Fall/Winter 2014 Heartbeat Newsletter

HEARTBEAT

A PUBLICATION OF RONALD M C DONALD HOUSE CHARITIES ® OF ST.S . LOUIS L T

OUIS

FALL/WINTER 2014 • 314.773.1100 • WWW.RMHCSTL.COM

Meet wyatt and the hill family

delivering

how to help rmhc

the gift of sight

at the holidays

WHAT’S INSIDE 2 3-4 5 6 7-8 9 10 11-12 13-14 15-17 18 19-20 21 22 23-24 25-26

Letter from the President; Family Love Note Meet Wyatt; RMHC St. Louis Wish List Volunteer Spotlight Volunteer Needs; Ambassadors Program Special Events Recap; Caring Partners Program Building Blocks The Duncan Family How You Can Help at the Holidays 2014 Home Away from Home Appeal Memorials; In Loving Memory; Transplant Recipients The Tax Advantages of Donor Advised Funds Tributes; Memorial & Tribute Bricks; Brag Board Family Dinner Program Volunteers New Faces; Red Shoe Society Delivering the Gift of Sight: Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Heartbits

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

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

Acceptance

We care for others without prejudice and value diversity.

Accountability

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

Hospitality

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

Integrity

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

Stewardship

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

2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michael Murphy, Chairman Felicia Malter, Vice Chairman Steve Holste, Treasurer Brad Seabaugh, Secretary Ann Bueler Shawn Dryden Steve Fahrig George Gipson, III Larry Glascott Lincoln Gray Ed Harmon Thomas Hof Anthony Irace Donald Kalicak Sirus Karimi

Tami Keller Stephen Lux Steve Pelch Lee Renz Dave Sadler Mark Schlichter Keith Schieler Colleen Schoendienst Jim Souers Deborah Vogt

RMHC ST. LOUIS STAFF Dan Harbaugh, President Lisa Stiefvater, Vice President, Operations Cheri Wuertz, Vice President, Finance Frank Cognata, Vice President, Development Pat Newby, Director, Administration Judy Schuler, Director, Family Rooms Jenifer Braucksieker, House Manager, West Pine Michelle Burmann, Finance Manager Laura Droege, House Manager, Park Avenue Ally Favre, Event Manager Alison Kaspar, Human Resources Manager Matt Lauer, House Operations Manager Kathy McDermott, Data Manager Katie Nepute, Communications Manager Danielle Spencer, Annual Giving Coordinator Alyssa Eason, Event Assistant Barb Jarvis, Finance Assistant Eugene Johnson, Data Assistant Ginny Kappel, Human Resources-Volunteer Assistant Jacob McGuire, Family Room Assistant Nicki Ascoli, Assistant House Manager, West County Ian Lindquist, Assistant House Manager, West Pine Lizzie Poe, Assistant House Manager, Park Avenue Nicki Island, Receptionist, Park Avenue Jonathan Brooks, Housekeeper, West Pine April Fischer, Housekeeper, West Pine Vicki Ruckman, Housekeeper, West Pine Joy Tate, Housekeepeer, West County House Parents: Joan Blatz, Noelle Perkowski, Nicole McLaughlin

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

As many of you know, I recently

celebrated 20 years of being with Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. It is still hard for me to believe that I have been with RMHC this long; time flies when you’re having fun!

And it has been fun, but more importantly, it has been a privilege to serve this great organization. I tell people all the time that I have the “greatest job in the world,” and being a part of the Ronald McDonald House is amazing.

While our cause is one that anyone and everyone can relate to, what makes our organization so incredibly wonderful and successful is the people: the “army” of great folks we have involved at all levels, our volunteers, folks who have served on the Board of Directors, donors, the staff members, and the hundreds of individuals who have served through the years on one of our many committees. It is a true honor to work with you, and I consider you a friend.

We have had many challenges, a great deal of success, and even many unique moments, but most importantly, we have been able to provide comfort and care, hope, great meals and tremendous support to thousands of families.

There are no words that can describe how blessed I feel to be a part of The House that Love Built.

Thanks for your friendship and support through the years, and let’s continue the great work!

Sincerely,

Dan Harbaugh, President

Love Note from a Family Thank you for your help in providing a “home-away-from-home.” The Ronald McDonald House has provided a “home-away-from-home” for our family throughout LeeAnn’s life. When LeeAnn received her first lung transplant in 1996, our family stayed in the third-floor apartment at the West Pine House. LeeAnn’s younger sister was born during our stay and brought “home” to the Ronald McDonald House while LeeAnn recovered after transplant.

We have seen so much growth since that time, with the addition of the Park Avenue House, the apartments, and the Ronald McDonald Family Room at the hospital. The help you are able to provide to families in need is an incredible blessing.

At this time, LeeAnn is waiting for a lung transplant due to complications, and we feel so very fortunate to be able to return to an apartment at the Roald McDonald House while we wait. The wait time can be very long and stressful, but the workers and volunteers here are always patient, kind and so helpful. The community atmosphere at the Ronald McDonald House provides an opportunity to relax in a peaceful, homey environment.

Thank you! For all you do to keep the Houses open to new and returning families that face the emotional and medical challenges of caring for an ill child. Thank you for being part of The House that Love Built.

Sincerely,

The Binder Family

MEET WYATT & THE HILL FAMILY hearing the words ‘your child has leukemia’ turned the hill family’s world upside down In April 2013, Amanda and Brandon Hill took their 2-year-old son, Wyatt, to the pediatrician.

While he was there, the doctor noticed something wasn’t quite right, so he ordered some blood tests.

Within hours, Wyatt was airlifted from Cape Girardeau to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. That’s when the Hills heard the words that are every parent’s worst nightmare: “Your child has Leukemia.” The next day, Amanda and Brandon were both heartbroken and stunned as they watched their son being wheeled into surgery.

“That’s when we started our journey to fixing our little man,” says Brandon. “We couldn’t believe that just eight hours before, we were oblivious to the fact that he had a monster inside him.”

Wyatt received chemotherapy almost every day throughout the three weeks that followed, and the treatment’s intensity took a toll. His pain was so severe that he couldn’t walk. During that time, the Hills were under an enormous amount of stress. Their world had been turned upside down, and they were more than 100 miles away their hometown of Jackson, Missouri.

Fortunately, the Ronald McDonald House, located just steps away from the hospital, became their “homeaway-from-home.”

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Not having to worry about where they would sleep or find their next meal meant that Amanda and Brandon could focus their time and energy on helping Wyatt heal.

Wyatt’s treatments continued throughout 2013, and when a trip to St. Louis was required, the Hill family knew the Ronald McDonald House would be there. Seeing familiar faces at the House was a source of comfort on their return trips, especially when Wyatt was very ill.

“We ran through a very rough patch around Labor Day last year,” says Brandon. “There were times in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) where we weren’t sure what the outcome would be for our brave guy.”

Now Wyatt is in what is called the “maintenance” stage of his treatment. He no longer receives chemotherapy treatments in St. Louis every 10 days; instead, his family makes the trip every three months.

He also takes an oral dose every night. The Hills are counting down the days until June 10, 2016 – Wyatt’s final day of chemotherapy in St. Louis.

“We are so blessed to have our child with us today,” says Brandon. “He’s just like any other 3-year-old: full of energy and so smart. He continues to amaze us, and he will forever be our hero.” ■

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF ST. LOUIS

After Wyatt’s Leukemia diagnosis, the Hill Family established Friends of Wyatt, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting the battle against pediatric cancer. In March 2014, Friends of Wyatt hosted the 1st Annual 5K/Biathlon/ Marshmallow Ride, a fundraiser that took place in their hometown of Jackson.

This event was a huge success, raising more than $13,000. Brandon, Amanda and Wyatt generously donated a portion of the proceeds to RMHC St. Louis. They made the trip to our West County Ronald McDonald House in June, with a very generous financial contribution and many in-kind gifts, including a television and thousands of snack items from our Wish List, in tow.

Friends of Wyatt’s upcoming Mother’s Day Marshmallow 5K/Biathlon will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at Jackson City Park in Jackson, Missouri.

For more information, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/community.

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

Kitchen Items:

Laundry Facilities:

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, and candy bars Liquid hand soap, pump container Ziploc bags of all sizes Dishwasher-safe cookie sheets and cooling racks Microwavable bowls (such as Corningware) Plastic forks and spoons Silverware Assorted Tupperware

High-efficiency laundry detergent Softener sheets

Cleaning Supplies: Dishwasher detergent Disinfectant spray Multipurpose cleaner Swiffer hand duster sheets Windex

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

To donate items to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis, please call 314-485-0300 ext. 1234 or email Matt Lauer at mlauer@rmhcstl.com.

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Joy Tate (left), RMHC housekeeper, and Joan Johans (right), volunteer.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT JOAN JOHANS IS A RAY OF SUNSHINE AT THE WEST COUNTY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

S

oon after the West County Ronald McDonald House opened its doors in 2010, Joan Johans went on a tour of the new facility and completely “fell in love with the organization.” She applied to be a volunteer immediately, and was ecstatic when she received the call that a position was available.

For the past two years, Joan has infused the West County Ronald McDonald House with her caring and positive attitude every Wednesday.

During her shifts, she spends most of her time lending a helping hand to Joy Tate, the Housekeeper at our West County House. This dynamic duo can usually be found deep cleaning in the busy kitchen.

“Joan goes above and beyond the call of duty,” says Joy. “We’ve truly built a friendship that extends beyond the walls of the House.”

Joan was adamant about fulfilling

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a volunteer duty that is integral to the productivity of the House and those who stay there. “I wanted to do something that mattered and was needed to keep the House up and running,” she says.

And that she does. Maintaining a clean and sanitized environment for the sick children and their families is crucial to helping them get well.

Much like the kitchen at your home, the kitchens in each of our three Ronald McDonald Houses are always busy with families grabbing a quick bite to eat on their way to or from the hospital. Thanks to the Family Dinner Program, volunteers use the kitchens to prepare delicious dinners for our families every night of the week, as well as breakfast on the weekends.

Joan is able to get to know many of our guest families while she is cleaning the kitchen from top to bottom.

“Although I am incredibly happy when the families are able to go home, I miss them when they leave,” she says.

When asked for one of her fondest memories of volunteering at the RMH, Joan recalls a time when a little boy showed her a scar he got from surgery.

Over the course of his stay at the House, he continued to show her how it was healing. It’s times like this, says Joan, when she feels “unbelievably lucky” to be a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House.

“Volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House has been the best thing to ever happen to me besides marrying my husband and having my four amazing children,” she says.

Joan has inspired us with her dedication and cheerful personality, and we couldn’t be more thankful for the support and hard work she has contributed over the past two years. ■

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

“HANDY” VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers with varying maintenance skills are needed on a weekly basis to help keep our West Pine and Park Avenue Houses up and running for the families we serve.

PARK AVENUE AND WEST PINE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE VOLUNTEERS Volunteers are needed for a variety of shifts throughout the week.

DEVELOPMENT VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are needed to help cultivate donors and work on special events.

DELIVERY DRIVERS

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

RMHC AMBASSADORS VOLUNTEERS HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT RMHC ST. LOUIS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY Is your company, school or organization interested in learning more about Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis and how you can help our mission?

We are happy to provide an RMHC Ambassador for your next meeting or event. Our RMHC St. Louis Ambassadors are trained volunteers who will deliver an inspiring, engaging presentation about our organization.

Our Ambassadors frequently speak at civic group or club meetings, chambers of commerce, religious institutions, schools, businesses, and organizations that are hosting fundraisers for RMHC St. Louis. Most presentations are 20 minutes long, but they can be tailored to any type of meeting or event. Our Ambassadors also conduct tours of our three Ronald McDonald Houses (tours must be scheduled in advance).

To request an Ambassador for your next meeting or event, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/ambassadors to fill out a request form, or call 314-773-1100.

Pictured left to right: RMHC Ambassadors Rick Mauger, Ann Bueler and Bob Manges.

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2014 SPECIAL EVENTS RECAP

10TH ANNUAL TAB TOP PANDEMONIUM ■ SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014 On May 3, RMHC supporters gathered the tab tops they had been collecting for the past year and joined us for a day of fun with Ronald McDonald! Participants enjoyed games, food, face painting, and arts and crafts. Awards were given for top collectors in the following groups: schools, organizations, individuals and families. For this listing, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/tabtops. We hope you will join us for next year’s Tab Top Pandemonium on Saturday, May 2, 2015!

29TH ANNUAL CASSIDY TURLEY/RMH GOLF TOURNAMENT AND DINNER AUCTION SUNDAY, JUNE 1 AND MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014 In June, the 29th Annual Cassidy Turley/Ronald McDonald House Golf Tournament was held at the beautiful Meadowbrook Country Club. Sunday featured a delicious seated dinner and a silent/live auction. The next day, 230 golfers hit the links, where threesomes competed for the championship. In total, the event raised a recordbreaking $837,000 for The House that Love Built.

We would like to thank Cassidy Turley for their outstanding leadership as our Title Sponsor! We are very grateful for all the hard work and dedication from our committee members and volunteers.

Next year’s tournament is scheduled for June 7-8, 2015, so mark your calendar!

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THANKS FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR! 14TH ANNUAL KIDS & CLAYS TOURNAMENT AND DINNER AUCTION FRIDAY, AUGUST 22 AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014 This year’s Kids & Clays event, sponsored by Moneta Group, LLC, raised more than $331,000! The dinner auction was held on Friday at the Edward Jones Atrium, where guests dressed in Western wear and enjoyed live music by the Alex Riffle Band. The Sporting Clays Tournament took place at Strathalbyn Farms Club, where shooters participated in two flights and challenging side games.

We are extremely grateful for the support of Moneta Group as the Title Sponsor and all who participated as major sponsors to support the RMHC mission! We would also like to thank our great partner, Edward Jones, for hosting this event!

21ST ANNUAL SCRAMBLE FOR CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 Many thanks to McDonald’s, the Title Sponsor of our 21st Annual Scramble for Charity Golf Tournament! This event took place on Friday, September 26, at The Legends Country Club. Teams of four competed for great prizes in morning and afternoon rounds. Golfers had the opportunity to test their luck at several par-3 games set up on the course. To add to the fun, the Ladies of McDonald’s (YaYas) hosted a tent filled with exciting raffle items, as well as delicious food and drinks!

This year’s event raised a record-breaking $140,000! Thank you to all the golfers, sponsors, volunteers and committee members who made it all possible!

CARING PARTNERS PROGRAM EVENTS ■ FALL/WINTER 2014 WWW.RMHCSTL.COM/THIRDPARTYFUNDRAISERS

RMHC St. Louis would like to thank the individuals, organizations and corporations that host third-party fundraisers on behalf of our charity. Below are some of our upcoming Caring Partners Program events. For more information about the Caring Partners Program, or how you can help host a fundraiser for RMHC St. Louis, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/thirdpartyfundraisers.

HOT CHOCOLATE 15/5K ■ DECEMBER 14, 2014

On Sunday, December 14, 2014 the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k is back in St. Louis for an unforgettable run through Downtown. All funds raised through the interactive fundraising page benefit RMHC St. Louis. The race course highlights the city’s biggest attractions, from Busch Stadium to the Arch. Visit www.hotchocolate15k.com/stlouis to register.

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Building Blocks BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR OUR SUCCESS

O

ur Building Blocks are those corporations that sponsor Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis’ special events with gifts of $1,000 or more. By underwriting these fundraisers, Building Blocks help reduce the expenses to RMHC, ensuring that our 105.7 The Point 38th Street Financial ACME Constructors, Inc. AHM Insurance Group Alberici Constructors, Inc. American Equity Mortgage Amerigroup Community Care Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield ARCO Construction Avala Marketing BKD, LLP Burns & McDonnell Engineering Cass Bank Cassidy Turley Charter Citi CMG, Inc. Coldwell Banker Gundaker Core States Group Corizon CSG West General Contractors CSI Leasing Deeken Properties Didion Orf Recycling Dillard’s Dohmen Life Science Services Don Brown Chevrolet Dr. Pepper Snapple Group The Retina Center of St. Louis Co. Enable Midstream Partners Enterprise Fleet Management

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organization maintains the highest level of stewardship so that our individual donors’ contributions may directly provide comfort, care and a “home-away-from-home” for seriously ill children and their families.

Fifth Third Bank Full Care Gardens of Grace Gateway Warehouse & Transportation Gori, Julian & Associates, P.C. Guarantee Electrical Hemphill Financial Group Husch Blackwell ISC Contracting J.W. Terrill Jersey Mike’s Subs JM Family Enterprises, Inc. Karpel Solutions La-Z-Boy Lewis, Rice Fingersh, L.C. Lion Petroleum Lodging Hospitality Management Marcone Supply McCarthy Holdings, Inc. McDonald’s Heartland Region McDonald’s Co-Op McDonald’s Owner/Operators of St. Louis McGladrey Mercy Kids Midwest Equipment Company Midwest Valve & Controls Mississippi Lime Co. Missouri Baptist University Missouri Lottery Moneta Group, LLC.

Moore Computing LLP Ole Tyme Produce Packaging Concepts, Inc. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust Paul Mitchell The School of St. Louis Plaza Motors Premium Retail Services Quality Solutions, Inc. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis RNR Custom Wheels/Rent One/ Imagery Marketing Group Rothman Furniture Stores, Inc. Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. Scottrade, INc. Sigma-Aldrich St. Louis Blues St. Louis Rams Steward Family Foundation Sumner Group, Inc. Swank Motion Pictures Table Sixteen Productions The Coca-Cola Company UMB Bank UPS Walgreens WellPoint Westport Pharmaceuticals World Wide Technology Zeller Technologies

LIFE CHANGED IN AN INSTANT FOR

THE DUNCAN FAMILY decided to get married in the hospital before their transfer.

Jessica and Trent called the priest and family members while Jessica’s team of nurses made sure there was a cake, a veil, and even a bouquet of flowers. They were married that afternoon, one hour before Jessica boarded a helicopter to St. Louis.

One day after arriving at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Jessica suffered a placental abruption, most likely caused by bruising from the accident. On April 24, 2014, in the 24th week of her pregnancy, doctors performed an emergency C-section. Aiden Duncan was born weighing just 1 pound, 3 ounces. He was immediately transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.

After she was released from St. Mary’s, Jessica spent the night in the NICU so she could be near Aiden, but she worried where she would stay for the many months ahead.

It was April 20, 2014 when Jessica and Trent Duncan’s lives changed in the blink of an eye. They were driving to

Easter dinner about 30 minutes outside their hometown of Carrier Mills, Illinois, when their car collided head-on with a threequarter-ton pickup truck.

Miraculously, Jessica, Trent and their 3-year-old daughter, Brooklynn, all survived the accident. However, Jessica was 23-weeks-pregnant at the time.

Terrified for her baby’s life, Jessica was taken to Carbondale so that doctors could check on the baby, while Trent was airlifted to a medical center in Paducah, Kentucky, for extensive injuries to his arm.

Jessica’s test results were normal, so she traveled to Paducah to be near Trent, who was recovering from surgery to repair his arm. However, while she was there, Jessica experienced complications with her pregnancy and was admitted to a hospital in Marion, Illinois, where she learned that she would need to be airlifted to St. Mary’s Medical Center in St. Louis.

Knowing that their wedding, which was now just three days away, would have to be cancelled, Jessica and Trent

The next day, her prayers were answered: a room opened up at the Ronald McDonald House on Park Avenue, just two blocks away from the NICU. “Because of the Ronald McDonald House, we are able to take care of our child,” says Jessica. “It’s been wonderful.”

In a matter of one week, the Ronald McDonald House had become their “home-away-from-home” and would be for months to come while Aiden continued to receive medical treatment. “Above all, it’s given us peace of mind, knowing that we are so close to our son,” says Trent.

“I’ve always heard of the Ronald McDonald House, and I gave my change at McDonald’s,” says Jessica, “But I never knew how much it helped people whose world is falling apart.” ■ Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2014

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

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

Holiday Wish List INFANTS & TODDLERS

Push, pull and musical toys Fischer Price and Playskool toys

CHILDREN & TEENS

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

ADULTS

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

FAMILY

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

NO TIME TO SHOP? OUR FAMILIES LOVE GIFT CARDS!

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

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

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Holidays holiday card tribute program Let family, friends, coworkers and clients know you’re thinking of them this holiday season by making a donation to RMHC St. Louis in their name. Both holiday cards and holiday card inserts are available. Holiday cards read “Happy Holidays” and are signed and mailed by RMHC to a list provided by you.

Our holiday card inserts are flat note cards that acknowledge

your gift and can be placed inside your own holiday cards. A donation of at least $5 per card or insert is suggested. “Happy Holidays,” “Merry Christmas,” and “Happy Hanukkah” inserts are available. For more information, visit www.rmhcstl. com/holidays or contact Danielle Spencer, Annual Giving Coordinator, at 314-932-4146 or dspencer@rmhcstl.com.

“A few years ago, we began making tribute donations to RMHC in honor of our vendors and clients at the holidays.

RMHC allowed us to provide a beautiful message in a card and/or email for our most-deserving business partners.

The response was immediate, and the appreciation was overwhelming. Never again will we send a ham, turkey or steak. Now, each year, our associates look forward to receiving our holiday message, and they feel great knowing that a donation has been made to RMHC in their name.” — Larry Carrico, Owner of Rent One, RNR Custom Wheels, and Imagery Marketing Group

HOME AWAY FROM HOME 2014 Appeal

The Home Away from Home Appeal, now in its

third 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 $90; 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 2014 Home Away from Home Appeal, please use the donation envelope attached to this newsletter. Or to make a gift online, visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate. All 2014 Annual Giving donors will be listed in the Spring/ Summer 2015 Heartbeat newsletter.

Because you open your hearts, we are able to open our doors to 13,000 families every year. Thank you for your support.

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helping families find

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS Service

o In 2013, St. Louis’ 3 Ronald McDonald Houses provided 18,475 nights of lodging to 1,361 families.

o Last year, our 3 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms provided comfort and care to 11,809 families, many of whom visited more than once. o Our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, a partnership with Eye Care Charity of Mid-America, provided 650 eye exams and 567 pairs of glasses to underprivileged children throughout the St. Louis area and beyond.

Volunteers

o More than 150 volunteers help operate our three Ronald McDonald Houses, which are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

o Over 400 volunteers staff our three Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, which are open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Stewardship

o 97% of our $3 million operating budget is raised through contributions and fundraising efforts. RMHC receives $0 in federal or state grants. 100% of money raised in St. Louis stays in St. Louis. o A small staff of just 27 employees serves more than 13,000 families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Join Robert Quinn When I was seventeen, doctors discovered I had a brain tumor.

I spent a week in the hospital, waiting to hear if I had cancer.

If my football career was over. If I would graduate high school. My mom wouldn’t leave my side, so she slept on the hospital floor. Suddenly the time we spent together, as a family, was more precious than ever.

I was fortunate. My tumor was benign, and I returned home. But for plenty of kids, that’s not the case. I know what it feels like to be a kid in the hospital and need your parents nearby, and I’ve seen the healing power of family. As the Season of Giving nears, please join me in supporting RMHC St. Louis by making a gift or pledge to the 2014 Home Away from Home Appeal.

Robert Quinn

St. Louis Rams Defensive End 2014 Home Away from Home Appeal Honorary Chair

OUR FRIENDS. OUR PARTNERS. OUR FOUNDATION. 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 2014 will become members of the Cornerstone Society. Last year, 387 Cornerstone Society members donated $1.3 million to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis! We celebrated their generosity and support with an appreciation event at Palladium St. Louis in February, and we plan do so again next year to honor our newest Cornerstone Society members.

All 2014 Cornerstone Society members will be listed in the Spring/Summer 2015 Heartbeat newsletter. For more information about the Cornerstone Society, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/cornerstone or contact Frank Cognata, Vice President, Development, at 314-932-4148 or fcognata@rmhcstl.com.

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MEMORIALS

The following gifts were made in memory of someone special from January 1 to June 30, 2014.

If you would like to make a donation, please call 314.773.1100 or visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate.

Eleanor Adams Mr. and Mrs. John J. Guilfoy Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. Guilfoy Joseph M. Alarcon Dr. and Mrs. Justin Durel Willard Allison Consolidated Insurance Agency Aunt Wanda Ms. Barbara K. Heinzen Carl Bailey Mr. and Mrs. and Mrs. Charles J. Strassburger J. Stewart Bakula Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Carmen A. Bancroft Mr. Rusty Bancroft James W. Banning Mr. and Mrs. Matt Vossen Betty Basler Mr. and Mrs. John J. Vogt Matthew K. Bazoian Ms. Beatrice Bazoian The K. Renee & E. Donald Johnson Jr. Charitable Fund Nellie E. Beel Mr. and Mrs. Roger L. Fischer Rachel A. Bequette AHS 2014 Parent Booster Sean Bequette Mr. and Mrs. William J. Hardebeck Molly Berk Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Sterneck Faye Berwald Ms. Edith Tashma Marie L. Bierenthal Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Don Bippen Mr. David L. Tornetto Dave Bishop Mrs. Dixie Bishop Mr. and Mrs. Larry R. Clark Mr. and Mrs. Al Dedecker Mr. and Mrs. William J. Hemminger Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lindsey Ms. Kim Hiatt Risch Karen Bixby’s mother RBC Norma Jean Bold - Hester Mr. and Mrs. Marty Davis Lucille Bommarito Mrs. Josephine Caputa and Ms. Jeanette Gift Robert Borges Ms. Malia Chiang William Braffman Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt Kricket Branch Ms. Leane Kraus Mr. and Mrs. Gary Levinson Mark Braswell Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Armstrong Audrey Braucksieker Mr. and Mrs. Ed Brinker Mr. and Mrs. Steven B. Decker Ms. Ruth M. Houlihan Mr. and Mrs. Brian Menking Mr. and Mrs. Bill D. Miller

(Braucksieker continued) Mr. and Mrs. Emil L. Poertner Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Ruether Mr. and Mrs. Glenn VanLeer Mr. and Mrs. Gavin Woolley Mr. and Mrs. Jerry J. Worley Mr. and Mrs. Ed Brinker Mr. and Mrs. Steven B. Decker Michael Brothers Family of Ann Broadway Mr. and Mrs. John Burris Ms. Elaine Bush Centralia Free Methodist Church Centralia Regional Library District Mr. and Mrs. James M. Cleary Ms. Phyllis Foster Iuka Grade School Board of Education Stan, Mary, and Brittany Jones Mr. and Mrs. Roy Kuester Mr. and Mrs. Ron Miller Mr. and Mrs. Bill Phoebus Ms. Susie Stock Mr. and Mrs. Larry Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Robert Turner Patricia Buerk Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Beil Doris Carr Ms. Frances E. Koszelnik Joann Chadburn Mr. and Mrs. Mark Schnable Bill Christensen Mr. and Mrs. Matt Vossen Edith Clavenna The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. Cohen George Clobes Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Marshall Collins Antler Package and Pizza, Inc. Mr. and Ms. Seth Collins Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Crawford Mr. and Mrs. Donnie Cunningham Mr. and Mrs. Larry Strong Lucas Corte Ms. Audrey Corte Amanda Cox Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Garland Jerry W. Cravens Mrs. Mary J. Cravens Jameson Cummins Mr. Timothy B. Barth Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Matt Kindig Mr. and Mrs. John Kolisch Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert W. Logel Mr. and Mrs. David A. Martin Mr. and Mrs. Jim M. Martin Pat McCosky Ms. Kathy Mueller Thomas Curley Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. Guilfoy Anna Beth Davis Ms. Cathy Hegman Mr. and Mrs. Eric Shannon The Sarah Circle Central Presbyterian Church

15 Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2014

LaVerne Deters Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Betty Dietz Ms. Carol J. Ezell DiMartino’s Nephew Mr. and Mrs. Burton Wice Monica Dirnberger Buzzi Unicem USA Peggy Disana Mr. and Mrs. Dan Harbaugh Irene M. Dixon Ms. Patricia A. Moser Elijah Doherty Ms. Yolanda Gray Furman Helen Doyen Ms. Margaret F. Normile Richard Drain Ms. Margaret A. Mullenschlader Jane Du Bois Mrs. Josetta Bollasina Cecilie Dukay Ms. Maria Deranja German Cultural Society Ms. Eva Goepfert Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Messmer, Jr. Ms. Karin C. Moore Mrs. Ella Marie Taubel Mr. and Mrs. Friedrich W. Taubel Ms. Joyce Willenburg Margaret C. Dunnagan Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. William J. Webber Dale Durborow Mrs. Marilyn Durborow Jack Dwyer Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. Daniels Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Gift Virginia Dwyer Mr. and Mrs. J. Stephen Neusel Daman Eads Mr. and Mrs. Dean Perry Easton Mr. and Mrs. David M. Arns Wyvos Edmond Mr. and Mrs. John Charles Byars Christopher Eisele Mr. and Mrs. George Ratermann Mary E. Eisenhauer Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. McNulty Rory Ellinger Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt Shirley Ann Emerson Friends of Shirley Anne “Lee” Emerson Ms. Vernadene Holland Raymond H. Enters Mr. and Mrs. James E. Drenon Rick Evens Mr. and Mrs. John J. Vogt Margaret Fayollat Mr. and Mrs. Scot T. Ambuel Nancy L. Fetter Judy Schuler, Jacob McGuire, and the Ronald McDonald Family Room Program James K. Foley Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley

Rylan Foster Ms. Donna J. Deschepper Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. Spencer Jan Fries Mr. and Mrs. Dale Steinback Michael J. Gage Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Richard L. Galen Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Marvin Ganek Mr. and Mrs. Niles Rosen Bill Gawlikowski Ms. Marlene Carey Jim Gehrs Mr. and Mrs. Herman Crick Natalie F. Gemignani Anonymous Convergys Corporation Mr. Deo L. Gemingnani and Mrs. Louise Bilowit-Gemingnani Ms. Rosemarie Kearney Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Lieberman Mr. and Mrs. Zachary S. Mann Marrs Distribution Mr. and Mrs. Mike McCullough Mr. Daniel Plax and Ms. Alison Oswald Mr. and Mrs. Gerald C. Schmidt Mr. and Mrs. Frederic M. Steinbach Convergys Corporation Margaret Gerli Mr. and Mrs. John Imo Joan Kosta Mr. Mario J. Pozzo, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Howard Teitelbaum Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Tornetto Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Ward Michelle Gilmore Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dees Monie Greeley Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lutsky Mrs. Cheryl Ann Protzel Dorothy Grither Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. DeLorenzo Betty Grobe Mr. and Mrs. Robert Achtyl Mr. Howard L. Chilcutt Ms. Cynthia Crider Mr. and Mrs. Gary J. Jameson Ms. Linda Linden Ms. Marilyn O’Donnell Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Palazzolo Mr. and Mrs. Dean Perry Mr. and Mrs. Stephen W. Pulliam Mr. and Mrs. Timothy G. Revis Dr. Homer Sedighi, DMD Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Stricker Ms. Joyce E. Thuston Ms. Constance Voss Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Williams Carol J. Gross Ms. Edna I. Brust Mr. John Dugan Farnsworth Group, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Dan Harbaugh Family of Tommy How Mr. and Mrs. Michael Jacezko, Jr.

Ethel M. Guebert Mr. and Mrs. Matt Vossen Dylan Gutting Mr. and Mrs. Earl Gutting Marcella Hagedorn Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Anna M. Hall Ms. Melisa Booten Slyvia Haltzman Ms. Christine M. Joyce Marvin Harber Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Spector Ted Harmon Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Charley Harvell Mrs. Mary E. Pixley Edwin Hayes Family of Deborah A. Thuernau Errick Haymer Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dickerson Larry Henderson Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Spector Cecile Herold Mr. and Mrs. Kirk P. Syberg Carol Hippisley Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Richard Hirsch Mr. and Mrs. Wayne E. Anderson Joseph W. Hittler Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. Brown Philip S. Hoffman Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Armstrong Sean Hogan Mr. David L. Tornetto Mother Hollingsworth The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. Cohen Carl Hollis Mr. and Mrs. Harvey W. Ordelheide Margaret Horner Mr. and Mrs. William W. Benedict Mrs. Barbara C. Regnell Mr. and Mrs. Kirk P. Syberg Richard Horner Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Wagner Patrick Hoy Ms. Christy Abbott Mr. Michael Abraham Mr. David Ainsworth Melissa Albers Ms. Isabel M. Armbruster Ms. Phyllis Atkins Mr. Thomas Berra Ms. Katherine Booth Ms. Kathryn M. Burnett Ms. Ann K. Chapin Ms. Charla Claypool Conway School Mr. and Mrs. Brian T. Dallmann Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Damman Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Daughenbaugh Mr. and Mrs. John Davis Mr. Thomas C. Erb and Ms. Tracy C. Tretiak Ms. Patricia Fitzsimmons Mrs. Audrey Fleissig

Memorials Continued (Hoy continued) Mrs. Peggy S. S. Folkerts Mr. Joel K. Goldstein Ms Elizabeth Grana Mr. John Greenberg Ms. Jennifer Gustafson Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. Heider Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hessel Mrs. Patrick Hoy Ms. Cheryl Hoy Mr. Frank Janoski Mr. and Mrs. Keith L. Krebeck Mr. and Mrs. Francis Langreck Lewis, Rice, & Fingersh, L.C. Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Lilly Ms. Jayme Major Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McAuliffe Mr. Charles McCloskey Ms. Abby M. Mendillo Ms. Kathy Meyer Mrs. Fritz’s Fourth Grade Class Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Mulligan Ms. Julie L. Nichols Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Nieder Mr. Ronald A. Norwood Mr. and Mrs. Neal Perryman Mr. and Mrs. Charles Phillips Mr. Louis Prifti Mr. and Mrs. Jacob W. Reby Mr. Vincent D. Reese and Ms. Lisa S. Dierdorf Mr. and Mrs. Evan Reid Mr. John J. Riffle and Dr. Maureen B. Riffle Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Snidman Mr. and Mrs. Brian D. Spacher Mr. Peter M. Steuterman and Ms. Anne V. Maloney Ms. Sara K. Stock and Mr. Stephen B. McConnell Taylor & Associates Reporting, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Addison B. Thomas Mr. Oliver H. Thomas Mr. Joe Trad Ms. Julia A. Walker Mr. and Mrs. Richard B. Walsh Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence H. Weltman Mr. David E. Wulkopf and Ms. Kim McDermott Mr. Anthony K. Wyche and Ms. Sara K. Howard Mr. and Mrs. Chuckson Yokota Mr. and Mrs. Tom W. Zook Joseph Huber Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. Sida James Hubert Ms. Dorothy M. Hall Logan W. Hudson Mrs. Rose Hudson Larry Hummel Mrs. Ella Marie Taubel Karen Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Jay M. Albertina B&K Auto Sales and Services, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond W. Bean Mr. and Mrs. Kevin S. Bluemner Mr. J. Ryan Combs Mr. and Mrs. Reyburn L. Cottingham Mr. and Mrs. Bob L. Culberson Ms. Lori Daiber Mr. and Mrs. Martin W. Douglas Ms. Nancy Fischer Mr. and Mrs. James H. Gieselman Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Gieselman Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Gray

(Jackson continued) Mr. and Mrs. Dan Hanvey Ms. Carolyn J. Hocher Ms. Sandy Kemp and Ms. Pam Hildenbrand Mr. and Mrs. Richard T. Kimes Ms. Cathy Lavender Levo-Donohoo, LLC Ms. Donna R. Lubenkov Mr. and Mrs. Todd K. Maedge J. S. Nemeth Ms. Rita E. Potter Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. Rose Mr. and Mrs. Michael G. Sinclair Ms. Linda Sinco Mr. Terry Tayloe Mr. and Mrs. Chad Wampler Mr. and Mrs. Gene A. Weis SSgt Daniel Yates Paige James Mrs. Mary Jo Sgro Bobby Jasper Ms. Carol A. Lieb Jennifer Johnson Bulliner Ms. Lavonda Frazer Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Karnes Mr. and Mrs. Todd A. Kuhnert Ms. Janice F. Wall Betty J. Kaplan Ms. Marylyn Luther Katie Kelly Ms. Aurora Bazoian Mr. and Mrs. Steve Noles Kim Kelso Officer Mrs. Josephine Caputa and Ms. Jeanette Gift Betty J. Kettenbach Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy T. Heideman D.K. Kim Ms. Patricia Heninger Beverly S. Knopfel Mr. and Mrs. Lee J. Schuler Dorothy Kohl Mr. William Bunting Catherine Konczak Mrs. Cindy Szewczyk Jimmie Kotowski Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Lanser Ada Mae Kramer Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Spector Ilana L. Krashin Mr. Robert Canfield Jan Kreutz Pierremont Elementary Timothy D. Krumm Mrs. Cheryl A. Krumm Roy Lee A. Lamberg Ms. Sally Stein Ervin Lampe Ms. Marie B. Moore Roland D. Laury Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Tenholder Larry Lawson Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Daniel and Caroll Lenhardt Ms. Ellen Watkins Betty Levy Mr. and Mrs. Dale Steinback Georgana Linneman Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Traci Little Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L. Brown Peggy Roach Lloyd Ms. Peggy Ann Heck Rosalie Logaglio Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Pogulis

Betty Luth Anonymous Shayley Mabury Ms. Sheri Bassett-Preston Mrs. Amy Boosinger Ms. Renee Buettner Mrs. Ginger Canfield Mrs. Carrie Canham Mosebach Ms. Patricia Crader Custom Cellular, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert J. Dirnberger Mr. and Mrs. Dylan Duke Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Kenkel Ms. Suzanne Mandy Mr. and Mrs. Jamie McAlister Mr. and Mrs. Joe Oliaro Mr. and Mrs. Don W. Parker Mr. and Mrs. Steven W. Ressel Family of Aaron Robert Mr. and Mrs. Tim G. Ross Ms. Regina Sander Mr. and Mrs. Tom Showmaker Ms. Whitney Starr Elizabeth Mack Mr. and Mrs. and Mrs. Scott and Leah Dintelman Arthur E. Mallory Mr. and Mrs. James E. Morris Vallie A. Marler Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Brasser David P. Matthes Ms. Karen A. Byrne Lloyd Mattmann Mrs. Betty Urban Richard Maurer Anonymous William May Ms. Nancy A. Spehr and Ms. Carol Sobkow Mr. David L. Tornetto Carolyn Mayer Ms. Barbara G. Hollenbeck Shannon McCarthy Mr. and Mrs. Patrick M. Sanders Stella McDermott Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. Daniels Jennifer McElhaney Mrs. Julie Cox Zayne G. McVey Ms. Della Gier Joyce McVey Ms. Marie B. Moore Rhys Miller Ms. Barbara A. Merry The Merck Foundation O.D. Mitchell Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt Denise Moore Mr. and Mrs. James E. Drenon Connor Moore Ms. Stacie Light Steve Morris Mr. and Mrs. Steve Hedges Michael Muckler Mr. Sean T. Geoghegan Mr. David L. Tornetto Lillian Mudro Ms. Marie B. Moore Chip Nenninger Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dickerson Mr. and Mrs. Wes Frankenstein Ms. Yvonne S. Gabriel Ms. Darcy McCloud Mr. and Mrs. Milton L. Newman Mr. and Mrs. Marty Newman Lois Nixon Ms. Jean V. Wolford

James W. O’Brien Nidec Motor Corporation Pam Oliver Mr. David L. Tornetto Calvin J. Olk Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Christopher Paganini Mr. and Mrs. Alan Ramsey Women’s Electrical Board Catherine M. Parmeter Ms. Ashley Becherer Ms. Patricia Becker Ms. Patricia A. Newby Ms. Carolyn Tate Pamela A. Partell Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Shirley J. Pasch Mr. and Mrs. Mel E. Rich Richard Pearce Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Nies Irvin Pernikoff Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Spector Kirk Peter Ms. Ruth Alderton Anonymous Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Bealor Ms. Jane Beck Mr. and Mrs. David Biery Blessing Hospital Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Campbell Mr. and Mrs. Kasey Cornwell Ms. Marcia Cornwell Ms. Tammie Cramm Ms. Dolores Daughtery Karel Dingerson Ms. Barbara S. Duesterhaus Mr. and Mrs. Daron Duke Mr. and Mrs. Steve Duke Mr. and Mrs. William Duncan Mr. and Mrs. Tim Eaton Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Eberdt Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Ellerbrock Ms. Janell Farmer Mr. and Mrs. Jered Frankel Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Frankel Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Gorman Mr. Alan Graff Griggsville Veterinary Clinic Mr. and Mrs. Joe Groneworld Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Hall Mr. Jerry Hardin Mr. and Mrs. Kent Hardness Mr. and Mrs. David Highley Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hildebrand Mrs. Marjorie Hyer Ms. Janet Janssen Ms. Deborah Johnson Mr. and Mrs. Gerhard Jung Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kenady Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick Kendrick Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Kerker Mr. and Mrs. Richard Klusmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Larry Koeller Ms. Patricia Lieurance Livestock Supply, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Adam Lucie Mr. and Mrs. John Maglioacchetti Mr. and Mrs. Donald McCleary Mr. Ronald McClelland Mr. and Mrs. Robert McLearly Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mealiff Mr. and Mrs. Richard Meyer Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Miller Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Mohrmann Mr. and Mrs. Mark Morrison Ms. Juliann Orr Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Orr

(Peter continued) Mr. and Mrs. Tom Ostrowski Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Padgett Mr. Dean Parker Ms. Mary Parker Mr. and Mrs. Donald Peter Mr. and Mrs. Charles Poland Ms. Helen Rabe Mr. Ryan Rabe Ms. Cheryl Riney Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Roberts Ms. Diane Robertson Mr. Monte Rowland Mr. and Mrs. Gary Shupe Mr. and Mrs. G. Mark Sill Mr. and Mrs. Frank Specht The State Bank of Lima Ms. Donna Voss Mr. and Mrs. Randy Voss Mr. and Mrs. David Weimann Mr. and Mrs. Mark Willard Mr. and Mrs. Dean Woodruff Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Woodworth Mr. and Mrs. Scott Wray Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wuestenberg Stan Philipak Mr. and Mrs. Ross H. Mulder Carl L. Poslosky Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Goldfeder Charlotte Pound Mr. and Mrs. Terry L. Gooding Sue Pratt Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. Hamann Ron H. Protzel Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt Dee Dee Rabe Ms. Margaret A. Mullenschlader Jennifer Raley Mr. Ray W. Raley Della Ramsey Mrs. Mary A. Higgerson Virginia Reiner Mr. Jimmy Reina Mary E. Remes Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Cox Mr. and Mrs. James W. Cubbage Mr. and Mrs. William P. Flatley Ms. Frances Gallagher Mr. Michael T. Johnston Mr. and Mrs. Herbert F. Koester Mr. and Mrs. Mark Loeffler Mr. Robert E. Morse Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Rehm Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Richards Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Roth Ms. Carol Talleur Candice Rice Mrs. Janice McConnell Orville W. Richardson Women’s Electrical Board Mary Richter Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig June Rives Ms. Margaret F. Normile Mary V. Roach Ms. Peggy Ann Heck Helen Roberts Mr. and Mrs. Norman Cartwright Mr. and Mrs. Marvin W. Dablemont Mr. and Mrs. Art Davis Mr. Shawn Eiserman Mr. and Mrs. Landon Freeman Mr. and Mrs. Roy Richardson, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Danny Roberts Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Rosenburg

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2014

16

Memorials Continued Elysa Rojas Ms. Sarah Poulos Sister of Ron Sandler Mrs. Ruth Hartstein Frank Rosen Mrs. Ruth Hartstein Nelson Rosenbaum The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. Cohen Jonathan Sackberger Mr. and Mrs. Jerry A. Sackberger Paul Satz Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gritts Jim Sauter Ms. Joyce E. Thuston Helen Scheibal Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Gift Francis Schmidle Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Guss Schneider Ms. Emily Schnurman Michael Schroeder Mr. and Mrs. Gary Garrett Jack Scott Ms. Bettie J. Scott Ralph Seibert Mr. and Mrs. Niles Rosen

Jody Shaw Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Swift Jesse Shayne Mr. and Mrs. Robert Grossman Mildred Shea Ms. Margaret A. Mullenschlader Bobbie Joe Shockley World Wide Technology David Sielfleisch Mr. David L. Tornetto L. Silverberg Fort Zumwalt School District Maxie Sloan Mr. and Mrs. Dean Perry Eleanor Smith McDonald’s Mike Smith Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Vollmer Anna Marie Sohaney Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Sohaney Tom Sondermann Ms. Margaret F. Normile David Spalding Captain David Spalding Doris J. Stern The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. Cohen

Gale Stone Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Richard Strini Captain David Spalding Michael Swit Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Bass Mr. and Mrs. Timothy J. Brinks Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cowan Mr. and Mrs. James M. Fultz Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Hall Mr. Kenneth Sekunda Mr. Stanley M. Set Mr. and Mrs. Walter T. Witenberg Mr. Robert Zimlich Ms. Margaret Zinlich Johanna Tasker Mr. and Mrs. Niles Rosen Sylvia Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Newton Margaret M. Taylor Ms. Margaret F. Normile David Thompson Mrs. Joan M. Althaus Barry C. Tilson Mr. and Mrs. Roger M. Berent Paul M. Tornetto Mrs. Victoria Tornetto

Vladimir Tustanowsky Mr. and Mrs. Clyde R. Baugh Mr. and Mrs. William J. Hardebeck Ms. Marie B. Moore Mr. and Mrs. Paul E. Vivian Mr. and Mrs. Harry Wiegert Robert Valko Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. Guilfoy Jim Vessell Mr. and Mrs. John J. Vogt Alice Vogel Mr. and Mrs. Dean Perry June C. Wagoner Ms. Barbara Zingrich Ronald S. Wallace Ms. Cindy Wahl Betty J. Walsh Mr. David L. Tornetto Bud WamHoff Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Cummings Robert Ward Ms Jerry Olson Kathryn Watson’s mother RBC Paul Weis Mr. and Mrs. Roger L. Fischer

Jeremiah J. White Mr. and Mrs. Lee G. Krabill Karl H. Wiegert Ms. Marie B. Moore Harold Williams Ms. Marie B. Moore Austin Williamson Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert E. Schoeninger Gabrielle Wintjen Mr. and Mrs. George Wintjen Marcus K. Woodford Mr. and Mrs. Ken Richardson Robert C. Wright Mr. David L. Tornetto James Young Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Sterneck Scott Zamler Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Kramer Judy Zurfluh Mrs. Geraldine Leeker

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

In Loving Memory Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis extends its deepest sympathy to the families of these very special angels: Oakley Law Hope Hayes Rayne Smith Kelsie Scoggins

Grace Duncan Marshall Collins Andrew Durkin Alexandria Doss

Kelsi Ahlfield Shayley Mabury Jeffrey Poston Jules Porte

Cody Sutheard Kahden McGraw Aleksandra Hadley

Transplant Recipients The following children who have stayed or are staying at the House have received transplants since the last newsletter: Emily Kuhn - BMT Rosalie Albright - Lung

17 Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2014

Blane Headings - Heart Braxton Escobar - Heart

LeeAnn Binder - Lung Aleksandra Hadley - Lung

GAIN TAX BENEFITS WHILE GIVING TO OTHERS LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TAX ADVANTAGES OF UTILIZING A DONOR ADVISED FUND

T

he Donor Advised Fund or “Fund” not only makes the giving of appreciated stock easier, it may also function as an ideal method to make planned giving even more tax advantageous.

A Fund is easy to set up with a simple application and initial gift — no need to deal with multiple brokers representing various charities. Once the Donor Advised Fund is funded, you are able to make grants to various charities with ease (either online or with a call).

The great tax advantage of utilizing a Donor Advised Fund over giving stock directly to charity is that it enables donors to accelerate charitable deductions without a requirement to immediately make a gift. Accelerating deductions is most beneficial for tax years in which you expect to have higher taxable income (i.e. sale of business, vesting of stock options, bonus, etc.).

Let’s consider an example of an affluent couple making annual gifts totaling $50,000, itemizing and filing jointly with Taxable Ordinary Income of less than $220,000. In 2014, however, due to the sale of their business the couple’s annual income is increased to $850,000. In 2014, the couple is subject

to the top federal income tax rate of 39.6%; however, moving forward they will be subject to a lower federal income tax rate of 28%.

The table below provides a sample comparison of using cash to make annual gifts, appreciated securities, and an accelerated gift of appreciated stock via a Donor Advised Fund. As you can see, the use of appreciated stock to make the gift reduces the couple’s cost of the gift by $30,000. Taken a step further, the use of a Donor Advised Fund to accelerate the deductions into the current higher income tax year reduces the cost of the gift by $53,200.

For more information, please contact Frank Cognata, Vice President, Development, at fcognata@rmhcstl.com or 314-432-4148.

Steven A. Frank, JD, CFP®, AIF®, Wealth Manager, Director of Compliance for Plancorp, LLC. is a member of the RMHC St. Louis Planned Giving Committee.

Cash Contributions Over 5 Years

Annual Stock Donation Over 5 Years

Donor Advised Fund Donation Over 5 Years

Fair Market Value of Annual Gift in 2014

$50,000

$50,000

$250,000

Cost Basis of Publicly Traded Securities

N/A

$10,000

$50,000

Charitable Contribution Tax Deduction in Year 1

$50,000

$50,000

$250,000

Charitable Contribution for Years 2-5

$200,000

$200,000

$0

Long Term Capital Gain Avoided

N/A

$200,000

$200,000

Income Tax Savings from Permanently Avoiding LTCG @ 15% Deduction at 39.6% marginal tax bracket in Year 1

$0

$30,000

$30,000

$19,800

$19,800

$99,000

Income Tax Savings from Charitable Income Tax Deduction at 28% marginal tax bracket in Years 2-5

$56,000

$56,000

$0

Total Tax Advantages from Deduction and Avoidance of Gain for 5 Years of gifts totaling $250,000

$75,800

$105,800

$129,000

Net Cost of Gift

$174,200

$144,200

$121,000 Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2014

18

TRIBUTES

The following gifts were made in honor of someone special from January 1 to June 30, 2014.

If you would like to make a donation, please call 314.773.1100 or visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate.

Alpha Delta Pi Eta Nu Chapter Ms. Kathleen O’Sullivan Justin Arulsamy Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. Busch Barbneri Family Ms. Colleen Holmes Ronald A. Becker Mr. and Mrs. Albert Finkelstein Mr. and Mrs. Larry Sosna Mr. and Mrs. Gary S. Traub, DDS

(Britt continued) Ms. Margaret F. Normile Mr. and Mrs. Michael Simpson Mr. Michael R. Wittlich Lucille Brommelhorst Ms. Patricia Champion Terri Bulejski Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. Sida Elliot Bulejski Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. Sida

Logan Bergman Dr. and Mrs. Paul L. Buckman John Bettag Mr. and Mrs. James R. Stoeppler Alaina Bickhaus Salon Artiste Deb Bishop Ms. Beverly Hiatt Charlotte Blanc Mrs. Sally Hoener Stuart L. Block Mr. and Mrs. Tom Diedrich Joseph Boyher Ms. Sherri Lopatin Laurel Brantley Mrs. Chanda Tracy Kahli Brauch Ms. Carol A. Schanz Kilah Brauch Ms. Carol A. Schanz John P. Britt Mr. and Mrs. Emichael Britt Mr. and Mrs. Laurence T. Britt Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Ms. Dianna DiMartino

Aaron Bulejski Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. Sida Harry D. Burack Dr. and Mrs. Mark Feldman Tyler E. Burlbaw Ms. Sherri Lopatin Casimir Buttar Miller Mr. Gregory Bishop John Chollet Mr. Matt Bialock Jesus Christ Mr. Martin Miller Edna Conness Mr. Thomas L. Carroll Mr. and Mrs. Jason D. Ellis Albert Walker Mr. Phillip M. Wood Nadine Crase Mrs. Ruth Hartstein John Darling Mrs. Geraldine Leeker Clyde Dempsey Mr. and Mrs. David Behrens

19 Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2014

Aleka Detter Mrs. Julie Burgdorf Dopuch Family Ms. Teresa Palos Frederick Dust Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Knolhoff Michael Enyart Mr. and Mrs. and Mrs. Thomas O. Sweeney Donald Feher Mr. Andrew Yurko Cadeance Ferrell Mr. Matthew Janicke Cambry Fields Ms. Emily Mullen Edward B. Fliesher Mr. and Mrs. David R. Segal Ann Marie Fraser Ms. Carol Tilley Admari Freeman Ms. Yafang Chi Mr. and Mrs. Emil P. Joson Ms. Elisa N. Mccormick Mr. and Mrs. Ky V. Ngo Linh T. Nguyen Ms. Khimonna T. S. Stith Joe Garvey Mr. and Mrs. Irl S. Solomon Terry Gooding Ms. Cheryl A. Perl Jackie Gross Mr. and Mrs. Stuart L. Block Jacob & Ashley, Grandchildren of Bonnie Hall Mr. and Mrs. Enoch L. Hall Dan Harbaugh Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Hardaker Mr. and Mrs. Steve W. Hays, Sr. Mr. and Mrs. Jim L. Mather Deb Harder Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gritts Pete Harper Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. Sida Faith Hartzell Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Fleming Litchfield National Bank Ms. Charlotte A. Lowe Mr. and Mrs. Danny H. Sweet Mr. and Mrs. Jack E. Titsworth Thomas P. Hillmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Vincent P. George Mr. and Mrs. Gregory LaVigne Bob Hollander Mr. and Mrs. Steve Ferman Jacob Huff Mr. and Mrs. Christian Luxardo Julie Jarvis Mr. and Mrs. Phil Jarvis Leah Jarvis Mr. and Mrs. Dave Murley Scott Jarvis Mr. and Mrs. Dave Murley

Alexander Jobe Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Alexander Adam Johnson Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities Ronald Kanterman Mr. and Mrs. Tom Diedrich Zachary Karleskint Mr. and Mrs. Chris Goddard Sam Klein Mr. and Mrs. Stanford D. Shanker Anthony Kueston Mr. William Schnittker Lonnie Land Mr. Louis A. Russo Donna M. Lang Mr. Louis A. Russo Roland Laury Ms. Cely Schmittgens Nora Lee Ms. Amy Co Raydine Lending Mrs. Sharon J. Gordon Addison Lynch Mr. and Mrs. Sean L. Lynch Barbara MacLeod Ms. Nancy Allen Emma Malter Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Sarah Malter Mr. and Mrs. Henry Diamant Reed Marko Patty Bouillon Caroline Martin Ms. Teresa Palos Richard Mauger Ms. Pat Belinski Mr. Joseph M. Booden Mr. Dan S. Bruns and Ms. Rebecca L. Rodes Coca-Cola North America Mrs. Christine Conroy Mr. John Cox Mr. David Denyse Mr. William D. Hammond Ms. Kerri A. Johnson Mr. Paul Kimball Mr. T. Jeffery Lawhorne Mr. and Mrs. Peter F. Maguire Mr. S. Michael Mapes Ms. Patricia F. Mccarthy Mr. and Mrs. David S. Powers Mr. William A. Rhine Mr. Bret P. Roy Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Sheehan, Jr. Mr. Michael Slocum Mr. and Mrs. Kurt A. Sutton Ms. Ann C. Tousignant Paige McGrady Mr. James O. Freiburghaus and Ms. Kristine R. McGrady

Henry McInnis Mr. Christopher McInnis Isabelle Mills Ms. Linda S. Hyken Mr. and Mrs. Hiram C. Martin, III Izzy Mills Mrs. Jeanne Pass Julia Mize Ms. Barbara Whitehead and Mr. James A. Spence Robert Palos Ms. Teresa Palos Steven Peterson Ms. Brandy Hanner Terry Reeder Mr. Michael DeCandido Bret Rich The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. Cohen Rosas Family Ms. Teresa Palos Dick Rosenthal The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. Cohen Matt Rowles Mr. and Mrs. Alan M. Meyer Louis A. Russo Mrs. Erica Land Ann Ryan Dr. Kelsey Ryan Ava Schanz Ms. Carol A. Schanz Kaitlin Schoenbeck Mr. Sean Landgraf Steve D. Short Mr. and Mrs. Terry L. Knoth Silke Sida Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. Sida Duffey Sida Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. Sida Chris Sida Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. Sida Kay F. Siegrist Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Weber Mike Steffen Mr. and Mrs. Eric Shook Mark Tampow Ms. Jennifer L. Dolce Sienna W. Thomson Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Kramer Frank Trulaske Mr. and Mrs. Scott Bazoian Eileen M. Weber Ms. Kay F. Siegrist Cody Westfall Mr. and Mrs. James E. Drenon

We make every effort to include everyone correctly.

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

MEMORIAL & TRIBUTE BRICKS The following bricks were purchased from January 1 to September 30, 2014 in memory or honor of someone special.

Maplewood Lions Club Lion Charlene Williams 01/17/1950 to 04/21/2014 In Loving Memory of Hope Anne-Marie Hayes In Loving Memory of Rayne Sayuri Kioi Smith In Loving Memory of Kelsie Hope Scoggins

In Loving Memory of Marshall Dale Collins

In Loving Memory of Shayley Reese Mabury

In Loving Memory of Aleksandra Hadley

In Loving Memory of Grace Duncan

In Loving Memory of Jeffrey Poston

In Loving Memory of Andrew Joseph Durkin

In Loving Memory of Jules Porte

In Memory of Barbara Jean “BJ” Poore Loving Wife, Mother & Grandmother She Will Be Greatly Missed

In Loving Memory of Alexandria G. Doss

In Loving Memory of Cody Joe Sutheard

In Loving Memory of Kelsi Emma Ahlfield

In Loving Memory of Kahden McGraw

Brag Board our organization and volunteers recently received the following awards and honors:

1 2 3 4

RMHC St. Louis was one of two local nonprofit organizations to receive a 2014 Ladue News Charity Award, along with a generous $3,000 donation, in June 2014.

Sirus Karimi and Lincoln Gray, RMHC St. Louis Board Members, were named two of “40 Under 40” influential business leaders by the St. Louis Business Journal in February 2014.

Ryan Murphy, Development Chair for the Red Shoe Society, our organization’s young professionals group, was named one of “30 Under 30” future leaders by the St. Louis Business Journal in June 2014.

Longtime RMHC volunteer Pat Britt will be recognized at the 12th Annual Ageless Remarkable Saint Louisans Gala in November 2014, which will honor 19 amazing adults age 75+ who are reshaping the face of aging throughout our region. In addition to volunteering with RMHC, Pat dontes his time to several other nonprofit organizations. He has also competed in more than 40 marathons and participated in 14 different events at the 2014 Senior Olympics.

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FAMILY DINNER PROGRAM Our Ronald McDonald House families enjoyed many delicious, home-cooked meals prepared by the following volunteer groups between January 1 and June 30, 2014. For a list of available dates or information on how to reserve your next date, please call the Family Dinner Program line at 314.531.6601, ext. 1202, or email to dinner@rmhcstl.com.

Albrecht Family and Friends Aldersgate United Methodist C.L.I.C.K. Group Alpha Delta Pi-Eta Nu Alpha Epsilon Delta at Wash U Althleta St. Louis Althoff Cheer Team Alu Family Ameren Corporate Safety American Legion Auxillary Post 312 Ameriprise Financial Ameriprise Financial Grenia/ Barbey/Van Sickel Team Amie’s Girls Night Amy Richards Anheuser Busch Past & Present Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Apple Tree Academy-WCC ARK/Living Lord Lutheran Church Ascension Lutheran Church Evening Guild Ascension Troop 2924 Athleta St. Louis Baker Sterchi Cowden Rice Baptist Church of the Holy Communion Barry-Wehmiller CO Bartels Family Bazoian Family Bernard Middle School Bethalto United Methodist Church (BUMC) MOPS Bethel UMC Community Group Birke Friends Black Alumni Council of Washington University Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Blum Family Boeing Accounts Receivable Boeing REACH Volunteers Boeing SE/SW Bohannan/Anderson Family Bon Appetit Bonnie, Lynda & Friends Brown Smith Wallace Brownie Troop 1330 Buckner Family Bunge Bunzl Group Cassidy Turley Cassidy Turley PM Weber Hill Cassidy Turley-JP Morgan Team Central Reform Congregation 7th Graders Cheryl Christensen & Friends Christ Community Lutheran School Families Christian Activity Center Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the Community of Christ Collaboration Columbia High School Beta Club Combs Elementary Teachers

Community Christian Church Cooking Like Lou Corizon Crestwood/Sunset Hills Kiwanis CSI Leasing Debby & Friends Delta Phi Epsilon-Gamma Zeta Department of Treasury Dept of Radiation Oncology Dillards Mid Rivers Disney Volunteers Do-Gooders Anonymous DuPont Nutrition & Health Eagle Bank & Trust East Bridge Fellowship Egan Family Ellisville Church of Christ Employee Staffing Group Enterprise Fleet Management Esic Baptist Church Ethical Society (S.E.E.K.) Fang and Friends First Baptist Church of Chesterfield Inspirational Choir First E-Free Church of Franklin County Florissant Ward-Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Forsyth School Fortress Friends Fox FCCLA FRB of St. Louis Friends of Hofstetters Gamma Sigma Sigma Gateway Science Academy Geyer Road Baptist Church Gier-McVey Family Girl Scout Troop 45 Girl Scout Troop 539 Girl Scout Troop 2627 Girl Scout Troop 2898 Girl Scout Troop 3380 Girls Scout Troop 3446 Goldfarb Student Nursing Association Govero Family Grace Church Grace Family Outreach Church, St. Louis Grant Thompson LLP Gregory Behrens Dees Growe Eisen Kalren GS Cadets 1680 GS Troop 3537 Hazelwood East High Student Council Heart of the Midwest Convention Helitech Waterproofing and Foundation Repair Hermann London Group HHS Football Highland Friends & Family Holen Family and Friends

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Hubbs Family & Friends Iron Mountain Records Management Jamba Juice Janet Schillinger JBI Volunteers Jbloom Jean Iezzi and Friends Jim & Barbara McElroy JM Family Enterprises JoAnn, Carol & Friends Job’s Daughters Bethel 5 John & Mary Hofman John C. & Bonnie Hill John C. Hill & Friends Julius Family Kalisha Friends & Family Kappa Delta Alumnae Kappa Epsilon Kappa Psi Kara Shaw & Friends Kathy & Crew Kathy & Friends KDSC Student Council Keeven Family Kellie Leach Meyer-Coldwell Banker Gundaker Kevin Zeldin Kirkwood Kiwanis Kirkwood Youth Service Kiwanis Club of Chesterfield Knights of Columbus #11437 Laquita and Friends La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery Le Cordon Bleu Saint Louis Life Savers/Civic Memorial High School Lord of Life Lutheran Church Lutheran Hour Ministries Luzum/Huth Parth MAB & Friends Makayla’s Warriors Marcone Supply Marquette High School Culinary Arts Maryville University-SERVE Program Massa’s Italian Restaurant McBride Charitable Foundation McDermott Family McVey Family Medinah Temple #39 Youth Group Meetup Volunteer Group Meetup Volunteer Group (C&B) Mega Moms Mercy Nursing Logistics Mercy Orthopedic Crew Merkel, Berra & Mr. H Microsoft Mike’s Group Miranda’s Angels Moneta Group Monsanto MBT Monsanto Regulatory People Team

NCBF ND Basketball New Neighbors League of St. Louis (NNLC) Nicholson Family Nicky’s Hugs Nies Novo Nordish Parkway UCC Patrylo Family Pfizer St. Louis PHRD Group Pfizer, Inc. Polansky Group Powers Healthmart Pharmacy Praise Community Fellowship Protective Asset Protection Raferty Family Rawlings Sporting Goods Red Shoe Society Richmond Family River Rats Riverbend Down Syndrome Association Rockford Rebels 4H Group Rockwood South NJHS Rockwood Summit High School National Honor Society Rockwood Summit SMILE Rosati-Kain Faculty & Staff RSMH NJHS Rubin Brown LLP Sarah Greenwell Scarpino Family SCOS/Computer Ops Scottrade, Inc. Sczesniak Family Second Helping Seeds of Promise Shenandoah Family Simpson Elementary School Sisterhood of Cardinal Ritter College Prep SLU MSW Student Association Small Group SMOTJ SNOW So You Think You Can Cook Sodexo South County Kiwanis South County YMCA Team Leaders Club Southwest Airlines Employees Southwest St. Louis County Kiwanis Club Spirit of Love Church St. Agatha Catholic School 7/8 Grade Class St. Ambrose Girl Scouts St. Elmo High School FCCLA St. Louis APHON St. Louis Chaos Softball Team St. Louis Texas Exes St. Louis University Athletics SAC St. Mary’s School Alton

St. Paul’s Lutheran National Junior Honor Society St. Peter Eighth Grade St. Peter Kirkwood Confirmation Group St. Peters Spirit Hockey Team St. Thomas Holy Spirit Lutheran Church St. Thomas UCC Stephen DiSalvo Swiney Family Target Belleville Ten Mile Baptist Church The Company of GHOST, the Musical The Growth Partnership The Helping Hands The Jr. GOYA of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Town & Country The McCarthy Risk Management Group The Mommy Network The Ritz Carlton Community Footprints The Sweet Family The Way Thies Family Thomas Family & Friends Tracy Bosch & Friends Transitions Service Tri M Chapter of Hazelwood Central High School Troop 3361 Troop 3905 U.S.Navy United Healthcare United Hebrew Congregation Ursuline Academy US Bank Valley Park National Junior Honor Society Venture Crew 2450 Veys Wade Family Washington University Circle K Washington Unviersity APO Waterloo Honor Society WGE Club White Hats of Harrisburg High School Windsor High School Foreign Exchange Program Winkler Family Winschel Girls WISE Ameren Wright Family WUMCHA Xi Iota Omega Xi Psi Phi Dental Fraternity Zeta Tau Alpha Alumnae Zeta Tau Alpha-UMSL Zoe Wall

NEW FACES AT RMHC Meet the newest faces at Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis! We are excited to welcome them to our team.

DANIELLE SPENCER

is very excited to have joined RMHC in August as the Annual Giving Coordinator. She is a graduate of Webster University and comes to us from Media Watch.

At Media Watch, she was responsible for tracking and measuring successful media relation campaigns for a wide variety of PR agencies, like Fleishman Hillard and Weber Shandwick, PR professionals, and consumer-focused clients such as AT&T, Gatorade, and Anheuser Busch. She currently lives in the Southwest Garden Neighborhood with her two cats, Dillan and Marley. Meow!

GINNY KAPPEL joined the Ronald McDonald House in West County as the Human Resource and Volunteer Assistant in September. She is excited to start her career in the nonprofit world, as her dream is to serve others.

Ginny graduated last year with her bachelor’s in psychology from Webster University and has a background in salon management. Her favorite quote is from the late Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

JONATHAN BROOKS

joined RMHC as the Housekeeper at Park Avenue in April. Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife, Mariesa, and four children: Janise, Jordan, Courteny, and Amber. He and his wife own a pediatric health care company, and he also works evenings at Bethesda Nursing Home. According to Jonathan, working at the House has been a great experience because of all the wonderful families he has met.

ALYSSA EASON is excited to have joined RMHC in August as the Event Assistant. Alyssa will soon be a graduate of Webster University with a Master of Arts in Communication Management. She joins RMHC from Osborn Barr Communications, where she managed multiple client projects, trade shows and social media support. She currently lives in Illinois with her cat, Riddick.

KATHY McDERMOTT joined

RMHC in September as the Data Manager. She has been in the nonprofit sector most of her life, with jobs ranging from ticket-selling, event planning, graphic design, IT coordination, and database administration. Her free time is spent volunteering for Circus Harmony and the St. Louis Visionary Awards, and spending time with her one-year-old granddaughter.

CALLING ALL YOUNG PROFESSIONALS! The Red Shoe Society strives to engage, empower and inspire young professionals to participate in philanthropic and leadership endeavors while building awareness for Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. For more information, visit www.rmhcstl.com/redshoesociety.

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DELIVERING THE GIFT OF SIGHT Since its launch in March 2013, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, a partnership with Eye Care Charity of Mid-America, has served nearly 2,500 underprivileged children throughout the St. Louis area and beyond. In June 2014, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile visited Jackson Elementary School in the University City School District. Here are some testimonials from three children who received glasses aboard the Care Mobile that day.

Jeriyah, 1st Grade First grader Jeriyah is no stranger to the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.

She received her first pair of glasses about a year ago when first visiting the mobile unit. Over the year, her vision has progressively worsened and she needed to have her lenses adjusted. After a short exam, Jeriyah left seeing better than ever.

Paul, Kindergarten

Steven, 3rd Grade

Paul spent one of his last days of kindergarten in June 2014 aboard the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, where he was fitted for eyeglasses.

“I sit in the very front of class,” says Paul, who cannot read the board from the back of class. Now Paul is excited to wear his new glasses all the time because they are blue — his favorite color.

Steven was sitting in the back of the classroom when he realized that things around him looked hazy. Since his mother, aunt and grandmother all wear glasses, Steven already knows how important they are. “I’m excited to take care of them,” he says. “If I play on the playground, they could get dirty or someone could step on them, so I will keep them in my case.”

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Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2014

SUPER POWERS Seven-year-old Demetrius Reynolds received his first pair of glasses in early 2014 when he stepped onto the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile for the first time. The Care Mobile was visiting his school, the St. Louis Language Immersion French School, and was screening and giving eye exams to the students for the day. His mother, Nadesha Arnold, was not aware of his problematic vision until he failed an eye exam administered by his school.

“I didn’t even know he was having trouble seeing,” says Nadesha. “He never told me.”

After failing the eye exam, Demetrius visited the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, where he received a brand new pair of prescription glasses that same day. Since then, his mother has seen a great amount of progress at school.

“He has had a very big improvement with his reading and schoolwork,” says Nadesha.

“Before his glasses, he wasn’t finishing his work, and he was frequently getting frustrated. Now he is reading much better.”

A short while after Demetrius was provided with glasses, they broke, and he was no longer able to wear them. His mother, aware of all the improvement she had seen since he received his glasses, knew that he could not be without them anymore. She contacted the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile and offered to

buy another pair even though it would be financially difficult; however, Demetrius received a second set at no charge. He now loves his glasses, which Demetrius says he chose because they are red and blue like Superman. When he wears them, he feels like he has super powers because now he can see everything!

“I’m very grateful,” says Nadesha. “I’m a single mother working on a low income, and without the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, I wouldn’t be able to afford to buy him glasses.”

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HEARTBITS

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St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer generously donated $7,500 to our Sponsor-A-Family Program!

This program allows us to provide a “home-awayfrom-home” for up to 59 families of seriously ill children every night.

Pickleman’s Deli, located on the campus of St. Louis University, donated a delicious dinner to families using the Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in September.

The 4th Annual LoneRiders Charity Poker Run took place in June and raised $615 for RMHC St. Louis!

Cyclists stopped in New Melle, Wright City, Troy and Winfield to compete for prizes for the best and worst poker hands.

Many thanks to the volunteers of Love on a Leash, who visit the Ronald McDonald House monthly with their therapy dogs for our guest families. We love the companionship of these four-legged friends!

Thank you Natalie Siegel, Danielle Hayes and the Pattonville High School Student Council for hosting a Wish List drive to collect snack items for the Ronald McDonald Family Room Program!

A big thank you to volunteers from Lincoln Financial Group, who rearranged the warehouse at the West County House! We appreciate your time and support.

Our friends from Seeger Toyota Scion donated a new green Sienna minivan to the Ronald McDonald House in Spring 2014.

Our volunteers and staff are extremely grateful for this thoughtful gesture of support!

Nicole Alemond’s family used the Ronald McDonald Family Room when her son broke his arm. Now Nicole, a professional hair stylist, donates specialty hair products to those who are using the Family Room!

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2014

The Cohn Family stayed at our Ronald McDonald House on Park Ave. for several months in 2013. The Key Club from their hometown of Kennett, Missouri, raised money for RMHC to show their support. Nearly one year later, the Key Club and the Cohns visited the RMH and delivered a check for more than $1,000!

A big thank you to members of the Student Council at Highcroft Ridge Elementary School for hosting a Wish List drive for RMHC St. Louis!

These essential items will help us keep our Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms running as homes.

Brandon Maddox, rising Nashville music star, stopped by the West Pine House in August to perform original songs and Country music hits for our guest families!

Thank you for the great entertainment!

UMB Bank volunteers helped beautify the West Pine Ronald McDonald House grounds in May by planting flowers and doing landscaping work.

Thank you for making The House that Love Built a more welcoming place for families to call “home”!

The National Junior Honor Society at St. Paul’s Lutheran School, who are Family Dinner Program volunteers, hosted a Walk-A-Thon in Spring 2014 that raised more than $6,000 for RMHC! This generous donation covered the cost of new ovens in our West County Ronald McDonald House kitchen.

Volunteers from Brickman Group transformed the grounds of our West County RMH into a beautiful Tranquility Garden in September as part of the company’s Founder’s Day of Service. They also helped with landscaping projects at the Park Avenue and West Pine RMH locations. Thank you!

Many thanks to the employees of AXA Advisors, who spent a day volunteering at the RMH on Park Avenue in October as part of their Annual Day of Service.

AXA also presented RMHC with $5,000!

A service group from U.S. Bank donated their time and talent at the West Pine RMH in August. They spent the day cleaning, painting, and completing other helpful household chores. Our families, volunteers, and staff are very grateful for your support!

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

ST. LOUIS

3450 Park Avenue St. Louis, MO 63104

CHECK IF APPROPRIATE: ___ My name is misspelled ___ My address is incorrect ___ I received more than one copy ___ I no longer wish to receive Heartbeat Do you prefer to receive our Heartbeat newsletter electronically? Let us know via email at info@rmhcstl.com.

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

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

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