RMHC Spring 2023 Newsletter

From Our House to YOURS

Family Story

The Filipi Family

On September 5, 2010, Ben and Tracy Filipi welcomed their twin boys Dallas and Adrian into the world. The twins were born 8 weeks premature after their mother underwent an emergency C-Section. This began a month-long NICU journey for the family.

Ben and Tracy had been married for six years and were already experienced parents when they welcomed their twin boys. Their daughter Lilliana was born two years prior, but sadly passed away at 15 months old–just one year before the couple welcomed their twins. Although the couple was excited for the birth of their boys, nothing could prepare even these seasoned parents for the challenges an early delivery and subsequent NICU stay would bring.

Dallas and Adrian were admitted to the NICU at MeritCare, now Sanford, over two hours away from their family home in Bemidji, MN. While in the hospital, Adrian and Dallas required ventilators to breathe, isolettes to stay warm, and temporary feeding tubes while they learned how to eat.

The boys continued to gain weight and strength as they called the NICU “home” for a month, and were finally released on their one-month birthday. Ben and Tracy spent those early days navigating the challenges and triumphs of parenthood all while juggling the complications of receiving medical care miles from home. Ben would commute back to Bemidji during the week to work, and would return to Fargo and enjoy weekends with Tracy and the boys. For Ben, having the Ronald McDonald House meant everything.

“It took a large load off my mind knowing that [Tracy] was safe and taken care of while being present for our boys,” Ben said.

Back at the House, Tracy enjoyed the short walks to and from the hospital each day.

“Knowing there was a hot meal and friendly faces waiting back at the house made the long days less lonely,” she said.

Ben remembers how friendly, inviting, and peaceful the Ronald McDonald House was when he joined the family on weekends.

“We stayed at the house when it was on north Broadway in a very quiet neighborhood. When I stayed the night, it was so quiet and felt like home,” he said.

He also recalls the excitement the staff shared with the couple every time they received an update on Dallas and Adrian.

The genuine care and positive environment provided by the RMHC staff made a world of difference for the Filipi family.

For Ben and Tracy, the amenities offered by the RHMC were welcome surprises.

“I felt like I didn’t have to worry about anything except our boys’ recovery. If we were to stay at a hotel, we would have felt alone,” Ben said.

The generosity and caring environment provided by the RMHC staff helped the Filipi family in more ways than they can possibly explain.

“We could not have done it as well if we were on our own,” Ben said.

Today, Dallas and Adrian are 6th graders and have suffered no ill effects from their early birth – they are happy, healthy, and full of life.

The family expanded once more when they welcomed their youngest daughter, Aspen, in 2018.

“Today, as I sit here watching our taller-than-me 12-year-olds interact with our 4-year-old, my heart is full thinking about the people who helped us get to this point,” Tracy said. “At the time Dallas and Adrian were born, I remember thinking, ‘will our boys ever make it home?’ There is no greater joy than to have love and laughter fill our house.”

A NOTE FROM Jill Christopher CEO

April is such a fun time of year as we celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week. We could not do what we do without the amazing support of volunteers. In 2022 alone, we had over 2,300 volunteers that contributed 4400+ hours to help keep families near their sick kids. This is a value of $130,000 to our operations last year – a huge savings!

Our volunteers bring joy through cooking homemade meals and baking yummy treats. They keep our Ronald McDonald House in tip top condition by helping with cleaning and yardwork. Our Ronald McDonald Family Room volunteers bring comfort to parents of NICU patients at Essentia Health. Many others answer the phones, fold letters, serve on our committees and Board, and so much more.

I am incredibly grateful for the hundreds of people who give of their time and skills to make RMHC of the Red River Valley a better place for the families we serve each year. We are better because of each one of you. With a thankful heart,

Jill Christopher CEO

I didn’t have to worry about anything except our boys’ recovery. If we were to stay at a hotel, we would have felt alone.

- Ben Filipi

RMHC Volunteers

Volunteers are essential to providing families comfort and support during their stay at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley. By sharing their unique talents, time, and hearts, volunteers truly make our house feel like a home for our guest families. As we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month, we want to recognize the generous hearts in all of our volunteers!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

• Front Desk

• Family Room at Essentia Health

• Baking

• Share-A-Meal

• Cleaning

• Maintenance

• Special Projects

“I like the idea of bringing comfort to those families in need. They already have too much under their shoulder. I’m glad RMHC can provide to those families while their kids receive medical care. And being part of that feels good.”

- Agustin Patroni Granda

“I encourage others to volunteer at RMH because it’s so flexible! There are many different ways to help. I also encourage others to volunteer because when families are going through a medical crisis/troubles, it’s so comforting to know that others care enough to give their time, effort, and money. It really helps you get through the tough times.”

- Marisa Bengston

(Learn more here)

“I think RMHC is a very important part of meeting the needs of these families, by bringing comfort, reassurance and support.”

- Patricia Dahlsad

Sign up to share your time and talents with RMHC today! Call 701.232.3980 or email volunteer@rmhcfargo.org

Recap

We measure our work in love!

Giving Hearts Day is in the record books and your incredible generosity is now hard at work serving families with critically ill children. Giving Hearts Day only comes once a year, but the outpouring of support from our community fuels our mission all year long and provides a dash of comfort, a sprinkle of care, a pinch of compassion, and a handful of home as sick kids and their families receive critical medical care in the area.

Our most sincere thanks to the over 740 friends and supporters who helped us raise more than $150,000 on Giving Hearts Day. Simply put, love is the secret ingredient in our work and helps us measure love in truly amazing ways.

Special thanks to Nodak Insurance Company, Dakota Medical Foundation and three anonymous donors for providing matching funds this year.

We’re also grateful to our amazing GHD ambassadors who helped to make Giving Hearts Day a festive day at our house.

Plans are underway for the 22nd Annual RMH Ride. The festivities include camping, live music, silent auction, raffle, delicious dinner and an amazing ride winding its way through the beautiful woods and lakes of central Minnesota. This event is planned and coordinated by RMH Ride, a 501c3 non-profit organization, with proceeds benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley.

On February 11, over 620 Ronald McDonald House supporters gathered for the 34th Annual Sweetheart Ball presented by McDonald’s Restaurants of the Red River Valley. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us. Guests enjoyed the ever-popular silent and live auction, a heads and tails game, bubbles and bling contest, photobooth, and live music from The Deadbeats.

The program featured updates from Board President Madison Quamme and CEO, Jill Christopher along with features from three past families speaking to the importance of RMHC in their medical journey.

Jim and Bev McAllister

Over 40 years ago, the dream for our Ronald McDonald House was born out of love for a little girl named Sara, who passed away in 1978 after a brief battle with cancer. Sara’s parents, Bev and Jim McAllister, were part of a grief group who learned of a new Ronald McDonald House in the Twin Cities. After paying a visit to that house, they knew the best way to honor their child’s life was to pioneer a way for families in the Red River Valley to find hope while facing the stress and uncertainty that comes with a child’s medical diagnosis.

The Polejewski Family

The Polejewski Family stayed with us in 2008 when their son was born with down syndrome. Joe is now 14 and thriving.

The Jones Family

You may recognize the Jones Family from our November 2022 Newsletter. They have stayed with us over 160 nights since Chase first was diagnosed in 2016.

(Scan here to watch the McAllister Story)

(Scan here to watch the Polejewski Story)

(Scan here to watch the Jones Story) pg.

4757 AGASSIZ CROSSING S FARGO, ND 58104

RMHC WISHLIST

• Garbage Bags (13 Gallon Drawstring)

• Grab and Go Snacks

• Laundry Detergent (Free and Clear)

• K-Cups

• Paper Towels