Heart
BEATS
July/August 2017
28th Annual Price Cutter Charity Championship Presented by Dr Pepper
August 10-13, 2017
The 2017 Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr Pepper will be held for the 28th year at Highland Springs Country Club from August 10-13. Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks is a benefiting charity for the 28th year, with proceeds directly helping our two Ronald McDonald Houses. To help support the PCCC, our volunteers have graciously stepped forward to help staff the Hospitality area, as well as helping with the TLC Charity Sweepstakes ticket database. We also assist with the event’s Media Day. We look forward to recognizing our PCCC volunteers in the next issue of Heart Beats. The PCCC donors, volunteers and staff have greatly impacted our Ronald McDonald Houses over the past 27 years with $1,176,789 contributed to our mission of Keeping Families Close to their sick children, and the care and resources they need. We are truly grateful to 19-year title sponsor, Price Cutter and everyone associated with the PCCC for being a key reason our Ronald McDonald Houses continue to operate. It’s an honor and privilege to be a part of this amazing Web.com Tour event!
Purchase your $25 PCCC Charity Sweepstakes tickets during Ashley HomeStore’s Community Weekend, and Ashley Furniture will BUY YOU AN ADDITIONAL TICKET! PLUS, you can enjoy 20% off any Ashley HomeStore in-store purchase. Friday, August 4: 10am - 9pm Saturday, August 5: 10am - 9pm Sunday, August 6: 12pm - 6pm
From The
Staff Happy
Anniversary 1 year Alyson O’Conner, House at Mercy Kids Lorinda Rehagen, House near Cox South Joe Roushdi, House near Cox South
10 Years Kelsey Taylor, House near Cox South
Heart of the House House Near Cox South Ann Adams Johnny Anderson Anthony Ashcraft Stephanie Ashcraft Haley Barnett Maggie Bradley Zach Bailey Nadean Burnett Ashton Canfield Dave Canfield Philip Canfield Jillian Carlile Susan Carter Joseph Choi Alexis Christopher Nancy Clark Heather Cottle-Dillon Caroline D’Andrea Mikel Dashtipour Kathy Dennis Lynelle Dock Cheryl Douglas Blake Dowdy Judy Duncan Erica Elmer Wendy Elmer Clydene Freeman
Calan Froula Becky Gillham Sharon Gillham Shawn Gott Amy Grubaugh Amber Guilliams Lauren Hamm Darren Harrelson Laura Harrelson Mackenzie Harrelson Cindy Harris John Hashagen Cliff HIll Karen Hill Gracie Holt Briana Jenkins Clayton Keller Randi Kerr Claire Kidwell Trot Kinser True Kinser Betty Kniep Victoria Kubitschek Becky Lang Alyssa Love Kayla Love Shawn Lowery
Adrienne McCoy Sandra McNeive Eileen Meinsen Larry Meinsen Madison Mickan Kelsie Mitchell Sandy Morris Grant Musick Nolan Musick Jordan Myers Allie Nash Callie Nuse Karla Peck LeRoy Peck Kay Prost Kennedy Randles Lexi Rawlings Lorinda Rehagen Cliff Ricketts Jan Ricketts Kendyl Rodman Joe Roushdi George Schlick Joan Schroeder Anne Schubert Debbie Slocum Randy Slocum
House At Mercy Kids Carolina Andrade Tyler Austin Stephanie Boscatto Jane Bray Stephanie Bube Andrew Cheray Catelynn Classick Courtney Classick Kim Clift Lizzie Collum Jennie Crabbe Brooke Davis Sandy Emberton Rachel Farmer Becky Farris
Patti Garretson Gabriel Green Terry Greer Ann Griesemer Leslie Hatch Brenda Havens Kaley Hawkinson Emma Hilburn Nicole Hitchcock Carri Hummer Jessi Hummer Jenni Jacka Lillian Jacka Shelby Jones Josie Kennedy
T.J. Slocum Alyssa Smith Dearicka Smith Mary Smith Grace Stagner Kim Stagner Brandon Taylor Karen Taylor Kelsey Taylor Kristina Taylor Rich Taylor Linda Tenneson Aly Thomas Kyle Thompson Ava Uzzell Sondra Uzzell Tristen Uzzell Garrett Volner Abigail Weitzel Lucy Weitzel Joanna Weitzel Scott Weitzel Travis Weitzel Sara Westbrooks Meghan Zengel
Courtney Krueger Jordan Looney Micca Looney Ashlee Luko Beth Mecca Jianna Mills Kiera Mills Krista Mills Kersten Mitchell Rebekah Mitts Alyssa Mondeaux Abby Monsees Tracie Nicholson Kate Okland Alyson O’Connor
Grace O’Neal Brian Pesek Sarah Polistico Karrington Prohaska Monica Quinn Kaylei Sadler Cassandra Schwab Tiffany Scott Abby Shifflet Vanessa Strathmann Debbie Williams John Williams Gabby Wilson
Welcome, New Volunteers To Houses Zach Bailey, Jane Bray, Stephanie Bube, Calan Froula, John Hashagen, Shelby Jones, Claire Kidwell, Brady Marshall, Tracie Nicholson, Brian Pesek and Aly Thomas
RMHC Staff Heart Beats is published 10 times annually for volunteers of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks and Tooth Truck, Inc. ©2017 RMHC The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald’s Corporation and its affiliates and are used under license: Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities logo, Ronald McDonald House, RMHC, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. The Tooth Truck name and logo are owned by Tooth Truck, Inc.
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President & CEO Bonnie Keller Tooth Truck Program Director Mindy Muñoz Project Manager Amber Price Assistant to the President Debbie Kinser Development Assistant Kim Booth
Ronald McDonald House near Cox South House Program Manager Laura Winstead Associate House Program Manager Melanie Ward Assistant House Managers Karis Agnew Jacinda Canfield Cassie Franklin Savannah Keller Abby Neumann Chandler Saner Sara Wilken
Ronald McDonald House at Mercy kids House Program Manager Susan Green Program Assistant Debbi Gafner Assistant House Managers Amy Crawford Bailey Ghan Sydney Helms Kennedy Keller Hannah Major
Family Dinner Spotlight
July & August Birthdays
Cox House Second Baptist Church When did you start providing meals at the Ronald McDonald House? We have been providing food and meals for the families for more than 15 years! How did you get involved with the Family Dinner Program? Our Sunday School class was looking for ministry projects to get involved with and the Ronald McDonald House was growing the Family Dinner Program. It was the perfect fit. What is your favorite thing about participating in the Family Dinner Program? We love listening to family stories. The more we get to know them, the more we can offer our support to them.
Do you have any favorite memories? Every time we serve, we meet new people and offer uplifting conversation and support. What would you like to say to other groups who are considering volunteering with the Family Dinner Program? Participate in the evening meal program and you will receive more blessings than you can imagine. We are called to serve others and this is a perfect way to do just that!
May-June Dinner Groups Ronald McDonald House near Cox South Ashley and Friends Barbara Economon Family Battlefield United Methodist Church But Love Goes on Forever Cerner 5i3 Chase Church of Jesus Christ of LDS- Branson Ward Church of Jesus Christ LDSChesterfield Ward Covenant Presbyterian Cox South Women’s Department
Eastside General Baptist Evergreen Baptist Church Fremont Elementary Gina McClanahan and Family Glendale Christian Church Jennifer Smith and Family Just Friends Knights of Columbus Knights Templar Kohl’s A-Team KOLR 10 Lakeland Behavioral Health
Little Caesars Pizza National Heights Oak Grove Assembly Ozark Dialysis Parkcrest Baptist Church Second Baptist Church Southside COF SRC Sunrise Baptist Church T.J. Maxx Tera Dover and Family The Girlfriends The Good Family The Wise Crew
Union Hill Church of Christ United Methodist Church Unity of Springfield Vicki Parsons and Family Vista Baptist Church Open August Dinner Dates: August 9, 16, 20
Ronald McDonald House at Mercy kids Arvest Bank Battlefield United Methodist Church Chase Bank City of Springfield Courageous Church Destiny Church - Marshfield Drury Volunteer Corp East Sunshine Church of Christ Galloway Gals Havens Family Hillcrest Presbyterian Church Houlihan’s
Intentional Pursuit Life Group JCLDS – Branson West Ward Journey Church Julie Gray and Friends Julie Pappenfort Journey Church Kastning Family M.A.D.E. Mercy 5A Nurses Mercy 7B Nurses Mercy ROi Mercy X-Ray Department Mills Family Mychelle and Jen
MSU Physical Therapy Students On Angels’ Wings Ozark Highlands Church Parkview FCCLA Scottish Knights Templar Southgate Church Springfield Catholic St. Agnus Elementary Turning Point Church Union Hill Church of Christ United Healthcare Wellington Hills Friends
Wilson Family Wise Family and Friends Wright Family Open August Dinner dates August: 12, 30, 31
July 2 Debbi Gafner July 3 Megan Lambert July 6 Brian Asberry Becky Farris Mindy Muñoz July 9 Erica Elmer Micah Scott July 10 Sarah Cimino July 11 Shawn Gott July 12 Scott Crise Rebekah Mitts July 13 Corey Deatherage July 14 Kennedy Randles July 16 Clydene Freeman July 17 Anthony Ashcraft Dearicka Smith July 19 Beth Mecca July 24 Briana Jenkins July 30 Kate Okland July 31 Chris Meyer August 1 Jairus Burpo Allie Nash August 8 Amber Guilliams August 9 Andi Hilburn-Vaini August 10 Zach Bailey Tamara Maddox August 13 Sondra Uzzell August 14 Kathy Dennis Lauren Hamm August 15 Blake Dowdy August 21 Cindy Harris August 22 Johnny Anderson August 31 Kristina Taylor
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Wish List
Happy Wheels Wish List Small bottles of lotion Mini hand sanitizers Activity books (crossword puzzles, Sudoku, word finder) Small packs of crayons for the activity books Travel manicure sets Chapstick Individual packs of Kleenex Individually packaged snacks (Goldfish, granola bars, Teddy Grahams, gum, mints, Lifesavers, etc.) 12-ounce water bottles
House at Mercy Kids
HE Laundry detergent Swiffer liquid Coffee filters Coffee & tea Magic Erasers Labels for food Drink mixes Hygiene products Gallon-size Ziploc bags Laundry baskets Aluminum foil
House near Cox South
8-gallon trash bags Individually wrapped breakfast items White queen deep-pocket sheets (fitted and flat) White standard-size pillowcases White bath & hand towels White wash cloths Detergent Stamps 8 1/2 x 11 Paper K-cups Large Tupperware containers
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Around the Houses Save the Date
22nd Annual Cup O’Cheer Homes Tour Friday, November 17
This 22nd Annual Cup O’Cheer Homes Tour will showcase 5 of the area’s most beautiful homes adorned with holiday decor, AND feature the Cup O’Cheer Holiday Tea & Market at Springfield’s Diamond Room, an exclusive shopping experience and silent auction headlining the finest boutiques and gift merchants along with “high tea” and desserts from Simply Delicious. The first 1,000 Homes Tour tickets each come with a china teacup
and saucer designed especially for the event by the team at BridgeBlue Sourcing Partners and Obelisk Home. Tickets go on sale October 4, 2017 for $30 each in advance or $35 the day of the event. Visit RMHCozarks.org for more information. Many volunteer opportunities will also be available, so mark your calendars now for this wonderful annual tradition!
Ronald McDonald House Charities
LifePoints Lift Month
July 2017 During the month of July, RMHC celebrated the gift of life! We have partnered with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks in their “Life Points Lift” program in which points can be earned for each blood or apheresis donation you make during the year. Those points can be redeemed in many ways, including a donation made to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks! We encourage you to donate as often as possible at a center near you. Find out more at www.cbco.org/lifepoints-lift/.
Third Annual Red Shoe Gala Saturday, September 16 at 6:00pm White River Conference Center
This September, friends of Ronald McDonald House Charities will put on their red shoes and gather at the White River Conference Center for another incredible evening of dinner and dancing as we welcome back musical guest Jake Simpson to share his passion for music and provide an evening of unforgettable entertainment. The night’s fun will also include a number of activities including the Youngblood Auto Group Red Shoe Cam, “Shoebox Surprise,” great raffle prizes and the Red Shoe Contest. presented by McDonald’s® of the Ozarks
For more information call 417-875-3505 and visit PutYourRedShoesOn.org.
Welcome New Staff to the House near Cox South Laura Winstead joined our team in June as the Cox House Program Manager. She graduated in 2004 with a business degree in Entertainment Management from Missouri State University. Since graduating, Laura has worked in the nonprofit sector in event planning and fundraising. Around the community, she is an advocate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. Laura and her husband John have two sons, Ryan and Luke. They love to keep up with Ryan’s school and sporting events, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy traveling when given the opportunity. Welcome to the management team, Laura!
as a volunteer at the House at Mercy Kids for nearly a year, being named the Outstanding New Volunteer in 2014. Chandler is currently attending nursing school with plans to pursue a nursing career in pediatrics and also works in the Greene County Voter Registration office. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, running and traveling. Welcome to the House, Chandler!
Welcome to the Assistant Manager team, Chandler Saner! Chandler is no stranger to the organization. She spent some time around the House as a child when her aunt was the House Manager, and she served
Savannah Keller has been involved with the organization most of her life, primarily as a volunteer, and most recently joined our Assistant Manager team! She is attending Missouri State University this fall with plans to major in Electronic Arts Video Studies. She is excited about the opportunity to serve as a member of the House management team and looks forward to providing the best service and care possible to families and volunteers. Savannah is a talented artist, enjoys listening to music, drawing and spending time making playlists. We are thrilled to have you on the team, Savannah!
Our Best Wishes to Staci Jensen! July closed with Staci Jensen beginning a new chapter in her life. After serving as an RMHC staff member for nearly 15 years, Staci stepped down from her role as the Ronald McDonald House Program Director on July 28. She has spent the past several weeks training our new team members and we can’t thank her enough for helping to ensure a smooth transition! Speaking of smooth transitions, Staci will be helping out the Tooth Truck on a part-time basis during Office Manager Emma’s maternity leave in August and September. We also hope to see Staci periodically for special projects at the Houses. Staci, we wish you all the best as you enjoy this wonderful opportunity to spend more time with Tom, Audrey and Hunter. Our sincere gratitude for the many years of heart and soul you so graciously gave to our families, volunteers and staff. Your legacy is long and strong and we truly can’t thank you enough!
Ronald McDonald Houses of the Ozarks House Near Cox South Stats May 2017 Families Served.............43 Nights.................................. 275 Families from Missouri................................ 27 Families from other states........................ 16 Year to date.................... 167 Program to date.....9,808
House At Mercy Kids Stats May 2017 Families Served.............. 47 Nights.................................. 275 Families from Missouri................................ 37 Families from other states........................ 10 Year to date................... 222 Program to date.......2,071
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Heart Tooth Talk of the Truck
Megan Blake Samantha Bornaman Neelima Chelliboia Catelynn Classick Garrett Craigmiles Corey Deatherage Matt Freihofer Sophie Harrington Linda Heslin Christopher Heye Ben Hughes Briana Isakson Crosby Keller Alex Krause Connie McCarter Stephanie Miller-Greer Caleb Murray Terre Redmon Ashlee Robinson Micayla Shrimpton Victoria Simpson Bryson Starkey Adam Stotts Melinda Thurman
Tooth Truck Wish List
Action figures Matchbox cars Hair accessories (clips, headbands) Jewelry (necklaces, bracelets) Chapstick Handheld games DVDs for older children Outdoor toys (bubbles, sidewalk chalk, Frisbees, sports balls) Walmart gift cards Beanie Babies
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Meet the Star of the Healthy Smiles Academy:
Decay Away Dragon By: DecayAway Dragon, as interpreted by Tamara Maddox For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the Healthy Smiles Academy’s brushing model, DecayAway Dragon, you are missing out on quite the experience. This beloved mascot has the very important job of teaching kids the importance of a healthy smile. We wanted to let all of you hear about his job from DecayAway Dragon’s point of view. Hi everyone, DecayAway Dragon here. I wanted to tell you all a little bit about what I do for my job. I think I have the best job in the world, because I get to help kids feel like super stars and be proud of their smiles! The kids I meet get to practice brushing my teeth before they start brushing their own teeth. My teeth are really clean because they get brushed 5 or more times a day! I get to work with all different kids from different ages and classrooms. Some of these kids squeeze me very tightly because they are scared and haven’t brushed their teeth before. The Healthy Smiles Academy Program Manager, Tamara, is a good assistant for me and does all the talking since I get shy talking to humans. She sets me near the sink so I can observe while each child brushes his or her teeth. I know, for many of these kids, they feel less nervous when I am around. There are many stories of kids impacted by the Healthy Smiles Academy and myself. I wanted to share a story with you about one of the kiddos named Ely who Ely and DecayAway really touched my Dragon are working plush heart. I met together to make Ely more comfortable with Ely in September at Willard Orchard brushing his teeth.
This is the famous DecayAway Dragon. He enjoys riding in the car, snacking on dragon snacks and teaching kids how to brush their teeth. Hills Elementary. I couldn’t see much when we first entered the room because I was in Tamara’s bag. I heard a lot of crying and loud voices and when I was lifted out of the bag I saw one of the little boys in this class was very nervous and upset to see strangers. At first Ely was upset and scared and didn’t like having new people or dragons in his classroom. Ely eventually became interested in me, after he heard the book that was written about me. (I am kind of famous in the Healthy Smiles Academy.) I worked with Ely and let him squeeze me and brush my teeth and soon he trusted me enough to put toothpaste on his toothbrush. It took a few days of working with Ely, but slowly he worked up to brushing his teeth on his own for the entire two minutes! I am SO proud of Ely! Ely used to be very nervous and upset about brushing his teeth and opening his mouth for dentists, but now he has worked
Welcome New Tooth Truck Volunteers! The Tooth Truck recently welcomed three new volunteers to its program. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with each of them:
Luke Ellickson will be a junior at MSU this fall and has plans to pursue a career in dentistry. Luke has really jumped into volunteer opportunities working with both the Tooth Truck and Healthy Smiles Academy. He has also assisted with his first fundraising event by helping at this year’s GRIN IRON CLASSIC. When Luke isn’t volunteering on the Tooth Truck he may be found shadowing at local dental offices. The patients already love him, and the staff knows he’s going to be a rockstar volunteer! Jairus Burpo comes to us as a summer volunteer. He is a college student from Arkansas interested in the field of dentistry. While he won’t be able to continue volunteering throughout the school
year, he is certainly eager to spend as much time with the Truck this summer as he can! Jairus is always willing to lend an extra hand and pick up anyone’s shift who may not be able to make it that day. Jairus was also involved at the GRIN IRON CLASSIC as a parking lot volunteer. We look forward to continuing to get to know Jairus throughout the summer, and sincerely hope he plans to return again to volunteering next time he’s home on a school break! Kirsten O’Brien will be a senior at Kickapoo High School this fall and is using her summer vacation to its fullest advantage. Aside from her weekly volunteer shift on the Tooth Truck and providing support for the Healthy Smiles Academy, she is also volunteering at the Humane Society. Kirsten is willing to tackle any task you give her, whether it be looking up the Medicaid status of a patient or breaking down boxes from a recent delivery. Nothing is too big or small for this amazing teenager!
Congratulations, Graduates! The Tooth Truck would like to wish a sincere congratulations to all of our 2017 graduates! Best of luck to each of you on your future endeavors. From dental school to the work force, your
future classmates and co-workers are lucky to be getting to know you! Thank you for your hours of service and dedication to the Tooth Truck. We will miss you all!
over his fears. In fact, when Tamara took me to talk to the nurse one day, I overheard from the bag I travel in that when a dentist came to his school to put vitamins on his teeth, he was the first one in line and wasn’t scared or upset. I love knowing I was a big part of why he is such a confident brusher now. I love my job and enjoy being famous around each of the classrooms. When we go back to visit classrooms, the kids all remember my name and want to brush my teeth and give me hugs. Next time you see my assistant Tamara around, you should ask her to say hi to me. I love meeting new humans and inspiring everyone to have a healthy smile!
Samantha Bornaman Neelima Chelliboina Matt Freihofer Stephanie Miller-Greer Bryson Starkey Adam Stotts Alex Krause
DecayAway Dragon is featured in a book all about his journey from having a cavity fixed to learning how to keep his smile cavity-free for good!
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of the Ozarks May 2017 Children Treated......... 190 Dental Appointments provided............................285 Year to date dental Appointments...............1,492 Program to date dental Appointments.......... 51,095 Program to date value of treatment............................ $13,364,684 Children who received treatment:
Boys & Girls Town, Bingham Elementary, Campbell Elementary, Developmental Center of the Ozarks, Early Childhood Shinning Stars, Fremont Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary, Republic Schools, Robberson Elementary, Shadey Dell, Watkins Elementary, Weller Elementary, Willard Central Elementary, and Willard South Elementary
STAFF
President & CEO Bonnie Keller Program Director Mindy Muñoz General Dentist Dr. Sarah Cimino Community Dentists Dr. Raymond Burton Dr. Aaron Dannegger Dr. Brett Durbin Dr. Blake Keaster Dr. Misty Shelton Healthy Smiles Academy Program Manager Tamara Maddox Office Manager Emma Davis Dental Assistants Megan Lambert Chelsea Murray Part-Time Dental Assistant Kristi Terry On Call Dental Assistant Amy Baker
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Heart Beats
949 E. Primrose Street Springfield, Missouri 65807-5257
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
2017 Sertoma All-Star Weekend The first weekend of June we celebrated the tradition of cheering on graduated seniors in the final high school football game of their lives at the 16th Annual GRIN IRON CLASSIC All-Star Football Game. We were then impressed by senior volleyball players from all over Southwest Missouri as they battled it out in the 6th Annual GRIN ACTION CLASSIC All-Star Volleyball Tournament. As parents, coaches, friends and supporters gathered to support their favorite team, RMHC of the Ozarks was proud to host this event with the SW MO Football Coaches Association and the AllStar Smiles Sertoma Club, all benefiting the Tooth Truck. This All-Star Weekend was presented by Heart of the Ozarks Sertoma Club and Delta Dental of Missouri, and we had fantastic sponsorship support from the Greater Springfield Dental Society, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Youngblood Auto Group and Southern Bank. We would also like to thank in-kind supporters McDonald’s, Mercy Sports Medicine, Price Cutter, McCann Printing and Mediacom. Thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers for making these events possible with your hard work and dedication!
All-Star Smile Sertomans Heart of the Ozarks Sertomans Tammy Becraft Megan Blake Jairus Burpo Luke Ellickson Sandy Emberton Shawn Gott Ann Griesemer Mitchell Hanson Sophie Harrington Rose Hiler Nicole Hitchcock Briana Jenkins
Tom Jensen Trot Kinser Terri Libel Sandy McNeive Larry Meinsen Jeff Mills Krista Mills Jianna Mills Kiera Mills Sandy Morris Kate Okland Karla Peck Randy Slocum TJ Slocum Janelle Steding Linda Tennison Scott Turner Tiffany Wright