JANUARY 2020 2021 NOVEMBER
Family Story
The Hulen Family “Family.” It’s the first word that comes to mind when Megan and Josh Hulen are asked how Ronald McDonald House Charities makes them feel.
like so many plans in 2020, Covid-19
Megan and Josh had a rush of
away from home, and how would they
news that Megan was pregnant with
home?
emotions when they received the
quintuplets, a one in 43 million chance.
turned that upside down. Their
hospital’s remodel was not going to
be complete in time. Doctors advised they travel to Fargo, 278 miles away,
to continue the rest of the pregnancy near a hospital with specialized care. Questions of how they would make it work rushed through their heads.
Where would they stay, being so far
continue to care for their two boys at
Once Megan and Josh heard there
“I was super scared when I found out I
was a Ronald McDonald House in
“I could hardly believe it; it took a long
Hulen family was no stranger to
about to have so many.”
Their RMHC journey first started with
Their original birth plan was to deliver
they learned their son Matthew was
was having quintuplets,” Megan said.
Fargo, they felt an instant relief. The
time to adjust to the fact that we were
Ronald McDonald House Charities.
close to their home in Surrey, ND, but
Ronald McDonald House Denver when diagnosed with Nager Syndrome, a
very rare mutation in a protein gene that prevents bones from forming correctly, as well as Heterotaxy Syndrome, a
misalignment of organs. His diagnosis
was rare so they needed to deliver him Continued on pg. 2
The Hulen Family continued it increasingly difficult to grocery shop, so the kitchen and pantry were a huge relief.
“Having the kitchen made it feel like home,” Megan recalled. And the living rooms gave her space to spend time with
her two boys, who were anxiously waiting to become big brothers.
Doctors were shocked at how well Megan’s body was handling the physical strain of carrying five babies.
“They said whatever you’re doing is working, but the most
important thing is not to stress,” Megan said. “It would have been far more stressful if we didn’t stay at the House. We
didn’t have to worry about going to and from the hospital, the financial aspect, groceries, or keeping our two kids cooped up in a hotel room.” with specialists around. During that time, the family stayed at
On September 2, 2020, within a matter of minutes, Allison,
the Ronald McDonald House Denver for 21 nights. The Hulen
Madison, Emma, Adam, and Chloe were born with little
family knew they could count on RMHC again!
complication – the first set of quintuplets in North Dakota.
“Being pregnant with that many babies made me high risk,
“I honestly think that me getting to 32 weeks was a huge part
how it would progress,” Megan said. “Staying at the House
healthy,” Megan said. “I wouldn’t have made it that far without
and it was already stressful not knowing what was coming or
of having such a short NICU stay and the babies being so
helped tremendously as it took a lot of stress off me not just
the Ronald McDonald House.”
financially but being able to have our family together.”
Today, Megan and Josh have their hands full as they tend to
She also mentioned that staying at RMHC wasn’t like staying
all seven kids, but they couldn’t be happier. They’ve found a
member’s home. As the pregnancy progressed, she found
big brothers!
at a hotel, but more like being welcomed into a family
groove with the babies and Matthew and Jacob love being
We invite you to hear from the Hulens
at this year’s Sweetheart Ball! Join us virtually on February 13, 2021 as we
celebrate the bravery and resilience of
RMHC families past, present, and future. This virtual ball will also feature an online auction, an optional date-night box, and
giving opportunity. We hope to “see” you
there! Register today at rmhcfargo.org or by calling Erica at 701-232-3980
A NOTE FROM JILL CHRISTOPHER Executive Director As we reflect on 2020, it is easy to remember only the hard times or rush to leave the year behind. However, I am choosing to focus on the good. I’m choosing to remember that because of you, our steadfast supporters, we were able to continue our mission of keeping families together through our Ronald McDonald House and our Ronald McDonald Family Room programs. In addition, we were able to extend our mission and the number of families we served through a hotel partnership. We were able to continue to provide families with warm meals and necessities like toothbrushes and shampoo, comfort items like quilts and fleece blankets, and fun items like toys and art supplies. We could not have done this without you! Among my favorite moments this past year were the times when someone thought of us enough to drop off wishlist items or pick up the phone to call to ensure our team was okay. Those touches built us up on the toughest days. Thank you for helping us persevere and do what we love to do: keep families together during times of medical crisis. As we kick off a new year, we look forward to continuing to share our mission with you. Know that your gifts are already at work supporting the brave and resilient families we have with us today. You are making an incredible impact! We are excited to honor those courageous families by sharing one of their stories with you at the 2021 Sweetheart Ball. I encourage you to join us virtually on Saturday, Feb. 13th, 2021!
CHRISTMAS AT THE HOUSE
As a “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children in the hospital, we strive to surround our families with care, compassion, and hope, especially around the holiday season. At RMHC, we hope to ease every burden that a family might face during this time of year, which includes gift shopping. This year’s Christmas store was filled to the brim with colorful toys that sang, art supplies galore, fuzzy socks, the latest headphones, and so much more! Parents and kids had the opportunity to “shop” for every loved one on their list. After shopping, they headed down the hall to our Gift-Wrapping Room for the finishing touch of bows and ribbons. Continued on pg. 4
Christmas at the House continued For families utilizing the Ronald
to a delicious feast that families
McDonald Family Room at Essentia
could share together on Christmas
Health, staff created carefully
Eve, you helped us provide
curated Christmas baskets for
meaningful comforts and moments
the whole family. With help from
of joy for families working through
pediatric and NICU staff, we were
a stressful time. Thank you for
able to deliver Christmas spirit to
your endless support and goodwill
those whose only focus is getting
that allows us to provide the best
their child healthy.
support for the families we serve.
What people remember about the
A special thanks to our community
holiday season is not the gifts,
partners for hosting Giving Trees
but the magical moments when
as well as all those who held a gift
families gather and make memories
drive in our honor! Your support is
for a lifetime. From Santa popping
greatly noticed and appreciated.
in virtually to say “hello”, to the Christmas tree in the dining room,
:
IN MEMORY AND HONOR Gifts in 2020 were given in memory of and in honor of those below.
IN MEMORY OF: Aaron Diedrich Alexandra Bakken Allan Fredrick Nelson Alyssa Vollmer Anna Hazel Johnsen Ardell Wold Art Prom Arthur Horway Jr Ava Berg Bea Ellingson Benton C. Degerstrom Betty Skoglund Bob Wimer Bud and Lois Johnson Bud Clark Bud Ode Cecil Lee Chase Besette Cheryl Korsmo Chet Cashman Colleen Mahlum Crew Leach Darlene Ebersviller David Gnan Delores (Dede) Longtin Dorothy Otis Duane Baumgartner Esther Schilling Giana Zachmann Gladys Smith
IN HONOR OF: Gladys Wagner Grayce Beilke Harold Kasowski Heidi Flagstad Henry Donald Jensen Jack Lyons Jacque Meagher Jeremy John Whitman Joan Wall JoAnne Erdmann JoAnne Olson John Freer Joy Olson Judy Legge Julia Baron Julie Vollmer Larry Pewe Lauretta Schilling Lawson Nelson Lee Reddig Leo Grossman Leon Pfaff Linda Childe Lisa Marie Cron Lora Workin Lynn Strege Margaret Riedberger Marian Kasowski Marlene Duffney Marvin Buus
Mary Seim Maynard Messer Mike Borgen Nancy Olerud Nara Norm Tsilionis Orlan Swenson Oscar “Ikey” Hoaas Oscar Byron Pam Elton Rytter Pete Rauser Phoenix Ellis Phyllis Baumgarten Ray Grade Rebecca Werk Richard Sveen Riem Ngo Roger Priewe Ron Carlson Rossford O Johnson Ryan James Meade Sandra Friesen Shirley Nitz Sophia Brademeyer Stephen Krupp Teresa Jochim Tracey G Naas Tuyet Nguyen Vayda Bryelle Salo Zane Van Cleef
37 People Alexis and Jeff Odden All the strong children and parents Amelia Doubek Ann and Kurt Friederich Anna and Oskar Barrett Corliss Bev and Jim McAllister Charise Sharp Cyle Warcken Dave and Rosalie Harmon Elias Schiele Emma Eltobgi Erica Johnsrud Hayden Meier Helena Knutson Isabella Eltobgi Jackie Huschle Jerold and Darlene Krueger Jill Christopher Justin and Charid Martines Family Keegan Kostohryz Kelly Gehrz Linda and Lee Prout Lori and Ron Crotty Louie Neil Fischer Lucas and Darian Bollum Lyla Grace Merkens
Marie Willyard Nicole Burley Paxton Dingmann Rick Lawrence Robert and Linda Hoff Roger Larson Ronnie and Carol Erickson Rosie McGinty Ruby Knutson Samantha Gillespie Sandra Berg Sanford Cardiothoracic Surgery Team Sawyer Wilkie Shauna Wimer Wyatt, Dani, Hope and Faith Stramer
If you made a memorial or honorarium gift in 2020 and it was omitted, misspelled, or listed incorrectly, please accept our sincere apology and notify our Development Director, Erica, at 701-232-3980 or Erica@rmhcfargo.org
SAVE THE DATES SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH, 2021 First ever Virtual Sweetheart Ball - 7pm start! Bravery, resilience, and unshakable determination – that’s what families at RMHC of the Red River Valley are made of! Join us for a virtual ball featuring an online silent auction, family story featuring the Hulen quintuplets, a live auction, and much more! Perfect pre-Valentine’s Day date!
32nd Annual
Get the full experience delivered to your doorstep!
Saturday, February 13 , 2021 th
•
Sweetheart Ball at Home Party for 10
•
Sweetheart Ball Table for 4
•
Valentine’s Date Night for 2 Visit our website www.rmhcfargo.org or call 701-232-3980 for tickets!
YOUR GIFT
KEEPS ON GIVING! February 11th, 2021 On Giving Hearts Day show your support for RMHC of the Red River Valley! Make an online donation of $10 or more. Follow along on Facebook for more details! Thanks to Dakota Medical Foundation, Impact Foundation and Alex Stern Foundation for coordinating such a wonderful day of giving!
Give at Impactgiveback.org
4757 AGASSIZ CROSSING S, FARGO, ND 58104
RMHC WISHLIST
THANK YOU
We’ve been blown away by the support we’ve
2020 was a year unlike any other, and maybe that’s okay! We faced unprecedented challenges, grew stronger as a team, and continued to support families as they faced the hardship of having a child in the hospital during a pandemic. Thank you for helping us persevere and do what we love to do: keep families together during times of medical crisis. Happy New Year!
received throughout the pandemic. To keep
supporting us, please consider donating our most urgent items.
• Gift cards to restaurants • Individually wrapped pantry snacks • Mittens for adults, kids and babies • Hats for adults and older kids/teens • Slippers with grips for women