Volunteer Spotlights

been serving the community for over 30 years.

Lisa was introduced to RMHC through her husband’s support of The House that Love Built at special events and dinner donations to guest families. Specifically, Syberg’s is served as lunch at our Kids & Clays Tournament in August each year.

“After our kids got older, I was looking for a way to give back,” says Lisa. “RMHC was a perfect fit.”

Before the

Lisa and Kirk Syberg helping check in guests at a past RMHC St. Louis Kids & pandemic, you could

Clays event. find Lisa at the West Pine Ronald McDonald VOLUNTEER House every Tuesday morning assisting our Financial Coordinator, Barb Jarvis.

SPOTLIGHT: “Lisa has been helping out the financial department with the guest lodging from all three Ronald McDonald Houses for nearly 20

LISA SYBERG years,” says Barb. “She’s an awesome person!” Lisa also volunteers at our special events during our largest auctions each year, including

Volunteer Lisa Syberg enjoys the Annual Kids & Clays Dinner Auction and Annual Cushman & Wakefield/RMH Dinner creating strong bonds with staff Auction, by checking in guests and helping set and volunteers at the Ronald up the online bidding account. McDonald House “Lisa has been a regular volunteer at our special events over the years, and I can always

When you hear the name “Syberg,” her with a positive attitude! Volunteers are so what comes to mind? For many important to ensuring our guests have a great St. Louisians, it could be a picture experience at our fundraisers, and we are lucky of a shark, friends sitting around a table for to have Lisa on our team,” says Abby Mauer. happy hour, or a plate filled with chicken wings Event Manager. drizzled with the famous Syberg’s Wing Sauce. We are so grateful for the continued support For us at RMHC, we think of Lisa and her from Lisa and the entire Syberg family. If you husband, Kirk. are considering donating your time and talent

As owners of the seven-location local chain to RMHC, we leave you with these words from of casual American restaurants, serving fried Lisa: “I encourage others to volunteer; the return shark, pizza, and burgers, Lisa and Kirk have you feel is immeasurable.” ■ count on her to fulfill any task assigned to

IN MEMORY OF JIM KUBA: A FOUNDING MEMBER OF RMHC ST. LOUIS

Jim Kuba and his wife, Wanda, were part of a resilient group of parents to blaze the path for the first Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis. They became involved with the organization after they joined the Candlelighters, a parent support group from Cardinal Glennon Memorial Hospital for Children (now SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital), when their daughter Kelly passed away from cancer. Jim wanted to give back to families going through similar situations.

In the late 1970s, the Kuba family teamed up with fellow parents to create the Children’s Oncology Services of Metro St. Louis, Inc. Its sole purpose was to select, purchase, renovate, and operate the first Ronald McDonald House.

These passionate individuals found each other at local hospital parent-support groups, including the Candlelighters and CURE (Children United Research Effort), from St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Many of these parents, including Jim, served on the first board of directors for RMHC St. Louis.

A fellow founder and long-time volunteer, Bob Manges, shared one fond memory of Jim during a record-breaking winter in 1982. Bob was volunteering at the West Pine Ronald McDonald House over the weekend when a storm hit the area, closing roads, shops, and access to the hospital. As the kitchen slowly ran low on essential grocery items, Bob received a call from Jim to check on the families. Without hesitation, Jim drove across town on the icy roads to deliver provisions to guest families. “Jim was so dedicated to the House and the families we serve,” says Bob.

In August 2020, Jim passed away, leaving behind a legacy of care for seriously ill children and their families. We could not be more grateful for the support from Jim and Wanda, who exemplify the mission of RMHC by giving back to fellow families when they need it most. ■

2020 SPECIAL EVENTS RECAP

16TH ANNUAL TAB TOP PANDEMONIUM SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2020

On Saturday, June 27 supporters participated in a special drive-thru socially distant Tab Top Pandemonium at the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald St. Louis House. Families were able to drop off their collections of aluminum tab tops, competing for the largest collections. We'd like to extend a special thank you to our friends at Didion Orf Recycling for their continued support through in-kind donations and dozens of volunteers that keep this event running smoothly every year.

35TH ANNUAL CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD/RMH GOLF TOURNAMENT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020

Rescheduled from June, this annual fundraiser took place on Monday, September 28th at Meadowbrook Country Club. Over 180 golfers hit the links in staggered tee times to try and take home the 1st place prize. Golfers enjoyed a light breakfast, snacks, a grab-and-go lunch. For more photos of our events, visit www.rmhcstl.com.

THANKS FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR

20TH ANNUAL KIDS & CLAYS TOURNAMENT FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020

On August 21, the 20th Annual Kids & Clays event, presented by ARCO Construction, was held at STL Skeet & Trap. Over 200 participants headed out to Pacific, Missouri, for an 84-target sporting clays tournament, enjoying side game competitions and lunch courtesy of Syberg’s.

BENEFITING RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES

27TH ANNUAL SCRAMBLE FOR CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

This fall marked the 27th Annual Scramble for Charity Golf Tournament, presented by McDonald’s, and was hosted once again at The Country Club at The Legends. This fun and affordable tournament featured games along the course, snacks, drinks and raffle items from the Ladies of McDonald’s, as well as a delicious lunch, thanks to our friends at Martin Brower!

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