RMHC 2023 Summer Newsletter

The Molina Family Family Story

In July 2021, Maribell Gonzales and her son Emmy Molina traveled from Texas to Fargo to visit Maribell’s daughter Gabriella and new grandchild. They never imagined that short visit would turn into an over 3-year cancer journey.

Just 2 days prior to their flight back to Texas, 16-year-old Emmy began to complain about his bones hurting and swelling in his feet. Emmy was taken to Essentia Health for evaluation, with hopes that medication might make the journey home more comfortable. While there for observation, Emmy spiked a fever of 104.5O, and more tests were run. He was diagnosed with leukemia on July 9, 2021. At that moment Maribell said, “It hit me.” She felt her world had stopped.

Emmy was quickly transferred to Sanford’s Roger Maris Cancer Center where he met with his “superhero team.” Because treatment for leukemia requires the child to stay at the same facility, the family was given the option to fly back to Texas or

From Our House to Yours

to stay in Fargo. With treatment options in Texas being a significant commute from their home and the hopes to begin treatment immediately, Maribell decided the best thing for Emmy was to stay in Fargo for the three-year treatment schedule. However, this meant they needed a place to stay until they could secure housing in the area, which is when they were referred to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley (RMHC) – a place they called “home” until November 2021.

Navigating the roller coaster of cancer treatment is no easy task, but having to do so while hundreds of miles from home is even more difficult. For Maribell and Emmy, having people at RMHC who guided their path made all the difference. According to Maribell, they have made life-long friends and even call RMHC their “ND family.” Having warm food, a comfortable bed, and a game room for Emmy to have some “teenager time” meant everything. Maribell said being able to connect with other parents navigating their child’s cancer journey helped her to know what to expect and what resources to ask for.

Emmy also has autism and having a routine is key in helping Emmy manage his day-to-day

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AUGUST 2023

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of the Red Rive r Valley

life and cancer treatments. The complex medical terms and ongoing appointments are frightening for children. At RMHC, Emmy was able to continue living life as normal as possible. A local school sent a teacher to regularly visit the house to allow him to continue his education. According to Maribel, he does best when things are put on his calendar or he is not told about an appointment until right before it is scheduled to happen. RMHC became a place for him to escape the scary world of cancer treatments

and rest and recover in a familiar and calming environment.

When asked about what surprised Maribell

the kitchen, cooking delicious food. From tortillas to burritos or gorditas, she would spoil other families with her delicious dishes and also bring food to Emmy’s care team at Roger Maris Cancer Center. She enjoys cooking for family and for Maribell RMHC represents family. “No matter what race you are, we are all one at RMHC.”

In May, Emmy graduated from high school. While Emmy faces one more year of chemotherapy, followed by a year of monthly follow-ups, his mother will never forget the love and care they received while at RMHC. RMHC has given them “Paz” – which is Spanish for the word peace – some solid ground, assurance, and a lifelong family.

the most about RMHC she mentioned the amazing sense of community at RMHC, as well as the wonderful staff and volunteers. The volunteers would always greet Emmy warmly and helped him feel a sense of normalcy. While navigating the cancer treatments and raising a teenager, The Family Services Team helped Maribell complete applications and paperwork to secure permanent housing in Fargo. Maribell could also often be found in

A NOTE FROM Jill Christopher CEO

offered by local chefs, past families, and RMHC enthusiasts who believe in the healing power of food. This cookbook honors the brave families who have called our house a home, celebrates the tremendous impact of generous hearts, and pays tribute to the labor of love invested through our volunteers, board members, staff and community partners.

Why a cookbook? The kitchen is a special place in any home. It’s the place where we gather, nourish, connect, and coordinate. Here at RMHC, the kitchen is a critical part of “Keeping families together and providing the comforts of home while their kids receive medical care.” We know abundant hospitality helps to relieve some of the stress and anxiety of caring for a sick child miles away from home.

I encourage you to order your copy of Measure of Love today. Your support helps ensure families can focus on what matters most –getting their child healthy and home!

To commemorate this special milestone, we’ve compiled a cookbook. Measure of Love features a collection of 40 recipes

From our table to yours,

Over the course of four decades thousands of families have called our house a home. There are a lot of ways we could measure the impact of 40 years –families served, volunteer hours shared, dollars generously invested. While those numbers are impressive, there is one common ingredient that has made 40 years of life changing mission possible – love

The Molina Family continued

Having warm food, a comfortable bed, and a game room for Emmy to have some “teenager time” meant everything.

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- Maribell Gonzales

We’ve cooked up something special…

Measure of Love Cookbook

In December of 2022, we kicked off a year-long celebration of 40 years of helping sick kids and their families while receiving medical care in the Fargo area.

To honor the brave families we’ve served and the generous community that has made our mission possible, we’ve compiled a commemorative cookbook.

“Measure of Love” is a collection of 40 recipes from local chefs, volunteers, community partners, and past families all inspired around the theme “comforts of home”.

Cookbooks are $40 each with all proceeds supporting the families we serve. Purchase your cookbook today!

Makesa greatGift

Scan here to purchase

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Golf Recap

tournament hosted at the Meadows Golf Course in Moorhead on July 17 followed by our “Short and Suite” tournament at Suite Shots in Fargo on August 8. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, the local owners/operators of the FM area McDonald’s Restaurants, People First Foods; as well as all the other contributors who helped us put together two amazing days that will fuel our mission of “keeping families together and providing the comforts of home while their kids receive medical care.”

Over 230 participants joined us this year for our annual Golf FORE Good events with a traditional

A whole lot of fun and a whole lot of good --that’s what happens when great people come out to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley.

Needs to be updated to 2023 Sponsors

Thank Thank Thank you you you

PRESENTING SPONSOR

LUNCH SPONSOR CART SPONSOR OTHER SPONSORS

Denver Field Office

EVENT SPONSORS

AE2S

American Crystal Sugar

Todd & Lyndsey Anderson

Atos

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota

Border Bank

Bremer Bank

Cargill, Inc - Oilseeds (2)

Comstock Land Company, LLC

D&M Industries Inc

Delta Hotels Fargo

TEAM SPONSORS

Jill DeVries

Michele Evert

Fargo Fire Chief Officers

Fargo Force

Flint Group (6)

FM Team of Keller Williams Inspire Realty

First Interstate Bank - Caleb Saum

Hanson Runsvold Funeral Home

Jakelle & Nate Hoffmann

The Jaster Group of Keller Williams Inspire Realty

Lamb-Weston

HOLE SPONSORS

Abbiamo Pasta Company (2)

Baldinger Bakery/C H Guenther & Son (2)

Fargo Junk Market

Foss Architecture + Interiors

Fredrikson

Heather's Housekeeping

Prairie St John's (2)

Preference Employment Solutions

R D Offutt Company (2)

Ward Muscatell Automotive Group

Trudy Wimer in Memory of Bob Wimer

Colorado Jack

Mazda of Fargo

Prairie St John's Michael & Madison Quamme

Razor Consulting Solutions

State Farm - Renee Forde

Suite Shots

Valley Imports

Widmer Roel PC

Xcel Energy

702 Communications

PRIZES

Dakota Pediatric Dentistry EPIC

Fargo Force

Golf Addiction

Happy Harry's Bottle Shop

Hornbacher's

Lexli Skincare

Sandy's Donuts

Suite Shots

Swanson Cares

Two Men and a Truck

Nick and Shauna Wimer

R M H C O F T H E R E D R I V E R V A L L E Y 2 0 2 3 G o l f T o u r n a m e n t S p o n s o r s

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Save the Dates

35th Annual Sweetheart Ball

February 10, 2024

Delta by Marriott

RMHC of the Red River Valley Stripes Day

October 17, 2023

Each October we raise awareness for RMHC by wearing the iconic striped socks! “Show your Stripes” Day allows our community to proudly share their heart #forRMHC and invite others into supporting our mission.

Secure your stripes now! With a minimum donation of $20, you can score your very own snazzy pair of socks, just like Ronald wears!

Make your gift now at www.rmhcfargo.org/make-a-donation and note “socks” in the memo line.

Celebrate Stripes day with Sandy’s Donuts!

The only thing better than a Sandy’s Donut is making a difference while enjoying Sandy’s donuts! Plan to order a dozen striped donuts and share the RMHC love! A portion of each dozen helps sick kids and their families stay together when it matters most!