November / December Heartbeats

HeartBEATS

Record Year for the 8th Annual Red Shoe Gala

On October 14, friends of Ronald McDonald House Charities put on their red shoes and joined us for an evening of dinner, dancing, mission and fun at the White River Conference Center.

Back by popular demand, Star Search Grand Champion Jake Simpson returned once again! For years, Simpson has captivated our audiences with his inspiring enthusiasm and passion for helping families and children in our community. He has become a staple of the Red Shoe Gala, and we were thrilled to welcome him back to the stage this year!

The night’s fun included the Red Shoe Cam, “Shoebox Surprise”, Selfie Mirror Photo Booth, ShowStopper Spin Booth, Red Shoe Contest, Heads or Tails game, Adopt a Family Program and more!

100% of proceeds benefited 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), and resulted in a record-breaking $205,000 for our organization!

Dillard’s at the Battlefield Mall, 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, 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 $14 and is available now in all Dillard’s stores nationwide, as well as online at www.dillards.com until December 24th. Proceeds from cookbooks sold at the Dillard’s in the Battlefield Mall will benefit our two Springfield Ronald McDonald Houses.

Family Stories Month

November is Family Stories Month. This month is a time to gather as a family and share stories, learn and listen. Each family has a story to tell – some are heartbreaking, some are moments of triumph, and some are laugh out loud funny. At our two Ronald McDonald Houses, we are celebrating Family Stories Month by talking with former families about their time spent with us. Each family we serve is a part of our Ronald McDonald House history and story, and us a part of theirs. We will be sharing some of these stories on our social media throughout the month of November, so make sure to be checking in for those!

Kendra Scott Fundraiser

On August 28th and 29th, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks partnered with Kendra Scott to support the Grand Opening of their store at the Battlefield Mall! During these two days, 20% of the proceeds of purchases in store and online were donated to RMHC of the Ozarks to support the children and families we serve! We are so grateful to Kendra Scott for partnering with us and to everyone who participated in this event and helped to raise $409.24 for our organization!

2022 Fall Outing!

On October 20, more than 100 Ronald McDonald House and Tooth Truck staff, volunteers, and board members came together for an incredible evening of fellowship, fall festivities, and food! Special thanks to Cox House APM, Lindsey Kimes, who did a phenomenal job coordinating this outing. Great job, Lindsey!

It was a long overdue and highly anticipated reunion for many, and the sparks of the bonfire were matched only by the spark of new friendships and memories being made. We were honored to recognize all of our incredible volunteers, but it was an extra special night for Sandy Emberton, Ann Griesemer, Marlene McWilliams and Tracie Nicholson-Pesek, who were awarded RMHC pins for their hours of volunteer service.

The Fall Outing was such a fun and meaningful way for us to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for our staff, volunteers, and board members, and we look forward to future opportunities to come together and celebrate the collective impact of so many remarkable individuals.

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.

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

Project Manager

Amber Price Development Assistant

Kim Booth

Development Coordinator

Katie Serangeli

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE

NEAR COX SOUTH

Program Manager

Shannon Richards Associate Program Manager

Lindsey Kimes

Family Care Managers

Laura Benowitz

Austin Gormley

Jennifer Grooms

Megan Mashburn

Grace Richter

Gracelyn Thornberry

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS

Program Manager

Ezra Wood Associate Program Manager

Justin Wilson

Family Care Managers

Austin Camplejohn

Jacob Golden

Julie Holt

Savannah Keller

Jack Osborn

Gracelyn Thornberry

Round-Up for RMHC This Holiday Season

During this season of giving, making a difference for families of ill and injured children all across the Ozarks is easier than ever. When you stop by your local McDonald’s restaurant, you can donate by asking to round-up your order total for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks. Not only will you leave with a great meal, you’ll leave knowing you helped provide hope and comfort to families caring for their sick and injured children, and helped keep them close to the care and resources they need.

Lost & Found Grief Center Presentation

Following an extraordinarily heartbreaking couple of months at our Ronald McDonald Houses, we felt that it would be beneficial to have someone come and speak to our teams about loss, grief, and other difficult scenarios our guests experience. We reached out to Nannette Thomas at Lost & Found Grief Center in Springfield, who quickly and graciously catered an educational presentation to our needs. Nannette met with the teams at both Ronald McDonald House locations, allowing us to ask questions, participate in the conversation, and ultimately equip us to better serve those who are navigating grief and loss. Thank you, Nannette, and thank you Lost & Found Grief Center!

For more information on Lost & Found Grief Center and the services and resources they provide, visit lostandfoundozarks.com or call 417-302-4843.

From The Staff Heart of the House

Happy Anniversary

1 YEAR

Austin Camplejohn

Mercy House Family Care Manager

4 YEARS

Jacob Golden Mercy House Family Care Manager

9 YEARS

Amber Price Project Manager

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 Marlene McWilliams

Larry Meinsen

Brenda Podewitz

Kay Prost Beka Rasor

Ashley Rosetta Vicki Scoles David Stair

Gail Sours Kelly Wirtz

Welcome back to the House near Cox South, Kay Prost and Kathy Dennis! Welcome NewVolunteer to the House near Cox South, Nathan Crumm!

House At Mercy Kids

Current Active Volunteers:

Glory Ehie

Sandy Emberton Arlena Gauldin

Terry Greer Ann Griesemer Sarah Han

Adyson Kingree Michelle Litton Tracie Nicholson

Kaitlyn Williams

Welcome to the House at Mercy Kids, Arlena Gauldin, Michelle Litton and Kaitlyn Williams!

Dinner Groups!

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE NEAR COX SOUTH

Amy Clotfetter

Ann Vincel

Ash Grove FCCLA

Cerner Si3

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Chesterfield

Covey Family Cox South Acute Care Unit

Downtown Rotary Gecko Hospitality

The Girlfriends Hamilton Family

Kathe Kristek

Kim Eckert

Lawrence County Retired Teachers

Lindsey Allen

Megan Welch

New Testament Christian Church Nona Bayanin

Phillips Family

Precious Moments But Love Goes On Forever

Pyatt Dental Sierra Austin

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT MERCY KIDS

Alisa Wienke

Amy Clotfelter

Ariel Levine

Barbara Economon Family

Bricktown Brewery

Burney Family

Chick-Fil-A

Diaper Dandies Small Group

DRG Validation

Elliott Robinson & Company

The Goldens

Houlihan’s

Hy-Vee

Interstate Auto Service

Jennifer Elswich

Jordan Heinz State Farm Insurance

Katelyn Grider

Lawrence Family

Mercy Core Lab

Mercy Epic Mission Control

Mercy Health Foundation

Mercy Micro-Biology

Mercy NICU

Mercy Surgery Center

Mercy Trauma Services

Michelle Thorne

Miss Missouri and Friends

Pasta Express

Sanchez Family

Sarah Han

Sarah Schaefer

SBU Nursing Students

Team Janet Union Hill Church of Christ Washam Family Zach McMeley

OPEN DINNER DATES:

NOVEMBER: 22, 26, 27, 29, 30

DECEMBER: 1,2,3,4,6,11,19,20,21,22,23,24 25 27,29,30, 31

Scot and Shelly Wilson

Sunrise Rotary Taylor Hodges

Willard Bontager

Ziggie’s Café

OPEN DINNER DATES:

NOVEMBER: 20,21,23,24,26 27

DECEMBER: 3,6,11,14,16,17,18,24,25,26,28 29 30

Family Dinner Spotlight

Scot and Shelly Wilson

As with many of the groups who provide dinner to families at our Houses, the Wilsons have a personal connection to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks. Having experienced first-hand the impact our organization made for their immediate family, they jumped into action by providing their staple meal of delicious fried chicken. Scot and Shelly are always so eager to visit with the families staying at the House and will often stay late just to have the opportunity to serve any late dinner arrivals. For the Wilsons, it’s not just about serving dinner, it’s about connecting with the families, offering love and encouragement, and letting them know they aren’t alone. We are so grateful to have Scot and Shelly as one of our Family Dinner groups, and we look forward to many more years and more fried chicken to come.

1 .When did you start providing meals at The Ronald McDonald House?

About 4 years ago.

2.How did you get involved with Family D inner Program?

Our granddaughter was in the hospital in Springfield and in Saint Louis off and on

for almost three years. During that time our son and daughter-in-law stayed at the Ronald McDonald Houses in Springfield and Saint Louis. The meals provided to them during that time were beneficial in three ways: time, money saved, and nutrition. The meals provided saved them time so they could be with their daughter as much as possible, saved them money that had been stretched thin by the hospital costs and a balanced meal that they wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

With that in mind we wanted to repay the kindness shown to our family by providing meals for families currently in need at the Ronald McDonald House.

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

Caring for others during a very difficult/ stressful time in their lives.

4 .What would you say to anyone considering volunteering for the Family Dinner Program?

It’s a rewarding experience that is not only a blessing to others but a blessing you receive during the experience.

Dinner Group Recipe

Baked Mustard, Ham and Cheese Sliders

From Shelly Wilson, Family Dinner Group

INGREDIENTS:

• 12 Hawaiian original rolls

• 12 slices of ham

• 8 slices of Swiss cheese

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

• 1 small shallot, minced

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

• 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• poppy seeds, optional

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13 baking dish.

Slice the entire package of rolls in half, horizontally (keeping all top and bottom halves separately in tact).

Place the bottom of the rolls into the prepared baking dish.

Distribute the ham and cheese evenly over the bottom half of the rolls. (I like to do two thin layers of cheese with the ham in the center.) Put the tops on the rolls. Set aside.

In a small sauce pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add shallot and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add mustard, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and salt. Stir to combine.

Pour sauce evenly over all of the sandwiches. Sprinkle tops with poppy seeds.

Cover with foil and bake for 12 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Uncover and cook for 3 additional minutes. Serve hot.

Birthdays

November 5

Lee Ann Neill

November 13

Austin Gormley Gail Sours

December 6 Sandy Emberton

December 7 Peter Connolly

December 9 Larry Meinsen

December 13 Kaitlyn Williams

December 17 Donna Powers December 26 Kellie Wirtz

December 29 Lindsey Kimes Grace Richter Michelle Litton

CoxHealth Happy Wheels Program

We are so excited to announce the Happy Wheels Program has officially been reinstated at Cox South Hospital! With this exciting news, we welcomed back two of our longtime Happy Wheels volunteers, Kay Prost and Kathy Dennis. The Happy Wheels Program enables our volunteers to venture into the referring pediatric units, hand-delivering special gifts to the children and families they encounter. Additionally, through the Happy Wheels Program, our volunteers are able to educate families on the resources available to them through our two Ronald McDonald Houses. We can’t wait to be a “home-away-fromhome” for countless families as a result of the return of the Happy Wheels Program!

Around the Houses

Thank you, Springfield La-Z-Boy!

Since 1988, we have had the honor of serving over 15,000 families at our two Ronald McDonald Houses. As you can imagine, providing a “home-away-fromhome” for that many people over that many years takes an expected toll on the furniture and shared items in the Houses. Thankfully, our global organization allows us to annually request and replace select items through a Global Donor Program. Those items include our La-Z-Boy Sleeper Sofas, which play an enormous role in creating the comfortable and restful environment we are known for, as well as providing an additional bed for family members. Through the Global Donor Program, we were able to replace several worn sleeper sofas at both Houses in early 2022. After utilizing the Donor Program, we still had three bedrooms at the House at Mercy Kids that were due for a new sleeper sofa. We reached out to our local La-Z-Boy retailer to determine the cost and availability

for us to place an order, and were blown away by their response. They informed us that they would be able to place an order for the three pieces as requested, but that it would be at zero cost to our organization. This was an enormous act of kindness and will provide a higher level of comfort and rest to countless families in the years to come. The generosity of La-Z-Boy has been nothing short of remarkable, and we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Maddy and her team at La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries in Springfield, MO. THANK YOU!

Remembering Audrey Evans

On Sept. 29th, 2022 the world lost an extraordinary soul, Dr. Audrey Evans.

Dr. Evans was a truly remarkable woman. She was on a mission to change the world, and she was able to do just that. Millions of people have been impacted by her life’s work as the visionary and cofounder of the first Ronald McDonald House in the world in Philadelphia, a trailblazing oncologist who created the Evan Staging System for neuroblastoma treatment, the cofounder of the St. James School in North Philadelphia, and so much more. There is one common thread throughout her life and career, she was a woman who cared deeply. Caring for others is infectious, and it can spread to create change and make an extraordinary impact.

Rather than mourn the loss of this incredible woman, we celebrate her and all of her tremendous life accomplishments.

House Volunteer Spotlight

Marlene McWilliams

Marlene McWilliams began volunteering with us in August of this year. When she heard there was a need for volunteers at the House near Cox South, she jumped at the opportunity. Marlene has been graciously serving alongside our staff three days a week! She is an absolute pleasure to work with, and we can’t thank her enough for her dedication and constant support.

Marlene is preparing to travel to Arizona during the winter months to escape the cold midwestern air and enjoy some time away. We hope she has fun camping, fishing, and relaxing, and we can’t wait to have her back in the House when she returns from her trip!

What is your favorite thing to do at the House? I enjoy working with the laundry. Folding the terry is a fun thing to do!

What do you enjoy in your free time? Going for walks in my neighborhood, working on jigsaw puzzles, and watching NASCAR and football.

Extracurricular Activities?

Attending church. I am involved with a sewing group at my church.

Do you volunteer anywhere else in the Springfield community? If yes, where? No.

How did you learn about the Ronald McDonald House?

By googling volunteer opportunities in Springfield near me. Since being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 and having to give up a part time job, I felt I could volunteer three hours a day for three days per week to get my strength back.

Do you have any favorite memories?

A favorite memory is catching a “Whopper” of a fish in Minnesota. A 32-inch Northern Pike! Very thrilling!

What do you enjoy most about volunteering with our organization?

The staff is always so thankful and appreciative of my time! It takes a lot of hands to run the House! I enjoy doing a variety of tasks.

Fun Fact not many people would know about you?

Before retiring, I worked for a golf course construction company and met golf legend, Arnold Palmer.

After retiring, we lived in a motorhome for five years full time before building a home in Branson. During our traveling years, we put over 100,000 miles on the motorhome and traveled from Alaska to Florida, and from California to Newfoundland.

Other Comments?

Currently, we spend our winters in Yuma, Arizona.

MSU Meets RMHC

Last quarter, we had the privilege of sharing the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks with 60+ students in MSU’s Leaders in Community Service Program. This was an incredible opportunity for us to advertise our open Family Care Manager position, as well as highlight the opportunity to get involved through our Volunteer and Family Dinner Programs. Soon after the event, we welcomed our newest Family Care Manager to the RMHC family, LCS member Gracelyn Thornberry.

In the weeks following the LCS Agency Mixer, we were invited back to Missouri State University’s campus for an Organization Fair hosted by the Student Activities Council. We were given the opportunity to set up a table inside Plaster Student Union and share how students can get involved at the Houses, Tooth Truck, and at Special Events as a volunteer. We passed out information to the students who came by, and sent several back to class with a volunteer application!

We look forward to seeing all of the Volunteer and Family Dinner Group fruit these efforts will BEAR (MSU pun intended)!

Monthly Statistics September 2022

House Near Cox South STATS

Families Served 29 Nights 227 Families from Missouri 25 Families from Other States ........................ 4 Year to Date 161

Program to Date 11,310 House At Mercy Kids STATS

Families Served 27 Nights .................................. 271 Families from Missouri 24 Families from Other States 3 Year to Date 184 Program to Date......3,722

REGULAR 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

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

MISSION MOMENT

Alcorn Family– A Miraculous Recovery!

At the Ronald McDonald Houses, there’s nothing better than a former family coming by to say hello. It’s icing on the cake when they bring great news! This was the case for Laura and her son Justin who recently stopped by to see us. In March of 2022, 15-year-old Justin Alcorn sustained a severe head injury when he was involved in a tragic car accident that claimed the life of one of his friends. For weeks, Laura Alcorn was unsure if her son was going to make it.

After nearly a month at the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids, they were able to transfer to a local rehabilitation facility in Shannon County. In the time since they have returned home, Justin has taken enormous steps in the direction of a complete recovery. Laura described his progress as nothing short of a miracle and shared that they couldn’t have done it without the care and support of the Ronald McDonald House. When asked what she was most thankful for throughout this experience, she shared that she was most thankful that Justin maintained his trademark orneriness!

Keep fighting Justin, we’re rooting for you!

Volunteer Awards

Marlene McWilliams was awarded an RMHC Volunteer Pin and a mug for her 50 hours of service at the House near Cox South!

Ann Griesemer was awarded an RMHC Volunteer Pin with 1 diamond and 2 rubies for 1500 Hours of service.

Sandy Emberton was awarded an RMHC Volunteer Pin with 3 diamonds for 3000 Hours of Service.

Tracie Nicholson-Pesek was awarded an RMHC Volunteer Pin for 100 Hours of service.

The following hourly awards are awarded to our active volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House:

25 Hours: RMHC Volunteer Pin

50 Hours: Mug

100 Hours: Volunteer Pin

250 Hours: Pin + Ruby

500 Hours: Pin + 2 Rubies

750 Hours: Pin + 3 Rubies

1,000 Hours: Pin + Diamond

1,250 Hours: Pin + 1 Diamond, 1 Ruby

1,500 Hours: Pin + 1 Diamond, 2 Rubies

1,750 Hours: Special Award

2,000 Hours: Pin + 2 Diamonds

2,250 Hours: Pin + 2 Diamonds, 1 Ruby

2,500 Hours: Special Award

2,750 Hours: Special Award

3,000 Hours: Pin + 3 Diamonds

Over 3,250 Hours: Special Awards at 250-hour increments

Welcome, Gracelyn Thornberry!

Please join us in welcoming Gracelyn Thornberry to the Ronald McDonald House Family Care Manager team! Gracelyn is a St. Louis area native, but moved here to continue her education following high school. She is currently a sophomore majoring in Dietetics at Missouri State University. In her free time, she loves to read books and walk around campus. Her bubbly personality, warm demeanor, kind nature, and excitement to play a part in the RMHC mission quickly made her a stand out candidate for the role. Gracelyn’s time will be shared across both Houses, serving at the House near Cox South on Wednesday nights, and the House at Mercy Kids on Sunday days. Welcome to the team, Gracelyn!

Here Comes Miss Missouri & Friends!

In August, we received an exciting request from Miss Missouri 2022, Clare Marie Kuebler. As Miss Missouri, Clare has dedicated her year of service to pediatric cancer. Her social impact initiative is called “Celebrating Courage: Childhood Cancer Advocacy”, and her mission is to help enable children to experience the joy of childhood throughout their treatment and hospital stays. Clare is a graduate of Mizzou with a degree in Elementary Education, and she loves children and having the opportunity to interact with them.

Clare reached out when she learned she would be in the Springfield area on September 15th and asked if Miss Missouri could be of any assistance to the Ronald McDonald House. We jumped at the opportunity and quickly partnered with the incredible Child Life team at Mercy Hospital. Through Child Life, Clare was able to make her way around the hospital, interacting with the children in each of our referring pediatric units. Following her time with Child Life, Clare and her friends, Miss Branson - Holly Enowski, and Miss Springfield Route 66 - Katie Farr, teamed up to prepare and serve a delicious Walking Taco dinner that evening to the families at the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids. Thank you, Miss Missouri & Friends!

Holiday WISH LIST

Visa

Chain

Walmart

Gifts for Mom

Blankets

Bath and body gift sets

Craft kits

Nail polish kits

Insulated travel coffee cups

Gifts for Dad

Cologne

Shave kits/ body wash sets

Wallets

Tool, car care, and grooming kits

Insulated travel coffee cups

Gifts for Babies

Diapers: preemie and newborn

Baby and toddler toys

New preemie and newborn outfits

Gifts for Kids

Superhero toys and games

Sporting good gifts (basketball, etc)

Disney Princess toys and games Lego kits, cars, trucks

Gifts for Teens

Bath and body gift sets

Portable speakers/ head phones

Sporting team gifts

Make up and nail polish kits

Fidget Spinners / Rubiks Cube

Gifts for Families Board games

Family movies Yard games

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

All gifts should be new, unopened, and unwrapped.

Another great way to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks this Holiday Season is through our House Amazon Wish Lists!

Heart of the Truck

Baird McKenna Courtney Molly Gross Anna Gunderman

Hoffman Jadyn Pace

Birthdays

November 7 Dr. Howard Shayne

November

Tooth Talk A Road Trip to Seymour

by Dawn Brown

This past August, the Tooth Truck had a unique opportunity. We were contacted by someone with personal ties to an Amish community in Seymour, Missouri. Further investigation confirmed that there were significant dental needs for the children of the community, and before we knew it, we were packing up the truck and heading to Seymour.

As with any new opportunity, none of us were entirely sure what to expect. What we found was a community full of kind, funny and generous people. Two different families hosted us for a week and a half each, allowing us to park our beloved Tooth Truck at their homes. They welcomed us with smiles and jokes and homemade cinnamon rolls. Hardly a day

went by without a gift from one or more of the families we saw. We were all delighted to receive fresh bread, fried pies, cookies, fresh grape juice, cucumbers, tomatoes, and the biggest zucchini any of us had ever seen. At least once a week, the mothers graciously prepared lunch for our staff. We were also fascinated and thrilled to see all the farm animals each day, including horses, goats, chickens, and even two peacocks!

Working in this new environment created some unique challenges, specifically a lack of electricity, modern plumbing, and telephones. However, the Tooth Truck is fully equipped to be self-sufficient with our generator and water onboard. The staff was able to slowly adjust to life on an Amish farm, but even the most well-adjusted dentist can be startled by a wayward hen finding her way into the outhouse!

We learned many things from our new friends, and were able to provide a tremendous amount of dental work to their families. During our three-week stay, 68 children received more than $206,000 in free dental services. Every single member of our staff agrees that it was a wonderful experience that we can hardly wait to repeat.

Families traveled in their buggies to bring children to their appointments. This photo was captured as one staff member drove to work one morning.

Katie

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile of the Ozarks

August Stats

Children Treated: ............... 94 Dental Appointments Provided: 169

Year to Date Dental Appointments: 1,637

Program to Date Dental Appointments: 63,913

Program to Date Value of Treatment: $21.1 Million

Children Who Received Treatment: Great Circle Seymour Amish Community

September Stats

Children Treated: 111 Dental Appointments Provided: 191 Year to Date Dental Appointments: 1,828

Program to Date Dental Appointments: 64,104 Program to Date Value of Treatment: ....... $21.3 Million

Children Who Received Treatment: Seymour Amish Community Watkins Elementary Williams Elementary

The Tooth Truck set-up for the first portion of our stay at the home of a local chicken farmer as an accessible spot for all families.

Heart the Houses by Adopting A Room

Our annual “Heart the Houses” Campaign is underway! 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. Since the inception of Heart the Houses in 2014, our supporters have contributed over $870,000 to our two Ronald McDonald Houses through this initiative.

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 RMHC 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!

THE 2022 HEART THE HOUSES CAMPAIGN IS PRESENTED BY