Heart Beats June/July 2023

HeartBEATS

Sertoma GRIN IRON CLASSIC

On Friday, June 2, we celebrated the tradition of watching graduated seniors play in the final football game of their high school careers at the 22nd Annual Sertoma GRIN IRON CLASSIC AllStar Football Game.

As the East went head-to-head with the West, parents, coaches, friends and supporters gathered to cheer on their favorite team in this game benefiting the Tooth Truck (our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile). Nearly 80 local high school athletes from Southwest Missouri were selected by SW MO High School Football Coaches Association for this annual competition, hosted by the Heart of the Ozarks Sertoma Club.

This event and significant funding for the Tooth Truck would not have been possible without the generosity of Presenting Sponsors, Delta Dental of Missouri and Heart of the Ozarks Sertoma Club; Leadership Sponsors, the Greater Springfield Dental Society and

Mediacom; Supporting Sponsors, Mercy and The Kevin Singleton Family; and Contributing Sponsor, McDonald’s of the Ozarks.

The 2023 All-Star players are recognized in the GRIN IRON CLASSIC event program featuring player bios and photos, as well as our generous sponsors and advertisers. An electronic version of this program is available on our website at rmhcozarks.org/events/ grin-iron-classic/

Thanks to all our wonderful volunteers for supporting the FCA Dinner for players and their families, as well as every aspect of the GIC! We couldn’t do it without you.

Heart of the Ozarks Sertomans

Abigail Weitzel

Ann Griesemer

Bill Covey

Cindy Covey

Cindy Harris

Cody Kimes

Debbie Slocum

George Rose

Kelly Rose

Merisalu Santos

Praise Santos

Randy Slocum

Sandy Davis

Sandy Emberton

Scott Weitzel

Shawn Gott

Sondra Rader

Terri Carr

TJ Slocum

Travis Weitzel

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

Volunteer Outing

The RMHC and Tooth Truck volunteers and staff took in the Springfield Cardinals vs. Tulsa Drillers game on Friday, June 16. Our thanks to Price Cutter for providing Terrace section tickets for our volunteers again this year. It’s been so wonderful watching our volunteer program grow in recent months. Even the rain didn’t keep the Springfield Cardinals mascot, Louie, from visiting with the children in our group.

Pictured here are Zaiden, son of Tooth Truck Dental Assistant Amanda Honor, and Alanah, daughter of new Tooth Truck Office Coordinator Joscelyn Flores.

Happy Wheels Volunteers Needed

Created as an additional resource for potential Ronald McDonald House families, our Happy Wheels wagon brings special deliveries to families and children at Cox South Hospital and Mercy Kids Hospital who could benefit from the Houses. All too often, we find that families with children in the hospital could really use our services but don’t know we’re available. Happy Wheels allows us to visit with families and bring our mission directly to them

Our staff and volunteers use our very own little red “Happy Wheels” wagons to deliver care bags specific to parents and kids along with information about how they can benefit from our “home-away-from-home” as day guests or for overnight stays. These care bags usually have necessities and fun activities that bring smiles to parents and kids when they need them the most.

If you or someone you know is interested in helping with this incredible program, please contact Lindsey Kimes at lindsey.kimes@rmhcozarks.org / 417.875.3501.

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.

©2022 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.

President & CEO

Bonnie Keller

Vice President

Debbie Kinser

Tooth Truck

Program Director

Mindy Muñoz

Director of Philanthropy

Alyssa Lindsay

Development Assistant

Kim Booth

Development Coordinator

Katie Serangeli

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH

Program Manager

Danielle Harp

Associate Program Manager

Lindsey Kimes

Family Care Managers

Laura Benowitz

Austin Gormley

Jennifer Grooms

Makayla Martin

Megan Mashburn

Grace Richter

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS

Program Manager

Justin Wilson

Associate Program Manager

Breanna Wilson

Family Care Managers

Samantha Ball

Julie Holt

Savannah Keller

Jack Osborn

Madison Mickan

Makayla Martin Wise

Sandy Emberton Eclipses 3,250 Volunteer Hours

The House at Mercy Kids recently had the privilege to present Sandy Emberton with RMHC-inspired jewelry from our national donor, Kendra Scott to recognize her 3,250 Volunteer Hours. Sandy began her volunteer service at the Houses in 1989 and has been a dedicated servant to our families for over 30 years. Sandy’s smile and positivity is a light for those she interacts with each time she is at the House and her contribution to the Happy Wheels program along with friend, and fellow long-time volunteer, Ann Griesemer, has made an impact on countless children and families over the years. Thank you, Sandy Emberton!

Amy Grubaugh – 3,250 Hours and Counting!

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks is honored to spotlight Amy Grubaugh, as she has recently surpassed the milestone of having served 3,250 hours with us. She has been volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House near Cox South for over ten years, and her dedication to helping families in need is truly inspiring. Over the years, Amy has tirelessly worked to write personalized acknowledgements for every inkind donation that comes through our doors. Her letters ensure our donors understand our appreciation and gratitude for their continued support of our mission.

We commemorated Amy’s time here through gifting her with RMHC inspired jewelry from our national donor, Kendra Scott. This recognition serves as a testament to her hard work and generosity. Amy’s passion for serving others in times of need is an inspiration to everyone she meets, and her smile alone can brighten anyone’s day. Thank you so much, Amy, for your dedication to the Ronald McDonald House.

Volunteer Awards

Carol Harris was awarded an RMHC Lapel Pin for her 25 hours of service.

Alexandra Ross was awarded an RMHC Lapel Pin for her 25 hours of service.

Molly Stood was awarded an RMHC Lapel Pin for her 25 hours of service & mug for 50 hours of service.

Sarah Han was awarded an RMHC Lapel Pin for her 25 hours of service & mug for 50 hours of service.

Beka Rasor was awarded an RMHC Hour Pin for 100 hours of service.

Travis Weitzel was awarded an RMHC Lapel Pin with a Ruby Pin for 250 hours of service.

Amy Grubaugh was awarded RMHC inspired jewelry from Kendra Scott for 3,250 Hours of service.

Sandy Emberton was awarded RMHC inspired jewelry from Kendra Scott for 3,250 Hours of service.

From The Staff Heart of the House

Happy Anniversary

1 YEAR

Lindsey Kimes

Austin Gormley

Justin Wilson

5 YEARS

Jack Osborn

6 YEARS

Savannah Keller

House Near Cox South

Current Active Volunteers:

Ceilia Briley

Terri Carr

Barry Chole

Sandy Davis

Kathy Dennis

Blake Dowdy

Amy Grubaugh

Dorothy Harlan

Carol Harris

Danielle Henson

Regina Marshall

Larry Meinsen

Brenda Podewitz

Missy Potter

Kay Prost

Beka Rasor

Becky Reser

Ashley Rosetta

Praise Santos

Crystal Schneider

Anne Schubert

Randy Slocum

Grace Stagner

Kim Stagner

Ivy Starks

Gail Sours

Karen Taylor

Kellie Wirtz

Abigail Weitzel

Joanna Weitzel

Scott Weitzel

Travis Weitzel

Welcome new Volunteers to the House near Cox South: Barry Chole, Danielle Henson, Missy Potter, and Praise Santos!

Welcome back to the House near Cox South: Anne Schubert and Becky Reser!

House At Mercy Kids

Current Active Volunteers:

Deborah Ehie

Glory Ehie

Sandy Emberton

Arlena Gauldin

Ann Griesemer

Sarah Han

Stori Johnson

Ginny Lohkamp

Zachary McCubbins

Alexandra Ross

Jessica Steward

Molly Stood

Nicholas Vollano

Welcome new Volunteers to the House at Mercy Kids: Deborah Ehie and Sondra Rader!

Dinner Group Recipe

Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup From The Girlfriends

This is a correction from our last edition of Heartbeats.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 bag Tortilla Chips

• 2 teaspoons of Vegetable Oil

• 1 pound Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts - diced

• 1 small yellow onion – diced

• 8 ounces Cream Cheese –softened

• ¾ cup Red Enchilada Sauce

• ¼ tsp Ground Cumin

• 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper

• ¾ cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth

• 1 14 ounce can Low Sodium Black Beans – drained and rinsed

• 1 14 ounce can Sweet Corn Kernels

– drained and rinsed

• 1 10 ounce can Diced Tomatoes with Chilis – such as Rotel

• Cilantro Leaves for serving

DIRECTIONS:

1. Add vegetable oil to a 3-quart of larger Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot and turn the heat to medium-high. Add the chicken and diced onion and cook for 7-10 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through

2. Meanwhile, puree the cream cheese, enchilada sauce, cumin, and cayenne pepper in a small food processor. (Or beat using a hand mixer)

3. Add the broth to the chicken pot, followed by the cream cheese mixture. Stir in the beans, corn, and diced tomatoes. Simmer over medium-low heat for 5-10 minutes, until warmed through.

4. Serve topped with tortilla chips and cilantro as desired.

Family Dinner Spotlight The Hesington Family

The Hesington family along with their business, Gracie’s Bridal, have been a tremendous help to the Meals from the Heart program at the Ronald McDonald House. For the past several months, they have volunteered to cook and serve meals to families staying at the House at Mercy Kids.

The Hesingtons have a personal connection to RMHC. Their daughter, Ruby, was born 15 weeks premature and spent the first few months of her life in the hospital. They stayed at the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids during that time and were grateful for the support they received.

The Hesingtons along with their team at Gracie’s Bridal wanted to give back to the Ronald McDonald House, so they started volunteering for the Meals from the Heart program. They cook a variety of meals, from pizza to tacos and they also help set up and clean up after the meals.

Their dedication has made a real difference in the lives of the families who stay at the Ronald McDonald House. The meals provide muchneeded nourishment and comfort to families who are going through a difficult time. Their willingness to volunteer their time is a true act of kindness and the Hesingtons are an inspiration to us all. Thank you, Hesington family, for your support of the Ronald McDonald House!

Kamryn Hesington took a moment to answer a few questions below related to their participation in the Meal from the Heart dinner program

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

We started providing meals shortly after we ended our 90-day stay at the Ronald McDonald House after we had our daughter Ruby at 25-weeks on July 23, 2022. Towards the end of our stay, we started trying to think of ways to give back to the program and we asked our team at our business, Gracie’s

Bridal, if they would like to volunteer with us. They enthusiastically said yes! Now, our whole team looks forward to our bi-monthly volunteer nights!

How did you get involved with the Family Dinner Program?

There is no way we could ever repay what this program gifted us during our long stay. Bringing in meals is the least we could do. I love being able to talk with parents that are struggling through the things I did and have the opportunity to try to give them hope through my experiences. We are approaching one year since our stay at the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids. To celebrate Ruby’s first birthday and the program, we are attempting to fill every available night in July with our loved ones!

What would you say to anyone considering volunteering for the Family Dinner Program? Go for it! The impact meals make on these families is priceless. After a hard day fighting alongside your child, the last thing you want to do is think about making or ordering dinner. We were so thankful to have the Ronald McDonald House available for us when we needed it most.

Dinner Groups!

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH

Ann Henderson

Bill Williams

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - Chesterfield

Circle 7

Covey Family

Cox Pediatrics Team

Crossway Baptist Church

Dream Center

Giddens Family Foundation

The Girlfriends

Glendale FCCLA

Birthdays

May 4th

Missy Potter

May 4th

Carrie Brown

May 11th

Makayla Martin

May 14th

Dorothy Harlan

May 15th

Randy Slocum

May 18th

Sarah Han

May 19th

Praise Santos

May 22nd

Bonnie Keller

May 25th

Terri Carr

May 30th

Ivy Starks

June 11th

Kasey Giddens

June 21st

Ceilia Briley

Zachary McCubbins

June 25th

Sondra Rader

Gravelin Family Hamilton Family

Jack Henry - Mayor McCheese

Janelle Staal

Julie Pappenfort

Little Caesars

New Testament Christian Church

Nixa General Baptist - Ladies Group

Northpoint Church

Oak Grove Assembly of God

Oncology Nursing Society

Oracle

Orchard Crest Baptist Church

Order of the Eastern Star - Republic Chapter #370

Parkcrest Baptist ChurchFoundations Class

Pyatt Dental

Rachel Leach

Reece Nichols

Rose Family

Sarah Richardson

Settle Family

Swihart Family

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS

Mercy Month(s) Groups

Arvest Bank

Ash Grove United Methodist

Presbyterian Church

Bambino’s Café

Bricktown Brewery

Chick-fil-a

City of Springfield HR

Cochran Engineering

Compassus

Covey Family

Dana Fogle

Diaper Dandies Community Group

DRG Validation

Giddens Family Foundation

Gracie’s Bridal

Haven Home Healthcare

Hesington Family

Houlihan’s

J.E. Dunn Construction

Jordan Heinz State Farm Agency

Kim Dehner

LifePoint Church

Lindsey Hughes

Little Caesars Pizza

Lousie & Jessica

Mckayla Hines

Marshfield National Honors Society

Megan Welch

Mercy Core Lab

Mercy Epic Mission Control Team

Mercy Microbiology Lab

Mercy Pre-Registration Team

Mercy Virtual Business office

Mid-Missouri Bank

Pasta Express

Sanchez Family

Sarah Schaffer

SBU Nursing

Team Janet Union Hill Church of Christ United Healthcare Welch Family Wilkinson Dental

OPEN DINNER DATES:

July: 12,17,18,19,21,22,23 ,25,27,28,29,30,31

August: 1,2,4,5,6,7,9,12,13,14,15,16,18, 20,21,22,24,25,26,27,29,31

The Lawrance Family

The Wilson Family

TownePlace Suites

Turning Point Church

Walmart Neighborhood Market – El Camino

Ziggie’s Café

OPEN DINNER DATES:

July: 15,23,30

August: 1,4,5,6,11,13,14,15,19,20,21,22,26,27,28,29,30,31

July 6th

Mindy Munoz

July 19th

Donna Boyle

July 27th

Shane Cowger

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Our Ronald McDonald Houses provide a “home-away-fromhome” for families of seriously ill and injured children receiving medical treatment. Providing a calming, restful, and comfortable environment for families is at the heart of our mission. Maintaining our twenty-four bedrooms and numerous shared family spaces at 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 in families, 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 threehour shift each week or biweekly, and although we strongly encourage volunteers to have the COVID-19 vaccination, it is no longer a requirement for volunteering.

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

Around the Houses

Mother’s Day at our Ronald McDonald Houses

On this Mother’s Day, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks honored our moms by providing them with a variety of gifts and goodies to remind them they are never alone when staying here with us. Spending Mother’s Day in the hospital is tough and we hope this special surprise made their day a little bit brighter.

Buddy’s Carpet Care

Recently, we had to close the House near Cox South to update our fire systems. During this time, we called the most trusted and friendly carpet cleaning business in Springfield! For two full days, Buddy’s Carpet Care vacuumed, steamed and deep cleaned all our chairs, couches, carpets and even our tile, laminate and wood flooring! Their attention to detail to our flooring and furniture has truly elevated the quality of care we can provide for all the families staying with us. Thank you, Buddy’s Carpet Care, for your ongoing generosity since 2008!

Mom Makes a Baby Book

The staff at both Houses recently decided to provide families with the opportunity to create a baby/memory book to document their experiences during their stay. This new resource is available to all families who stay at the House, regardless of the length of their stay. Amber Swanson, a NICU mother who stayed at the House at Mercy Kids for 55 days after her son Liam was born prematurely on March 16th, took advantage of this new resource. Amber used our photo printer and scrapbooking items to create a beautiful book filled with photos and stories of Liam’s first few months of life. Even though Liam was in the hospital, Amber was able to find ways to bond with him and create memories that will last a lifetime. This book will be a cherished keepsake for Liam and Amber to look back on when he is older.

HOUSE WISH LIST

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

Celebrating Our Nurses for International Nurses Day

May 6th was International Nurses Day! As a small token of our appreciation, we provided each of our nurses serving in the pediatric units at Cox South Hospital and Mercy Hospital with a special gift. Our appreciation runs deep for these amazing nurses, and we know our Ronald McDonald House families are in the most loving and caring hands when they are in the hospital. We are so appreciative of the positive impact nurses have in our community and their commitment to providing quality care and compassion in our local medical facilities. Nurses: your dedication to your careers and the patients you serve is inspiring. We are beyond grateful for you every single day! You make difficult times easier by providing outstanding care. To all the nurses who continue to show up for those in need... we appreciate you!

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

Welcome, Danielle!

The Ronald McDonald House near Cox South is proud to welcome Danielle Harp to our team as the new Program Manager! Danielle joins us from the Arc of the Ozarks, where she worked as the Assistant Director of Community Connections and Employment Services over the past 6 years. Outside of work, Danielle and her husband, Joey, have three sons: Jason, Jaston, and Jax, and they are a close-knit family who enjoy spending their time kayaking and camping out on the James River. Danielle is enjoying the connections she has already been able to develop with the hospital staff and our partnering units in her new role with RMHC. She is most excited about her opportunity to be able to love on families and get to know each and every one of them. We are so excited to have Danielle on our incredible team!

Mission Moment

The Hayes Family

Na’Kasia Hayes was born February 18, 2004, to Nathaniel and Kayla Hayes. She grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. Throughout school she received many writing awards and was a part of the Honors Society. Na’Kasia trained in MMA and had dreams of becoming a professional fighter. After she graduated in 2022, she enrolled in MCC-Penn Valley Advanced Technical Skills Institute to pursue a future through their welding program. Her mother, Kayla, has always encouraged her to follow God’s path for her life and trust in His purpose.

At the very beginning of April, Na’Kasia was travelling to Pittsburg with some friends when she was riding in the backseat. At 9:30pm her mom, Kayla, received a call from Na’Kasia’s friend. The friend was hysterical and scared. She informed Kayla that they’d been in a car accident, and Na’Kasia had been ejected from the rear window.

Na’Kasia was airlifted to Joplin’s Freeman Hospital which is roughly 2 ½ hours from Kansas City. Kayla said that was the longest drive of her life. She remembers crying and pleading with God to keep her child safe. Her injuries were so severe that they brought a Chaplin in the room to talk to them, and they were only able to see her for a split moment before she was airlifted again to Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Kayla and her family felt so blessed by the hospital staff at Cox. All of the hospital staff referred to Na’Kasia’s recovery as a miracle that happened right before their eyes.

Living in Kansas City, Kayla and Nathaniel needed a place to stay where they could be close to Na’Kasia. The Ronald McDonald House not only lifted a financial burden for their family, but it provided them somewhere comfortable and safe - and that’s what mattered to them the most. They were blessed by Jennifer, one of our Family Care Managers, while they were here. She gave them constant encouragement and shed so much light on their situation. Kayla and Nathaniel felt like they had family at RMHC because of the staff and the other guests in the House. They will never forget us, and they will forever keep us in their thoughts and prayers.

Na’Kasia was able to go home on May 3rd, after being in the hospital for over a month! She has made an incredible recovery and both the hospital staff and her family are continually amazed at how strong she is.

Welcome, Samantha Ball

The House at Mercy Kids is pleased to welcome Samantha Ball to our fantastic Family Care Manager Team. Samantha has served as a volunteer at the House and recently voiced a desire to become a part of our staff. This month, she began covering our Sunday overnight shifts and looks forward to taking care of families, cooking dinners and baking delicious desserts for those staying at the House. Sam is currently enrolled at MSU and is pursuing a career in medicine. She loves animals and has two dogs, a cat, and a leopard gecko at home. Welcome, Samantha Ball!

House Volunteer Spotlight

Ivy Starks

Ivy Starks has been volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House Near Cox South since January. What quickly shined through was her heart and desire to serve our families and partnering staff over at the hospital. Ivy jumped at the opportunity to take on our debuting “Coffee on the House” Program, and her dedication and efforts have helped make this program so successful! We are so thankful to have Ivy serving with us on top of her working part-time and being in college at Missouri State University full-time. Thank you, Ivy, for all that you have done here at RMHC of the Ozarks!

What is your favorite thing to do (or a couple things) at the House?

Getting to talk to the families when I am in the kitchen. It’s nice getting to hear their stories and celebrating when baby gets to go home.

What do you enjoy in your free time?

Spending time with my dog and the outdoors.

Extracurricular activities?

Cooking and taking yoga classes.

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

I also volunteer at Cox South. I am a part of the Child Life services.

How did you learn about the Ronald McDonald House?

I learned from a fellow coworker who works at the House. She enjoys her work and told me I would be a perfect fit.

Do you have any favorite memories? When I was able to talk to a family in the House and then later down the road, I got to help provide them with services when I was volunteering at the hospital.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering with our organization?

I enjoy seeing how happy the health care workers are on Monday mornings when they see us.

Fun Fact not many people would know about you?

The Ronald McDonald House was able to help my family once when I was sick as a child.

Other comments?

If you’re thinking about how to help others or want to try something new- volunteer!

Welcome, Alyssa!

We are pleased to introduce Alyssa Lindsay, the Director of Philanthropy for RMHC of the Ozarks. In this new role, she will lead the definition of our fund development strategy, supervise its implementation, steward a personal portfolio of major donors, and nurture a culture of philanthropy within and beyond our organizations. She will also provide oversight of our development operations as well as financial analysis, planning and reporting. We look forward to everyone having the opportunity to meet and work with her.

Alyssa was born and raised in St. Louis and has been living in Seattle WA for the last 5 years. Her dad’s side of the family is from the Springfield area and how she came to live here. She has spent a good deal of her career in both academia and business and has also enjoyed serving outside her professional roles with The Bridge Care Center, the World Food Programme and Sustainability Initiatives throughout the city. For fun, Alyssa and her friends co-founded PLAY:stl, a 4-day musical festival and conference featuring 90 bands and panelists that ran from 2007-2010. While in Seattle, she couldn’t get enough of hiking, camping and sailing.

Since moving back to Springfield, Alyssa started a group called the Downtown Sunflower Project, bringing the community together to plant sunflowers on vacant lots throughout downtown. She was recently appointed to the Springfield-Greene County Environmental Advisory Board focusing on sustainability and water quality. Her favorite use of time is spent with her 95-year-old Gran. Welcome to RMHC of the Ozarks, Alyssa!

Farewell Jacob Golden

Jacob Golden has dedicated almost five years to serving families at the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids. Now, Jacob is embarking on a new journey as Junior Developer for the Quality Assurance Automated Testing Team at O’Reilly Automotive Inc. Although we will miss his incredible work ethic and compassion for the families at RMHC, we are confident that he will continue to do great things in his new role. Congratulations, Jacob!

Heart of the Truck

Katie Baird

McKenna Courtney

Molly Gross

Anna Gunderman

Grace Hoffman

Jadyn Pace

Birthdays

June 7

Kassidy Tuttle

June 9

Patch Clay

July 3

Megan Sanders

July 4

Madi Noe

July 10

Dr. Sarah Cimino

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

DENTAL ASSISTANTS

Megan Sanders

Kassidy Tuttle

PART-TIME DENTAL ASSISTANT

Amanda Honor

OFFICE COORDINATOR

Joscelyn Flores

VOLUNTEERS

Patch Clay

Emily Dunn

Jennifer Hardy

What is a Happy Visit?

The Tooth Truck works hard to ensure each patient has a positive dental experience. Sometimes this means we never even get a peek inside their mouths. Our team provides “happy visits” to kids who aren’t quite ready for the full cleaning, set of x-rays, and dental exam. A happy visit means we meet each child at their level to offer the care they are most comfortable with. Patients can walk away with a positive feeling about seeing the dentist even if they aren’t ready to step inside the Tooth Truck.

Each spring we devote time to visiting the Early Childhood schools in Springfield. At these schools we meet energetic three and four-year-olds who often haven’t ever been to the dentist. Some of them have sensory issues and aren’t ready to take in all the sights and sounds of the Tooth Truck. When this happens, Dr. Sarah is quick to hop off the Truck to greet them and ask to count their teeth. Sometimes this means sitting with them on our steps or joining them

inside the wagon they sat in on their ride outside! After a quick count of their teeth, we share encouragement to brush each day and they then get to take a goody bag of new dental supplies with them. We also meet young patients who are ready to brush and floss their teeth but aren’t up for taking x-rays. Dr. Sarah can pop in and offer a visual exam to see if there are any signs of tooth decay that can be detected with the eye. We type up letters to send home for parents/ guardians detailing what we were able to perform and if there were any areas of concern.

A happy visit may only last a minute or two, but we know it’s a big step towards growing more comfortable with seeing the dentist. Our hope is, the next time they see the dentist, they will remember Dr. Sarah sitting with them and talking about the number of teeth they have in their mouth and why it is so important to brush them each morning and night.

Dr. Sarah didn’t hesitate to climb into the traveling wagon to meet children on their level during our visit to the early childhood schools

What’s better than visiting the Tooth Truck with your best friend? Lincoln and Richard loved coming on board and getting their teeth checked at the same time. Here they share a cute moment showing off their bright, clean smiles

Staff Welcomes

The Tooth Truck is thrilled to welcome Joscelyn Flores to the team as Office Coordinator. In this role, Joscelyn will ensure things run smoothly at every site we visit while making a positive connection with each young patient. Joscelyn is originally from New York and relocated to the Ozarks two years ago. She says her favorite part of her role is meeting new kids every day and making an impact on their confidence. In her free time, she enjoys crafting a variety of projects and spending time with her family. We are so happy to have Joscelyn on our team!

Volunteer Welcomes

The Tooth Truck welcomes Patch Clay to the volunteer program. Patch grew up in Springfield and is currently a pre-dental student at MSU. He says he knew early in life he wanted to pursue being a dentist and has a passion for helping individuals feel more confident. Patch has a busy summer as he is planning his wedding for later this fall. We are excited to work with him each week!

Tooth Truck Wish List

Action figures

Matchbox cars

Hair accessories

(clips, headbands)

Chapstick

Clorox Wipes

Handheld games

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of the Ozarks May 2023

Children Treated: ............ 209

Dental Appointments Provided: 296

Year to Date Dental Appointments: .............1,285

Program to Date Dental

Appointments: ..........66,090

Program to Date Value of Treatment: ......$22.5 million

Jewelry (necklaces, bracelets)

DVDs for older children

Outdoor toys

(bubbles, sidewalk chalk, Frisbees, sports balls)

Walmart gift cards

Beanie Babies

Heart Beats

949 E. Primrose Street

Springfield, Missouri 65807-5257

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Price Cutter Charity Championship

The 34th Annual Korn Ferry Tour Price Cutter Charity Championship presented by Dr. Pepper (PCCC) is right around the corner! This event will be held on July 20-23 at Highland Springs Country Club. Since the inception of the PCCC in 1990, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks has been a beneficiary, providing $1.5 million in support to our organization alone.

This event would not be possible without the dedication of an army of volunteers. We are currently seeking volunteers to help sell tickets and work the tournament days! If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Lindsey Kimes at 417-875-3501 / lindsey.kimes@ rmhcozarks.org.

Don’t forget, TLC Properties Charities Sweepstakes Tickets are on sale now! 100% of your purchase will benefit the children and families of our two Ronald McDonald Houses if you designate RMHC as your preferred charity. This program features some amazing prizes, so be sure to check out the enclosed flyer for more details. Each ticket also serves as a grounds season pass for the tournament. You can purchase tickets online at RMHCOzarks.org, by contacting Kim Booth at 417-875-3505 or by mailing a check with the bottom portion of the enclosed flyer to RMHC at 949 E. Primrose, Springfield, MO 65807. Buy your tikcets TODAY and help spread the word!