APRIL 2017
From Our House to Yours RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY NEWSLETTER
FAMILY STORY: STEFFENS FAMILY Wendy and Joe Steffens’ hearts instantly
34th week. After a completely exhausting
and have that interaction was significant
tightened when they were told hard news
experience, both precious babies were
to Charlotte and Joshua’s progress.
that one of their twins, Charlotte, was
welcomed into the world and rushed to
Of the Ronald McDonald House, the
not growing. Such difficult news on top
the NICU where they would need to stay
Steffens family said, “It made all the
of the nerves from the newness of this
to grow.
difference that the House was there for
being their first pregnancy was heart-
us. We walked in, not expecting anything,
wrenching. With little time to process
Wendy was discharged, but the twins
and there was a whole welcoming gift
the severity of the situation, Wendy and
were still in the NICU and the Steffens
basket. It was very welcoming.” This
Joe were terrified as a C-section was
family felt completely overwhelmed with
small act made Wendy and Joe feel truly
scheduled for two days later at Wendy’s
questions about the future. Soon after,
cared for during such an uncertain time.
RMHC offered a place for the Steffens family to stay and an
One of the most important things RMHC
enormous weight was lifted off
offers is a support system. The Steffens
Wendy and Joe’s shoulders.
family thought they were getting a place
The family talked of their
to stay, but soon realized the additional
incredible relief, “We didn’t
unexpected benefit in the interactions
have to worry about what we
with other guests. This support system
were going to do, where we
proved to be invaluable. The Steffens
were going to go or how we
family said, “Just being able to be with
were going to make it.”
people who are kind of going through a similar situation helped a lot.”
Available space at the House allowed Wendy and Joe to be
Going home for Joshua meant staying
close to their children. Simply
with Mom and Dad at the Ronald
being able to hold their babies
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
A Note from Jill Christopher EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR What an exciting few months it has been here at RMHC! We are so elated to finally announce that we are building RMHC! Our Board of Directors and staff have been working hard to make our long-time dream of a new Ronald McDonald House a reality. This new house will allow us to address some areas of need with our two current locations and help even more families with critically-ill children for years to come. We are so grateful to the donors that have committed to keeping families close in the future. The idea that our new Ronald McDonald House is nearly here hits home for us each day. We see the excitement of families when we share that the new house will have private bathrooms for each guest room unlike the shared bathrooms we have right now. It hits home when we have to tell a family that we have no space for them that night due to being full – something we have already done 19 times this year. It hits home for me every time I drive by the land that will be our new home, currently an empty lot so full of dreams. It is an exciting future ahead for the families we serve. While we have already raised nearly $4 million dollars for our project, we need your help to finish our project. Please consider giving a gift toward our new Ronald McDonald House and help us complete our dream to keep families close.
KEEPING FAMILIES JUST A HOP, SKIP AND JUMP AWAY FROM THEIR CRITICALLY-ILL CHILD GIVING HEARTS DAY 2017 We are grateful to have had the opportunity
Foundation, Impact Foundation and Alex
to partner with Sky Zone to keep families
Stern Family Foundation for putting on
just a hop, skip and jump away from
such an inspirational day of giving. A big
their critically-ill children this Giving
thank you to Hatch Realty for allowing
Hearts Day! Thank you for your support
us to be a part of their Date Night – your
to #GoMatchyMatchy for the Ronald
generosity is greatly appreciated.
McDonald House. Over $50,000 was raised to keep families close when it matters most! Giving Hearts Day was held on Thursday, February 9th, 2017, and contributions of $10 or more to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley were matched up to $9,000 thanks to Dakota Medical Foundation and other generous donors. A special thank you to Dakota Medical
The 28th Annual Sweetheart Ball PRESENTED BY MCDONALD’S OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY The 28th Annual Sweetheart Ball fell upon
to join in playing a heads or tails game
Following the live auction, the Duvall
an uncharacteristically warm evening as
with the chance to win a $400 West
Family, past Ronald McDonald House
guests with even warmer hearts joined
Acres gift card, thanks to West Acres
guests, took the stage to share their
the Ronald McDonald House to support
Development. Jill Christopher, Executive
RMHC story.
Director of RMHC, gave an update
The Duvall
of RMHC Fargo. She was thrilled
Family spoke
to announce the building of a
of how they
new Ronald McDonald House.
had found
Plans for the House include 24
comfort at the
bedrooms, 30,000 square feet and
House during
a strategic location near I-94 as
a difficult
a replacement of our two current
time when beautiful baby Mataya began
facilities.
receiving chemotherapy at just six days old.
The live auction, led by Kristine Fladeboe Dunnick, was a huge
They told of how exhausted they were
our mission. Dressed in ball gowns and
success thanks to our wonderful donors
from the strain of Mataya’s continued
bow ties, attendees surveyed a plethora
Vidanta Resorts and Destinations, Chef
medical journey and how grateful they
of silent auction items using the mobile
Randall Toenges, Hornbacher’s, Hawktree
are to the House for offering relief. They
bidding system.
Golf Club, Deer Run Golf Club, Oxbow
encouraged all attending to join with
Country Club, The Wilderness at Fortune
them in supporting the work the Ronald
Jack Sunday and Bonnie Amistadi of
Bay, Moccasin Creek, Detroit Country
McDonald House does because RMHC
KFGO took the stage to welcome over
Club, Bully Pulpit, Rush Creek Golf
provides relief in a comfortable bed,
400 guests as they enjoyed a delicious
Course, Jonathan and Kari Jo O’Keefe,
warm shower and home-cooked meals.
meal prepared by the Holiday Inn.
Blackridge Bank, Scheels All Sports,
After dinner, guests were encouraged
Disney World, Happy Harry’s Bottle
Thanks to Tellwell, guests could get their
Shops and the RMHC Board of Directors.
pictures taken to remember this fun event as they began to dance the night away with live band The Deadbeats.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE 2017 SWEETHEART BALL COMMITTEE! Your committment and hard work is truly appreciated.
Ann Werlinger
Ruth Hetland
Jackie Schluchter
Sharon Miller
Jo Carney
Sheri Batesole
Lori Tiongson
Sue Zurn
LuAnne Brosz Mary Ellen Rolfson
The 2017 Sweetheart Ball was a wonderful evening raising over $100,000 to keep families close. The Ronald McDonald House would like to extend a huge thank you to all the businesses and individuals who helped make this year a success, especially our presenting sponsor, McDonald’s Restaurants of the Red River Valley.
2016 Volunteers
If you volunteered your time in 2016 and your name was omitted, misspelled, or listed incorrectly, please accept our sincere apology. We truly appreciate your dedication to keeping families close.
Aditi Nalavade
Brian Billings
Essentia Pathology Department
Alexis Allen
Brianna Kraft
Essentia PICU Nurses
Alicia Buechler
Brittany Pavek
Ethos Home Care
Alisha & Dane Carley
Brittany St. Bernard
Express Employment Professionals
Allison Dhuyvetter
Cecilia Monclova
Faith Lutheran Church Youth Group
Altrusa Club
Charley and Gail Poynter
Fargo Public Schools Project Invest
Aly Fry
Cheney Middle School FCCLA
FCCLA Club Lake Park-Audubon High School
Amanda Brinkman
Cheryl Hendrickson
First Lutheran Church - Fargo
Amanda Escalona
Chris and JoAnne Slominski
First Lutheran Church Mom Talk Fargo
Amanda Haliburton
Chris Koudela
Future Leaders of America - Wyndmere
Amanda Nemmers
Chris Lingen
GAP
Amanda Ward
Christian Pharmacist Fellowship International
Gayle & Ron Guggisberg
American Crystal Sugar Company - Moorhead
Christin Besette
Gayle Gruebele
Andrea Flaten
Christine & Jeremy Welsand
Genee Grommett
Ann and Kory Werlinger
Christy Grensteiner
Girl Scouts of Aurora Troop #30323
Ann Ham
Cindy Markovic
Girl Scouts Troop #32090
Annette Porter
Cody Eilertson
Greg Thompson
Anthony Thompson
Cody Jochim
Gregg Matejka
Appareo Systems
Cody John
Gretchen and Kent Anderson
April Rabideaux
Concordia College
Hatch Realty
Arpita Sanyal
Consolidated Communications
Arthur Ventures, LLC
CoreLink Administrative Solutions
Heat Transfer Warehouse Healthy Community Charitable Fund
Ashley Brown
Courtney Werre
Ashley Simmons
Cynthia Besette
Ashli Kottsick
Cynthia Sorkness
Atonement Lutheran Church - Fargo
Dana Weidmann
AtoS
Dean & Gracie Atchison
Aubrey Zuger
Deanna and Rocky Vondall
Autum Magee
Deanna Nordling
Barbara Geeslan
Dennis Britton
BC Contracting
Desi Lackmann
Becky Komrosky
Discover Lodging Management
BellaDonna Marth
Discovery Benefits
Beta Sigma Phi Sorority
Donna Podratz
BioLife Plasma Services
Kim Burd
Bjorn Berg
Duane and Barb Johnson
Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND/Noridian
Edward Jones
Brad Kraft
Edward Rivera
Brad Loween
Eeva Salejarvi
Bradley & Pat Wagner
Eide Bailly LLP
Brandi & Austin Gruebele
Elaine Ackerman
Brandon Truhlicka
Erica Bahls
Breanna Kobiela
Essentia Health - Fargo
THANK Heather Fritel
Houston Engineering Intelligent Insites Jack Binfet
Jackie Schluchter Jason Davis
Jason Eblen Jay Haug
Jean Zimmerman
Jeff and Dana Sandene Jenny Enger Jenny Johnson Jeremy Ostrowski Jill Carlson Linda Soderberg Jo Carney Joan Windus
John and Alex Lyngstad Jolean Pederson Jonathan O’Keefe Jordyn Woodruff
Josh Skyberg
McDonald’s #1885- 8th St Moorhead
Ryan Petersen
Judy Greene
Meals on Heels
Ryan Roshau
Judy McCollum
Megan Bolde
Justin Mahler
Melissa Erdmann
Salem Evangelical Free Church of FargoMoorhead
Kaitlin VanWinkle
Mickie Bosch
Karen Schmitz
Microsoft
Kari Graber
Mike and Kim Suppa
Kari Lyter
Monica McConkey
Kathy Rheault
Monte and Susan Prody
Katie Krumwiede
Morgan Binfet
Katie Well
Morgan Longtin
Kellie Haaby
Mortenson Construction
Kelly and Jeff Meyer
Nancy Larson
Kelly Boyer
Nancy Rossland
Kelly Messerschmidt
Nancy VanLishoot
Kelsey Hartkopf
Natalie Thomas
Kerrie Berg
NDSU
Kim Gruchalla
NDSU Alpha Gamma Delta
Kipp Harris Realtors
NDSU Alpha Phi Omega
Kirsten Jensen
NDSU Delta Tau Delta
Sheyenne High School FCCLA
Kris Friederichs
NDSU Human Development & Family Science (HDFS) Club
Sig Meier
Sigrid Beckstrom
NDSU Kappa Alpha Theta
Soroptomists International of Fargo
NDSU Leadership in Organizations
Spectrum Aeromed
NDSU Phi Eta Sigma
Spotlight Media Inc.
NDSU School of Business
Steve and Gayle Dirksen
NDSU Student Nurses Association
Sue Mueller
NDSU Upward Bound
Sue Zurn
Newfolden Elementary School
Susan Brudvik
Nicholas Hylla
Tanya Burckhard
Nick and Shauna Wimer
Target - Fargo
Nicolas Colunga
Ted Milz
Norma and James Swanson
Teresa Nelson
Oak Grove Lutheran School - National Honor Society
Tiffany Lawrence
Pat Bjorklund
Tim Sayler
Samuel Pulkrabek Sanford Health Sanford Health Coding Sanford Marketing Sara and Eric Watson Scott & Robin Westall Scott Billingsley and Trina Reitz Billingsley Seventh Day Adventist Church - Fargo Shana Otteson Shana Wilson Sharon Gunwall Sharon Miller Shaylee Schei Sheila Boyda Tindall Sheri Batesole
K YOU Kristi & Jeremy Engelstad Kristin McDonald Laura Amacher Laura McKay
Laurie Lundstrom
Lenny and Carol Volk Linda O’Halloran Lindsey Wagner Lisa Esping
Living Grace Lutheran Church
Living Waters Lutheran Church - Fargo Lora and Kevin Elfstrum Lori Tiongson
Lorry Bergeron
Loyal Connections LuAnne Brosz
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd MacKenzie & Trevor Odden Macy Barrett Marcy Kading Mark and Judy Dvoracek Mary Ellen Rolfson Mathias & Angela Hartman Matt Schmitz Matthew Enriquez McDonald’s - FAF Inc. McDonald’s #10611- Main Ave Fargo
Pat and Rhonda Grenyo Patricia Moser Pedigree Technologies Pepsi America Pete Christopher Prairie St. John’s
R.D. Offutt Co./RDO Equipment Co. Rachel and Dan Conrad Rebecca Radi Rick & Rylee Cameron Rory and Dawn Beil Ruth Hetland
Tim Binfet
TMI Hospitality
Tom and Tammy Enright Trina Michels United Savings Credit Union US Bank - Fargo Wells Fargo Bank West Fargo Teachers - Classroom Cookers William S. Rodriguez Nieves Willy Shercliffe Yulia Smirnova
#ImBuildingRMHC and you can too! HELP US BREAK GROUND THIS JULY WITH A DONATION TODAY! FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE PROJECT VISIT rmhcfargo.org OR CONTACT ERICA AT 701-232-3980 OR erica@rmhcfargo.org
STEFFENS FAMILY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 especially important during this time since
Having an inviting place that was home-like
After a whirlwind medical journey with
Charlotte was still growing in the NICU.
with all the amenities needed for a newborn
Charlotte and Joshua and 100 nights at
was helpful in alleviating
the Ronald McDonald House, the Steffens
stress for Wendy and Joe.
family was filled with joy and gratitude to
Also, not having to worry
finally bring their babies home.
about a two-hour commute every day with a newborn
Reflecting on their experience, the Steffens
baby was incredibly
family said, “It’s a great program. We’ve
comforting for the Steffens
been telling anyone and everyone that
family.
if they have the means to donate to the house, they should because it was a godsend for us.”
SAVE THE DATE In its 16th year, this year’s Ride will be the best yet! You won’t want
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2017
RMH RIDE
to miss the biggest motorcycle ride to benefit a Ronald McDonald
House! This fun weekend includes an incredible ride around scenic
country side, live bands, burn out pit, silent & live auctions! A whole weekend full of fun events begins Friday night with a concert by
October Road! More information is available at www.rmhride.com
MONDAY, JULY 17, 2017
18TH ANNUAL RMH GOLF TOURNAMENT Tee time has arrived! Dust off your clubs, and golf fore the House at
our 18th annual RMHC Golf Tournament. This year’s golf tournament will be held Monday, July 17th, 2017, at the Meadows Golf Course in Moorhead. All sessions will have a shotgun start of 1:00 pm. Tournament will be held rain or shine. Sponsorships and team registration available now! Support RMHC and have a little fun at the same time. Check out www.rmhcfargo.org for more information or contact Kelly at 701-232-3980 or kelly@rmhcfargo.org
Thrivent Choice Dollars Are you a Thrivent member? Learn more ways to support
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley
through Thrivent Choice Dollars. With Thrivent Choice you
can recommend where some of Thrivent Financial’s charitable outreach funds go. Contact your Thrivent representative for
instructions on how you can direct dollar to RMHC. The Ronald
McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley is an
approved charity to receive choice dollars. In fact, since the
Choice Dollars program has started, Thrivent members have directed almost $8,000 to RMHC!
2017 SPRING WISHLIST
K-cups for Keurig
K-cups for Keurig (regular coffee, tea, and decaf coffee)
Crock pot liners
Hand lotions, any size
Pop Tarts
MOST NEEDED
Garbage bags – any sizes, unscented Laundry Detergent, unscented HE FOR THE KITCHEN
Individual chip bags Saran Wrap
CLEANING SUPPLIES
FOR THE FAMILIES
Gas gift cards
All Purpose/Surfaces Cleaner
Diaper wipes
Clorox Wipes
Diapers (size newborn and 1 especially)
Swiffer mops and refill packs
Restaurant gift cards
Scotch Brite toilet scrubbers/heads
Cookie sheets
Marcus Theatre tickets
Glass Cleaner
Red River Valley Zoo passes
Paper Towels
Fresh fruit for lunches
Aluminum Foil Pudding cups
Dryer sheets
Dishcloths and Dishtowels
Garbage bags - small size, unscented
Cold Cereal
Grocery store gift cards Local event tickets Body wash – Full size
THANK YOU! Fruit Snacks
Women’s and Men’s razors Shampoo and Conditioner – full size
Individual chip bags Granola Bars
Toothpaste
Easy Mac cups
Adult Individual Toothbrushes
Lunch “to-go” items
1330 18TH AVENUE SOUTH FARGO, ND 58103