Fall 2024 Newsletter by rmhdelaware

OUR HOUSE

THE CUSIMANO FAMILY STORY Featured Inside | Fall 2024

FROM LEADERSHIP

Dear Friends of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware,

I am thrilled to step into the role of Board Chair for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware. This organization holds a special place in my heart, and I am honored to serve such a dedicated and impactful organization.

I spent most of my career with Nemours Children’s Health, which has fostered a deep love and commitment to improving the lives of children and their families. When the opportunity presented itself to join the board for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware, I was thrilled to join an organization that shared the same commitment and passion. I am equally blessed in my personal life with a wonderful husband, two children, and three grandchildren who keep me anchored to what is most important in life – family.

As we look ahead, I am filled with optimism. Our House has a rich history of providing a “home-away-from-home” for families facing childhood illness, having served over 52,000 families over the past 23 years.

Building on this strong foundation, we are poised to achieve even greater heights, beginning with the implementation of a new Strategic Plan in 2025. This roadmap will guide our efforts in the coming years, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of families. Our primary goals include:

• Serving More Families, Better: Supporting more families with even greater care and resources.

• Driving Engagement: Building a sense of community by engaging supporters, volunteers, and community partners.

Pauline Corso

Chair, Board of Directors

• Enhancing Collaboration: Fostering collaboration and learning among other local nonprofits and fellow RMHC chapters to create a more efficient and effective organization.

• Prioritizing People: Ensuring the well-being of our families, staff, and volunteers.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Ken Manne for his exceptional leadership as Board Chair over the past two years. Ken’s passion and dedication have been instrumental in advancing our mission, including the successful transition to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware, record-breaking fundraising events, expanded Family Room and hospital programs, and the launch of our chef-led meal program, Spoonful of Hope.

I am committed to working closely with our dedicated staff, volunteers, and community to create a brighter future for the families we serve. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of children and their families.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Pauline Corso Chair, Board of Directors

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware

Chair

Pauline M. Corso

Vice Presidents

Dominic C. Canuso

Keith Kepplinger

Michele Meixell

Jennifer Sciolla

Secretary

Katie Migliocco

Treasurer

Chris Marshall

Board of Directors

Corynn Ciber

Tim Daning

Joel E. Dukart

Meg Frizzola

Mary Ignudo

Lynn Kuttruff

Casey Melson

Connie Miller

Mike Pfeifer

Evan Pizzuto

Christian Rawden

Brian Reed

Lisa Schmidt

Craig Snyderman

Badou Tounkara

Kenneth Youngblood

Advisory Council

Richard J. Gessner Jr., Chairman

Pam Cornforth, President & CEO

Pauline Corso, Board Chair

Perry Beberman

Mary Bowler

Nick Cerchio

Stan Diver

Les Dukart

Tom Ferry

Shaila Kapur

Lynn Miller

Michelle Pena

Lou Rosenberg

Bob Trostel

Anne Wright

Kent/Sussex Advisory Council

Michelle Bergold

Chelsea Bristow

Stephanie Smith-Christiano

Emily Cunningham

Patti Hastings

Mike Hinton

Suzy Hutchison

Tim O’Connor

Hank Rosenberg

Anthony Smith

Laura Willis

“If we couldn’t stay here, I wouldn’t be able to do this for my child. I wouldn’t be able to financially afford it”

THE CUSIMANO FAMILY STORY

Luca and his twin brother were born prematurely at 26 weeks. Both boys spent the first four months of their lives in the NICU. And while his brother grew stronger, Luca faced complications, including mild cerebral palsy and hearing loss. Despite these early hurdles, Luca was a fighter. At eleven years old in 2021, he underwent surgery to improve his mobility. Tragically, a medical error during this procedure resulted in nerve damage, leaving him unable to walk.

“We spent countless hours at hospitals close to home trying to find answers,” Luca’s mom, Wendy recalls. “But when we came to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware for a second opinion, it was like a breath of fresh air. They truly listened to us.” Luca’s journey at Nemours has been a rollercoaster of both challenges and hope. After being in the Comprehensive Outpatient Rehab Program (CORP) in April, to suddenly needing emergency surgery in July, he has made significant gains considering the complexity of his journey. Now, Luca and his family are facing an optimistic road ahead.

Without the Ronald McDonald House, Wendy’s ability to provide the care Luca required would have been nearly impossible. The financial burden of hotels, meals, and travel expenses would have easily exceeded $400 a day. “As a single mom of twins who works full time, there was just no way. I thought to myself ‘how am I going to swing this?’” she recalls.

For Luca’s family, the Ronald McDonald House offered hope. “I felt such a sense of relief to know that this could actually happen and [we could] set Luca up for his future,” Wendy says fondly. “If we couldn’t stay here, I wouldn’t be able to do this for my child. I wouldn’t be able to financially afford it.” Wendy found support in the company of other families, even making plans to see a few of them outside of the House when they get discharged. Luca has also made some friends. Spending a summer as a fourteen-year-old in the hospital can be isolating, but being surrounded by other kids facing similar challenges has provided invaluable support. “He’s made some of his first friends here,” Wendy shared, “He’s been able to meet other kids like him.”

One of their most memorable moments at the House was Luca’s 8th grade graduation. Wendy asked for help from the staff, and the team quickly arranged a space for him to participate in the graduation over video conference. With Luca’s school sending over decorations and cupcakes, he was able to join the celebration and deliver a speech to his classmates who were gathered in the auditorium. Because of the Ronald McDonald House, he didn’t miss out on this important milestone.

Luca’s family is optimistic about the future. With Luca’s upcoming start in CORP, and a planned discharge around Thanksgiving, they look forward to rebuilding their lives at home. “I honestly just feel such a sense of relief and gratefulness that the Ronald McDonald House exists.”

Upcoming Events

15th

• Call 1-888-506-HOPE on 11/21 between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.

• Venmo @RMHCPhillyRegion

• Donate through the QR code below

JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FUN AND SAY A FINAL

GOODBYE TO POP TABS!

There will be prizes throughout the day for our pop tab donors. We will also offer tours of the House and opportunities to learn of all the ways to support our mission and our families.

Stop by the Ronald McDonald House on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6TH FROM 8:30 A.M. TO 6:30 P.M.

To drop off your pop tabs, enjoy treats, raffle prizes, and giveaways as we bid adieu to this beloved program.

Just a reminder, the last day to drop off your Pop Tabs is December 31st, 2024!

WE ARE CURRENTLY IN NEED OF:

• Chips/Pretzels/Crackers/ Cookies

• Granola bars

• Cereal bars

• Protein bars

• Mini-muffins

• Pop tarts

• Trail mix

• Gluten free options

• Paper Towels

• Laundry detergent (pods only)

• Disinfecting Wipes (Lysol or Clorox brand only)

• Ziploc bags (sandwich and gallon sized)

• Soap dispensing dish brushes

• White towel sets (bath towel, hand towel, wash cloth)

Consider theEnduring Impact of LEAVING A PLANNED GIFT

By including Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Delaware in your estate plans, you help ensure families with critically ill or injured children continue to have a “home-awayfrom-home” during their most difficult times. Together, we can build a future where hope and healing prevail.

To learn more about making a difference for generations to come, please contact our Individual Giving Officer: Cindy Olsavsky, (302) 428-5331, cindy@rmhcdelaware.org

• Wrapped plastic utensil sets

VISIT OUR AMAZON WISH LIST FOR EASY SHOPPING BY SCANNING QR CODE.

Please Note: We cannot accept any homemade items (toys, food, clothes, etc.); stuffed animals; or expired items. All items must be new and in the original packaging. Snacks should be individually packaged.

Here’s the Scoop

Join us for a rewarding volunteer opportunity to prepare and serve a delicious meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Our chef, John, will guide you every step of the way.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

Chef John Takes the Lead: He’ll handle meal planning, ordering ingredients, prepping everything in advance, and even training you on cooking techniques.

Your Group Cooks & Serves: Following Chef John’s plan, you’ll work together to prepare and serve a homecooked meal.

Group Size: We can accommodate up to 6 volunteers per group.

Scheduling: Choose a date that works best for you! Volunteer opportunities are available SundaysThursdays . You can expect to be here from 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM.

Age Requirements: Anyone 12 years or older can participate. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21+.

Visiting the House: All group members must follow our SafeVisitor procedures outlined on our group volunteers page.

Donation: To cover food costs, we kindly ask for a suggested donation of $300 per group.

Sc here to register!

In Our Hearts...

How very softly you tiptoed into our world, but only a moment you stayed. What an imprint your footsteps have left among our hearts.

Hunter Bristow

Masoud Sharifi

David Stoltzfus

Tremaine Hill

Franklin Knowles

Lambert Dong

Xander Howe

Quentin Howe

Nyelli Mccray

HELP WANTED: Volunteer with Us!

Front Desk and Family Service Volunteers:

Assist with the daily operational needs at the House.

Ronald McDonald Family Rooms & Hospitality Carts:

Bring the hospitality of the House to Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at local hospitals!

Family Activities:

We are seeking professionals willing to donate the following in-kind services to provide our families at the House and Family Rooms with wellness care during what can be a very stressful time:

• Chair Massages

• Hair Stylists

Holiday Helpers:

Looking for a way to help make the House special for families during the holidays? There are plenty of ways to get involved!

Some volunteer opportunities will include:

• Holiday Workshop (Adult and Family Volunteer Opportunity)

• Toy & Wish list drives

• Meal program – Booking December dates for Spoonful of Hope!

Email volunteer@rmhcdelaware.org or scan the QR code to learn more!

PATSY AMLIN

Patsy has been volunteering with the House since 2000. She is a weekly Tuesday Front Desk volunteer and helps with special events including our annual golf tournament. Patsy has seen many changes, one of the biggest being the expansion to a 50 guestroom House.

“When I first arrived, the House had just grown from 17 rooms to 27 guest rooms.” Patsy says her volunteer role with the House has been her best volunteer opportunity. “Seeing the needs of so many families being met and being part of that has been satisfying.”