OCTOBER 2016
From Our House to Yours
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY NEWSLETTER
FAMILY STORY: BUSH FAMILY At just five hours old, Easton Bush was
(Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy) which
her and her husband feel welcome during
airlifted to the Sanford Children’s hospital
is a type of brain damage that occurs when
their time at the Ronald McDonald House.
in Fargo to begin receiving care. Easton
an infant’s brain does not receive enough
Furthermore, Rachel and Travis loved
began to experience distress at the end of
oxygen and blood. The cooling process of
how the volunteers would bring in meals
his delivery and was born with his umbilical
placing an ice cap on an infant’s head must
for everyone. They appreciated how they
cord around his neck. The nurses were able
start within six hours of birth and last 72
needn’t worry about finding something to
to get him breathing again and proceeded
hours. While on their way to Fargo, Mom
eat after an exhausting day at the hospital.
to carry out the standard newborn baby
and Dad were notified of a place
tests on Easton. The tests revealed his
to stay at the Ronald McDonald
Apgar scores and acidic levels were both
House just a mere five blocks
low. These findings coupled with the cord
away from the hospital. Rachel
wrapped around his neck qualified him for
and Travis Bush were invited into
an Ice Cap. Easton was diagnosed with HIE
the Ronald McDonald House, a quiet, home like environment that maintained a support system in
“I will be forever grateful for everything they did for me & my family”
how other families going through a similar experience with their children were also staying at the house. Everything about the house was
The Bush family was able to go home two
so great. Location, warm bed, cleanliness,
weeks after Easton was born. During that
hot showers and great meals provided,
two-week period Rachel and Travis were
Rachel said. In addition to the supportive
with Easton as much as possible. Doctors
environment of the house, Rachel said
at Sanford advised us that we should just
the staff was accommodating and made
Continued on page two
Save the Date SHOWING YOUR STRIPES #forRMHC
October 28th Continued from page one
everything they did for me and my family. I will recommend the Ronald
continue to work with Easton every day. Talk to him, read to him and
to the House however possible.”
We wear our stripes as a symbol of the wonderful work that RMHC does to keep
families with critically-ill children together at little to no cost. Post a picture wearing your
McDonald House to everyone I can and encourage people to donate
stripes online with the hashtag #forRMHC to show your support!
play with him, Rachel said. Damage that occurred during delivery was
Need stripes? We’ve got you covered! For a donation of $15 or more, not only can you
on Easton’s left side of his brain which is the developmental part of
cover the cost of what families are unable to pay, you can also get a pair of red and
the brain. Rachel and Travis will be carefully watching his milestones
white striped socks or t-shirt (while supplies last).
as he continues to grow. Without the Ronald McDonald House, the Bush family would not have been able to spend nearly as much time
We hope you will support us and use your voice #forRMHC because healing happens
with Easton in the hospital as they did. Rachel said, “The Ronald
together. Contact Erica at erica@rmhcfargo.org or 701-232-3980 for more information
McDonald House is like a Safe Haven and I will be forever grateful for
A Note from Jill Christopher
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
on how you can participate.
Nov 21st, 2016 - Jan 2nd, 2017
DReam Big on Feb 9th, 2017
SUBARU SHARE THE LOVE
GIVING HEARTS DAY 2017
Looking to purchase a vehicle? Be sure to check out Subaru! $250
Giving Hearts Day 2017 – Dream Big on February 9th, 2017. At
2nd, 2017 will be directly donated to RMHC.
critically-ill children close by providing a supportive, home-like
from every new vehicle purchased November 21st, 2016– January
Foundation. Get ready to Dream Big with us on February 9th, 2016!
help keep families close. Writing these letters is definitely one of my favorite parts of my job. Big
out and arrives with a unique story about why the donor chose to give to us. These stories include a family member thankful that we helped their loved one, a piano teacher and her students who instead of small gift for them gave a
donation for our families, or a memorial for a family member who has passed away. These gifts, along with the 1000+ volunteers we have each year, make such a difference for our families. I have the opportunity to read our families surveys and can tell you with certainty that our guest families remember the warm kindness shown by YOU - our volunteers and donors. You are a bright light during a dark time and I am so grateful.
FRiday, Feb 3rd, 2017
Saturday, Feb 11th, 2017
FARGO FORCE FAMILY FUN NIGHT WITH RONALD
28TH ANNUAL SWEETHEART BALL
Looking for a great way to spend time with family? Mark your
An excellent Valentine’s date idea, it would be sad to miss this
Ronald McDonald all while supporting the Ronald McDonald
auctions, and supporting RMHC. The 28th Annual Sweetheart Ball
We always welcome new volunteers and supporters to join our Ronald McDonald House family. There are many
calendars for this special event! Watch the Fargo Force and meet
without each of you!
House! More details coming soon!
ways to get involved so please let me or anyone on our team know if you are interested. We could not do what we do
environment. This 24 hour online giving event is co-hosted by
Dakota Medical Foundation, Impact Foundation and Alex Stern
Every week, I have the pleasure of writing thank you letters for the generous gifts we receive to
or small, money or household need, each gift is crucial to what we do every day. Every donation stands
the Ronald McDonald House our dream is to keep all families with
blissful evening of dining, dancing, bidding on live and silent
will take place on Saturday, February 11th, 2016 at the Holiday
Inn in Fargo. Tickets are $75 or $600 for a table of 8. Sponsorship opportunities available! For more information, contact Erica at 701-232-3980 or erica@rmhcfargo.org.
RMH RIDE RECAP
GOLF RECAP
Revving and Rocking for RHMC - 15 th Annual RMH Ride
It was a celebration like no other for the 15th annual Ronald McDonald House motorcycle
Weather was perfect for our 17th Annual
Ronald’s Shoe”, “Sink or Swim”, the “Vegas
ConAgra Foods/Lamb Weston, Cable One
ride. A volunteer committee works year round to make sure this event is a success. For the
Ronald McDonald House Charities Golf
Hole Betting Game” and a dice game. We
Business, Coca Cola Co., Dr. Pepper, Expert
15th celebration, the committee really blew it out of the water!
Tournament on Monday, July 18th at the
were thrilled to once again have Valley
Global Solutions (EGS), Integrity Windows,
Meadows Golf Course in Moorhead.
Imports sponsor a Hole in One contest.
Jeff’s Plumbing & Drain Cleaning, Midco, Mortenson Construction, Nor-Son, Prairie St.
With a full campground, impressive live & silent auctions, a motorcycle raffle, and live
We were excited to have KFGO’s Jack
bands including Hairball and Tripwire, the weekend was full of fabulous fun, so much heart
Sunday broadcasting live from our
Golfers were welcomed off the course with
and LOTS of pop tabs for RMHC.
tournament.
the promise of cool air conditioning and
Katie Ziehl and her son Jackson joined us
the smell of a delicious meal provided by
A tremendous kudos to all of our team
Hundreds of motorcycles hit the road at noon from New York Mills, MN and traveled to the
to share their RMHC story followed by our
Meadows Golf Course. A short program was
and hole sponsors, raffle prize and door
Wadena Elks for a pit stop. The Wadena Elks has been a great supporter of RMHC and of
Executive Director, Jill Christopher, who
kicked off by Jill Christopher. The evening
prize donors, and volunteers for making
the Ride and this year contributed $10,000! With another stop at Wolf Lake, the participants
illustrated the mission of RMHC. Excited
ended with golfers tightly gripping their raffle
our tournament a success in raising over
ended their scenic trip back at the VFW in New York Mills for delicious food and fun.
golfers impressively decked out in RMHC-
tickets in hopes of hearing their raffle ticket
$33,000.
inspired stripes and golf gear hit the course
number and claiming their prize.
We couldn’t be more grateful to the hundreds of participants, countless volunteers, and
soon after. A special thanks to our presenting sponsor:
fabulous board and committee who raised a gross total of over $160,000! Next year’s event is slotted to be another great celebration June 10th, 2017, with October
Johns.
Throughout the course, golfers could
Moorhead Financial Associates of Thrivent
participate in games such as “closest to
Financial. Thank you to our event sponsors:
Road and Jasmine Cain. Mark your calendars: June 9th – 11th, 2017!
Thank You to the 2015 RMHC Golf Tournament Committee KELLY BOYER JILL CARLSON JASON DAVIS BRAD LOWEEN SHANA WILSON CHARLEY POYNTER NANCY ROSSLAND KAREN SCHMITZ
2016 Fall Wishlist
FOR THE KITCHEN Diapers (NB and size 1 diapers*) Women’s deodorant* Diaper wipes Gas gift cards Red River Valley Zoo passes
Laundry Detergent, unscented HE
Easy Mac cups
Scotch Brite toilet scrubbers/heads
Granola Bars
Glass Cleaner
Fruit Snacks
Paper Towels
Dishclothes and Dishtowels
All Purpose Cleaner
Cold Cereal
Clorox Wipes
K-cups for Keurig*
Swiffer mops and refill packs
Paper Towels*
CLEANING SUPPLIES
FOR THE FAMILIES
Pop Tarts
Marcus Theatre tickets Restaurant gift cards Grocery store gift cards Local event tickets
FOR THE HOUSE Garbage bags - small size, unscented* White bath towel sets Travel size hand lotion Body wash – Full size Women’s and Men’s razors
Crock pot liners
Shampoo and Conditioner – full size
Saran Wrap
Adult Individual Toothbrushes
Aluminum Foil
Toothpaste
An asterisk represents our most urgent needs.
1330 18TH AVENUE SOUTH FARGO, ND 58103