RMHC Q2 Newsletter 2025 by Tellwell

From Our House to YOURS

Marathon for Hope

A Story of One Mom’s 26.2-Mile Journey to Support RMHC

Why would a middle-aged mother of four decide to run her first full marathon?

“My why is because I am determined to find a silver lining in what could have been a forever tragedy in our lives,” wrote Nikole Jo Baumgartner in a heartfelt note posted online.

In October, 2022, Nikole and her husband, Paul, were enjoying a few days in Las Vegas when they received a call that every parent fears.

Back in their hometown of Roseau, Minnesota, their teenage daughter Clara had suffered a ischemic stroke and was being airlifted to Fargo for an emergency surgery to remove a clot in her brain.

In shock, the couple boarded a flight from Las Vegas heading to Fargo. As the plane hurtled them a thousand miles across the country, Nikole fought back tears, her mind consumed with fear.

On that fateful day, Clara left school early with a severe headache. Next thing she knew, the young girl suddenly got dizzy and dropped to the floor.

“It happened when nobody was home, which was the scary part. She had to crawl up to her room and laid in her bed until her grandma came to check on her. That’s when they called 911 and she went to the ER,” Nikole explained.

“I am determined to find a silver lining in what could have been a forever tragedy in our lives.”

Nikole Jo Baumgartner

While their daughter was in surgery, Nikole and Paul began navigating the daunting task of how to best support Clara's recovery. Thankfully, just a half a mile from the hospital they would find a place that offered not only shelter, but also a sense of hope and a caring community.

For Nikole and Paul, discovering Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley (RMHC) during that crisis was a blessing they never anticipated. The welcoming space, stocked kitchen, and compassionate volunteers created a sense of home amid the chaos. The couple stayed only a total of two nights, but it left an indelible mark.

“I left thinking, ‘I’d love to give back someday,’” she says.

Two years later, she found her opportunity.

Finding a Silver Lining

Clara’s recovery was a hard-fought battle. After three days in the ICU and a week in Fargo, she returned home to Roseau to begin physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Clara showed incredible determination.

Week by week, she improved, regaining her ability to communicate and eventually returned to school and even back to playing the sports she loved. Today, Clara is a 15-year-old varsity volleyball player, straight-A student, and, as her mom proudly notes, the recent homecoming princess.

But the journey wasn’t without scars. “That was scary for a long time—wondering what her cognitive function would be like,” Nikole says.

“Our youngest at that time just turned six, so she still has a lot of questions and memories about what happened to Clara,” Nikole says about her challenges with parenting her other three children during that period.

Through it all, Nikole searched for a way to turn their family’s hardship into something positive. As one of those bucket list items, she’d always had a dream of running a full marathon.

The two-year milestone after Clara’s stroke—a significant marker in her recovery—felt like the perfect time.

“I thought, ‘If I’m ever going to do this, now’s the time,’” Nikole says.

“And what better way to do it than by raising money for RMHC, the place that supported us when we needed it most?”

Running with Purpose

Nikole originally began training to run a marathon in 2020, only to have her plans derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Disheartened, she paused her efforts. But by the spring of 2022, with a renewed purpose, Nikole laced up her shoes again.

"I could not have completed all the training for the marathon without the

encouragement and support of Paul and the kids. They had to adapt their schedules at times to ensure I could get my training in. They also helped with bringing me water on the long training runs," Nikole explained.

She reached out to her friends on social media, sharing her story and her goal of running the arduous 26.2-mile race in Bemidji, Minnesota, to raise up and gather support for RMHC.

The response was overwhelming, raising almost $5,000 to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley.

“I didn't really have an expectation of how much money I wanted to raise, or who it was going to reach, but it was very heartwarming to see all of the support,” she says.

Clara, who cheered her mom on from the sidelines, was completely open to the idea of sharing her story. Her mother explaining, “I asked her, ‘Are you okay with us sharing more of your story and what we experienced?’ She was on board, which was great.”

On race day, every mile carried a story. The first few reflected the incredible progress Clara had made since her medical emergency, from regaining her strength to reclaiming her joy.

Reaching the halfway point symbolized the short but meaningful distance between RMHC and Clara’s hospital room.

As Nikole crossed the finish line, she thought of the thousands of families RMHC supports every year, each with their own story.

A Legacy of Gratitude

Today, Nikole continues to champion RMHC and share her family’s story.

And the Baumgartner’s—with their four children and strong network of family and friends—are a reminder that even in life’s darkest moments, there is light to be found.

"We realize that as scary and awful as this was, so many other people have to stay there for so much longer that we feel lucky that we only had to stay for a little bit," Nikole says.

Nikole’s 26.2-mile journey wasn’t just a race; it was a celebration of life, a tribute to perseverance, and a testament to the power of community. Through every step, she carried her family’s story—and their gratitude—closer to the hearts of others.

CEO A NOTE FROM JILL CHRISTOPHER

April is one of my favorite times of the year as we celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week! It’s a chance for me to pause and reflect on the joy our volunteers share with our mission each year.

In 2024, our amazing individuals contributed more than 6,000 hours of their time. We couldn’t do what we do without them!

To our incredible volunteers -

From cooking homemade meals and baking delicious treats to cleaning and yard work, comforting parents in our

In doing so, her experience illustrates that every step forward, no matter how difficult, brings hope closer.

Family Room at Essentia, and so much more—you make everything possible. Your compassion is what makes RMHC of the Red River Valley a place of hope and comfort for so many families. Thank you for sharing your time, heart, and energy with us.

With endless gratitude,

Jill Christopher CEO

Your Heart Makes All the Difference.

Thank you for your incredible generosity on Giving Hearts Day! The outpouring of kindness fuels our mission all year long.

This year, over 800 friends and supporters donated to help us continue this crucial work!

A special thank you to Nodak Insurance Company, the Hector Foundation, Dakota Medical Foundation, and two anonymous donors for providing matching funds to make this single day of giving go even further.

We couldn’t do it without our amazing GHD ambassadors who helped make this day truly spectacular.

And finally, we extend our sincere gratitude to Gate City Bank for awarding us $10,000. To everyone who nominated us—we are absolutely blown away by your support!

Thankyou!

2024

YEAR IN REVIEW

1 % RMH Facilities Served

JOHNS

Ronald McDonald House Most Common Diagnoses:

• NICU

• CANCER

• EATING DISORDERS

Ronald McDonald House hosted for a total of FAMILY STAYS NIGHTS

Ronald McDonald House Average Stay

658 11.2

FAMILIES

535 Volunteers invested a total of 6,061.5 HOURS

914

Together with you, we served a total of 6,728 NIGHTS

The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Essentia Health served

3,236

FAMILIES INDIVIDUALS

RMHC Volunteers

To celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week in April, we wanted to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who invests time, energy, and love to support our families. Last year, volunteers dedicated 6,061 hours, making our house feel like a home for our guest families. Your commitment makes a lasting impact!

There are so many ways to get involved…

Baking

Create homemade confections to bring warmth and joy to families staying with us.

Share-A-Meal

Plan and prepare a homecooked meal or deliver takeout from your favorite spot.

Use your skills to help care for our home including projects big and small.

Family Room at Essentia

Welcome and support families, while maintaining a restful haven for new parents.

Cleaning Maintenance & Special Projects

Help keep our spaces fresh and welcoming by tidying up common areas.

“Volunteering here means providing families with more than just a meal; it's about offering comfort. The last thing they want to think about is what they’re going to eat. So, we cook a meal from scratch—something that feels like home.”

– Rodney Larson

Plans

IN MEMORY AND HONOR

Join us next year on February 14, 2026

On February 8, more than 650 guests joined us for the 36th Annual Sweetheart Ball, presented by McDonald's Restaurants of the Red River Valley. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable evening.

The evening included lively auctions, a spirited game of Heads or Tails, raffles, a photo booth, and live music. Board President Todd Anderson and CEO Jill Christopher shared updates and highlights from 2024.. As always, the most powerful moment came as we introduced our feature families.

The Lykins and Petersen families found hope and community as they battled the long and uncertain journey of Cancer together.

MEET THIS YEAR'S FEATURED FAMILIES