NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2018
From Our House to Yours
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY NEWSLETTER
FAMILY STORY: DOCK TER FAMILY “Without RMHC we would not be able
girls were sharing the same sac, Matthew
could not pay for their own lodging while
to stay here while our girls recover.
and Kathryn were overcome with even
the girls were receiving care in the NICU.
This would have been heartbreaking
greater concern and uncertainty.
The Ronald McDonald House offered an affordable place to stay, allowing the
considering the fragile state they were in!� - Dockter Family
Three weeks after Kathryn was admitted
Dockters to focus on what mattered most:
into the hospital, Valerie and Eleanor
helping their baby girls recover.
When Baby Valerie was found to have a
were born 10 weeks premature. Due to
rare congenital heart defect while still in
their fragile condition, they were
the womb with her sister, Matthew and
incubated in the NICU for several
Kathryn Dockter knew their pregnancy
months. Baby Eleanor was able
would be complicated. It also meant
to go home after completing
making the long 6-hour round trip drive
the fairly standard prematurity
from Mandan to Fargo for weekly doctor
process while Valerie, because
appointments.
of her heart defect, underwent a hospital transfer and successful
During one of these routine weekly
open heart surgery.
appointments in Fargo, doctors discovered that the membrane separating
Another additional stressor
the two Dockter twins had ruptured
the Dockters faced during this
and the girls shared the same sac. This
experience was a significant
presented immediate danger to both twins
income cut. Since Kathryn was
so Kathryn was admitted into the hospital
not able to work through her
right away. After finding out their precious
high risk pregnancy, the family
Continued on page 2
Dockter Family Cont. “Doctors told us that doing things such as skin-to-skin holding is a crucial part of their recovery and is beneficial to their health. Because we could stay at the RMH, we were able to provide this, and other care, to our girls.” In the midst of such a prolonged stressful time, the Dockters were able to find
walking through the same hard situations allows everyone to draw strength from each other. There’s a sense that we’re in this together and we support each other and celebrate their wins!” The Dockter family will be sharing their full RMHC story at the 29th Annual Sweetheart Ball.
comfort and security in their temporary home at the Ronald McDonald House, despite being displaced from their real home. They spoke of how having freedom and their own space “really does help lessen the burden and make the best of a difficult situation.” The Dockters also found encouragement in the staff, volunteers and other families at RMHC. They said, “The sense of community that forms as everyone is
A Note from Jill Christopher Executive Director
As I look back at 2017, I can’t help but reflect on the excitement it brought for RMHC. In July, we broke ground on our new Ronald McDonald House and each week after I have had a chance to see that little scoop of dirt turn into an impressive new House for our families. As I have had the opportunity to walk through the building, I have gotten to see the new spaces that we once only dreamt of becoming a reality. I can imagine children playing in our new play room, families burning stress off in our exercise space and not having to turn families away due to lack of space. Most of all, what I reflect on this past year is the amazing support that we continue to receive from you, our tremendous donors and volunteers. Whether it was one hour or many, $5 or $5,000, please know that it made more of a difference for the families that we serve than you will ever know. You made it possible for families with critically-ill children to find peace in an extremely stressful time. You helped them connect with others over a warm meal, find rest after a long day and keep together when it was needed most. Please watch for updates throughout 2018 on our new space and opportunities to come visit. We are so excited to open our doors to our families and to you that made this dream a reality. Thank you for keeping families close!
Save The Date! GIVING HEARTS DAY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 On Giving Hearts Day show your support for RMHC! Make an online donation of $10 or more and your donation will be matched up to $21,500. Join us on Giving Hearts Day for a tour of the progress on our new location and see
the space you are providing for families
Thanks to Dakota Medical Foundation,
with critically-ill children in the hospital.
Impact Foundation and Alex Stern
What: New House Tours Who: You! When: Thursday, February 8th, 2018 – 12:00-1:00pm or 5:00-6:00pm Where: 4757 Agassiz Crossing S, Fargo
Foundation for coordinating such a wonderful day of giving!
IMPACTGIVEBACK.ORG
Follow along on Facebook for more details!
Sponsorship opportunities available. Currently accepting auction donations.
Memorials/Honorariums 2017 IN HONOR OF
Oliver Iverson
37 People
Otis Messerschmidt
Abigail Heaton
Paxton Petersen
Andrea Klein
Ron & Carol Erickson
Ashley Petersen
Spotlight Media
Cade & Kara Kostohry 13th Birthday
Tiffany Seitz
Carly & Calen Schmidt
Wyatt, Dani, Hope & Faith Stramer
Olivia Sunderman
Abby Conrad
Paster Mary & Aaron Suomala Folkerds
Alexis Schermer
RMH Volunteers
Art Olerud
Sam Ohman
Brayden Rolfson & Family
The Z Team
Caitlin Rakow
Wyatt Heinle
Dawson Starr
IN MEMORY OF
Eli & Liam Wilcox
Alivia Plutowski
Duston
Rita W. Shiers
Elmer Mehrer
Roger Hagen
Duane Beals
Robert Soderberg
Ethel Hest
Ron Cantler
Eunice Rustad
Ron Plath
Floretta Cummings
Ruby Zimney
Frances Wimer
Russell Vogel
Gary Paulsen
Shirley Thorvelson
Gene Gemmill
Sonia Sorenson
Greg Hanson
Stan Lindemann
Harold Balzum
Stefan Chizek
Helen Anderson
Sylvia Kronbeck
Hilda Backfish
Terri Breeden
Ione Johnson
Carol Egstad & Edie and John Mattson Dave Harmon
Dr. Quentin Zimmerman
Eli D.
Allen “Bud” Lahren
Erica’s 30 Days of 30
Anne Cheatley
Garrett & Peighton Grommesh
Anton Blasczyk
Jack Kiernan
Arthur Horway, Jr.
Jill Christopher
Benton Charles Degerstrom
Josheb Albion
Bill Well
Kiptyn
Christy Grommesh
Lance Haman
Clarence LeRoy Carlson
Lily, Oliver, Thatcher, Sully, Lauren, Dietrich, Olivia, & Forrest
Cully Oothoudt
Linda Raile
Darlene Offerman
Lucas Kraft
David Bernston
Matt Davis Family
Denise Mullen
Mr. Naatz & Mrs. Jeral
Dorie Hanson
My healthy babies, Morgan & Jack
Dr. Christian Albano
Erica Johnsrud
Anna Johnsen
Flame of Faith United Methodist Church Sunday School
Anne Severson
Girl Scout Troop 30350
Ardelle Larson
Janis Serati & new granddaughter Elin
Audrey Knauf
Joan Douville & Randy Shypkowski Wedding
Betty Rutten
Kelly Binfet
Chase Besette
Kyle & Amanda Larson
Clara Cone
Layton Lawson
Craig Murie
Lincoln & Katherine Meyers
Daniel Hovland
Logan Wolden
Dave Jorgenson
Mason Stehley
David Jenny
Mr. B John Barry
Doreen Lawson
My Grandchildren
Dorothy Grad
Tresha & Taylee Sinclair
James Berg
Vayda Bryelle Salo
James Bergstrom
Vivian Dahl
Jeanne Legault
Wayne Axtman
Jerome Link
Zachary Burris
Jerry Carlson
Zachary Rummel
John Flaa
John Sand Josh
K. Koetz
Larry Lyngstad Leo
Leo Schreiner
Lincoln Kyo Gingles Lorell E. Lee
Loren Michael Bomar Lorna Harris
Lorna Holand
Lowell McCarthy Marian McWalter Mark Scheel
Merle Schatzke Merlin Grimm Nathan Artz
Olive Rodne
Paul Fredrikson Pearl Risa
GIFTS WERE MADE IN MEMORY & HONOR OF THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE IN 2017. If you made a memorial or honorarium gift in 2017 and it was omitted, misspelled, or listed incorrectly, please accept our sincere apology and notify our Development Director, Erica, 701-232-3980 or Erica@rmhcfargo.org
Phyllis Symington
Piper Paisley Johnson Rae Offutt
Rhonda Lybeck
Richard L. Reed
A Little Piece of Christmas Our hearts are filled with gratitude at the
shop while staying with their critically-ill
We are so thankful to all our donors in 2017
generosity shown by all the individuals
children in Fargo.
and are looking forward to all that 2018 will
and businesses that took part in Giving
bring for RMHC!
Trees to donate items to our Christmas
Our community’s kindness has helped
store in 2017.
ensure that the many families who
A special thanks to McDonald’s
thought there wouldn’t be gifts under the
Restaurants of the Red River Valley for
Every year we can offer a small piece of
tree this year due to medical expenses,
including their 27 stores in our Giving Tree
Christmas to our families who otherwise
lack of time, or not being able to shop,
program! Your support is noticed and
may not have the time or resources to
had gifts under their Christmas tree.
greatly appreciated.
#ImBuildingRMHC
With each passing week, we are getting
stay on track for a spring opening. Recently,
closer to reaching our goal of completing
they have been working to complete HVAC,
our new 30,000 square foot, 24 bedroom
electrical, and plumbing work which has
Ronald McDonald House located at 4757
allowed the drywall to start going up on the
Agassiz Crossing South in Fargo.
third floor. On the outside, the stone and siding are going up and looking great!
construction team will focus on interior finishes including paint and flooring. We still are anticipating the house to completely built in April and to be fully operational in May 2018. We are extremely
From our groundbreaking in July, final beam raising in October, and completing
Looking forward, we are excited that the
shingling in December, the House is coming
elevator will be installed soon, as this is
along nicely! Currently, there are over 40
a feature we don’t have in our current
workers on site each day making sure we
locations. After drywall is completed, our
excited and grateful for your dedication to the project. You are helping to build this beautiful house. For more information on how to donate, check out rmhcfargo.org or contact Erica Johnsrud at 701-232-3980 or erica@rmhcfargo.org.
2017: A Year In Review
314 Families Served
Top Diagnoses
Average Stay: 9 NIGHTS
PRE-MATURE BIRTH
EATING DISORDER CANCER
Facilities Served
SANFORD 64% EATING DISORDER INSTITUTE 14% PRAIRIE ST JOHN’S 5% ESSENTIA HEALTH 2% ROGER MARIS CANCER CENTER 15%
OVER 600
volunteers AND
WE ASK FAMILIES TO CONTRIBUTE $15 TOWARD THEIR STAY IF THEY ARE ABLE. NO ONE IS TURNED AWAY FOR INABILITY TO PAY.
88
OF FAMILIES WERE UNABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARD THEIR STAY.
OVER 2,700
volunteer hours
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT IN 2017! WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE YOU WITH US IN OUR MISSION OF KEEPING FAMILIES CLOSE. WARM WISHES AS WE START 2018 AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!
1330 18TH AVENUE SOUTH FARGO, ND 58103