Heart
BEATS october 2016
On September 17th, friends of Ronald McDonald House Charities® put on their red shoes and gathered at the White River Conference Center for an incredible evening of dinner and dancing as musical guest, Jake Simpson returned to “wow” us with his all-new Show “The Standard” celebrating the 100th birthday year of Frank Sinatra! The night’s fun included a number of activities including the Youngblood Red Shoe Cam, “Shoebox Surprise,” three great raffle prizes and the Red Shoe Contest. Thanks to our many sponsors, contributors and supporters, over $130,000 in proceeds was raised to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks, helping children and families through Springfield’s two Ronald McDonald Houses® and the Tooth Truck. Also, a special thank you to our emcee, former Tooth Truck Board Chairperson, Dr. Craig Scott; our official greeter, TJ Slocum; and event photographer, Tooth Truck General Dentist, Dr. Sarah Cimino for helping make the night so special. View RMHC® of the Ozarks’ Facebook album for pictures from the event, and visit PutYourRedShoesOn.org for upcoming information about the 3rd Annual Red Shoe Gala in 2017.
Adopt a Room and Heart the Houses
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Our third Heart the Houses effort kicked off in September with a digital campaign on social media followed by a special mailing created by ADsmith Marketing & Advertising, printed by McCann Printing and assembled by Ronald McDonald House volunteers (and our friends at McCann Printing). Heart the Houses encourages the community to Adopt a Room at one (or both) of our Ronald McDonald Houses for a month, quarter or year.
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Over the next several weeks, you will see local families touched by the Ronald McDonald House through social media videos and local billboards to promote giving through Heart the Houses. To view all of the videos and see our mailing, visit HeartTheHouses.org. With two Ronald McDonald Houses in Springfield, RMHC of the Ozarks has provided a “home away from home” for over 11,200 families of seriously ill and injured children as they experience one of life’s greatest challenges. Heart the Houses contributors are providing our families with a safe haven, a place where sorrow and fear can be expressed without censure, and a retreat from the daunting feelings of a worst-case scenario.
We encourage friends of Ronald McDonald House Charities to consider Adopting a Room during the upcoming giving season. If you would like additional Heart the Houses packets to share with family and friends, please let us know!
Heart of the House Staff House Near Cox South
From The Happy Anniversary 1 Year
Brook Davis, Mercy House Leslie Hatch, Mercy House Kaley Hawkinson, Mercy House Courtney Krueger, Mercy House Karrington Prohaska, Mercy House Grace Stagner, House near Cox South Travis Weitzel, House near Cox South
Johnny Anderson Haley Barnett John Blocker Maggie Bradley Nadean Burnett Ashton Canfield Dave Canfield Phillip Canfield Nancy Carlson Megan Carrell Susan Carter Alexis Christopher Nancy Clark Brittney Cowan Mikel Dashtipour Kathy Dennis Blake Dowdy Judy Duncan Sue Eppler Kim Fergus Madelyn Fergus Becky Gillham Sharon Gillham Shawn Gott Fabian Goyes Maria Goyes Amy Grubaugh
Amber Guilliams Lauren Hamm Darren Harrelson Laura Harrelson Mackenzie Harrelson Cindy Harris Liz Hayes Charity Hightree Bella Hill Cliff HIll Karen Hill Gracie Holt Kathy Jenkins Clayton Keller Kennedy Keller Savannah Keller Randi Kerr Trot Kinser True Kinser Betty Kniep Julia Kovacs Victoria Kubitschek Becky Lang Amber Lopez Shawn Lowery Riley Luallin Adrienne McCoy
House At Mercy Kids Carolina Andrade Tyler Austin Stephanie Boscatto Catelynn Classick Courtney Classick Kim Clift Lizzie Collum Jennie Crabbe Brooke Davis Audrey Dlabach Sandy Emberton Rachel Farmer
Becky Farris Patti Garretson Gabriel Green Adam Greeno Terry Greer Ann Griesemer Leslie Hatch Brenda Havens Kaley Hawkinson Carri Hummer Jessi Hummer Jenni Jacka
Sandra McNeive Amber Marmon Brittany Means Eileen Meinsen Larry Meinsen Sandy Morris Grant Musick Jordan Myers Ana Ortiz Karla Peck Hayley Poppell Kay Prost Monica Quinn Kennedy Randles Lexi Rawlings Lorinda Rehagen Cliff Ricketts Jan Ricketts Joe Roushdi George Schlick Joan Schroeder Anne Schubert Debbie Slocum Randy Slocum T.J. Slocum Alyssa Smith Dearicka Smith
Mary Smith Grace Stagner Kim Stagner Brianna Steiert Brandon Taylor Karen Taylor Kelsey Taylor Kristina Taylor Rich Taylor Linda Tenneson Kyle Thompson Lauren Tiedeman Ava Uzzell Sondra Uzzell Tristen Uzzell Abigail Weitzel Lucy Weitzel Joanna Weitzel Scott Weitzel Travis Weitzel Sara Westbrooks Cathe Whittington Sara Wilken Arin Williams Meghan Zengel
Lillian Jacka Courtney Krueger Katelin Krusz Jordan Looney Micca Looney Ashlee Luko Beth Mecca Jianna Mills Kiera Mills Krista Mills Rebekah Mitts Alyssa Mondeaux
Abby Monsees Miranda Nelson Alyson O’Connor Karrington Prohaska Monica Quinn Abby Shifflet Vanessa Strathmann Debbie Williams Rebecca Won
Welcome, New Volunteers To Houses Carolina Andrade, Megan Carrell, Riley Luallin, and Alyson O’Connor
Heart Beats is published monthly for volunteers of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of the Ozarks and The Tooth Truck, Inc. Editor: Staci Jensen The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald’s Corporation and its affiliates: McDonald’s, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ronald McDonald House Charities logo, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald House logo, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, RMHC. The Tooth Truck name and logo are owned by The Tooth Truck, Inc.
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RMHC Staff President & CEO Bonnie Keller House Program Director Staci Jensen Tooth Truck Program Director Mindy Muñoz Project Manager Amber Price Assistant to the President Debbie Kinser Development Assistant Kim Booth Administrative Assistant Debbi Gafner
Ronald McDonald House near Cox South House Manager Megan Schussler Associate House Manager Alicia Doran Assistant House Managers Karis Agnew Jacinda Canfield Cassie Franklin Crosby Keller Sara Wikoff Sara Wilken
Ronald McDonald House at Mercy kids House Manager Susan Green Associate House Manager Ely Wright Assistant House Managers Amy Crawford Bailey Ghan Josie Greeno Hannah Major Melanie Ward
Ronald McDonald house near cox south
Family Dinner
October Birthdays
Battlefield UMC
When did you start providing meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House? We started serving about 4 years ago. We serve every other month at the Cox House and every other month at the Mercy House. How did you get involved with the Family Dinner Program? We have FOCUS group that has various fundraisers throughout the year to raise money for good causes. A group member suggested we start serving at RMH as well. What is your favorite thing about participating in the Family Dinner Program? We love helping families and we love making a difference. We also like talking to the families and, with their permission, Mary gets information about them to start a prayer group at church. After every dinner we serve Mary puts an email together, sends it to the congregation, and we can all pray for the family. We believe that prayer is very powerful and can really assist these families in need. Do you have any favorite memories? We like spending time with each other and getting to help people at the same time. Our favorite memory happened at the Mercy House. We started talking to a mom and she was so emotional. She explained that she was tired and had a limited support system. We prayed with her and talked to her, which
Our menu board serves our families by offering a glance at the yummy food to come for the week. We appreciate Battlefield UMC and every group coming up with amazing meals each and every night!
October 4 Liz Hayes October 10 Mark Brueggemann October 12 Ana Ortiz
seemed to really lift her spirits. We were pleasantly surprised when she asked us to come to the NICU to see her baby. We got to all put our hand on her baby and pray with her again. It was such a unique experience to be able to see the very place families spend so much of their time. We also love that we get to pray for these families with our entire congregation. Mary’s email is a good reminder to think about those who are suffering and need to be lifted. What would you like to say to other groups who are considering volunteering with the Family Dinner Program? We think it’s such a blessing for the families to get impacted by a different group every night. We like doing things for people in need and it’s nice to see people in the congregation step up and help these families. It’s a very fulfilling thing to do each month and we love getting extra prayers to RMH families.
October 13 Micca Looney October 15 Debbie Slocum Kyle Thompson October 17 Cliff Hill October 19 Kennedy Keller Savannah Keller October 20 Jessi Hummer October 22 Jordan Looney October 24 Judy Duncan
September Dinner Groups
October 29 Abby Monsees
Ronald McDonald House near Cox South Abacus CPAs Asbury UMC Youth Bambinos Italian Cafe Battlefield UMC Calton Family Cassidy UMC Chesterfield Ward Church of JCLDS Cox Health Corporate and Employee Wellness Cox Pediatric Floor Evergreen Baptist FedEx Services Gina McClanahan Glassman Family
Glendale Christian Church Hillcrest Presbyterian Journey Church Just Friends Kettle Cookers Knights of Columbus Knights Templar Lakeland Behavioral Health MSU Student Society for Cell and Molecular Biology Nadean Burnett Oak Grove Assembly of God Ozark Dialysis Second Baptist
Southside Church of Christ The Girlfriends The Good Family Union Hill Church of Christ Vicki Parsons Open November Dinner Dates: November 22, 25, 26, 27, 29 & 30 Open December Dinner Dates: December 10, 15, 18, 20, 21, 23, 24, 29 & 30
Ronald McDonald House at Mercy kids Ash Grove UMPC Brenda Havens Clotfelter Family Destiny Switch Youth Group Drury Volunteer Corp. East Sunshine Church of Christ Fair Grove NHS Harrison McDonalds Houlihan’s Journey Church Julie Gray and Friends Kearney McDonalds
Louise Morgan Mercy Communications Mercy Corporate Health Mercy Human Resources Mercy Imaging Mercy Inpatient Pharmacy The Mills Family Missouri University Students MSU Physical Therapy Students Ozarks AGA Second Baptist Church Springfield Catholic
Turning Point Church Union Hill Church of Christ Wellington Hills Friends The Wilson Family Wise Family & Friends Open December Dinner Dates: December 10, 22, 27, 29, 30 & 31
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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 Thank you to the team at All About Trees for donating their services to help tend to the trees and shrubs around the House near Cox South. Their team was great to work with and even came out in the cloudy, rainy weather to make sure the job got done! The trees have been trimmed and several shrubs have been removed in preparation of some landscaping updates coming soon! We are excited to share pictures later this year of our landscaping projects – stay tuned!
Save the Date
RMHC Fall Volunteer Outing
The Annual RMHC Fall Volunteer Outing will be held on Friday October 14th at Rutledge Wilson Farm Park from 6 pm – 8 pm. Come and enjoy a campfire, food, hayrides, and a haunted trail while enjoying quality time with volunteers from the Houses and Tooth Truck! Admission for RMHC volunteers is FREE and guests are welcome to attend for a fee of $3 each. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information or to RSVP please contact Alicia Doran or via email at Alicia.Doran@RMHCozarks.org. You can also RSVP with staff on your next shift at the Houses or on the Tooth Truck!
Save the Date: Friday, November 18
21st Annual Cup O’Cheer Homes Tour The Diamond Room || 2340 W. Grand || 10:00am – 9:00pm (Extended Hours!) The 21st Annual Cup O’Cheer Homes Tour will be held Friday, November 18, 2016 and showcase some of the area’s most beautiful and unique homes decorated for the holidays. The hub of this year’s event is Springfield’s Diamond Room for our annual Holiday Tea with desserts and savory treats provided by Simply Delicious Catering, and the Cup O’Cheer Market, featuring gifts and beautiful home decor from specialty merchants around the Ozarks. Entertainment will fill the air with Hometown Tourist from 2:00 to 4:00 and The Linda Sala Jazz Project from 6:00 to 8:00. Gift wrapping will be provided by DCO (Developmental Center of the Ozarks) with charges based on package size. Although the House near Cox South will not be a featured home this year, both of our Ronald McDonald Houses will be available for tours, as well as the Tooth Truck. The first 1,000 ticket holders will receive a commemorative Cup O’Cheer teacup and saucer designed and produced especially for the event by the team at BridgeBlue Sourcing Partners and Obelisk Home. The teacups and saucers may be picked up at The Diamond Room on the day of the event. Tickets are on sale now for $30 each or for $35 on the day of the event. Proceeds from the event benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks.
Our special thanks goes out to our sponsors for this year’s event, including Leadership Sponsors, Obelisk Home and BKD Wealth Advisors; Foundation Sponsor, Arvest Bank; Supporting Sponsors, Murney Associates Realtors and Hogan Land Title Company; and Contributing Sponsors, 417 Magazine, McCann Printing, The Villages at Wicklow and Kukes Design. We’d love for you to join the hundreds of volunteers who make Cup O’Cheer possible! If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Ely Wright at 417-820-0764 or at Ely.Wright@RMHCozarks.org.
Ronald McDonald House at mercy kids
Volunteer Spotlight
Ronald McDonald Houses of the Ozarks
Vanessa Strathmann
Vanessa is a full time student at Missouri State University majoring in Nursing. She has been volunteering at the House at Mercy Kids for nearly one year and we really enjoy having Vanessa in the House. You can tell she loves helping others, and it has been great getting to know her! How did you hear about the Ronald McDonald House? I first heard about the Ronald McDonald House from my father who is a paramedic and then more in depth from the women of Alpha Delta Pi during sorority recruitment. How long have you been volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House? I began volunteering regularly in November 2015. What is your favorite part about volunteering? My favorite part about volunteering is allowing oneself to put aside their own personal issues and to begin reflecting outwardly onto other people. Helping others, all in all, is so rewarding and teaches you to be grateful for what you have.
What are your hobbies while not volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House? A hobby, to me, is something that relieves stress, and my stress relievers are playing piano or going for a run. What would you like to share with others thinking about being an RMH volunteer? Just do it! The RMH staff is so fun and personable. Beyond that, it’s so great to know that you are making an impact on other people’s lives every time you step through the house doors. What else would you like to share? Well for starters, I am a fulltime student at Missouri State University where I am studying nursing. I have high hopes of entering the nursing program in summer of 2017, so wish me luck! After college, my goal is to obtain
House near Cox South stats August 2016
a higher nursing degree such as a Doctorate of Nursing Practice or a Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice so that I can continue impacting people in a way that is both challenging and rewarding. Are you involved with any other organizations? At Missouri State, I am highly involved with my social sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. This coming November, I want to run for our philanthropy chair, so I can become even more involved with the Ronald McDonald House! I am also a University Ambassador, which means I help give tours to all of the prospective students that visit campus. My schedule keeps me busy and I’m glad RMH can be such a big part of that.
On October 15th, we encourage you to join us in a celebration commemorating the opening of the very first Ronald McDonald House by sharing our social media efforts advertising the annual “Day of Change” for RMHC at McDonald’s® restaurants. If you’d like to go a step further and show even more support for RMHC of the Ozarks, gather your spare change and drop it in one of our donation boxes at a local McDonald’s!
Families Served........39 Nights................... 273 Families from Missouri.................. 31 Families from Other States...............8 Year-To-Date Families Served...... 251 Program-to-Date Families Served... 9,507
House at Mercy Kids stats August 2016 Families Served........53 Nights................... 289 Families from Missouri..................49 Families from Other States...............4 Year-To-Date Families Served...... 297 Program-to-Date Families Served....1,714
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Heart of the Truck
Megan Blake Samantha Bornaman Neelima Chelliboia Catelynn Classick Olivia Collins Garrett Craigmiles Allie Dunton Matt Freihofer Sophie Harrington Linda Heslin Crosby Keller Alex Krause Connie McCarter Stephanie Miller-Greer Caleb Murray Chelsea Murray Terre Redmon Ashlee Robinson Micayla Shrimpton 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
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Tooth Talk Keep Calm, I’m a School Nurse By: Emma Davis Back-to-school is a time of nostalgia. It’s a time of school supply shopping, new backpacks, new clothes, new teachers, new classrooms, and new friends. It’s also a very busy time for school staff, teachers, and, of course, school nurses. While parents and students are filled with the anxious excitement that a fresh school year brings, the Tooth Truck works very closely with Springfield Public School nurses to ensure that every child has the opportunity to see the Tooth Truck if they qualify for our services. Twenty-six thousand students are enrolled in Springfield Public Schools this year and it simply would not be possible for the Tooth Truck to reach all these families if it weren’t for the help of the school nurses who hold the Tooth Truck’s mission so close to their hearts. They help ensure each child goes home with an application during the first week of classes so any interested families can promptly fill it out and return it to school with their child. The Tooth Truck has been absolutely amazed by the results so far this fall; we are thankful for the
nurses at each school for being an advocate for each and every student in need of dental care. It takes a lot of attention to detail to prepare for the Tooth Truck and the nurses do a great job getting the school ready for its arrival. Before we pull up on the first day at a new school it is the nurse who notifies other school staff of our estimated start date, prepares all of the necessary paperwork for the Tooth Truck staff and volunteers to safely get kids from their classes, and acts as an all-around cheerleader for the truck (not only during our stay at their school, but all year round).
School nurses are the key to the Tooth Truck’s success. Their commitment to students and connecting them to needed resources allows the Tooth Truck to operate smoothly through the year. Pictured are nurses Debbie Gray (Mark Twain) and Laura Smith (Jeffries).
Back-to-school can certainly be a hectic time of year, but it can also be one of the best times of the year. Everything is fresh. Everything feels renewed. Everything looks brighter. The Tooth Truck works every day to bring these same sentiments to the smiles of the patients we see on the truck. We could not carry out our mission if it weren’t for the help, support, and dedication of the school nurses with whom we work so closely.
Welcome New Staff Member, Chelsea Murray We are thrilled to welcome Chelsea Murray to the Tooth Truck team. Chelsea is a Willard High School graduate and received her dental assisting certification from OTC. She loves connecting with patients, especially kids, and helping them gain confidence in their smiles. She is passionate about dentistry because she knows what it’s like to be embarrassed by your smile and doesn’t want anyone to feel that way. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys yoga, crafting, gardening, rock climbing, and spending time with her husband and Yorkshire terriers. Welcome, Chelsea!
Welcome, New Volunteers The Tooth Truck’s newest volunteer, Crosby Keller, is a familiar face to many. Crosby has been a part of Ronald McDonald House Charities her whole life as a volunteer and, more recently, as an Assistant Manager at the House near Cox South Hospital. She is a student at MSU and also works at Arc of the Ozarks where she continues her passion for helping others. Crosby now has the opportunity to volunteer every other week on the Tooth Truck as she connects with our patients instilling proper dental health and self-esteem. We are excited to have you on board the Tooth Truck, Crosby!
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of the Ozarks August 2016 Children Treated............143
The Healthy Smiles Academy has grown with a new volunteer, Neelima Chelliboia. Neelima recently relocated to Springfield from India and is working on a Masters degree in Biology from MSU. She has lots of experience with children and teeth as she worked as a dentist in India. She is excited to have the opportunity to educate children on proper oral hygiene through the Healthy Smiles Academy. Welcome, Neelima!
Dental Appointments Provided.......................253 Year-to-Date Dental Appointments.............1,993 Program-to-Date Dental Appointments............ 48,226 Program-to-Date Value of Treatments...........$12,062,047
Halloween is just around the corner, which means our social media newsfeeds will soon be filled with ghosts, goblins, superheros and more! Below are some fun jokes to share with your kids as they roam the neighborhoods to trick-or treat this year.
Children Who Received Treatment: Boys & Girls Club- Musgrave Unit, Boys & Girls Town/Great Circle, Dayspring Christian School, Mark Twain Elementary, Victory Mission Back to School Event and Weller Elementary
STAFF
Q: What do you call it when a ghost makes a mistake? A: A boo boo
Q: What did the vampire say to the dentist who had polished his teeth? A: Fangs very much
President & CEO Bonnie Keller
Q: Why don’t skeletons play church music? A: They don’t have any organs
Q: What kind of ship does a vampire own? A: A blood vessel
Program Director Mindy Muñoz
Q: Which room in the house is never haunted? A: The living room
Q: Which monster loves to dance? A: The boogieman
Mrs. C’s Recipes
Community Dentists Dr. Raymond Burton Dr. Aaron Dannegger Dr. Brett Durbin Dr. Blake Keaster Dr. Misty Shelton Healthy Smiles Academy Program Manager Tamara Maddox
Cornbread
1 ½ tablespoons sugar 1 ¼ cups yellow cornmeal 1 egg ½ teaspoon salt 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder ¾ cup all purpose flour 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk
General Dentist Dr. Sarah Cimino
Office Manager Emma Davis Enjoy wonderful recipes provided by Mrs. Vivian Carissimo, also known as Mrs. C.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 8” square, 7”X11” pan, or 12 cup muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl whisk buttermilk and egg. Pour milk and egg mixture over flour mixture and stir until just blended (do not over mix). Transfer to pan and bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (20-25 minutes). Cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. Serve warm.
Dental Assistants Megan Lambert Chelsea Murray Part-Time Dental Assistants Kristi Terry
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Heart Beats
949 E. Primrose Street Springfield, Missouri 65807-5257
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Southern Living® Cookbooks on Sale Now! Dillard’s at the Battlefield Mall in Springfield is joining stores across the country in offering a special edition of the Southern Living® Christmas Cookbook to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities through their annual holiday fundraiser. Since 1994, Dillard’s has supported RMHC® with a fundraiser benefiting the Ronald McDonald House program. This exclusive, 288-page hardbound cookbook is filled with more than 200 recipes and dozens of decoration ideas for Christmas plus seasonal gatherings. This “must have” cookbook is available for only $10 and is available now in all Dillard’s stores nationwide, as well as online at www. Dillards.com. You may also purchase your book at the Cup O’Cheer Holiday Tea & Market on November 18th at the Diamond Room. Proceeds from the local sale of the cookbooks will benefit Springfield’s two Ronald McDonald Houses