefer’s Hobby Shop, Inc. Seeger Toyota Southwest Airlines SSE, Inc.

Table Sixteen Productions The Company Store The Giving Doll The Home Loan Expert, LLC Tri Rinse US Pack Logistics, LLC Washington Optimist Club Wiethop Greenhouses

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MEMORIALS The following gifts were made in memory of someone special from Sept. 1 to Feb. 28, 2019.

Jacob Agliata Anonymous Sandy Aubuchon Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. Thornsberry, Sr. Shirley Avey Mr. David L. Tornetto Richard Ballmann Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Nies Maxine Bamberger Ms. Benita Boxerman Mr. Burton Garland Maxine Gelber Mr. Harvey A. Greenstein and Mrs. Esther Lyss-Greenstein Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kraus Mr. Robert Lowenstein Dr. Jay Meyer Mr. Duane A. Patterson Mrs. Laurie Raab Dr. and Mrs. Michael B. Rumfelt Mrs. Judy Schenberg Mrs. Pamela Seligsohn Mrs. LauraSue Steinman Carmen A. Bancroft Mr. Rusty H. Bancroft Harold C. Barnett Ms. Linda Summers Madelyn Bartelme Mr. David L. Tornetto Alexander Bass Mrs. Jodi Maslin Dianne Bell Mr. William Anello Mrs. Wendy Williams Wana L. Bergman Ms. Barbara J. Guinlan Bob Berry Mrs. Angie Bigogno Ms. Deborah Bigogno Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Bigogno Mr. Charles Lardner Mr. Mitchell Neuhaus Mrs. Beth Wideman Robert J. Berry Ms. Hally Wells Olivia Billings Mr. and Mrs. Brad Hendrich Ms. Liam Mahfood-Thuman Johnny Bingham Ms. Neva Bissette James Blumenthal Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker June Brandt Mr. and Mrs. David R. Brandt Joy Breidenbach Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Susan Brockmann Mr. and Mrs. Gary W. Brockmann

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Kelly R. Brodnik Mr. and Mrs. Mike DeCola Jeanette Brown Mrs. Cynthia Podhorsky Helen Burge Ms. Debbie Ferreira Marty Burks Mr. and Mrs. Ervin D. Weinmeister Jill Cale Ms. Nancy A. Spehr Susie Campbell Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dickerson Ron Chiles Ms. Natalie Smith Larry Cohen Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Sterneck Katherine Connell Mr. David L. Tornetto Martha M. Crowley Mr. and Mrs. William R. Maas Carlene Cruthis Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Elizabeth Davis Ms. Patricia Burton Harold Debo Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. David Dierberg Mr. and Mrs. Calvin F. Dierberg Jude P. Donahay Ms. Rebecca Fuist Dorothy Eiglarsh Mr. and Mrs. Gary Levinson Chase Elmendorf Lead ‘Em Up, LLC Dannie Emmons Ms. Neva Bissette Mr. and Mrs. Ervin D. Weinmeister Frank Ferrara Mr. David L. Tornetto Adaline G. Fields Anonymous Marcia Fine Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Sterneck Rylan Foster Mrs. Donna Deschepper Andrew J. Fox Mr. and Mrs. Dan P. Brennan Rozella Freitag Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Helen Galdikas Mr. David L. Tornetto Jackson T. Gillham Mr. Mike Boone Ms. Donna Brandt

Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2019

Gillham cont’d Jill and Tom Taylor Mr. Joe Krause St. Charles La Leche League Ladies Jackson Gilmore Mr. Gary Hemming Grace Goessmann Ms. Pat E. Coppinger Ms. Carol Fivecoat Mr. David Glynn Mrs. Grace Goessmann Mrs. Catherine Harbaugh Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mr. Michael Harbaugh Mr. and Mrs. Patricia A. Patterson Mr. Tony Rauhut Mr. and Mrs. Donald Travis Ronald Gray Mrs. Julie Dobski Tammie Green Franklin County Circuit Clerk Kay Gremminger Mr. Gary Rawson Megan Gross Bold Enterprises, Inc. Edward Hallam Ms. Kristie Scherrer Megan L. Halsey Mr. Richard Halsey Irven Hammerman Mr. Chris Miller Dr. Phillip C. Trotta Gayle Hantak Mr. Thomas K. Reedy Gary Hastings Mrs. Johnny B. Nolen Art Hein Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blankemeyer Jackie Helbig Ms. Margaret F. Normile Carl Henson Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Murrel L. Hines Ms. Ella D. Hines Holden Holliday Mr. and Mrs. Chris A. Holliday Harold Humphrey Mr. Harold Humphrey Mrs. Linda Miller Mrs. Fran Sahm Lucille Ireland Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Peachie Jacobs Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Ahrens Mrs. Gail Buckman Ms. Darlene Doyle Mrs. Carolyn Ellis Mr. Michael Haydon

Jacobs cont’d Ms. Shirley Kane Ms. Carolyn McCruden Ms. Mary K. Oakley Mrs. Judy Smith Mr. Phillip Smith Mr. and Mrs. William B. Smith II Edward James Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Garland Paige James Mrs. Mary Jo Sgro Delores Jennewein Mr. Tim Mossinghoff Marjorie F. Jolly Ms. Sandra J Stevens Christine M. Joyce Ms. Minette R. Buhr Ms. Penelope Christoffel Mrs. Sallie Dohogne Mrs. Judith Gain Ms. Kathleen Gillispie Mr. Leonard Glaser Kieran Joyce Mrs. Carol Kusterer Ms. Frances Leimkuehler Mr. and Mrs. Paul Nittel Ms. Judith Norman Ms. Meg Spencer Ms. Amy Tobias Dr. Barbara Walsh Chris Klugesherz Anheuser-Busch Credit Union Mr. Ed Benton Mr. George Camden Mrs. Barb Carey Mr. and Mrs. Dan Ceriotti Ms. Nancy Collins Mr. Steven Cross Brad Earnhardt First Community Credit Union Mr. Michael Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. Rick Hansen Mrs. Peggy Herr Mr. and Mrs. Bill Jegen Mrs. Kimberly Jones Mr. Scott Jones Mr. Gregory Merlo Mrs. Annette Meyer Mr. and Mrs. Larry Miller Ms. Lynne Miller Mrs. Jeff Minar Mr. and Mrs. Ray Rademeyer Mr. Burns Tschopps Mary L. Kopp Mrs. Geraldine Leeker Kanagavalli Krishnamurthy Anonymous James Kuba Ms. Patricia L. Codden Ms. Linda Darter

Kuba cont’d Mr. and Mrs. Michael Effan Ms. Rose Ford Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Marshall Lukens Photography Mrs. Marie Schmich Mr. Thomas W. Thompson Ernestine C. Kull Ms. Susan Scannell Nick Kutsche Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mr. Patrick Jessee Mr. Ronald Rieseing Mr. Werner Sabo Mr. Richard Siegler Mr. Gary A. Stern Terry LeGrand Family of and Mrs. Kevin J. Brennan Louise Leone Dr. and Mrs. Harry D. Burack George Levin Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ferman Sylvia Levinson Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Kramer Joan Lewis Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Jim Lincoln Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Virginia Lindgren Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dickerson Tracy L. Little Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie W. Burkhead Richard Lowery Mr. and Mrs. Matt Wehner Shayley Mabury Mr. and Mrs. Shayn Mabury Russell, Kate and Stan Makowski Ms. June Makowski Richard Maurer Ms. Judith A. Maurer Denny McKinney Mrs. Susan Brown Paul Mendelson Mr. and Mrs. Charles N. Brandt Tom Mertens Mrs. Susan Brown Skylar and Julian Mieldezis Mr. Michael Barnett Mr. and Mrs. William Hopkins Ms. Ruth Hubler Mr. Jeffrey Hurder Ms. Kathryn Knapp Ms. Diane Lazorchak Ms. Shirley Melvin

MEMORIALS CONTINUED Mieldezis cont’d Ms. Ledora Parrilli Ms. Williams Sarah Mrs. Tiffany Sievers Mr. and Mrs. James N. Stefanus Mary J. Milbower Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fogarty Margo Miller Mr. Williams Evans Ms. Libby Sandridge Della M. Mobley Mr. Ronald K. Hobbs Marie B. Moore Mrs. Pat Ott Mrs. Joan Price Ms. Linda Shockley Mr. and Mrs. Margie Skiljan Jeremy Morales Ms. Pamela S. Laplant Samuel Morrell Mr. and Mrs. Scott Morrell Marcella Mueth Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Garland Thomas J. Murphy Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt Joe Nash Mr. David L. Tornetto Leo M. Newman Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Ann Nolan Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Garland Oner Onergil Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Murelle Plotner Ms. Sabrina Wagoner Seth Poynter Ms. Terri Meyers

Douglas E. Puls Mr. Kirk Norris Jennifer Raley Mr. Ray W. Raley Clairebear Recar Ms. Michele Thorman George and Amelia Richardson Anonymous Angela Ritter Mr. Andy Ritter Gloria S. Robbins Mr. David L. Tornetto Raymond W. Rogers Mr. Delmar Rogers, Jr. Faye Rowe Mr. David L. Tornetto Rose Russo Mr. Louis A. Russo Anne Ryan Dr. and Mrs. Harry D. Burack Mr. and Mrs. Joel Iskiwitch Leo J. Ryan Mr. Gary Pool Rosemary Saffo Mr. and Mrs. Michael Bono Ms. Lauren Olesnicki Mr. John J. Bono Ms. Nancy Young Owen Salters Mrs. Karen Salters Harold Schneider Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant William Schramm Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Tim Sheahan Mr. David L. Tornetto Timothy D. Sheahan Mr. Sean T. Geoghegan Nancy Sievers Ms. Margaret F. Normile

Kenneth Smith Mr. David L. Tornetto Judith Snyder Mrs. Charlotte F. Pickett Jerry Solovitz Family of and Mrs. Kevin J. Brennan Sam Spehr Mrs. Vicki Lane Julia Steinback Mr. and Mrs. Dale Steinback Jennifer M. Straszacker Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Serenity Strubberg Bradley Landwehr Opal Stueve Gilster - Mary Lee Corporation Jeffrey W. Swart Mr. and Mrs. Steven J. Malter Tim J. Thomas Anonymous Mr. Joe Ertel Mr. Patrick Smith Tom Soya Grain Company Ms. Judi Ashcraft Ms. Carol Block Mrs. April Boeger Ms. Sandy Bowling Cahokia Trucking Company Mrs. Sandra Distefano Ms. Theresa Duncan Mrs. Tiffany Duncan Mr. John Krause Mr. Fred Krietemeyer Ms. Carolyn Maack Manley Brothers, LLC Ms. Elaine Marmon Ms. Gail Miles

Thomas cont’d Ms. Vicki Molinar Ms. Lynn Muniz Ms. Mary Ann Parrill Mrs. Lois Schoeber Mr. and Mrs. Dale E. Sondgeroth Ms. Michelle Theis T. M. Thomas Ms. Marcella Thorpe Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tucker Ms. Carol Wicklein Claudia Trebelhorn Mr. and Mr. Richard Trebelhorn Katie Tremblay Ms. Christina Len Kathy Uhlenbrock Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Miss Maryann Rodriguez Carol Utterback Ms. Delores Andrews Mrs. Harriet Andrews Mr. and Mrs. David E. Askey Mrs. Barbara Clark Mr. Robert M. Clayton III Pat Cowder Mrs. Sue Dorsey Ms. Amy Fallon Ms. Betty J. Gwinner Mrs. Y. Lynn Helbing Ms. Laura Judlowe Mrs. Letha King Mrs. Ruth A. Landman Mrs. Judy Locke Mrs. Judith Neuweg Ms. Marilyn Nugent Mrs. Rhonda Sampson Ms. Lisa Shores Ms. Sherri Steinmann Mr. and Mrs. Herschel S. Terry

Utterback cont’d United Marion County Democrat Club Mrs. Kathryn H. Wood Mr. and Mrs. John M. Yancey Mr. Carl Zupan David Voelkerding Mrs. Kathy Aholt Duden Hills Improvement Association Mrs. Jamie Getsee Mrs. Tonya Hindersmann Rick M. Mueller Mrs. Brenda Napier Ms. Pamela Rodriguez Ms. Kathleen Straatmann Sandy Wallis Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Robert Welle Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Laura Westerbeck Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Jeremiah J. White Mr. and Mrs. Lee G. Krabill Jean Wilding Ms. Shirley M. Good Bette A. Wittich Mr. and Mrs. Dale Hickman Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hickman David Wood Ms. Kathleen Jacob We make every effort to list all names correctly.

If you have a correction, please call 314.932.4134.

MEMORIAL & TRIBUTE BRICKS

TREE OF LIFE

The following bricks were installed from October 2018 to February 2019 in memory or honor of someone special.

The following inscriptions on our Tree of Life were recently installed in memory of someone special.

Maplewood Lions Club Lion Walter Abell 1/16/1931 to 01/07/2019

In Loving Memory of Violet Lacniak

Love and Best Wishes Leslie and Chris

In Loving Memory of Murelle Rae Plotner

In Loving Memory of Bailey Hall

In Loving Memory of Amanda Alfheimer

In Loving Memory of Layton Pezold

In Loving Memory of Sawyer Divelbiss

Dr. David Super Dr. Renee Stein Dr. Todd Glass Dr. Christina Hugge Dr. Donald Lange Mercy Clinic OBGYN Sunset Hills

In Memory of Hattie Priolean Baldwin In Honor of Kayden Hurst and In Memory of Opal Stueve 2018 In Memory of Chris Klugesherz In Memory of Marie Moore In Memory of Betty Moriarity In Memory of Beatrice M. Schmid

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TRIBUTES The following gifts were made in honor of someone special from Sept. 1 to Feb. 28, 2019.

Samantha Anderson Mrs. Tracey Hughes Roy R. Baum Mr. Thomas J. McKeone Ezra Blackwell Mr. Chris Rojewski Susan E. Block The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. Cohen John Bowerman Mrs. Colleen Murray Steve Bowman Ms. Claire Zhou David R. Brandt Mrs. Karen Stebelski Ron Buswell Ms. Claire Zhou Mike Chill Mr. and Mrs. Mike DeCola Richard Cohen The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. Cohen Steven Cordia Mr. and Mrs. Alfred T. Moellenhoff Peggy Cribbin Mr. and Mrs. Bart Saracino Martha M. Crowley Mr. and Mrs. William R. Maas Caleb Davis Mrs. Vonda Davis Michael DeCola Regional Business Council Robert and Becky Donnelly Stacey Clem and Rob Bell DSAGSL Ms. Margie Siegel Ginger Eastman Mrs. Tracey Hughes Mike Emerson Mr. Greg Bante Thomas Evans Ms. Claire Zhou Gavin Everett Anonymous Robert Ferebee Mr. Michael Buck Emmett Garriott Mrs. Janice Garriott Vicki Gelber Mrs. Myrna E. Williamson, Jr. Christopher Giarla Antares Group, Inc Rosa Gordon Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Gordon

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Dan Harbaugh Mr. and Mrs. Dale Steinback Tyler Heideman Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant John C. Hill Ms. Brenda S. Haalboom Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Jaylea Hobbs Mr. Ronald K. Hobbs Jacob Hoeft Ms. Cindy Wahl Aniyah Hopper Missouri Circuit Clerks Association Bayne and Oliver Horowitz Ms. Paulette Warren Nancy L. Hughes Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert E. Schoeninger Kayden Hurst Immanuel Lutheran Church Shuli J. Igielnik Mr. and Mrs. Phillip S. Ruben Liz Isgriggs Mrs. Mary Signaigo Christine M. Joyce Ms. Lydia Cesario Mrs. Sherry Kuhn Nancy Kargman Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Grace Keller Mr. Richard Lenkiewicz Drake Kemper Mr. Keith Wiegel Seth Klein Ms. Claire Zhou Lester D. Kreader AIM Community Band Ms. Patricia Clermont Mr. Jamie Wrenn Robert & Virginia Lang Mr. Louis A. Russo Laura From Flora Mrs. Kelly Wuennenberg Richard Lautner Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Wesley Lay Ms. Karen Gaebler Brody Linnell D. R. Richards Justin Litteken Anonymous Vic Locastro Mrs. Jennifer Roberts John Macher Ms. Mary Knickmeyer

Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2019

Liam Mahfood-Thuman Ms. Caroline Mahfood Judy March Dr. Delaram Shirazian Janice McConnell Mr. Louis A. Russo Carl McDowell Ms. Claire Zhou Jum McIntyre Ms. Claire Zhou Lorraine McMahon Mr. Patrick Murphy Samuel Meister Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Goeke Mercy Clinic Internal Medicine Ms. Joanne P. Buttice Margie Moon Mrs. Mary Signaigo Frank Niesen Mr. Thomas T. Keeline and Dr. Monica Keeline Mark & Becky Niesen Mr. Frank Niesen Martin E. Oberman Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Melody Okai Mr. Raymond Hu Baby Elijah & Oliver Anonymous Laura Orf Ms. Claire Zhou Gayle Ortyl Mrs. Jennifer L. Dolce Jennifer Orzel Ms. Claire Zhou Jori, Zoe, and Emma Paradissis Mr. and Mrs. George N. Paradissis Susan Presnell Ms. Claire Zhou James A. Proctor Antares Group, Inc Mark Proctor Antares Group, Inc Michael K. Proctor Antares Group, Inc Jennifer Raley Mr. Ray W. Raley Madeline Rauh Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Rauh Claire E. Recar Mr. and Mrs. John M. Thorman Edward A. Reck Ms. Karen Schmidt Sarah Reecht Ms. Kathleen Taylor

Jacquelynn Richmond Ms. Linda Richmond Joe Riffle Dr. Maureen B. Riffle and Mr. John J. Riffle Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Reis IV Mason Ronay Mr. and Mrs. Gary Levinson Don Rubin Mrs. Nancy Bernstein Marissa R. Ryan Miss Marissa Ryan Mrs. Amy Young Ruth Schemkes Ms. Shirley M. Good Dr. E. Schindler Mrs. Mary Signaigo David A. Senften Ms. Amy Casey Kemp Shoun Ms. Claire Zhou Joe Smugala Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. Brook Snider Mrs. Ann Byrd The Amazing and Dedicated RMH Volunteers and Staff Mr. Brandon M. Blakey and Ms. Anne Grossmann Justin Stalker Ms. Claire Zhou Chuck Stermon Ms. Claire Zhou Eric Struckhoff Mr. Frederick Dressel Jean Sullivan Ms. Stacy Condray Missy Szarmach Mrs. Marilyn Hendricker Mark Tampow Mrs. Jennifer L. Dolce Robert Tevlin Mr. and Mrs. Thomas M. Tevlin The Waldman Kids Dr. and Mrs. Harry D. Burack David L. Tornetto Invest In Others Charitable Foundation Jesse Uhlmeyer Mr. Brian Gaither Clare Underwood Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Scott Marc & Andi Vaini Antares Group, Inc Vickie Vien Ms. Joanne Cuddeback

Vien cont’d Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Kelly Ms. Joanne Munn Mr. and Mrs. Kathy Noland Brother and Mrs. Steve Schaefer Mrs. Barbara Theerman Mrs. Julie Woodrome Jane and E. Viscardi Ms. Amy Casey David M. Visintine Mrs. Emily Tochtrop Donald E. Vogel Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Steven Vogt Mr. and Mrs. John M. Saguto Les Wagner Mrs. Nancy Bernstein Shane W. Wagner Mr. William Boeschen Tommy Neal Mrs. Malinda Weeke Sophie Webb Ms. Erica Thephasdin Al and Eileen Weber Mr. and Mrs. Ronald C. Marth Jane D. Wenzel Mrs. Edith Wenzel Meredith C. Whelen Mr. John Robinson McKenzie White Dr. Donald White Tamara Whitfield Mr. and Ms. Scott T. Kemp Barbara Wielms Ms. Janine Mroz Asher Wilcox Mr. Kory Wilcox Bill Wilson Ms. Claire Zhou Donald Zufall Ms. Claire Zhou Jeffrey Zuke Mr. and Mrs. Ivan I. Schenberg Ralph Zurmuehlen Mr. Paul Dillon and Ms. Bunny Dillon Ms. Sherry Mason We make every effort to list all names correctly.

If you have a correction, please call 314.932.4134.

MCGIFT SHOPPE

Many thanks to Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues for visiting our McGift Shoppe last year!

The McGift Shoppe helps RMHC families shop for loved ones freeof-charge throughout December.

Photos by Heidi Drexler Photography

Each December, the conference room at our West Pine location is transformed into a holiday store where our Ronald McDonald House guests can shop for loved ones free-of-charge. Many thanks to Macy’s for the beautiful decorations and the St. Louis community for donating thousands of gifts to help make the holidays a little brighter for seriously ill children and their families.

SHOP THROUGH AMAZON SMILE Do you shop online at Amazon.com? If so, you could help support RMHC 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.

Simply visit www.smile.amazon.com, log in using your existing Amazon account, and select Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis as your charity. Then start shopping! A portion of the purchase price will be donated to RMHC St. Louis at no cost to you.

After you have selected our organization, Amazon will prompt you to use AmazonSmile in the future, and you can even bookmark the link.

Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2019

22

RETIREMENT PLAN ASSETS:

YOUR KEY TO MAKING A BIGGER IMPACT

“W

hat is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” That line from the acclaimed musical Hamilton is poignant - but it isn’t entirely accurate.

As you consider your own legacy, you can see the garden. You see the great things the people and causes you care about are doing now - and the great things they could do in the future.

Our goal is your goal: Make the biggest difference possible and help as many sick children and their families as possible. That means getting the most value out of your assets, including your hard-earned retirement savings and investments.

As much as 37 percent of your retirement plan assets can be consumed by income taxes after your lifetime - distributions from inherited retirement plan accounts are taxable as ordinary income to the person who receives them.

But when you give all or a percentage of your retirement plan assets to Ronald McDonald

House Charities of St. Louis, we receive 100 percent of the funds. The IRS takes nothing.

Let us help you get your legacy garden growing. Here’s how: 1. Contact the administrator of your retirement plan and request a change-of-beneficiary form, or simply download a form from your provider’s website. (You may modify beneficiary designations at any time to meet your changing needs.)

2. Decide what percentage of the account you wish to give to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis and name us, along with the stated percentage, on the beneficiary form. Return the form to your plan administrator.

3. Tell us about your gift! It would be our honor to thank you for your support. Plus, your generosity can inspire others to follow your example.

IRA Beneficiary

Individual

Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis

Value of IRA after lifetime

$100,000

$100,000

Federal income taxes

-$32,000

$0

Net amount to beneficiary

$68,000

$100,000

We Want to Hear from You! Learn how you can get organized today and help us - and your loved ones - tomorrow using the guides Estate Planning Starters and My Will Planning Guide. To receive our FREE guides at no obligation, contact Frank Cognata, Vice President of Development, at

23

Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2019

314-932-4148 or fcognata@rmhcstl.com.

If you have already named RMHC St. Louis as beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan assets, please contact us today. If you are still creating your estate plan, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have about making this type of gift.

Photo courtesty of St. Louis Children’s Hospital

MEET THE WORTHEN FAMILY The Worthen Family called RMHC St. Louis “home” while their son Jase spent the first year of his life in the hospital.

O

n December 5, 2017, Jase Worthen was born nearly three months early. For the whole year that followed, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Louis Children’s Hospital was his home-awayfrom-home. All the while, Jase’s mother, Jamie, called the Ronald McDonald House on Park Avenue in St. Louis “home.”

Thanks to the Ronald McDonald House, Jase was never alone. Rather than being two hours away in her hometown of Murphysboro, Illinois, Jamie was just minutes away. She could spend her days by Jase’s side, and her husband, Sam, and older son, Aiden, could visit on the weekends for much-needed time together as a family.

It was incredibly difficult to be away from home for so long, but, according to Jamie, RMHC helped ease some of the burden.

“We left our hearts at the hospital every night,” says Jamie, “but having a room at the Ronald McDonald House ensured that I got the self-care I needed, so I could be strong for Jase.”

In January 2019, Jase graduated from the NICU and left the hospital for the first time ever! After 420 days in St. Louis (including time she spent here for medical care before Jase was even born), Jamie was finally able to take her baby boy home.

And although he still requires a ventilator to breathe, along with other special equipment, he is thoroughly enjoying life in

Murphysboro with his family by his side.

“He is the happiest baby,” says Jamie. “It means everything to me to have my family together, under one roof.” ■

Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2019

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Our Ronald McDonald House families enjoyed 1,046 home-cooked meals prepared by the following volunteer groups in 2018. For more information or to sign-up to volunteer, visit www.rmhcstl.com/meals.

Employees from Polsinelli prepared dinner for guest families at our Park Avenue RMH location in 2018.

ACCP_SCCP Volunteers Adaptive Solutions Group Adden Family from Mount Olive Adecoo Group: Parker + Lynch, Accounting Principals, Ajilon, & Modis AED Albrecht Family and Friends Allied Universal Security Services Almost Famous Salon Alpha Delta Pi Alpha Delta Pi Alumni Association of STL Alpha Epsilon Delta Alpha Phi Omega Amdocs AT&T Division Community Relations Ameren - Environmental Svcs.

Ameren WISE Ameren WISE Resource Group American Water Customer Relations Ameriprise Financial Jennifer Barbey Ameriprise FinancialKulik, Rosenbaum & Associates Ameristar St. Charles Anderson/ Mercy Cancer Center Angie and her friends Anheuser Busch E&F Anheuser-Busch Past and Present

25

Anthem Prior Authorization Archonettes of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Argent Capital Management LLC Arrow of Light Den 3 Pack 647 St. Francis of Assisi Athleta Averi Budde Heart Foundation Bakin’ Bettys Barnes Jewish Hospital Rehab Department Bartek Family and Friends Becca’s Babes Belleville Kiwanis Club Belleville Ladies Bertram - 40th Anniversary Birthday Crew Blackwell Contracting & Team Elijah Blades Elementary Staff Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Bob Manges Boeing Asian Professional Association Boeing HRCOE Boeing Reach Boeing Women in Leadership Bonnie, Lynda & Friends Bootcamp Tribe Brado Creative Insight Brandy Bennett Brown Smith Wallace

Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2019

B-Trout Buckingham Strategic Wealth Buckner Family Bunge North America Burckner Family CAC/Ignited for Christ Cardenals Flooring LLC Cardinals Stampers Cecil Management Group Centene Internal Audit Central Bank of St. Louis Cheryl Rogers Chicago/Badger/ St. Louis FST Chris Cervellere - STL Volunteer MeetUp Christ Prince of Peace Confirmation Group Cigna Healthcare Circa Properties Coldwell Banker Gundaker Coldwell Banker Gundaker Fenton Office Commerce Bank for the Martin Family Community Christian Church Disciples of Christ Conrad & Julie Contegra Cox Automotive CRB St Louis CRC 7th Graders Crestwood Sunset Hills Kiwanis Crew 2450 CSE Ladies CSI Leasing CT Arms Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakfield (Melissa) Custom Communications D John C Hill & Friends: John C & Bonnie Hill Daniel Family Dentons Derix Bunch Dillards - Mid Rivers Dinner Divas Domestic Transportaion Team Sup-World Wide Technology Inc Dowling Family and Friends Drury and Pear Tree Hotels Dunard Family Edward Jones - OST Design Team Edward Jones- HR Associate Relations Team

Esic Baptist Church Eureka Jr. Wildcat Families F15 EET Faith Lutheran Church Faith Lutheran Rooted Group Falyn & Co. Farnsworth Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Flanigan-Hartman Family Fling family Fly Fishers at the Crossing Food from Jeffries Donation For the Love of Lilly Forest Park Rotary Club Fowler Family Fox High School FCCLA Frank and Helen’s Freeburg High School FCCLA Freeburg Hornet Helpers Friends Friends - Brewer Friends of Annuncation Friends of Hubbs Fusion Marketing Gamma Sigma Sigma Gateway Writing Project Geri Cope Geyer Road Baptist Church Girl Scout Troop 3018 Girl Scout Troop 3641 Girl Scout Troop 823 Grace Church Grace East Church Grass Family Graybar Strategic Accounts Greenville University Women’s Volleyball GSEM Troop 2379 Gustafson Family Habbe Family Halter & Mendolia Families Halter/Mendolia Families Harvest Bible Chapel Harvester Nazarene Hermann London Group Highland High School Football Holy Infant Confirmande Huber/Wibbenmeyer Family Hyatt ICS Moms Ignite Youth

In Memory of Marvin and Joan Mueller J.T. Baumgarth Farms Jack & Jill STL Youth Group Jackson & Friends Jamison Memorial CME Church Jane Shields Jazz Pharmacists Jean Iezzi & Friends Jeanne Brunworth Jeffries Jewish Women International & Manges Family Jill Ott Jill Shadden & Friends Jillian Barnett JM Family Enterprises JoAnn & Friends Joern Family John C Hill & Friends: John & Mary Hofman John C Hill & Friends: Jim & Barb McElroy John C Hill & Friends: Massa’s Italian Restaurant Journey & Union Church Youth Group Junior League of St Louis Junior Troop 12 K.C. Ladies Auxiliary 7198 Kappa Epsilon Fraternity Kappa Epsilon-STLCOP Kappa Gamma St. Louis Alumnae Association Kathy and Crew Kathy’s Friends Kaysen Dill, Chastidy Brown Keeley Companies Interns Kerbe, Eck & Braeckel Kerry’s Kitchen Kiara & Friends Kim Woodworth and family Kirkwood Children’s House Kirkwood Elite Kirkwood Kiwanis Kirkwood Youth Service Kiwanis Club of Meramec Valley Community Klaire Fisher + Friends Knights of Columbus Council 11437 Knott Family Korean-American Association of Scott Area

L & D St. Anthony’s Lafayette High School HOSA Landco Construction Lange/Falbe Family Laquita & Friends Larson Financial Group Lawson-Leonard Family La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery Leslie Duncan (The Mom Tribe) Leslie Lang family LHAAF: Luca Hill Acrania & Anecephaly Foundation Liberty High School Cheerleading Living Lord Church ARK LoneRiders 501c Lord of Life Lutheran Church Love Your Melon MAB & Friends Marcone Marquette High School Hockey Team Marquette HS HOSA (Future Health Professionals) Marquette Mystique MARS Distribution Mary Jo Mattingly Maryville Bible Study Maryville University Maryville University Saints Hall East, Floor One Maschhoffs Matthew Chen McBride Charitable Foundation McDermott Family McVey Family Medinah Temple Youth Group Medtronic Meetup Group (Christy) Meetup Group (Vince)

Meetup Volunteer Group Meetup Volunteer Group (Kate) Mercy Centralized Clinic Coding Team Mercy St. Louis Tiered Float Pool Merkel, Berra & Kent MetLife Innovation Team MGMA of Greater St.Louis Microsoft Midwest Pool Management Miller-Brady Family MilliporeSigma Minor Family Miss Jenna’s Rainbow (Edwards family) Missouri Baptist University Men’s Basketball Moneta Group Mullikin Family Murray ADPi NACWC NCMS Greater St. Louis Chapter 50 New Life in Christ Church New Neighbors League Club (NNLC) Hicky’s Hugs Notre Dame High School Oak Bridge Community Church - Brandt SG Oakville Color Guard Oddfellow Lodges Our Lady of the Pillar Girl Scouts Overhead Door Company Packaging Concepts PAIGE Foundation Peregrine Society Perficient Perry Family Pfister Family Pfizer Phoenix 81 Pitzer Snodgrass

Polsinelli Prairie Farms Dairy PreCoat Metals QuickPoint Inc Rawlings Sporting Goods Rebecca Bennett Red Shoe Society Regions Bank Richmond & Friends Ritenour FCCLA RMHC Board Members Rockwood Summit High School National Honor Society Rockwood Summit Smile Club Sandweiss Family SBA Network Services Schwartz Family Scott AFB Fire Department Sczesniak- Davis Family Second Helping Seeger Toyota Senior GS Troop 2440 SIUE SSHP SLU Alpha Delta Pi SMILE Smiles for Simon Smiling Servants SMOTJ SMOTJ (Art) SMOTJ (Avery) SMOTJ- Burgoyne So You Think You Can Cook Sodexo Sorget Family South City Girls South County Kiwanis Southwest Airlines Sprague Family Square Inc. Volunteers St Louis Tamil Christian Fellowship Youth St. Anselm Youth Ministry

St. Clair County Volleyball U14G St. Elmo High School FCCLA St. John Neumann National Junior Honor Society St. John’s Lutheran, Red Bud Confirmands St. Louis Community College Wildwood St. Lucas UCC Youth Group St. Luke’s UCC Women’s Evening Circle St. Mary’s Edwardsville 8th Grade St. Paul Catholic School Fenton St. Paul’s Lutheran NJHS Stephanie Pruett STL Brunch Bunch STL SWANS STLCC Family STLCC Students Stropnik Family & Friends Surprise BirthdayCelebration SWA Team Johnson The Bottini Family The Cure Fun and Fabulous The Cure Fun and Fabulous- New Life in Christ Church The Decioccio Family The Dowling Family and Friends The Eckstrand Family The Girls The Helping Hands The Hoffmans The Hubbs Family The Mommas The Schlichter, Thompson and Mattie Families Thomas Family & Friends

Thousand CPA Services Timberland Partners Tracy Family Travelplex Travel and Cruise True Media UCHS National Honor Society UMB-Institutional Banking UMSL Pi Kappa Alpha Union and Journey Church Youth Group United Healthcare United Hebrew Congregation Ursuline Academy Valerie Myers Vatterott VDBR Velva Holliman Vicia Restaurant Vitek Team Vogt Family Wash U Circle K Webster University Young Alumni Chapter Wells Fargo Advisors Werner & Gutjahr Families Westwood Country Club ERC & Bower Family Westwood Country Club ERC Committee White Family Whitfield School Wilkersons Winn & Bailey Women of Faith Women’s Electrical Board World Wide Technology Young Friends of Mercy Youth Group Zeldin Family

A NICE TAX DEDUCTION COULD BE ROLLING YOUR WAY! Are you looking to get rid of a used or unwanted vehicle? Donating it to RMHC is easy! We will arrange for someone to pick it up and sell it on your behalf, and you will receive a tax deduction for the sale value of the vehicle. Best of all, proceeds from the average vehicle donation cover 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, call Frank Cognata, Vice President, Development, at 314-932-4148 or email fcognata@rmhcstl.com.

Heartbeat• •Spring/Summer Spring/Summer2018 2019 Heartbeat

26 38

PAYING IT FORWARD Jim Maher’s family and coworkers surprised him with a special gift... in the form of giving back.

O

ften times, our guest families form a bond with RMHC that never fades. This is especially true for CEO of Archford Capital Strategies, Jim Maher, and his family. After their stay with the Ronald McDonald House of Chicago in 1997, Jim and his wife, Jenny, found the perfect opportunity to give back through volunteering – thanks to a meaningful surprise from Jim’s staff at Archford Capital in January. They teamed up to join Jim, Jenny and three of their four sons in preparing dinner for the families staying at our Ronald McDonald House on Park Avenue in honor of the Mahers’ RMHC stay 22 years ago.

This special gift was an emotional experience for the family, especially Jim and Jenny, who know exactly what it means to receive a homemade meal and other comforts after a long day at the hospital.

When Jim and Jenny’s oldest son, JD, needed a liver transplant as an infant, the family called a Ronald McDonald House in Chicago “home.” During their 3-month stay, Jim successfully donated part of his liver to his son. And because they had a warm and welcoming place to stay that was close to JD, Jim and Jenny could focus on what really mattered: helping JD heal.

Jim Maher is also the founder of the Archford Angels, a philanthropic project that provides $1,000 to Archford Capital team members to fund a charitable project at the organization of their choice.

“Making a meal for the families in the House was a truly rewarding experience for all of us,” says Marnie Deschaine, Jim’s colleague at Archford Capital who organized the volunteer experience.

“This was our first time and it will not be our last.

We have decided to make this an annual event and call it ‘Jim’s Christmas Party.’”

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Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2019

Above, Top: “Chef Jim” and his sons, Josh and Joe, prepare dessert. Above, Bottom: Jim, his family and his Archford Capital Strategies coworkers pose for a photo in the kitchen of our Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House location.

We are so grateful to Archford Capital Strategies for their generosity, and we look forward to seeing Jim, his family and his team back at the RMH for years to come! ■

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

Kitchen Items: Sweet/salty individually wrapped snacks, such as 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 and bowls Plastic spoons

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

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

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

Violet Lacniak

Amanda Altheimer

Isiah Dunn

Murelle Plotner

Sawyer Divelbliss

Ariana Lindsay

Marjorie Jolly

Aubrey Stephens

Taylor Logan

TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

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

Carson Braden 39

Valorie Stone

Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2018

Chrisionna Christian

Amy Blackburn

HEARTBITS Thank you to Ben Pointer, who donated ramen noodles in honor of his daughter, Monica.

After using the Ronald McDonald Family Room, this family wanted to give back. How awesome!

Thank you to Fox Sports Midwest for the generous holiday donation of $2,000 and Wish List items.

It meant so much to those who call our Houses “home,” especially during the Season of Giving.

Art from the heart!

These RMHC kiddos at our West County House loved getting crafty with paint.

Special thanks to our friend, Robert, for supplying the fun through World Pediatric Project!

After utilizing RMHC’s services during their child Kayden’s 8-week stay in the NICU, the Haerling Family gave back by donating over $300 worth of recyclable electronics!

Our friends at the Brynlee Carter Foundation stopped by with a very generous donation from the 1st Annual Brynlee Carter Memorial Golf Tournament. Thank you for your support!

A team from Kohl’s prepared a sweet treat with heartshaped flapjacks and tastey fruit on Valentine’s Day at our Park Avenue House.

Thanks for helping our guest families feel the love!

RMHC volunteer and St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko stopped by the Ronald McDonald Family Room in January to visit with guest families. Thanks for your support, Colton!

How thougtful! This year, instead of birthday presents, our friend Benjamin decided to ask for donations to RMHC. Our guest families will love the new toys. Thank you for your generosity!

!

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Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2019

Love lives here! Thank you to the St. Louis community and beyond for sharing these heartwarming moments with us.

“I love it when he makes me smile, even when he teases me,” says Brina of her big brother, Maj. Brina and Maj’s family traveled all the way from Slovenia and are staying at our West Pine House.

Smiles all around!

Earlier this year, Erin and her family stayed at our Park Avenue House for a follow-up from her lung transplant.

She was so happy to see Frankie again during her visit!

Dance party! Hope, Melany and Ivey always have the best time dancing the afternoon away at our West County House. We love when the playroom is filled with giggles from these three friends!

Anna and Gianna went door-to-door selling Girl Scout cookies. After giving everyone the option of buying a box for RMHC, they had over 200 boxes to donate. Great work, girls!

Our friend DeLana donated Wish List items again this year to celebrate her birthday. We appreciate her continued support.

It’s so amazing to see kids helping other kids!

Many thanks to The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis for raising $1,250 for RMHC through their holiday fundraiser!

This beautiful display featured a fivelevel gingerbread tree created by the talented Chef Melissa.

Wow! Many thanks to Our friend Braxton the students at Oran collected $22.73 Public Schools, who for RMHC families stoppedacts by with through of an incredibleThanks donation kindness! of 243 pounds for showing of tabs, $215how worth of everyone Wish List items, 19 small change pillowcases and 142 can make a BIG welcome cards! difference, Braxton!

The Manges Family has been cooking Thanksgiving dinner at RMHC for three decades. Last year, they also filled our warehouse shelves with Wish List items.

We couldn’t be more grateful!

Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2019

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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

twitter.com/rmhcstl

instagram.com/rmhcstl