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.