RMHC Ann Arbor Spring/Summer 2024 Newsletter

MEET THE DUCKETT FAMILY

The Ducketts were no strangers to Ronald McDonald House Charities They had been volunteers for years at the Mid-Michigan chapter near their home in Lansing. So, when their son, X, was born with a serious heart condition two years ago, they were relieved to know that there was an RMHC chapter in Ann Arbor where they could stay close to him.

When X was born at Michigan Medicine C S Mott Children’s Hospital, he was being cared for in an open “bay” area with other babies nearby RMHCAA was able to provide a quiet room with a private bath for the Ducketts at our Mott House which is located on the same critical care floor where X was being treated.

“If it weren’t for the close proximity of the Mott House, I would have just stayed in a chair at X’s bedside in the bay during those early days of his life. I just did not want to be far away from him,” said X’s mom, Sara

Sara continues, “The Mott House was vital in my healing after my c-section and a place where I could quietly regroup allowing me to better care for X during his time of need.”

With X now at home and doing well, Sara and Todd Duckett continue to be RMHC Ambassadors They were the inspiration for our “Battle for the Houses” event around the Michigan vs Michigan State football rivalry, (Todd played for MSU before joining the NFL) They were also our featured family at our most recent Red Shoe Affair sharing their inspiring story with our guests

“RMHC Ann Arbor was such a gift to our family with just the simple fact of knowing where we could lay our heads to rest amid a complicated situation,” said Sara.

“We may bleed different colors, green and blue, but when it comes to the mission of RMHC we are all ONE,” says Todd Duckett Watch the Ducketts speak at our latest Red Shoe Affair by scanning the code below

IN THIS ISSUE

Sara, X, and Todd Duckett

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVECOMMITEE

President

MayuriGuntupalli

VicePresident:Strategy

JohnCharpie,MD

VicePresident:Community

SheriBelcher

Treasurer

GautamMuthu

Secretary

KaraSlater

PastPresident

JZZdanowski

DIRECTORS

RobAldr

SteveFu

AaronGr

JohnHam

KristaLe

AndrewL

KathyMa

A LETTER FROM OUR CEO

Supporting Families

Here at RMHC Ann Arbor, we have a lot to be proud of as we approach our 40th Anniversary. RMHC as a Global organization is also celebrating their 50th year! As we reflect on all RMHC and AnnArborhasachievedinthesemanyyears,itishardnotto of the thousands of families that have walked through our tofindcomfortandsupportinatimetheyneededitmost.

ontinue to stay committed to growing our impact on all the es in our region as we look to expand our reach and serve family that needs our support when their child is receiving medical care locally. Our team and board of directors are focused ontheworkwemustdotoservefamiliesforthenext40years

Jennifer LuanneThomasEwald

DebbieTirico

MarkVanSume

MoniqueVannRussWest

EMERITUSMEM

LoreeCollett

RosieFellhauer

rmhcannarbor.org

ve for that work only grows with each passing year as our carries out the mission of RMHCAA every day We are able to because of the support of the many community members, ations, corporations, and volunteers that stand by our side anddayoutasevidencedinthestoriesinthisnewsletter

ontinue to evolve and grow, offering new ways to engage in our mission through events, volunteerism, donations, and programs We encourage you to reach out and learn more about we as a community can support EVERY FAMILY that needs CAA when they are going through one of the most difficult oftheirlives–caringfortheirhospitalizedchild.

okforwardtohearingfromyou

Kim Kelly, RMHCAA CEO

HERO OF THE HOUSE RECIPIENTS - 2024

The Hero of the House award is given in appreciation for the dedication and support to the families we serve. Our 2024 recipients are:

Kim Kelly, CEO

RMHCAA HAPPENINGS

Helping families feel at home even when they

can’t be.

Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed - Presented by Gardner White

Our friends at Gardner White served the mothers at RMHCAA breakfast in bed, (or in the kitchen if they preferred) Moms enjoyed a catered breakfast on a tray that included fresh fruit, scones, mini egg bites, potato cheddar cakes, applewood bacon, and waffle skewers We also unveiled our beautifully remodeled living room thanks to new furnishings donated by Gardner White.

Yoga to You

Sarah Miller from Erin Cantrell Fitness has been volunteering her time and coming to the House the last few months to lead a yoga session for our families It gives them a little time to relax and focus on themselves, and ease some stress and tension

Haircuts by Team Extra Sparkle

Heather West, grateful mom, and wife of our board member, Russ West, and one of her stylists have come to the House twice already this year to offer our families FREE haircuts. Many told us it was their first haircut in over a year!

Eggs-travaganza!

Our RMHCAA program team hosted our first Eggs-travaganza to celebrate the arrival of spring. Volunteers from the Alpha Delta Pi sorority helped with arts and crafts.

McCoy, the Therapy Dog

McCoy, the therapy dog, was a real good boy and visited our House a couple of times this year Families love to pet McCoy and give him peanut butter treats In return, McCoy gives lots of hugs and licks

Arts & Crafts Night

Families enjoy our Arts & Crafts nights where we have family-friendly projects such as rock painting along with bead and noodle necklace stringing.

If you would like to contribute your time and/or talent to serve the families at RMHCAA, please contact Mary Moffett at mmoffett@rmhcannarbor.org

MEALS MATTER PROGRAM

DINNER LUNCH BUNCH

Cook a meal in our House kitchen. You can choose to either plan your menu and bring all the fixings or make a donation and let us do the shopping. Either way, our families enjoy a warm, delicious, home-cooked meal made with love from you and your friends!

Prepare and pack a lunch for families to grab-n-go on their way to the hospital for the day. This new program allows for us to serve a bag lunch so families can spend more time with their child

BAKING BUDDIES DONATE

Our Baking Buddies program is a sweet way to provide comfort and a little bit of home to families staying with us.

Coordinate with our staff to donate a prepared meal from your favorite restaurant or make a monetary donation to be used to support our Meals Matter program.

To learn more about Meals Matter, Click Here

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Nancy Gerst

Nancy Gerst’s peanut butter cookies with a peanut butter cup surprise inside are becoming her signature cookie here at the House So much so, that families see her in the House kitchen during her usual Saturday morning volunteer shift and ask if thatiswhatsheisbaking!

NancyisaretiredadministrativeassistantfromPlymouthSchools andavaluedvolunteeratRMHCAAforthelast10years.

Nancy and her husband started volunteering at RMHCAA when they felt called to support our mission as a Grateful Family that stayed at a Ronald McDonald House in Vermont. They have made countless dinners as part of our Meals Matter program. During Covid, they pivoted to donating carryout meals. When Nancy saw the launch of our Baking Buddies program last year, she was happy to help as she has a passion for baking Now, Nancy coordinates Baking Buddies once a month on Saturdays with friends and churchgoers from her church,NorthRidge.

So what keeps Nancy coming back? “It’s the wonderful families that we have met while baking in the kitchen who often stop in to say ‘thank you’, and of course, grab one of my peanut butter cookies,”Nancysayswithasmile.

To learn how you can get involved atRMHCAA,ClickHere

Nancy Gerst (second from right and her baking buddies)

Gautam Muthusamy is the RMHCAA Treasurer and has been an important memberoftheExecutiveCommitteeleadershipofourBoard.

Gautam and his wife Mariah were referred to RMHCAA by a friend of the House, and former Board member, Matt Dejanovich They initially became involved by joining the Red Shoe Affair Host Committee and supported that effortforseveralyearspriortoGautamjoiningourBoard

Gautam Muthusamy Treasurer - RMHCAA

After his first year as a board member, Gautam was tapped to become our Treasurer. Gautam is well suited for the role as he is the Managing Partner at Arcadia Capital, a wealth management firm managing $1.6 billioninassetsandclientsfromover40states.Gautamenjoyshelpingfamiliesbuildandretainwealth.

As Treasurer, Gautam leads our Finance Committee and helps oversee and govern our financial processes and outcomes. As the most recent Afterglow Sponsor of Red Shoe Affair, as well as a large supporter of our other events – Gautam not only oversees our financial responsibilities, he contributes greatly to them. We arethankfulforGautamandhissupportofRMHCAA.

SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 9:30 AM - 12 PM UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN - RAY FISHER STADIUM

Gather family and friends and take them out to the ballpark with field-day experiences including:

2024 Red Shoe Affair

Thank you to everyone who supported our 12th Annual Red Shoe Affair on April 27th. The funds raised will support the comfort and care of families at RMHC Ann Arbor.

Because of your support, we raised over $470,000!

Thank You!

PRESENTING SPONSOR AFTERGLOW SPONS

DTEFoundation

CARING HEARTS SPONSORS

La-Z-Boy

JosieandJerryNorcia

FAMILY SPONSORS

Argent Tape & Label

Bank of Ann Arbor

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

John & Kathy Charpie and Family

Columbia Asset Management

Dennis Crowley and Anita Clos

Dykema

Forward Design Build Remodel Foundation Systems of Michigan

Kapnick Insurance Group

Susie and Todd McDevitt

Ostlund A Service Company

Plymouth Dentistry

QOLity Financial

David Seidel with Hantz Financial Group

Ron and Terri Squires

Tribble Painting Company

Jim and Renee Turissini

The Van Hooser Family

The Heather Williamson

Memorial Charitable Fund-

Justin & Corinne Williamson

ADVERTISING SPONSORS

BunekDentalStudio

CenterforWealthManagement

C.F.BurgerCreamery

JD WisnerElectric

JohnsonBrothersConstruction

SUPPORT SPONSORS

Katie and David Andrea

Avfuel Corporation

Evangelista & Associates

Paul and Gingie Gauger

In Loving Memory of Lila June Kelley

ITC Holdings

Kim Kelly and Jill Rutledge

Geraldine Kilsdonk

Martin Brower St. Johns, MI

Megan Mazurek | Reinhart Realtors

Sara and Jeff Thompson

ArcadiaCapital

HOUSE SPONSORS

Dickinson-Wright PLLC

Steve and Teri Furr

Legacy Wealth Partners

Old National Bank

Dan Papajcik and Jessie Newman

Bonnie and Rick Ohye

Team Extra Sparkle

Debbie and Mike Tirico

Varnum LLP

Kate and Mark Van Sumeren

FRIEND SPONSORS

BillandSaraAtwell

DGYDentistryAnnArborZerrinYilmaz,DDS

Dr Pepper

ArthurJ.Gallagher

AaronandAmandaGramling

MayuriGuntupalliandJamesDeVaney

JohnandJanHamilton

Katherine'sCatering

JasonandAnnetteKavanaugh

MaryandGlennJohnson

LindaandRandyMeadows

MOMUS,INC

MaryandChrisNewton

JenniferandMarkPinto

KristenandJeffRoberts

KarenandJeffRothstein

StudioH2G

ShelleyandRickTaylor

DonnaandMarioStante

TaylorFreezerofMichigan

UniversityofMichiganCreditUnion

KevinandAndreaWebber

Michigan Medicine

C.S. Mott Children's Hospital

HEADS OR TAILS SPONSOR MEDICAL PARTNER

Leyla

CANDY TABLE SPONSOR

EnspireDental

A special thanks to our ambassador familyThe Duckett Family, donors, sponsors, guests, auction bidders, board members, event co-chairs - Sara and Bill Atwell and Susie and Todd McDevitt - host committee members, volunteers, staff, and Ronald McDonald!

CONTACT US

1600 Washington Heights

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

734-994-4442 | rmhcannarbor.org

RMHC ANN ARBOR MISSION

RMHC Ann Arbor provides a community of inclusive, compassionate, supportive programs and services that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families.

DID YOU KNOW?

RMHCAA collects pop tabs year-round to recycle and fund our operations Pop tabs can be dropped off at the Main House 7 days a week from 9 AM - 9 PM Thank you!

Click for more event info:

UPCOMING EVENTS

Home Run for the House - Saturday, June 15

A Family-Friendly Celebration! Gather family and friends and take them out to the ballpark with field-day experiences including Kid’s Zone Activities (inflatables and crafts), Run the Bases and Toss the Ball with U-M Players, Mascot Meet & Greet, Frisbee Performance by Zeke the Wonderdog, Food, Music, Photos, and more!

Battle for the Houses

Pre-Game Press Conference - Wednesday, October 23 Game Day - Saturday, October 26

A friendly competition around the Michigan vs Michigan State Football Game to build awareness and raise funds for RMHC Ann Arbor Go Blue!

Forks & Corks - Friday, November 15

A four-course food and wine pairing evening woven together with mission-rich moments to support our programs and services that directly impact our RMHC Ann Arbor families.