WINTER 2019
From Our House to Yours
Where Are They Now? The Hay Family
In September 2015, Talia was rushed
okay. They didn’t think about where they
Forks. After a CT scan, they found that
That’s where the Ronald McDonald House
by ambulance to the hospital in Grand
Talia had blood on her brain. She needed to be airlifted to Fargo to see a specialist
would stay while she was in the hospital. came in.
immediately.
Michelle said, “Ronald McDonald House
For six hours, Michelle and Alfonso
about a hotel bill or food. We were able to
waited and worried until they were able to see Talia. When they finally did see her, she had tubes everywhere and a
huge bandage on her head, but would ultimately be okay.
After 11 days in the hospital, Talia was able to go home.
When Michelle and Alfonso were in Fargo in 2015, the only thing they were worried about was making sure Talia would be
had so much to give...we did not stress
get rest when we needed so we could be ready for the day and for Talia.”
The Ronald McDonald House not only
offered a comfortable bed, but also food to eat, and a listening ear. Michelle said, “We are just so grateful for all the House
did for us! They helped us with our miracle by giving us peace of mind with all the other stuff in life.”
Talia truly is a miracle! Continued on pg. 2
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The Hay Family continued Michelle gave us an update of how they’re doing: “Talia was cleared of all AVMs in 2016,and but was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease (which
has had its challenges.) We relocated to Florida the summer of 2017— her Junior year of HS, where she made the JV basketball team. They were undefeated last year!”
“She has had some setbacks with Crohn’s disease this last summer,but
she foughtthroughand got back to school for her Senior year and made the Varsity Basketball Team —they are currently 14-3! She has made a lot of great friends and plans on going to Northwest Florida State
College to become an Art teacher, and hopes to be a Department of Defense School teacher!”
A Note from Jill Christopher Executive Director Recently, we’ve had a little girl staying with us
that LOVES high fives. If you give her a high five, she will clap wildly with glee. It is a total
day-maker! It is also a great representation of
how I feel about 2018 at RMHC. You all deserve
one of her wonderful high fives to celebrate the
great accomplishments of this past year. While I
may not be able to deliver on high fives from my little friend at RMHC, please note I have a high five waiting for each of you!
The incredible generosity that has made this all
possible is nothing short of amazing. Thank you
for making this year a dream come true. Through your donations of both items and money, your
volunteer time, and your support of our mission,
you made it possible for us to serve 357 families in 2018. We could not do what we do without each and every one of you.
Here’s to serving more families than ever before in 2019!
With a heart full of gratitude,
Jill R. Christopher, Executive Director
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You are invited to
Save the Dates 30TH ANNUAL SWEETHEART BALL February 9th, 2019 Holiday Inn Fargo 6 pm – Midnight Dinner, Live & Silent Auction, and Live Entertainment with “The Elevators” Tickets: $75 or $600 for a table of 8 Reservations Required: 701-232-3980 or www.rmhcfargo.org Perfect Valentine’s Day date! Sponsorship opportunities available. Currently accepting auction donations.
GIVING HEARTS DAY February 14th, 2019
Show your support for RMHC on Giving Hearts Day, with an online donation of $10 or more! Donations of $10 or more to the Ronald McDonald House in Fargo will be matched up to $9,000 thanks to Dakota Medical Foundation and Mike and Cindy O’Keefe - McDonald’s Grand Forks. (Follow along on Facebook for more details.)
Thanks to Dakota Medical Foundation, Impact Foundation, and Alex Stern Foundation for coordinating such a wonderful day of giving!
Visit givingheartsday.org to make your gift!
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2018:
A year in review
OVER 950 volunteers
357 Families Served Facilities Served SANFORD
68%
EATING DISORDER INSTITUTE
2% ESSENTIA HEALTH 8%
9%
AND
OVER 2,600 volunteer hours
PRAIRIE ST JOHN’S
ROGER MARIS CANCER CENTER OTHER:
2%
11%
75
WE ASK FAMILIES TO CONTRIBUTE $20 TOWARD
FAMILIES UNABLE TO PAY FOR THEIR STAY.
THEIR STAY IF THEY ARE ABLE. BUT NO ONE IS TURNED AWAY FOR INABILITY TO PAY.
Gifts were made in memory and in honor of the following people in 2018. If you made a memorial or honorarium gift in 2018 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
IN HONOR OF
IN MEMORY OF
37 People
Josh Hoffman
Alivia Lea Plutowski
Alexis Schermer
Joy + Hope for all!
Anna Coyle
Keegan Kostohryz
Arthur Horway
Kelly’s Birthday
Betty Tollefson
Kensley Halle
Calvin Kessler
Logan Wolden
Caroline Bergman
Megan Elaine Rossow
Chuck Klinefelter
My #ladyfriends on International Women’s Day
Dave Meyer
Piper Paisley Johnson
Eugene Lykken
Alexander and Sydney Bata Ashleigh and Emily Aspen Heisler
Autumn Taylor Ava Berg
Becky Schneider
Brandy and Marshall Erickson Brayden and Joslyn Larson Brayden Rolfson
Brent, Caylee, and Hadler Ellingson Caden Polanchek Cailtin Rakow
Carly & Calen Schmidt Family Chase Larson
Christopher Lubbers Clark Hillestad
Courtney Suppa
Crosby Harlan Schulz Cyle Warcken
Dave and Rosalie Harmon Dave and Sue Middaugh Dawson Starr Elaine Holm
Erica Johnsrud
James (Jim) Caterer Jill Christopher
Jill C’s Leadership
Jonathan Adelman & Gretchen Pederson
Jovie Jean
Andrew Held
Kayla Marie Davis
Art Kaasa
Kelly Binfet
Benton C. Degerstrom
Kelly Boyer
Braden Dahl
Laurel Macnevin
Carol Hansen
Matthew Keller
Chase Besette
Molly Welsch and Jenna Kurtz
Clarence & Betty Rutten
Peighton Grommesh
Dolores Martin
Raina Adelman and her big brother Jacob
Fran Meyer, Marvin Meyer, Roger Even, and
Rolfson Family
Frank Kraft
Shauna Wimer
Hank Tkachuck
Stefan Chizek
Jane McLaughlin
The Dockter Family
Joanne Timmerman
Tony Banger
Joyce Pelletier
Vivian Tanner
Kambry Ihry
Raina Rose and Gretchen Pederson Ronnie and Carol Erickson
Gretchen Rivers
Stampede Hockey
Isabelle Owan
Susan Ertelt
Janine Larson
Thomas Collum
John David Freer
Vintage Point, Jim and Deb Schmidt
Kaia Hiede and Jock Stevick
Wyatt, Dani, Hope and Faith Stramer
Katie Tweit
Zoe and Carson
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Francis Bauer
Kenny Freiss Kim Foell
Les Mariner
Les Willemssen Linda Elsaas
Mame Jones, Kay Anderson, Arnold & Jean Roseu
Margaret “Peggy” Irmen
Micah Anderson Michael Haitel Miles Paulson
Pamela Rytter Pat Craft
Phyllis Flesberg
Reuben Johnsrud Sam Olson
Sara McAllister Sharon Heinze
Shirley Johnson Sonia Sorenson Tom Newcomb
A Little Piece of Christmas Our first Christmas at the new house was absolutely dazzling! We decorated with Christmas trees and garland galore with funds raised from Giving Tuesday. Thank you to all who donated on Giving Tuesday to help us deck our new halls. Putting the Christmas trees up was an especially big hit with all the kids that were here! Each year we are happy to offer a small piece of Christmas to our families who otherwise may not have the time or resources to shop while staying with their critically-ill child in Fargo. We are filled with gratitude at the generosity shown by all the individuals and businesses that took part in giving trees to donate items to our Christmas store in 2018. Gifts from over 30 giving trees were purchased and donated to the Ronald McDonald House to fill our Christmas store. Our community’s kindness has helped ensure that the many families who thought there wouldn’t be gifts under the tree this year due to medical expenses, lack of time, or not being able to shop had gifts under their Christmas tree. We are so thankful to all our donors in 2018 and are looking forward to all that 2019 will bring for RMHC! A special thanks to McDonald’s Restaurants of the Red River Valley! Your support is greatly noticed and appreciated.
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THANK
YOU
Thank you for all your support in 2018! We are honored to partner with you to keep families together when it matters most. Warm wishes as we start 2019 and Happy New Year from our House to yours!
4757 AGASSIZ CROSSING S, FARGO, ND 58104