Heart
BEATS
JULY-AUGUST 2019
2019 All-Star Weekend
In June, we celebrated the tradition of watching graduated seniors play in the final high school football game of their lives at the 18th Annual GRIN IRON CLASSIC All-Star Football Game and then enjoyed watching volleyball players from all over Southwest Missouri battle it out in 8th Annual GRIN ACTION CLASSIC. As parents, coaches, friends and supporters gathered to cheer on their favorite team, RMHC of the Ozarks was proud to host this event with the SW MO Football Coaches Association and the All-Star Smiles Sertoma Club in this weekend benefiting the Tooth Truck; helping provide dental treatment and dental hygiene education for local children in need. 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 Missouri Foundation for Health. We would also like to thank in-kind supporters McDonald’s, Mercy Sports Medicine, Colorgraphic Printing and Mediacom. Thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers for making these events possible with their hard work and dedication.
Returns to Springfield on September 6th The Kansas City Chiefs’ “Red Friday” is officially coming back to Springfield and the Ozarks on Friday, September 6. This day-long celebration is designed to capture the excitement of the start of the NFL season by bringing the Kansas City Chiefs and communities throughout Chiefs Kingdom together to kick off the year. In addition to being a rallying point for Chiefs fans, Red Friday is a chance for the community to make a difference in the lives of local children and families. Starting at 6:00 am on Friday, September 6, McDonald’s locations in Springfield and the Ozarks will sell special 2019 collector’s edition “Chiefs Kingdom” flags for a minimum donation of $5 each, while supplies last. The flags will ONLY be available on Red Friday and supplies are very limited. Proceeds benefit our two Ronald McDonald Houses! Volunteers are needed to wave Chiefs Kingdom flags outside participating McDonald’s around the Ozarks to promote the event on Friday morning. Contact Heather Hyde for more information or to sign up at 417-820-0764 or Heather.Hyde@ RMHCozarks.org.
From The
Staff Happy
Anniversary 1 YEAR Elizabeth Bottorff, Cox House Larry Chainey, Cox House Tyler Cockrum, Cox House
5 YEARS Jenni Jacka, Mercy House Jordan Myers, Cox House
Heart of the House House Near Cox South Ann Adams Elizabeth Bottorff Nadean Burnett John Carr Terri Carr Sarah Carrol Larry Chainey Nancy Clark Tyler Cockrum Tammi Davis Kathy Dennis Lynelle Dock-Peck Cheryl Douglas Blake Dowdy Judy Duncan Angela Fairchild Clydene Freeman Amanda Fronzaglia Calan Froula Becky Gillham Krista Gilmartin Shawn Gott Ashley Grady Amy Grubaugh
Dorothy Harlan Darren Harrelson Laura Harrelson Aston Heinrichs Kaya Heinrichs Olivia Heinrichs Gracie Holt Corine Isenhower David Jackway Lisa James Briana Jenkins Raegan Johnston Clayton Keller Levi Kemp Becky Lang Peyton Long Shawn Lowery Jennifer Lozaw Dylan Mally Eileen Meinsen Larry Meinsen Sandy Morris Nolan Musick Jordan Myers
Andrea Parker Karla Peck LeRoy Peck Gretta Phillips Lerris Pierce Aidan Plank Kay Prost Beka Razor Rebecca Reser Cliff Ricketts Jan Ricketts Brenda Rosebrough Timothy Schmelz Anne Schubert Debbie Slocum Randy Slocum T.J. Slocum Mary Smith Richard Sowell Grace Stagner Kim Stagner Pamela Stout Madeleine Sullivan Kaden Sumter
House At Mercy Kids Stephanie Bube Katherine Bunch April Carmichael David Carmichael Katy Chambers Jerrica Conrad Jennie Crabbe Kristin Custer Laura Eise Sandy Emberton Alexis Gaono Ashley Green
Terry Greer Ann Griesemer Brenda Havens Thomas Heye Jenni Jacka Lillian Jacka Leah Jackson Emily Larson Ami Le Hannah Le Brady Marshall Kassie Medina
Jianna Mills Kiera Mills Krista Mills Rebekah Mitts Marel Morris Tracie Nicholson Kate Okland Olivia Parks Jamie Phariss Taylor Pistel Sarah Phillips Linda Schultz
Anna Trenkamp Violet Turner Ava Uzzell Sondra Uzzell Tristen Uzzell Carsten Warner Abigail Weitzel Lucy Weitzel Joanna Weitzel Scott Weitzel Travis Weitzel James Winstead Ryan Winstead Kelly Wirtz Meghan Zengel
Lauren Stockam Breanna Sundet Kayla Swearengint Madeline Urhahn Will Vance Kyley Vienot Hanna Wilken
Welcome, New Volunteers To Houses Olivia Heinrichs, Thomas Heye, Reagan Johnston, Emily Larson, Peyton Long, Jennifer Lozaw, Olivia Parks, Pamela Stout
RMHC Staff Heart Beats is published monthly or bi-monthly for volunteers of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks and The Tooth Truck, Inc. ©2019 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.
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President & CEO Bonnie Keller
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS
Vice President Debbie Kinser
Program Manager Laura Winstead
Program Manager Ashley Burton
Tooth Truck Program Director Mindy Muñoz
Associate Program Manager Associate Program Manager Melanie Ball Heather Hyde
Project Manager Amber Price Development Assistant Kim Booth Administrative Assistant Debbi Gafner
Family Care Managers Lexi Beaman Laura Meeks Mackenzie Meyers Emily Ogle Rebekkah Wall Sara Wilken
Family Care Managers Jacob Golden Abby Hartman Kennedy Keller Savannah Keller Hannah Major Lacey McKeever Jack Osborn
Family Dinner
Birthdays
Spotlight
July 2 Debbi Gafner July 8 Ashley Grady
Second Baptist Small Group
July 9 David Taylor
Let’s learn a little bit more about Second Baptist Small Group…
July 10 Tracie Nicholson
When did you start providing meals at the Ronald McDonald House? About a year and a half ago we started serving on the 1st Tuesday of every month. Then so many people wanted to help that we started doing the 4th Tuesday of every month too, in January.
Do you have any favorite memories from your volunteer experience?
July 11 Shawn Gott Dana Barbo July 12 David Carmichael Rebekah Mitts James Winstead
We have a Bible Study Group and we wanted to give back.
There was a mother who had been staying here. She had twins but one of them didn’t make it. The other was in the NICU for a while. She was so sweet and gracious. We really enjoyed getting to know her.
What is your favorite thing about participating in the Family Dinner Program?
What would you say to anyone considering volunteering for the Family Dinner Program?
July 19 Kyley Veinot
That we are helping people who need our help.
DO IT! It’s a wonderful thing to do and it makes you feel good!
July 24 Briana Jenkins
How did you get involved with the Family Dinner Program?
Dinner Groups Amy Sanders and Friends Baker Family Battlefield United Methodist Church Bill Covey and Family Buffalo McDonald’s Cerner Si3 Chesterfield Ward Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints Cintas Covenant Presbyterian Church Eastside General Baptist Church Fordland Church of Christ Fremont Elementary Garage Door Guy Halfway Schools Hamilton Family
Jackson Family Jennifer Parmalee and Family Just Friends Knights of Columbus Knights Templar Little Caesar’s Meinva Billingsly Missouri Society of CPA’s Oak Grove Assembly of God Ozark United Methodist Church Parkcrest Baptist Church Second Baptist Church Second Baptist Small Groups The Girlfriends Union Hill Church of Christ Victory Baptist Church in Nixa June Meal Groups Ameriprise Financial
Anna Trenkamp and Friends Bailey Burke and Friends Beth Blake and Friends Carr Family Cassidy United Methodist Church Cerner Si3 CNH Reman Dan Wasmer David Perkins Eastside General Baptist Church Fremont Elementary Glendale Christian Church Jackson Family Jimmy Johns on National Julie Pappenfort and Friends Just Friends Knights of Columbus
Knights Templar Misty and Friends Monat Global Oak Grove Assembly of God Parkcrest Baptist Church Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Second Baptist Church Second Baptist Small Groups The Girlfriends Union Hill Church of Christ Wilkens Family Zion Lutheran Church Open Dinner Dates: August: All filled!
Addlesberger Family Arvest Bank Calhoun Family CSA Advisors Davison Family Destiny Church East Sunshine Church of Christ Friendship Assembly Hicks Family Houston Family Lois & Jessica Louise Morgan Melinda Inman Mercy SBU College of Nursing MSU Student Nursing Organization Mychelle & Jen
On Angel’s Wings Parkview FCCLA Patel Family Patient Access Phi Theta Kappa Sleep Disorder Center Stafford Family The Gardens & Friends Top Tier Kitchen Turning Point Church Union Hill Church of Christ Youth Wellington Hills Friends Wilkins Family Wilson Family June Meal Groups Ameriprise Financial Services Battlefield UMC Calhoun Family
Charlie’s Angels Christ Community Church Young Women’s Bible Study Covey Family East Sunshine Church of Christ Getalong Gang Houlihan’s Hughs Family Joni Fielder Kinser Family Little Caesars Pizza Live Church- Mom’s Bible Study Mercy Clinic Lab Leadership Team Mercy Community Outreach Mercy Imaging Messiah Lutheran Church Little Debbie’s Circle
July 27 Kayla Swearengin July 30 Kate Okland August 1 Laura Winstead August 4 Jenni Jacka August 13 Sondra Uzzell August 14 Kathy Dennis August 15 Blake Dowdy Bailey Howery August 17 Hanna Wilken
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS May Meal Groups
July 18 Kiera Mills
July 25 Ryan Winstead
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH May Meal Groups
July 16 Clydene Freeman
MSU PT Mueller Family Mychelle & Jen Sharon Smith & Friends Story Church Subway The Golden’s Turning Point Church Union Hill Church of Christ Youth United Healthcare Wellington Hills Friends
August 21 Pamela Stout August 24 Trish Musick
Open Dinner Dates: August 9th, 15th, 28th, 30th and 31st
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Wish List
Around the Houses
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 Travel-Size Toothpaste Fabric Softener
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 White Bath Mats
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30TH ANNUAL
Volunteer Recognition Dinner The 30th Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner was held on May 29th at the Barley House at Moon Town Crossing. With the help of the Tooth Truck Inc. and Ronald McDonald House Charities Boards of Directors, we celebrated the many superpowers our volunteers hold. We had so much fun enjoying delicious food and recognizing our Super Hero volunteers! We would like to congratulate all of our volunteers who earned our annual awards! Check out all the fun photos and videos from the dinner on our Facebook page www.facebook/ RMHCozarks. Thanks to all our Super Heroes for attending this special event!
ANNUAL AWARDS Barbara L. Appleby Award Jamie Phariss
Outstanding New Volunteer, Tooth Truck Chelsea Breihan
Loniel B Ford Award Ryan Blumenstock
Outstanding Young Volunteer, Ronald McDonald Houses Anna Trenkamp, Cox House Maddie Urhahn, Mercy House
Keven D. Wallace Award Susan Lemmon Outstanding New Volunteer, Ronald McDonald Houses Jerrica Conrad, Mercy House Tim Schmelz, Cox House
Recognition for Years of Service 5 Years of Service Rebekah Mitts, Mercy House Meghan Zengal, Cox House
Mission Moment We received the coolest car along with a sweet note from one of our little guests! We love to display sweet notes and artwork given to us by our families. Thanks, Avery!
5TH Annual
Red Shoe Gala
Friday, October 18 On October 18, friends of Ronald McDonald House Charities will put on their red shoes and gather at the White River Conference Center for a lively evening of dinner and dancing. Back by popular demand, Star Search Grand Champion Jake Simpson returns to the stage for the 5th Annual Red Shoe Gala. Don’t miss the night’s fun with activities including the Youngblood Red Shoe Cam, “Shoebox Surprise,” Heads or Tails, the Adopt a Family program, and the Red Shoe Contest. 100% of proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks, helping children and families through Springfield’s two Ronald McDonald Houses and the Tooth Truck (our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile). So, join us and PUT YOUR RED SHOES ON to provide help and hope to those who need it most. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available by calling Kim Booth at 417-875-3505 or visiting PutYourRedShoesOn.org.
Monthly Statistics June 2019
House Near Cox South STATS Families Served..............43 Nights..................................276 Families from Missouri................................28 Families from Other States.......................15 Year to Date.................... 186
House Volunteer Spotlight Kayla Swearengin Kayla Swearengin has been volunteering since February and has already completed more than 40 hours with the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids! She is a student at Missouri State University studying Cell & Molecular Biology with a goal of becoming a Surgeon or a Veterinarian. She has a cat named Azula, whom she loves very much. Let’s learn more about Kayla… What is your favorite thing to do (or a couple things) at the House? I like sweeping and cleaning the rooms … it’s soothing.
Program to Date.. 10,625
House At Mercy Kids STATS
Families Served..............44 Nights.................................. 243 What do you enjoy in your free time? I love to read and play with my cat! How did you learn about the Ronald House? I had a friend whose family used the House and spoke highly of it.
Families from Missouri................................ 42 Families from Other States.........................2 Year to Date.................... 189 Program to Date.... 2,960
Do you have any favorite memories? The time I got to help check out a family … they were so sweet and appreciative. What do you enjoy most about volunteering with our organization? I enjoy the people who I get to talk to around the House and the stories the families share.
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Heart Tooth Talk of the A Busy Year of Truck Megan Blake Tori Bridwell Stephanie Daniels Melinda Fielder Katlyn Frazier Kathy Evans Olivia Horton Sarah Jobe Susan Lemmon Connie McCarter Breanna Mareschal Melissa Schmittgens Chloe Williams Jessica Zengel
STAFF
PRESIDENT & CEO Bonnie Keller PROGRAM DIRECTORRONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE Mindy Muñoz GENERAL DENTIST Dr. Sarah Cimino COMMUNITY DENTISTS Dr. Raymond Burton Dr. Aaron Dannegger Dr. Brett Durbin Dr. David Hacker Dr. Misty Shelton Dr. Camille Tague OFFICE MANAGER Abbie Dohmen DENTAL ASSISTANTS Christy Hradek Megan Sanders PART-TIME DENTAL ASSISTANTS Amy Baker Chelsea Murray Delina Nguyen Kristi Terry HEALTHY SMILES ACADEMY PROGRAM MANAGER Tamra Thomas
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Brushing By Tamra Thomas Looking back, it has been a super busy year for the Healthy Smiles Academy! The program continues to grow and expand in wonderful ways; it has been especially exciting to shape the program to fit some unique classroom settings. Over the past year, we have been able to add more special education classrooms, a couple of alternative schools, several day care centers, and specialized facilities such as Harmony House. We also continue to brush successfully in lots of schools and at community centers such as the Boys and Girls Clubs and Salvation Army. The addition of the special education classrooms has just been wonderful. We already had a presence at both Fremont Elementary
and Bissett Elementary in their kindergarten classrooms. We were thrilled to have the opportunity to impact the oral health of children in the special education classes at both schools. Truman Elementary and Reed Middle School were also eager to add the program after seeing its success in other schools. Proper brushing technique can be challenging for some of these children so we had much to celebrate as we saw them make great strides over the course of the year. We are always looking for growth opportunities and were excited to connect with the Greene County Youth Academy and the Excel Community Resource Center. We now have awesome teenagers
brushing daily at both centers. Surprisingly, these teens get very excited about brushing! It is so cool to hear their gratitude for taking home dental supplies because they didn’t have any previously. One student recently told his teacher that he wasn’t flossing at home until he learned about the importance of it from the Healthy Smiles Academy. Now he happily flosses because of his newfound awareness. The Healthy Smiles Academy wants to connect with children as young as possible to get a healthy oral hygiene routine started. Some
Mikayla, who brushes daily at the Boys and Girls Club Henderson Unit, shows off a photo of herself that says, “I brushed my teeth for two minutes. Play Doh and Mega Blocks help kids practice flossing. This is a creative way for new flossers to learn proper technique.
of the newest day care centers to join HSA are Life Skills Learning Center, Rise and Shine Learning Center, and Alpha Tots. These centers run year-round and offer care to babies up to the age of twelve. They are constantly adding new brushers to their centers so we return frequently to work one-on-one with new brushers. These day care facilities have all been so much fun and there is such a huge need for our presence! Harmony House is a new addition that is quite unique. With residents routinely staying less than 45 days, HSA functions a little differently here. We have developed oral hygiene presentations to share quarterly for 1-10
Tooth Truck Wish List
kids over a course of a few weeks. Their brushing attendance fluctuates on a daily basis so it is important to keep in touch with the facility to keep a count of the current brushers. This has been an exciting opportunity to teach good brushing habits to these kiddos and we are so thankful to have the opportunity to work with them! I hope this gives you a good overview of some of the non-school sites we have had the opportunity to work with. It keeps us busy and we are always looking to expand. If you
know of a lower-income day care facility that could use our services, or are interested in volunteering with us, feel free to reach out to me at tamra. thomas@toothtruck.org.
May/June 2019 Children Treated:......... M 178 J 94 Dental Appointments Provided:............................M 223 J 147 Year to Date Dental Appointments:............ M 1270 J 1417 Program to Date Dental Appointments:....... M 56,587 J 56,734
Lamar at the Rise ’N Shine Learning Center, makes sure DecayAway Dragon goes home with a super clean smile!
Action figures Matchbox cars Hair accessories (clips, headbands) Chapstick Clorox Wipes Dixie Cups Jewelry (necklaces, bracelets)
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of the Ozarks
Handheld games DVDs for older children Outdoor toys (bubbles, sidewalk chalk, Frisbees, sports balls) Walmart gift cards Beanie Babies Backpacks Lunch Totes
New Volunteer Welcome Kathy Evans The Healthy Smiles Academy would like to welcome our newest volunteer, Kathy Evans! She loves to visit her family and connects with them as often as she can. She enjoys traveling, shopping and hanging out with her friends. Kathy loves to help people and has demonstrated that when she works one on one with the HSA students. She has assisted with several toothbrushing launches already and the students adore her!
Program to Date Value of Treatment:...M $16.4 million J $16.55 million Children Who Received Treatment: Boyd Elementary Campbell Early Childhood Field Elementary Fremont Elementary Great Circle Harmony Houset Harrison Elementary Holland Elementary Horace Mann Elementary Jeffries Elementary Monett Schools Pershing School Reed Middle School Republic Schoolts Robberson Elementary Sequiota Elementary Shady Dell Sherwood Elementary Shining Stars Early Childhood Westport School Williams Elementary
Birthdays July 2 Megan Sanders July 6 Mindy MuĂąoz July 10 Dr. Sarah Cimino July 14 Abbie Dohmen July 20 Breanna Mareschal
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Heart Beats
949 E. Primrose Street Springfield, Missouri 65807-5257
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
SAVE THE DATE
24th Annual Cup O’Cheer Homes Tour Friday, November 22
This 24th 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 Market and Holiday Tea at Springfield’s Diamond Room including 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 in October for $30 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! Contact Melanie Ball at 417-875-3501 or Melanie.Ball@RMHCozarks.org for more information on volunteering.