c c january 2015
from our house to yours Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley
our mission statement - providing home-like comfort, support and care for families with children receiving medical care in fargo-moorhead.
Family Spotlight
Kramer Family
Matt & Kari Kramer of Ada, MN, longed to add to their family of two for years but had troubles starting a family. After years of heartache and nine miscarriages, they were blessed with a beautiful baby boy, Garrison Kenneth on April 29th, 2014.
The Kramer family finally got to meet their bundle of joy, but not for long as he was rushed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Kari said, “We had left the hospital empty-handed so many times before; we could not imagine going home without Garrison.� With the Ronald McDonald House by their side, Matt & Kari were able to stay in Fargo and be with Garrison each step of the way and have all the amenities of Home.
in this issue kramer story cont.
2
message from the executive director
2
two ways to support #FORRmhc
3
gifts given in 2014
4
year in review
5
thank you! 6
For more information visit: www.rmhcfargo.org
c
Matt & Kari said what meant most to them at the House was being able to come and go as they needed. The family could be by their baby’s side when they needed and wanted. Kari said, “Many times we left for the hospital at 2 am to feed and hold him. We didn’t feel we were a bother to anyone with our coming and going. We also didn’t have to worry about paying for a hotel room or driving back and forth from Ada and being a long distance away.”
Kari mentioned, “We had a cozy bedroom, a nice bathroom, living room, and a kitchen to cook in (that even had food supplied!) it was a true home away from home.” Something the family mentioned that was so special was how welcomed they felt. Thanks to many generous donors, each family at the Ronald McDonald House receives a beautiful handmade quilt. The Kramer family said the quilt is something they will always treasure and is a symbol for them of what the Ronald McDonald House did for them.
“They wrapped us in their arms, kept us warm, gave us hope in a time of darkness, and made us feel so loved and cared for.” Doctors stressed the importance of newborns being with their parents as much as possible and the Ronald McDonald House allowed the family to be with Garrison. The Kramer family called RMHC home for three weeks until they were able to bring Garrison home! Kari & Matt Kramer will be speaking more about their experiences with the Ronald McDonald House at our 26th Annual Sweetheart Ball on Saturday, February 14th, 2015. Get your tickets today by going online at www.rmhcfargo. org or by calling 701-232-3980.
c
a note from the executive director
R
ecently, I have had the chance to begin reviewing some research about the impact of the Ronald McDonald House on children and their families who are dealing with a pediatric medical crisis. While I am still reading through the large amount of research, the early themes are the same - the Ronald McDonald House, on average, houses the sickest children who travel the furthest to receive care and require significantly more care to get better. The families we see are going through more than any family should ever have to and we are so grateful that once again you - our donors, volunteers, supporters, and friends - have ensured that we are able to be there for over 300 families in 2014. Without your generous support, these families may have had to make difficult choices about staying near their child. We are so grateful to be able to provide a comfortable and supportive environment for each of these families each year. From families of the some of the smallest babies born to teenagers, all benefit from a more relaxing place to stay. Healing happens together. You make that possible. Thank you.
2
Jill R. Christopher Executive Director
Two ways to show your support #forRMHC in February
Sweetheart Ball the 26th annual
Presented by McDonald’s of the Red River Valley saturday, february 14th, 2015 holiday inn
6 p.m. to midnight Dinner, Live & Silent Auction, Live Entertainment Tickets $75 , Table of 8 $600 Semi-formal attire Reservations Required: 701-232-3980 Check out our website for Auction Items : www.rmhcfargo.org
ct Perfe Day ine’s t n e l Va te! – a D –
Giving Hearts Day – February 12th, 2015 help us fill our house with love! Dakota Medical Foundation wants to inspire you to give back by matching your gift on Thursday, February 12th, 2015. Donations on Giving Hearts Day are matched up to $4,000. Ronald McDonald House Fargo has been selected to participate in this opportunity and we invite you to give from the heart during this online giving day. For every $100 given online on Giving Hearts Day a heart balloon will be placed in our conference room. Our goal is to fill the conference room with your love. Your love makes our House a Home away from home. With your generosity on Giving Hearts Day and throughout the year, we can keep families together when it is needed most. When: Thursday, February 12th, 12:00 am – 11:59 pm Where: Online - Impactgiveback.org
Our House + Your Love
contact information RMHC South House, Administrative Offices 1330 18th Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103 Tel 701-232-3980 Fax 701-364-1954 rmh@rmhcfargo.org
RMHC North House 1234 N Broadway, Fargo, ND 58103 Tel 701-232-3980 Fax 701-234-9582 rmh@rmhcfargo.org
3
c Gifts were made in memory & honor of the following people in 2014
If you made a memorial or honorarium gift in 2014 and it was omitted, misspelled, or listed incorrectly, please accept our sincere apology and notify our development director, Erica Johnsrud, 701-232-3980 or Erica@rmhcfargo.org
A full list of 2014 donations can be found in our 2014 Annual Report published later this year. This can be found on our website or a printed copy can be requested by calling Jill Christopher at 701-232-3980.
In memory
Alex Sahr Alice Scott Ardes Walz Barb Hahn Barb Kessler Barbara Louise Blair Benton C Degerstrom Betty Bochstetter Bob La Fortune Bonnie Amundrud Bud Skorheim Carol Kloster Chase Bradley Besette Clarence Thompson Connie and Roger White Dennis Rivenes Dennis Skorheim Donald Zeleznik Dr. Galen Eash DuWayne Dill EJ McAllister Elaine Hanson Eloise Soderberg Erin Miranda Eula Dill Florence, Josephine and Beverly
Galen Dill Gene Emineth Gordon Hanson Harvey Flesberg Helen Moe John Greene John Muehler John William Murphy Jon Petterson Joyce Schroeder Kambry Gracey Ihry Kaye Heffta Ken Manning Lorelle Hermanson Loy Moen Lynn Spencer Marjorie Weir Marvis Haro Michael Thronson Mike Holland Mrs. Nadine Zinter Murial Aschenbremmer Nancy Hart Ordell Yonkovich Phyllis Rothiger Quentin Boyer
Randy Kouri Richard Nord Samrajyam Nalluri Tegan Ann Liebold Tom Stockland Vicki Schermerhorn Virginia (Yachachak) Doctor Wilma Wessels Wilton Bock Savannah and Emly
In honor
Brayden Rolfson Brent Weston Brooke Elizabeth Swanson Cade Kostohryz Kara Kostohryz Charlie Richman Chris & Tangarae Chris Vickerman Denver Helland Dr. Mark Lundeen Duane Riecks Erica Johnsrud Ethan DiFiore Garrett and Peighton
Wilcox Family Henry Gilbertson Theo Brass Hudson Bata Tom and Viki Kerr Isabelle Metzger Jamison Bradley Sargent Tyler Wallace Zimmerman Jill Christopher Weston and Willow Thompson RMHC Staff Zach Burris Erica Berg Zach Jensen Megan Jensen Kelly Ask Kari and Matt Kramer Keegan Kostohryz Kirsten Jensen Kristy and Mike Ryckman Kurt and LaVina Erdmann Lacey and Luke Wilcox Langden Richter LaRee Hope Martin Lydia Dorrheim Malcolm Nosbusch Molly, Kate, Macy & Paige Rebecca, Weston and Willow Thompson Sienna Swanson Benjamin Swanson Bossart Family Rolfson Family Thompson Family
A little piece of Christmas – Thanks to you! We were overjoyed by the generosity of all the individuals and businesses that took part in giving trees and donated items to our Christmas store in 2014! Each year we are able to offer a little piece of Christmas to our families that may not have time or resources to shop while they are staying with their child in Fargo. Many families who thought they wouldn’t have gifts under the tree this year due to medical expenses or not having time to shop, were able to fill Santa’s bag. We are so thankful to all our donors in 2014 and we are looking forward to what 2015 brings for RMHC!
4
For more information visit: www.rmhcfargo.org
c
2014: IMPACT UPDATE
5
wish list Thank you for all your support in 2014! We are so lucky to have your support and wish you all the best in 2015! Happy New Year from our House to yours!
“We have been extremely blessed to be in such a caring environment during a hectic & stressful time.�