SEPTEMBER 2017
FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY NEWSLETTER
FAMILY STORY: GREATWALKER FAMILY
“The kitchen is just a special place...to me, the kitchen is the warmest place in the whole house.” - Shelley Greatwalker The Ronald McDonald House strives
connection. In a recent 2013 study,
through a lot right now, but we want to
to be a warm place for togetherness
findings revealed that Ronald McDonald
care for people staying here and the
to happen and not just because of the
Houses help strengthen coping abilities.
kitchen is where we can do that because
warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies
Specifically, after interviewing caregivers
it’s a community space. We’ve met a lot
volunteers frequently bake in the kitchen.
staying at a Ronald McDonald House,
of very nice people down in the kitchen.”
researchers found that familial support RMHC supports families whose children
and support from other families during
are receiving medical care in the Fargo-
their child’s hospitalization strengthened
Moorhead area by offering home-like
their coping abilities. The study also
comfort, support and care for families.
demonstrated that staying at a Ronald
We do this by providing a comfortable
McDonald House surrounds parents with
bed, a hot shower, transportation to and
an atmosphere of mutual support that
from medical facilities, home-cooked
encourages sharing between families who
meals and a secure place to sleep. There
are going through the same experience.
is a suggested $15 nightly guest donation
Greatwalker Family
although no one is turned away due to an
The reality of that study is readily
inability to pay.
apparent and felt by many families who
Ultimately, RMHC functions to help
stay with us. Shelley Greatwalker stayed
families stay together so they can focus
What is unique about the Ronald
at RMHC to help and be close to her
on what matters most: their sick child.
McDonald House is that it’s much more
daughter, Kaytlyn, who was experiencing
As the Greatwalker family said, “We’re
than just an affordable, convenient
a high-risk pregnancy. The Greatwalkers
all hurting in one way or another, but
place to stay; the most meaningful
say, “We want to have that empathy
we’re also all here for the same reason –
benefit RMHC offers is community and
feeling for others. Yes, we’re going
comfort and healing.”
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2017
80
times families have been turned away due to the lack of space
202
families have been served
161
families have been unable to pay the suggested $15 per nights
A Note from Jill Christopher EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR This past July is one that I will remember for a long time! On July 11th, we broke ground on our new Ronald McDonald House in Fargo. This long-awaited day couldn’t have been sweeter and we were so glad to be joined by over 150 supporters, donors, and volunteers. As we have continued to see the number of families in need of RMHC grow, we have seen our waitlist for a room grow as well. Our team has already had to call over 80 families this year to let them know that we can’t help. To tell these exhausted and stressed parents that we have no rooms available adds to their stress and worry. This new house will allow us to increase our capacity and, in turn, lift some of the burdens our families carry. This groundbreaking signals the first in many steps toward our opening of the new house and we are excited to have you follow along on the journey. We would not be where we are without your support, but the work is not done. We will need lots of love and support to build this new House. I ask that you please consider supporting our new Ronald McDonald House project in a way that is meaningful to you. Thank you for Keeping Families Close!
New House Groundbreaking Ceremony
We broke ground for our new Ronald
We need your help to raise $900,000 for
McDonald House on July 11th, a warm
this new house that will allow us to better
day with even warmer smiles! The short
serve our families for years to come. Your
ceremony took place at the site of our
donation today will provide much-needed
new house: 4757 Agassiz Crossing S
space for our families as well as improve
in Fargo. We loved seeing everyone out
the experience families share as they find
there and were overwhelmed by your
support and comfort at RMHC.
unwavering support of RMHC’s mission to help keep families together. Thank you
If you have questions about or are
for your dedication.
interested in supporting the project please contact Erica at
We are currently on track to have the
erica@rmhcfargo.org or 701-232-3980.
House completely built by mid-April and to be operational by mid-May! While
#ImBuildingRMHC and you can too! Join
we are so close to reaching our total
us in keeping families close!
fundraising goal for our new house, we still need your help today.
RMH RIDE
16TH ANNUAL RMH RIDE REVVING & ROCKING FOR RMHC
As the sun set over a full campground we
reflected on another phenomenal weekend
supporting the Ronald McDonald House at the 16th Annual RMH Ride. This year’s Ride took place June 9th–11th with a uniquely scenic route through lakes country, impressive live & silent auction items, a motorcycle raffle, burnout contests, and live bands including October Road and Nashville based rocker, Jasmine Cain. Each year the Ride also organizes a Bike Safety rodeo and gives away bicycles for kids! Hundreds of motorcycles hit the road at noon from New York Mills, MN and
traveled to Frazee for a pit stop including famous turkey sandwiches! The next stop was in Dent, MN, before heading back to New York Mills for delicious food and fun. We are so grateful and humbled by the hundreds of participants, countless volunteers, and fabulous board and committee who raised a gross total of $123,797.50 this year! The heart that these individuals put in to this event is awe inspiring! If you have yet to make it to this event, make sure to mark your calendars for June 9th, 2018! You don’t want to miss it!
Save the date: June 9th, 2018
18TH ANNUAL RMH GOLF TOURNAMENT MONDAY, JULY 17, 2017
Weather was perfect for our 18th Annual
Dr. Pepper, Lamb Weston, Midco, Office
Ronald McDonald House Charities Golf
Sign Company, Prairie St. John’s, The
Tournament on Monday, July 17th at
Coca Cola Co., KFGO, and CableOne
the Meadows Golf Course in Moorhead.
Business.
We were excited to have KFGO’s Jack Sunday broadcasting live from our
A tremendous thank you to all of our
tournament.
team and hole sponsors, raffle prize and door prize donors, and volunteers
Our Executive Director, Jill Christopher,
for making our tournament a success in
kicked off the event explaining how
raising over $33,000.
RMHC helps keep families together. Golfers decked out in RMHC stripes and golf gear hit the course soon after. Throughout the course, golfers could participate in games such as closest to Ronald’s Shoe, Sink or Swim, the Vegas Hole Betting Game and a dice game. Golfers were welcomed off the course with the promise of cool air conditioning and a delicious meal provided by Meadows Golf Course. A short program was started by Jill Christopher. The evening ended in cheers and laughter as raffle prizes were awarded to the lucky winners. A special thanks to our presenting sponsor: CoreLink Administrative
THANK YOU TO THE 2017 RMHC GOLF TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE:
Kelly Boyer Jason Davis Brad Loween Mackenzie Odden Nancy Rossland
Solutions. Thank you to our event sponsors: 37 People, Baldinger Bakery,
For 2016 RMHC Snapshot The 2016 RMHC Annual Report is up on our website – check it out at rmhcfargo.org!
SAVE THE DATES SUBARU SHARE THE LOVE Be sure to check out Subaru! $250
OCTOBER 27TH, 2017
LOOKING TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE?
SHOW YOUR STRIPES #forRMHC We wear our stripes as a symbol of the wonderful work that RMHC does to keep families with critically-ill children together
from every new vehicle purchased midNovember through January 1st, 2018 will be donated to RMHC-RRV.
at little to no cost. Post a picture wearing your stripes online with the hashtag
29TH ANNUAL SWEETHEART BALL
#forRMHC to show your support!
FEBRUARY 10TH, 2018
Need stripes? We’ve got you covered! For a donation of $15 or more, not only can you cover the cost of what families are unable to pay, you can also get a pair of red and white striped socks or t-shirt (while supplies last).
Holiday Inn
GIVING HEARTS DAY 2018 FEBRUARY 8TH, 2018 24 hour online giving event.
More Information: www.rmhcfargo.org
1330 18TH AVENUE SOUTH FARGO, ND 58103