The Polejewski Family
Over the past year, we’ve enjoyed catching up with past RMHC families as we celebrate 40 years of #KeepingFamiliesClose. As we wrap up our yearlong celebration, our hearts are full of gratitude for the brave families who have called our house a home and the amazing generosity of a community that has made 40 years of life-changing work possible.
Angie and JP Polejewski were thrilled to welcome their fourth child into their home in late 2008. What was supposed to be an exciting and joyous time quickly turned into a time
of unknowns and unpredictability. Their son Joe made his debut in Fergus Falls, MN on November 18, 2008, weighing a healthy seven pounds. However, he struggled to breathe on his own. His family and the medical team quickly realized that Joe displayed all the physical features of a child born with Down Syndrome and feared he had a hole in his heart. On November 19, Joe was taken by ambulance to Sanford in Fargo, where he would stay for the next week.
After getting Joe settled in the NICU, JP saw a poster for Ronald McDonald House and called to see if his family would qualify to stay. To the family’s delight, there was space available and Angie, JP, and their daughters Hannah (5) and Grace (3) moved into the house.
While at RMHC, the family was wrapped in love and care from staff and volunteers. For Angie, staying at RMHC provided comfort in knowing her daughters had a fun place to play and thrive, allowing her to fully focus on getting Joe healthy.
“RMHC was a safe space to land,” Angie said. “It was unconditional love. It was cookies on the kitchen counter. It was a meal to eat as a family. It was a space to play. It was all the things that I just couldn’t find the energy to do.”
For Grace, the impact of her experience at RMHC has lasted a lifetime. In the fourth grade she wrote a school essay on the topic of “What would you do with $100?” Her answer was simple: she would donate the money to RMHC. For her, the house was a “cozy place with people who loved us, gave us food, and cared for us.” Grace remembers how helpful the staff and volunteers were to her family, and especially remembers the Beanie Babies left on their
beds. She has continued to give school presentations, donate money, and collect pop tops for RMHC.
“It was unconditional love. It was cookies on the kitchen counter. It was a meal to eat as a family. It was a space to play. It was all the things that I just couldn’t find the energy to do”
- Angie Polejewski
Angie was able to gain comfort and strength from all of the people she met at the house, from staff to volunteers to her fellow parents.
“They all knew what was in my heart even when I couldn’t find words to explain it,” she said. One of the best memories her family has from their stay was coming back to the house after being with Joe and seeing the beautiful Thanksgiving
meal prepared for them by Concordia College students.
For Angie, watching Joe grow into a healthy boy has made the struggles of his birth a chapter they look back on with gratitude. She is also proud of how their daughters have taken a scary time in their lives and turned their RMHC experience into a desire to extend love and care to others.
Today, Joe and his siblings are thriving. Joe is now 15 years old and in the 9th grade. He is on the basketball team, and competes in adaptive bowling and the Special Olympics. Also, his fellow students nominated him for homecoming court! Grace is now a senior in high school and Hannah is a sophomore at South Dakota State University, majoring in biology and dreaming of becoming a doctor.
Scan here to meet the Polejewski Family
JILL CHRISTOPHER
A NOTE FROM JILL CHRISTOPHER
CEO
As I reflect back on our 40th year, what a wonderful walk down memory lane it has been. When I joined RMHC of the Red River Valley, I could have never imagined the road it would lead me down. I have had the honor to meet amazing families served by our mission, witness incredible generosity from our community and work with extremely talented board members, staff, and volunteers. I hold the stories and memories deep in my heart.
This past year has been a celebration of the dream born from a little girl that sparkled and her family’s hope for a better way for other families with sick kids in the future. It was a celebration of the determination of a dedicated group of volunteers led by social worker, Wayne Allard to make the Ronald McDonald House a reality. It was a celebration of the tremendous support and spirit of hospitality within our community.
Now we move on to the next 40 years and beyond. As long as there are sick kids, our work continues, and the future is bright. Thank you for helping families with sick kids feel at home even when they can’t be.
Together with you,
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
During this season of gratitude, we give thanks for the amazing leaders who serve on our Board of Directors. Keeping the families we serve at the heart of all we do, this talented and thoughtful group governs, stewards and strategizes. Their time and energy is a gift to our mission and we’re grateful for their service.
A special thanks to Madison Quamme for serving as our 2023 Board President and to Emily Cook and Nicole Christensen who will be wrapping up their board service this year.
of
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Madison Quamme
Flint Group
President
Todd Anderson
Josef’s School of Hair, Skin and Body
Vice President
Katie Rizzo
Sanford Health
Past President
Lindsey DiFiore
Concordia College
Treasurer
Emily Cook
McDonald's
Secretary
Members
Katie Bjornson WE Ortho
Nicole Christensen Arkos Health
Josh Malnourie Blue Cross Blue Shield Of ND
Jeremy Ostrowski Aldevron
Shawn Paschke Xcel Energy
Amanda Richter Arkos Health
Jessica Shawn WEX
Jeff Shipley JSE, Inc. Family of Companies
Scott Steinmetz WEX
Caitlin Stoecker Bobcat Company
the Red Ri ve r Valley
Measure of Love Cookbook
In December of 2022, we kicked off a year-long celebration of 40 years of helping sick kids and their families while receiving medical care in the Fargo area.
To honor the brave families we’ve served and the generous community that has made our mission possible, we’ve compiled a commemorative cookbook.
“Measure of Love” is a collection of 40 recipes from local chefs, volunteers, community partners, and past families all inspired around the theme “comforts of home”.
Cookbooks are $40 each with all proceeds supporting the families we serve. Purchase your cookbook today!
purchase Makes a great Gift or visit our website at rmhcfargo.org/support-us/rmhc-merchandise/cookbook/
STRIPES #forRMHC
IN OCTOBER
Each October we raise awareness for RMHC by wearing the iconic striped socks! “Show your Stripes” Day allows our community to proudly share their heart #forRMHC and invite others into supporting our mission.
THANK YOU to all who wore socks, shared in the fun and enjoyed donuts #forRMHC!
If you missed out on the fun, have no fear. With a minimum donation of $20, you can receive your very own snazzy pair of socks, just like Ronald wears.
Make your gift now at www.rmhcfargo.org/make-a-donation and note “socks” in the memo section. (Available while supplies last.)
Thank you to Sandy's Donuts!
Saturday, Feb 10th, 2024
Delta by Marriott I 6:00p.m.
Our Sweetheart Ball is always a special evening to honor the brave families who have called our house a home and celebrate the generous hearts that make our mission possible.
Funds raised at this event directly benefit families with critically ill children receiving medical care in Fargo. Your support provides a place to stay, the amenities of home, a stocked pantry, hot meals, a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen, and a place to feel safe and comfortable when a family is facing the uncertainty a medical diagnosis brings. Visit www.rmhcfargo.org
AROUND THE HOUSE
There are many ways you can make an impact on sick kids and their families this holiday season.
Choice Dollars
Are you a Thrivent member? Consider applying for a Thrivent Action Team Grant or choose to direct your Thrivent Choice Dollars to support the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley.
VEHICLE Donations
Donate your used vehicle, boat, or motorized vehicle and support RMHC. It’s fast, free, easy, and tax deductible.
NORTH DAKOTA TAX CREDIT Endowment Gifts
The state of North Dakota offers a generous 40 percent state income tax credit for gifts of $5,000 or more to our qualified endowment fund. It’s a win-win for both you and the families your gift will so generously serve for generations to come!
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please contact us today and we’ll get you the details you need to facilitate this gift.
MATCHING GIFTS
Programs
Make an immediate impact on our mission and avoid taxes on transfers up to $100,000 from your IRA direct to RMHC of the Red River Valley. Contact your IRA plan administrator to make your gift. Our tax ID number is 45-0365598.
Does your employer offer a matching gifts program? Check it out to see your donation go further by doubling your contributions! Thank you to all employees and businesses who take part in these programs to help this community keep families close together.
4757 AGASSIZ CROSSING FARGO, ND 58104
FM Area Foundation
Caring Catalog
November 27TH - December 8TH
The FM Area Foundation is hosting the Caring Catalog, an online giving platform to support nonprofit work in Cass-Clay this holiday season. From November 27th – December 8th, you can donate online at areafoundation.org/caringcatalog and help support RMHC of the Red River Valley!
Watch online for information about fun incentives from the FM Area Foundation for donors like you to multiply your support!
February 8TH, 2024
Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour online giving event co-hosted by Dakota Medical Foundation, the Impact Foundation, and the Alex Stern Family Foundation. Your support on February 8 will help us continue our work of keeping critically ill children close to their families as they grow strong in the hospital.