Heartbeats - January/February 2023

HeartBEATS SHARE A HEART

The 30th Anniversary of our Share a Heart Campaign kicked off Tuesday, January 24! 69 McDonald’s restaurants all across the Ozarks are participating in selling hearts throughout the campaign until February 28. We encourage you to visit your favorite McDonald’s and “Share a Heart” to show hope, love, and encouragement for our families by adopting a $1, $5, or $20 heart. Hearts will also be available at both Ronald McDonald Houses.

Courtesy of Great Southern Bank, four $250 MasterCard Gift Cards will be awarded to randomly selected RMHC supporters who “share their heart” on social media by posting selfies using #forRMHCOzarks. Don’t miss out on your chance to win! Details are on the back of each heart.

The 2023 Share a Heart Campaign is presented by McDonald’s of the Ozarks and continues to thrive with support from Leadership Sponsor, Great Southern Bank; Media Sponsor, KY3; Supporting Sponsor, MidAm Metal Forming; and Contributing Sponsor, ColorGraphic Printing.

We’d like to give a BIG thank you to volunteer Brenda Podewitz for her role in communicating with all of our Share a Heart families for the 2023 Family Profiles. The Family Profiles are a glimpse into the stories of former Ronald McDonald House families and their journey as they navigated the uncertainties, fear, joy, and everything in between that accompanied their child’s time in the hospital. We are so grateful to every family who shared their story with us. This was a huge undertaking and we are so grateful to Brenda for her hard work and dedication to every task she is given. Thank you, Brenda!

Visit ShareAHeart.org to view this year’s Family Profiles and see where our families come from on our Share a Heart Map.

McTJ Night

Join us for “McTJ Night” at McDonald’s in Marshfield on Thursday, February 16 from 3:00pm-8:00pm! Twenty percent of all sales that evening will go towards Share a Heart Champion TJ Slocum’s personal goal of $10,000! TJ looks forward to meeting each of you while supporting our Ronald McDonald House programs.

HEART THE HOUSES

Our annual “Heart the Houses” campaign continues! This special annual giving program encourages the community to Adopt a Room at one (or both) of our Ronald McDonald Houses for a month, quarter, or year.

You can view our printed materials for Heart the Houses at https://issuu.com/rmhcozarks/docs/ rmhc_heartthehouses2022_email. The Wagner family shares so many ways your efforts in supporting the Houses can have a HUGE impact!

Heart the Houses contributors are providing our families with a refuge, a place where they can shed their armor and express their fears and sadness. We strive for our Houses to be a source of strength and love while our families face the unimaginable. We encourage friends of RMHC to consider Adopting a Room this year.

LifePoints Lift

Did you know when you give blood, you are not only saving lives, but you can help our families at the Ronald McDonald House at the same time? When you sign up for the LifePoints program at Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, you receive points for each blood or aphaeresis 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! Since our partnership with CBCO began, nearly $11,000 has been donated to help our families.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks has been chosen for a Partner Spotlight Month in November with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks for 2023. During the month of November, every point you donate to RMHC is TRIPLED.

For more information about LifePoints, creating donor profiles, and donating your points, please visit www.cbco.org/lifepoints-lift/.

Heart Beats is published monthly or bi-monthly for volunteers of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks and The Tooth Truck, Inc.

©2023 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, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, RMHC, Keeping Families Close.

The Tooth Truck name and logo are owned by The Tooth Truck, Inc.

RMHC Staff

President & CEO

Bonnie Keller

Vice President

Debbie Kinser

Tooth Truck Program Director

Mindy Muñoz

Development Manager

Ezra Wood

Development Assistant

Kim Booth

Development Coordinator

Katie Serangeli

Communications Specialist

Savannah Keller

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH

Program Manager

Shannon Richards

Associate

Program Manager

Lindsey Kimes

Family Care Managers

Laura Benowitz

Ausin Gormley

Jennifer Grooms

Michelle Litton

Megan Mashburn

Grace Richter

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS

Program Manager

Justin Wilson

Associate

Program Manager

Breanna Wilson

Family Care Managers

Jacob Golden

Julie Holt

Savannah Keller

Jack Osborn

Madison Mickan

Merry Axe-Mas!

Family Care Manager Holiday Party

On December 21, the teams at both Houses came together for the first ever Ronald McDonald House Axe-Mas party at Craft Axe Throwing in Downtown Springfield. Competitiveness escalated quickly, becoming more and more fierce as each team member tried their hand at this unique sport. Family Care Manager Jack Osborn proved victorious with a noteworthy high score of 34 points, and he walked away with the grand prize, a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

After an hour of intense axe throwing, we enjoyed a mouthwatering variety of delicious pizza from Pappo’s Pizzeria, opened gifts, and shared our favorite memories from the year. The Axe-Mas party was a great way to celebrate not only the holidays, but also to thank everyone for their hard work throughout the year. We are so thankful to have a staff that is dedicated to furthering the mission of RMHC, and we can’t wait to make new memories together in 2023.

Merry Axe-Mas one and all!

Walgreens Rewards Program

Happy 10th Birthday to the House at Mercy Kids!

On November 30, 2012, the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids officially opened its doors. In the 10 years since, we have provided a “home-away-from-home” to 3,763 families at Mercy Hospital. The lasting impact of Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids stretches far beyond what we could ever fully know, and we couldn’t do it without the unending support of our community.

On our anniversary, we had the pleasure of delivering 10th Anniversary cookies to our

friends around the hospital. It was an honor to celebrate and recognize the hard work of so many individuals, referring units, and Mercy departments who have made our first ten years a success. We wish everyone could have been with us to experience the shared memories, kind words, and appreciation conveyed by those who received our celebratory cookies.

November 30, 2032, HERE WE COME!

We’re participating in the myWalgreens donation program! You can donate your myWalgreens cash rewards to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks through February 28, 2023. At Walgreens, you’ll earn unlimited 1% Walgreens Cash rewards when you shop, and you can choose how much to donate. It’s that easy. Whether you’d like to contribute $1, $5, or more of your Walgreens Cash rewards, you’ll be making a big difference. It really adds up!

From The Staff Heart of the House

Happy Anniversary

1 YEAR

Julie Holt, Mercy House

Family Care Manager

Grace Richter, Cox House Family Care Manager

Ezra Wood, Development Manager

12 YEARS

Dr. Sarah Cimino, Tooth Truck General Dentist

16 YEARS

Mindy Munoz, Tooth Truck Program Director

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 Near Cox South

Current Active Volunteers:

Ceilia Briley

Terri Carr

Nathan Crumm

Sandy Davis

Kathy Dennis

Blake Dowdy

Meg Erickson

Amy Grubaugh

Sarah Han

Dorothy Harlan

Carol Harris

Marlene McWilliams

Larry Meinsen

Brenda Podewitz

Kay Prost

Beka Rasor

Ashley Rosetta

Randy Slocum

Gail Sours

Karen Taylor

Kelly Wirtz

Welcome New Volunteer to the House near Cox South, Carol Harris!

Welcome Back to the House near Cox South, Randy Slocum and Karen Taylor!

House At Mercy Kids

Current Active Volunteers:

Glory Ehie

Sandy Emberton

Arlena Gauldin

Terry Greer

Ann Griesemer

Sarah Han

Ginny Lohkamp

Molly Stood

Welcome New Volunteers to the House at Mercy Kids, Ginny Lohkamp and Molly Stood!

Dinner Groups!

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH

3M Healthcare

Amy Clotfelter

Boy Scout Troop 205

Cerner Si3

Child Life Student Association

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

- Chesterfield, MO

CNH Reman

Cox Pediatrics

Dallas County Technical Center

Girl Scout Troop #71641

Great Southern Bank Loan Ops

Hamilton Family

Josh and Aundrea Wilson

Lauren Smith

Lindsey Allen

Martin Center Registration

Megan Welch

Mercy Emergency Medical Care Center

Mercy Hospital

MSU Physical Therapy ASPT

New Testament Christian Church

Oak Grove Assembly of God

Patrick Conner

Pepsi Co

Phillips Family

Pi Theta Phi

Pyatt Dental

Ride the Thin Red and Blue Line

RMHC Board of Directors

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS

Amy Clotfelter

Andrea Pflumm

Arvest Bank

Belin Family

Blue Eye FCCLA

Bricktown Brewery

Carmen Losurdo

Chick-Fil-A

Covey Family

Evelyn Hampton

Hometown Vet

Houlihan’s

Hy-Vee

Jordan Heinz State Farm

Kamryn Hesington

Kelly Griffin

Kerry Gallentine

Lawrence Family

Mercy Clinic Primary Care

Mercy Core Lab

Mercy Emergency Department

Mercy Hospital

Mercy Kids Clinics

Mercy Lab and Micro Team

Mercy Pathology Lab

Mercy Pharmacy

Mercy Pre-Reg Team

Michelle and Jen

Michelle Benzen

Pasta Express

Ryan Winstead’s Class at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Shannon Richards and Kayleigh Sheble and Family

Sierra Austin

Team Janet

The Girlfriends

Union Hill Church of Christ

Washam Family

OPEN DINNER DATES:

February: 12, 13, 15, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28

March 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 15, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31

Pepsi Co

Rowe Family

Sanchez Family

Sara Stewart

Sarah Schaeffer

SBU College of Nursing

Wood Family

XGS LLC

Ziggie’s Cafe

OPEN DINNER DATES:

February: 12, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27

March 1, 5, 12, 16, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Family Dinner Spotlight

NewTestament Christian Church

New Testament Christian Church provides dinner once a month at the House near Cox South. Their love and support for Ronald McDonald House shows through every delectable entree they provide. From lasagna to enchiladas to jambalaya, they are always surprising us by serving a variety of meals.

When did you start providing meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House?

In August of 2022.

How did you get involved with the Family Dinner Program?

We were sent an email.

What is your favorite thing about participating in the Family Dinner Program?

We love to reach out to the community, and RMHC is such a great resource! Knowing that we are helping out in what can be such vulnerable and busy times in families’ lives is so rewarding. What would you like to say to other groups who are considering volunteering with the Family Dinner Program?

Please consider taking the time to be a blessing. Round up some friends, family, and/or coworkers, and make it fun!

Do you have a recipe you would like to share for one of your favorite dishes?

Yes! Our jambalaya recipe (below!)

Dinner Group Recipe

JAMBALAYA From: New Testament Christian Church

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1 pound andouille sausage, thinly sliced into rounds

• 3 small bell peppers, cored and diced (I used a yellow, red, and green bell pepper)

• 2 stalks celery, diced

• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped (I omitted)

• 1 white onion, diced

• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced

• 1 (14-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes

• 3–4 cups chicken stock

• 1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice

• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning or Creole seasoning

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1 bay leaf

• 1-pound raw large shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1 cup thinly-sliced okra (I used frozen)

• Kosher salt and freshly-cracked black pepper

• optional garnishes: chopped fresh parsley, thinly-sliced green onions, hot sauce

Birthdays

January 2

Amy Grubaugh

January 10

Katie Serangeli

January 17

Brenda Podewitz

January 20

Becky Gillham

January 25

Kim Booth

January 28

Ashley Rosetta

February 14

Karen Taylor

February 19

Ann Griesemer

February 21

Jennifer Grooms

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a stock pot (or a very large, deep sauté pan) over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sausage and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the sausage is lightly browned. Transfer to a clean plate and set aside.

2. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to the stock pot. Add bell peppers, celery, jalapeño, onion, and garlic. Sauté for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened.

3. Add the crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, rice, Cajun seasoning, thyme, cayenne, and bay leaf, and stir to combine. Continue cooking until the mixture reaches a simmer. Then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is nearly cooked through, stirring every 5 minutes or so along the way so that the rice does not burn.

4. Add the shrimp and okra, and stir to combine. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are cooked and pink. Stir in the chicken and sausage, and remove and discard the bay leaf.

5. Season the jambalaya to taste with salt, pepper, and additional Cajun seasoning if needed. (I typically add about 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.)

6. Remove from heat.

Serve warm with your desired garnishes, or refrigerate and store in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

ReeceNichols Gold Key Project Makes a Long-lasting Impact

Over the past two years, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks has been honored as a beneficiary of the ReeceNichols Gold Key Project, a project that was established in 2020 as a way to raise money for families with sick children. For every home sold by ReeceNichols Gold Key Agents from April to October, a donation of $100 was made to a partnering Ronald McDonald House chapter. In 2022, ReeceNichols donated $19,000 to RMHC of the Ozarks. This incredibly generous gift has underwritten 190 nights across our two Springfield Houses for families in need.

We are so grateful for this continued partnership and look forward to making families feel right at home with ReeceNichols for many years to come.

Around the Houses

Sprout Business Group Makes It Happen Again

On December 21, the Sprout Business Group of Springfield provided an amazing holiday donation to the House near Cox South and the House at Mercy Kids, continuing their tradition for the sixth year. They donated 24 gift bags, each filled with a blanket, Uno cards, a Lego set, a $25 gift card, and a thermal travel mug.

On Christmas Day, each family staying at the Houses received a gift bag, helping to make a memorable holiday for our families. Staying in the hospital during the holidays can be difficult, but the Sprout Business Group of Springfield helped make sure each family felt supported and comforted during their time of need; to say the gifts were appreciated would be an understatement!

Buffalo HS FBLA Golf Tournament Supports RMHC

Students from Buffalo High School FBLA recently partnered with DeWitt and Associates to host a golf tournament benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks. Kaylin Carter, Brooklyn Warfel, and Raegan Carter spearheaded the event, meeting both virtually and in person with DeWitt, RMHC, and Dream Valley Golf Course owners. In December, we had the privilege of speaking to their club at Buffalo High School and receiving a donation of $4,406 from the proceeds of their golf tournament. Thank you, Buffalo High School FBLA!

The Journey Continues

Like many others, the Journey Girls have missed sharing the annual tradition of touring beautiful homes through our Cup O’ Cheer Homes Tour. To keep their beloved tradition alive, they recently organized their own “Homes Tour,” where they invited friends and neighbors to walk through their wonderfully decorated homes for the holidays. Through their fundraising efforts, they raised over $600 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks! Thank you, Journey Girls!

House Volunteer Spotlight

MOLLY STOOD

Molly Stood has been volunteering at the House at Mercy Kids since November, and she has been an incredible addition to the team. Molly lives in Illinois but is currently pursuing a degree in Child and Family Development at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Her dedication to the Ronald McDonald House mission shows through her commitment to volunteering with us and her attention to detail in her work. We cannot thank her enough for choosing to pursue her passion for Child Life with us!

What is your favorite thing to do in the House? Get the rooms ready for new families to stay in. This task is really enjoyable for me to do, and it shows how big of an impact can be made in my weekly three-hour shift.

What do you enjoy in your free time? Extracurricular activities?

I enjoy spending time with friends and family, spending time outside, and volunteering. At home, I volunteer for the Elliestrong Forever foundation, and at school, I am involved in the Child Life Student Association, Hall Council, and Kindness Commission.

Santas and Side by Sides

Do you volunteer anywhere else in the Springfield community? If yes, where?

I am going to start volunteering for Mercy Hospital this semester! I have also volunteered a few times at the MSU campus garden.

How did you learn about the Ronald McDonald House?

Growing up, my family has always held a donation drive for Ronald McDonald House around the holidays. Since I go to school so close to a Ronald McDonald House, I decided to start volunteering there!

What do you enjoy most about volunteering with our organization?

How different every shift looks and how big of an impact you can make while volunteering. No volunteer day looks the same, which is something I really enjoy because you never know what you are walking into. Everything I do during the shift makes me feel like I am making a difference, no matter how small, for the families that desperately need it.

What is a fun fact not many people would know about you?

I broke my arm two times in the span of one year in sixth grade.

On Saturday, December 3, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks welcomed the “Ride the Thin Red and Blue Lines” Light Parade to the House near Cox South for the third time. We stood in awe as beautifully illuminated side by sides rode by the House, each stopping at the sidewalk to donate gifts for the families that called Ronald McDonald House their “home-away-from-home” this holiday season. We can’t thank this group enough for their commitment to our organization and our community.

We used the enormous donation of toys to help stock Santa’s Workshop, a pop-up station in the playrooms at each House filled with items for our families. Throughout December, our families selected items from Santa’s Workshop for their children and family members. We also had a wrapping station for families to put the final touches on their selection. Santa’s Workshop helps create a sense of normalcy during a time of uncertainty, and the generous donations from the light parade helped touch the lives of many. By the end of the holiday season, all the toys had been gifted to the families!

Food Items

Shelf stable milk

K-Cups

Individual coffee creamer

Individually wrapped snacks

Canned soda

Bottled water

Gift Cards

Gas cards

Walmart

Amazon

Target

Family Items

Beauty gift sets for women

Body wash sets for men

Adult and child activity books

Travel coffee mugs

Deodorant

Fleece throw blankets

Small gifts for children

Gifts for teens

Miscellaneous Items

White Queen fitted sheets

White matching bath towels

Bakeware

Cookie sheets

Set of pots and pans

Daily planners

Lip balm

Small bottles of lotion

Crayons

Blank note cards

Notebooks

Board games

Rubik’s cubes and mind puzzles

Playing cards

Travel-size hand sanitizer

Travel manicure sets

Individual packs of tissues

On-the-go drink mixes

Small stuffed animals

Sweatpants (all sizes)

Boys, Girls, Mens and Womens Underwear (new and unopened) – all sizes

Staff Stuff

After the devastating loss of their first baby, Silas, the Wilsons never expected to welcome another child into their family. To their surprise, Aundrea Wilson got pregnant with a baby girl! The first 24 weeks of the pregnancy went according to plan, with regular visits to the doctor and standard prenatal care. Their expected due date was January 4, 2023, and they waited with anticipation and excitement.

On September 12, Aundrea started experiencing discomfort. She and her husband, Josh, met with her doctor in West Plains, and she was immediately medically evacuated to Cox South Hospital. They attempted to delay her labor, but on the evening of September 14, Aundrea gave birth to Avaleigh Lorraine Wilson via C-section at 26 weeks. Avaleigh weighed only one pound, eleven ounces, but she was perfectly beautiful.

The Wilsons knew they would have an extended stay in Springfield while Avaleigh stayed in the NICU. From a comfortable bedroom to dinners

The Wilson Family: An Unexpected but Welcome Addition Congratulations, Justin Wilson!

Please join us in congratulating Justin Wilson on his recent transition into the Program Manager position at the House at Mercy Kids. As many may know, he has a rich history with Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks.

Justin stayed at the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids with his wife, Chelsea, in 2014 when their precious daughter, Reese, was admitted to the NICU from complications following delivery. They remained at Mercy until Reese was transferred to St. Louis, where they also utilized a Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis. Since their stay at the Mercy House, the Wilsons have consistently given back to RMHC through our Family Dinner Program.

In 2022, Justin joined Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks as Associate Program Manager for the House at Mercy Kids. In just a few short months, he has cultivated meaningful and lasting relationships with each

every evening and a community of families going through similar experiences, they say the House was a “Godsend” for them. They are so grateful to stay close to Avaleigh, allowing them to watch her overcome hurdles one after another. Their experience showed them what strength was, not only through Avaleigh but also through meeting other families in similar situations at the House. They saw so many families come and go throughout their stay and made genuine, lifelong connections with many of them. They also enjoyed rejoicing with other families when their babies were discharged from the hospital.

Aundrea and Josh became family to those of us at Ronald McDonald House near Cox South during their extended stay. We are overjoyed to continue to watch Avaleigh grow up and conquer the world!

family and staff member, facilitated numerous enhancements to the House and level of service we are equipped to provide, inspired many through his vulnerability and willingness to share his family’s RMH story, and carried the mission and core values of Ronald McDonald House to new heights.

During his short time as Program Manager, Justin has already left his mark, and we are positive he will continue to leave a lasting impact on the families and the organization.

Congratulations, Savannah Keller

If you hang around the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids for any length of time, you’ll quickly realize that the name “Savannah Keller” is synonymous with “EXCELLENCE!”. Savannah joined the Ronald McDonald House as a Family Care Manager in June of 2017 and quickly established herself as a key member of the organization. Her consistency, initiative, and willingness to go above and beyond what is asked of her has

contributed to the ongoing success of the House at Mercy Kids and those who are fortunate enough to work and volunteer alongside her.

As we embark on the journey called 2023, we set in motion several efforts to bolster our development team within the organization, starting with Savannah’s acceptance of the brand-new Communications Specialist position. Savannah has a passion for writing, editing, and all things communication, and she is currently well on her way to receiving her Master of Arts in Technical and Professional Writing from Missouri State University. Don’t worry! Savannah will continue to serve with her trademark excellence as a Family Care Manager at the House at Mercy Kids one day per week.

Savannah has proven time and time again she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to, and we are so excited for what lies ahead as she takes on this new role at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks. Congratulations, Savannah!

Welcome, Breanna Wilson

In January, we welcomed Breanna Wilson as the new Associate Program Manager at the House at Mercy Kids. Breanna loves to meet and interact with new people, which makes her a great addition to the team! She loves watching documentaries, cooking, cleaning, playing card games, and eating at chain restaurants and fast food in her free time. She has lived in six states and loves taking weekend trips to see family in Arkansas and Texas. She has a brother and sister and was recently married in May 2022.

We can’t wait to see Breanna’s impact on the House at Mercy Kids. Welcome, Breanna!

Welcome Back, Madison Mickan

Madison Mickan has been involved with RMHC for several years. She volunteered for three years during high school, then worked as a Family Care Manager throughout her first year of college. She took a short break from working at RMHC to focus on school and other work opportunities but recently rejoined the team at the Mercy House as a Family Care Manager.

Madison is currently a nursing student at Missouri State University. In her free time, she enjoys taking trips to Target, spending time with her friends, attending church, and hanging out with her chunky pug, Moona. Madison is also a devoted lover of Taylor Swift. Welcome back, Madison!

Welcome, Michelle Litton

We are thrilled to welcome Michelle Litton to the Family Care Manager team at the House near Cox South! Michelle started out with the organization as a volunteer at the House at Mercy Kids and jumped at the opportunity to join our team when she heard there was an open position.

Michelle is currently in the National Guard. In 2021, Michelle was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for 11 months! (Thank you for your service!

Michelle is currently working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Leadership. She has two fur babies, a cat named Luna and a dog named Moose, and her hobbies include powerlifting, baking, and eating tacos of all kinds! Welcome to the team, Michelle!

Farewell, Amber

Please join us in bidding farewell to long-time Project Manager, Amber Price. Amber joined Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks in 2013 and has been instrumental to the success of countless projects, events, and mission expanding efforts over her nine-year tenure. Though Amber will be missed by staff, board members, vendors, volunteers, and so many more, she will always be a part of the Ronald McDonald Charities family.

Farewell, Gracelyn

Gracelyn joined the Ronald McDonald House staff in September as a part of the Leaders in Community Service program at Missouri State University. She will be moving on to continue her education journey towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics. We will miss Gracelyn and all the positivity she brought to the House with her!

Heart of the Truck

Katie Baird

McKenna Courtney

Molly Gross

Anna Gunderman

Grace Hoffman

Jadyn Pace

Birthdays

January 29

Dr. Lisa Castleman

February 8

Britton Jobe

February 16

Amanda Honor

February 22

Alison Lamphear

Out With the Old and In With the New

By Dr. Sarah Cimino

It’s again that time of year that I get to take over the “Tooth Talk” section of Heartbeats and impart on all of you a reflection, tidbit, memory, or musing from my year. As this is now my 12th year aboard the Tooth Truck,

I was beginning to think I had shared all there was to know about our perfect little “dental office on wheels” and the amazing patients, staff, and community that put a smile on my face each and every day. But then, a 30,000 pound new office rolled into our lives and I find myself bursting with excitement and anticipation of all the new stories and memories to come.

I digress though, and must step back to 2021 when we learned of an opportunity through Springfield Public Schools to apply for American Rescue Plan Act ESSER funds. This funding would allow us to purchase a whole new mobile dental unit, which was much needed as our original Tooth Truck had reached the end of its lifespan. With the overwhelming news that our request had been funded, we set off to design our dream Tooth Truck.

STAFF

PRESIDENT & CEO

Bonnie Keller

PROGRAM DIRECTORRONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE

Mindy Muñoz

GENERAL DENTIST

Dr. Sarah Cimino

COMMUNITY DENTISTS

Dr. Aaron Dannegger

Dr. Brett Durbin

Dr. Misty Shelton

OFFICE COORDINATOR

Over the next 18 months, we researched, planned, designed, ordered, went on site visits, and finally received our new Tooth Truck. On January 17, we welcomed aboard our first patients as we parked outside a local Springfield elementary school (and were greeted by many more smiling faces from the playground as they pressed their faces to the fence to get a better view and wave to their friends).

Dawn Brown

DENTAL ASSISTANTS

Megan Sanders

Kassidy Tuttle

PART-TIME DENTAL ASSISTANT

Amanda Honor

Our original Tooth Truck saw its first patient in 2002 and welcomed more than 30,500 patients over its 20 year career for a treatment total of $21.7 million. What a legacy to hand down to our new Tooth Truck! PAGE 10

The new Tooth Truck has a colorful interior and state-of-the art equipment to address dental needs

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of the Ozarks

December Stats

Children Treated: ...............98

Dental Appointments Provided: ...............................189

Year to Date Dental

Appointments: ...............2,529

Program to Date Dental

Appointments: ...........64,805

Program to Date Value of Treatment: .......$21.7 Million

Tooth Truck Wish List

Action figures

Matchbox cars

Hair accessories (clips, headbands)

Chapstick

Clorox Wipes

Handheld games

Jewelry (necklaces, bracelets)

DVDs for older children

Outdoor toys (bubbles, sidewalk chalk, Frisbees, sports balls)

Walmart gift cards

Beanie Babies

The new Tooth Truck welcomed its first patients on board while parked at Boyd Elementary School

The original Tooth Truck helped staff provide more than 64,800 appointments to at-risk children in our community

Heart Beats

949 E. Primrose Street

Springfield, Missouri 65807-5257

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Volunteers Needed!

Our Ronald McDonald Houses provide a “home-awayfrom-home” for families of seriously ill and injured children receiving medical treatment. Providing a calming, restful, and comfortable environment for families is something we take seriously. Maintaining our twenty-four bedrooms and numerous shared family spaces throughout our two Houses would be impossible without the diligence and commitment of our exceptional volunteers.

Our goal is to cater each volunteer’s responsibilities to the interests of the individual. Our team of volunteers do a little bit of everything, including checking families in, cooking dinner, baking desserts, restocking rooms, cleaning, answering the phone, assisting with mailings, running errands, computer entry, and more! As part of our volunteer program, our volunteers commit to one three-hour shift each week or biweekly, and although

we strongly encourage volunteers to have the COVID-19 vaccination, it is no longer a roadblock to volunteering.

Individuals interested in getting more information about joining our volunteer program may contact Lindsey Kimes at 417.875.3501 or lindsey.kimes@rmhcozarks.org.