NOVEMBER 2020
Family Story
The Burley Family “I don’t know and don’t want to know how things would’ve turned out had we not been able to stay at RMHC. Being there allowed me to stay close to the hospital...I credit RMHC with helping us bring our little girl into this world safely.” In January 2019, Nicole and Travis
Burley were thrilled when they found out they were going to have a baby
boy. Suddenly in March, after rushing to the hospital they received devastating news that their little boy passed away in utero. Cameron Russell Burley
was delivered stillborn at 31 weeks on March 24th, 2019.
After such a painful loss, the Burley
family was both ecstatic and cautiously
optimistic when they found out they
were expecting again - this time it was with a little girl. Both parents and doc-
tors knew that with Nicole’s history, as
well as type 1 diabetes, this pregnancy was high-risk and the doctors needed to monitor it closely.
During an appointment, doctors discovered Nicole’s liver enzymes were
increasing and shortly after, she began
abnormal swelling – something she had seen in her first pregnancy. Terrified of
what this meant for their baby girl, they rushed to the hospital in Fargo to be
monitored. Thankfully, mom and baby were healthy, but they would have to stay in Fargo for the duration of the pregnancy.
With Nicole and Travis’s home 97 miles away in Fosston, MN, doctors sug-
gested they stay at Ronald McDonald
Continued on pg. 2
The Burley Family continued When asked what meant the most
of Nicole’s
a few things, and they said the
Bonding over
to them, the Burleys mentioned Petite Boutique was especially meaningful. Because they had
previously lost a baby, Nicole and Travis were hesitant and scared to buy anything for their baby
girl. To be able to “shop” for her
without worry built confidence and made them excited to bring her
home. They left with a full bag of
clothes and diapers that would fit
her as soon as she arrived as well as toys, blankets, burp rags, and
other essentials. When the family
found out all the items in the Petite
House in Fargo, only a short ride away
Boutique had been donated, they
from the hospital. Over the next 31
were blown away by the generosity.
and forth from RMHC to the hospital for
The Burley family also said not having
days, Nicole and Travis shuttled back
doctor’s appointments, up to 5 times a week.
to worry about how or where they would eat their next meal took away immense stress and helped with the success
pregnancy. the home-
made meals
that volunteers prepared for
them was priceless, especially after a tough day of doctor’s appointments. Nicole and Travis talked with moms
over the dinner who were going through
similar experiences and found a support system to lean on during their time at the House.
Finally, on March 23, 2020, at 36 weeks, Nicole delivered their healthy baby girl Nikaia. She had the same beautiful
wavy hair as her brother Cameron. The day was filled with emotions as they
celebrated their daughter and remem-
bered their son Cameron who was born on the same day just one year earlier because of the leap year.
A NOTE FROM JILL CHRISTOPHER Executive Director This was certainly the year we didn’t
their child home after a long
see coming. COVID-19 has rocked us
hospital stay or relief after a
all and disrupted our lives in so many
successful procedure. We
ways. We now zoom more than we
have also watched the pain
ever thought possible, have watched
they feel as they navigate a
our kids turn into virtual learning
new cancer diagnosis or the
pros, masks are a way of life and
death of their child.
that doesn’t even scrape the surface. Yes, 2020 has had no shortage of
Throughout all of this, we
challenges, but our RMHC team has
have felt the love and support from
remained resilient and focused on the
you – our donors, volunteers, and
desire to keep our families safe and
advocates – and it has carried us
healthy. While this year has largely
through. Thank you for your words
been defined by COVID-19, there
of
has been much more for the families
off ingredients for a meal or paper
we serve. We have watched families
towels,
celebrate the joy of finally bringing
monetary support. No matter the
encouragement, and
for
for your
dropping generous
size it has brightened our darkest moments and reminded us why we do what we do especially during these difficult times. My heart is full.
ROUND UP Looking for an easy way to support RMHC this holiday season?
Text RMHCFargo to 269-89, connect your debit or credit card, and every time you swipe your card, your purchase will be rounded up to the next dollar! Imagine doing good while you’re out shopping
for holiday gifts. The spare change will benefit families with kids in the hospital who may be staying with us over the holidays.
You’d be surprised by how quickly small change can add up to make a BIG difference for families
A BIG DIFFERENCE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Thank you to our Board of Directors. It should be no surprise that this year was one of the hardest we’ve ever had to work through. The RMHC of the Red River Valley is honored to lean on talent, compassion, and expertise of a diverse group of individuals – our Board of Directors! They’ve worked tirelessly to help navigate the uncertain waters that 2020 has brought. We are truly grateful for these individuals:
Officers
Shauna Wimer Midco President
Jeremy Ostrowski Aldevron Vice President
Brad Kraft Ascensus Past President
Alexis Odden Eide Bailly Treasurer
SIGN UP
Text RMHCFargo to 269-89
Emily Cook
McDonald’s Restaurants Secretary
Members Todd Anderson
Josef’s School of Hair, Skin and Body
Katie Bjornson
Fargo Center for Dermatology
LINK A CARD
Connect your primary debit or credit card
Nicole Christensen Essentia Health
Sharon Miller Retired
Amanda Richter Prairie St. John’s
ROUND UP MAKE A PURCHASE
Spare change from everyday purchases will now be donated to support RMHC
Katie Rizzo Sanford Health
Madison Hausauer Flint Group
Caitlin Stoecker
Razor Consulting Solutions
Jean Zimmerman Offutt Family Foundation
STRIPES #forRMHC IN OCTOBER
We loved following along with the
RMHC masks, raising $250!
and being tagged in photos! The love
We held a coloring contest, pop tab
a sweet treat with Sandy’s Donuts
throughout the week. Congrats to
hashtag #forRMHC again this year
was felt through the screen! Sharing
helped us raise $978, and Shirts From Fargo sold 55 red & white striped
art contest, and a scavenger hunt all the winners and thank you to everyone who participated!
SAVE THE DATES
MATCHING GIFTS
PROGRAMS
FM Area Foundation Caring Catalog November 24TH - December 14TH
Does your employer offer a matching gifts program? Check it out to see your donation go further by doubling your contributions! Thank you to all employees and businesses who take part in these programs to help this community keep families close together.
THRIVENT
CHOICE DOLLARS
The FM Area Foundation is hosting the Caring Catalog, an online giving platform to support nonprofit work in Cass-Clay this holiday season. From November 24th – December 14th, you can donation online at areafoundation.org/caringcatalog and help support RMHC of the Red River Valley! Watch online for information about fun incentives from the FM Area Foundation for donors like you to multiply your support!
32nd Annual
32nd Annual SWEETHEART BALL Saturday, Feb 13TH, 2021
Are you a Thrivent member? Thrivent Choice lets you recommend where some of Thrivent Financials charitable outreach funds go by directing your Choice Dollars and participating in voting events. Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley is excited
Our 32nd Annual Sweetheart Ball will take place on Saturday, February 13th, 2021. Please watch our website & social media for details as we get closer to the event!
to be one of the charities that your Choice Dollars can be directed to! Consider directing your Choice Dollars to RMHC.
February 11TH, 2021 Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour online giving event co-hosted by Dakota Medical Foundation, the Impact Foundation, and the Alex Stern Family Foundation. Your support on February 11th will help us work towards our goal of keeping critically-ill children close to their families as they grow strong in the hospital.
RMHC WISHLIST We’ve been blown away by the support
we’ve received throughout the pandemic. To keep supporting us, please consider donating our most urgent items.
• Paper towels • Restaurant gift cards
THANK YOU Thanks to everyone who gave to our last appeal, over $7,600 was raised to support families like the Schatz family. These gifts are already hard at work keeping families together.
• Women’s deodorant • Pantry snacks • Swiffer sweeper wet pads
4757 AGASSIZ CROSSING S, FARGO, ND 58104