The Tureson Family
Allison and Michael Tureson of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, were overjoyed to welcome their second child, baby boy Bowen, in 2019. Even in their incredible joy, they held him with uncertainty for what would come next for their little one. Bowen was born with Cytomegalovirus, resulting in him developing hearing loss, hypotonia (abnormally low level of muscle tone), and a feeding disorder.
Bowen received cochlear implant surgery in February of 2021, at only two years old, and was also accepted into the Sanford Pediatric Feeding Disorder Clinic. When Bowen started the program, the Turesons didn’t know how long he and Allison would need to be in Fargo. Micheal stayed home in Thief River Falls with Braelyn, their eight-year-old daughter.
“While at Sanford, we heard about RMHC through Bowen’s therapy leader,” Allison said. “From the moment we checked in until the very last day of our stay, we were treated amazingly.”
Staying so close to Bowen’s therapy allowed Allison to focus completely on caring for him. She didn’t need to worry about the cost of eating out every day or paying for a hotel. The open kitchen and having snacks out on the tables at all
19 Nights
times was a lifesaver, as Allison could quickly grab something to eat on her way to and from therapy with Bowen.
“I would have never been able to stay in Fargo for three weeks with all the expenses,” Allison said. “We had a place to go and relax after eight hours of therapy every day. The catered meals were amazing. There was even a point where I ran out of baby food and the front desk had that and diapers! I couldn’t believe it!”
“From our room to all the amenities, the free gift cards to go eat, makeup, the toy and blanket waiting for Bowen when we checked in—everything was just amazing,” she said.
Staying at RMHC also provided a huge source of encouragement and strength for the Turesons.
“I will never ever be able to thank RMHC enough for everything they did for me, Bowen, and our entire family. You are all truly a gift from God.”
- Allison Tureson
Overall, Allison was pleasantly surprised with how excellent everything was at the facility.
A NOTE FROM JILL CHRISTOPHER
Executive Director
As always, summer seemed to fly by. It was a busy summer here at RMHC, as our Ronald McDonald House was full regularly and the Ronald McDonald Family Room saw some of the highest family usage to date. For these families, the summer was not filled with fun days at the lake, family vacations, and anticipation of school in the fall, but rather uncertainty about their child’s health and the daily grind of life in the hospital. However, it has also been a summer full of the support and encouragement that comes with being surrounded by families in a similar situation.
A family is strongest when they are together, and that’s what we do every day at RMHC: keep families together. These connections are made possible because of the generous support of you–our donors, volunteers, supporters, and cheerleaders. You make it possible for families to be near their sick kids and find support with the staff and families of RMHC and I am so grateful. Thank you for keeping families together!
“Everyone I came in contact with in the 20 days we were there was so kind,” she said.
“The staff is out of this world.
No matter what, they always greeted us and had a smile on their faces. It is something so small but after spending a long day at the hospital, it means so much.”
July 18TH , 2022
GOLF TOURNAMENT
July 12 was a day FORE fun! 140 golfers, along with many volunteers and sponsors, hit the greens at Meadows Golf Course in Moorhead for our 22nd annual RMHC Golf Tournament, presented by Paul Aslakson and Connie Biselx with Thrivent Financial. A big congrats to this year’s tournament winner, The Fargo Force team. While they may have earned bragging rights, the real “hole in one” for the day is raising over $40,000 to fuel the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley. A little fun goes a long way to ensure that families are able to enjoy the comforts of home and some peace of mind while remaining close to their sick kids.
“The Ronald McDonald House has held a special place in my heart for many years.”
OUR NEWEST TEAM MEMBER JAKELLE HOFFMANN
-Jakelle Hoffmann
Hello from the Ronald McDonald House in Fargo! As the newest member of RMHC team, I wanted to share my excitement to have been called to serve as Development Director.
The Ronald McDonald House has held a special place in my heart for many years. My first experience was volunteering to cook a meal while I was a student at NDSU. As a young professional, I spent a long month pinching pennies after getting a little too ambitious on the Sweetheart Ball silent auction. Shortly after our daughter was born, I had a good cry while reading this very newsletter, thinking about what it might look like to face a health challenge with this beautiful little baby entrusted to my care.
Every day, the Ronald McDonald House provides the comforts of home—like a hot meal, a cozy handmade blanket, and a place to rest their heads after a long day at the hospital—for families who are in Fargo seeking medical care for their children. Together
with you, we are able to stand alongside families in small but meaningful ways during times of crisis.
The mission of RMHC of the Red River Valley is unique and critical work, fueled by generous hearts committed to kindness and love for the neighbor. We start and end with family and we are grateful that YOU are a part of our RMHC family.
I look forward to meeting you, hearing more about why you have a heart for RMHC, and working together in extending hospitality, comfort, and care when it’s needed most.
Together with you in keeping families together,
Jakelle Hoffmann Development Director
PS: My husband Nathan and I live in West Fargo with our daughter Hannah and two dogs, Maggie and Roxie. I am a native of Dickinson, North Dakota, a 2004 graduate of North Dakota State University, and have served with the NDSU Foundation, Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA, and Concordia College. We love spending time with our family, cheering on the Bison, and living life through the eyes (and numerous questions) of a very busy toddler.
Saturday, June 12, 2021, was the 20th annual RMH Ride—a wildly successful motorcycle ride in New York Mills run by the wonderful volunteers from RMH Ride, Inc. This 501(c)(3) non-profit donates proceeds from their event to the Ronald McDonald House in Fargo to support our mission.
We are beyond grateful for the heart that every committee member, volunteer, and attendee brings to this amazing event, and for their generosity in raising awareness and funds to fuel our ability to keep families together and near the hospital with their sick kids.
Annual Location: Delta by Marriott February 10th, 2022
4757 AGASSIZ CROSSING S, FARGO, ND 58104
Email volunteer@rmhcfargo.org for more info.
• Share-a-Meal Volunteers • Cleaning Volunteers • Silent Auction Donations for 2022 Sweetheart Ball
• Swiffer Wet Mopping Cloths • Salty Pantry Snacks (Grab and Go crackers, trail mix, popcorn, chips) • Paper Towels • Fabric Softener • Dryer Sheets • Bottled Water