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Fall 2018

OUR MISSION

The mission of Ronald McDonald

House Charities of Ann Arbor is

to provide a “home away from

home” for families of children

experiencing a serious illness or

injury requiring hospitalization.

IN THIS ISSUE:

A Letter from the Executive Director ..........2

Lexi’s WishList Collection ............................3

Hospitality a la Carte ....3

Summertime at the House ............................4

Notes from Our Families .......................5

Summer Events Benefit RMHCAA ............ 6

RMHCAA Benefits from Largest Gift to RMHC Global .....................7

How You Can Help ........ 8

When Jack Socks was born in Traverse City, his parents Sarah and Charlie had no reason to think that things were anything other than normal. After a few days however, Jack started showing unusual symptoms and was taken to the hospital. Baby Jack was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage, causing hydrocephalus. Doctors recommended that he be flown to Michigan Medicine’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, and Sarah and Charlie followed him downstate by car.

“Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor was such a blessing to us, providing us with a place to stay, and the care we received was simply amazing,” says Sarah. “We were so hyper-focused on Jack, we couldn’t even begin to think about where we were going to sleep or eat...nothing else mattered. RMHCAA took care of all our needs and removed a huge worry so we could just think about our baby.”

Sarah and Charlie stayed in the Ronald McDonald House Within C.S.

The Socks Family’s Visit

Mott Children’s Hospital (aka Mott House) for a few days so they could be steps away from Jack; they then moved to the Main House for another three weeks. When Charlie had to go back to work for a few days during that time, Sarah’s mom was able to come and stay with her at the House.

Jack is now a happy and lively five-year-old and will be starting kindergarten in the fall. He and his little sister, Lucy, recently visited the House with their parents and loved the play area and the Ronald McDonald bench. Jack doesn’t remember his time in Ann Arbor, but Sarah and Charlie do. They have met other families who have stayed at a Ronald McDonald House and shared their experiences. Sarah speaks fondly of the House, “RMHCAA will always have a special place in our hearts. Thank you for taking care of us at our worst time!”

OUR FAMILY STORY

Keeping Families Close

...three simple words, that make a powerful difference to over 1,200 critically-ill children and their families, every year.

Every day, I hear from families what Keeping families close really means to them. The ability to be steps away from an ill child in the Ronald McDonald House Within C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital (the Mott House) means that parents can get some sleep while their

child sleeps, grab a quick snack and a cup of coffee, take a shower to refresh or do laundry for a change of clothes. Keeping families close means that siblings can stay with their parents at the Main House, can visit a brother or sister in the hospital, have a place to play and be a kid. Keeping families close means parents don’t have to choose who will be miles away from the hospital with siblings or worry about a place to eat and sleep, and how they will pay for it.

Keeping families close is our mission and the heart of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor. This newsletter shares some of our family stories, family photos, and stories of the staff and volunteers who share our mission.

Thanks to you, our friends and donors, who help us keep our families close every day!

A Letter from the Executive Director

KIM KELLY

BOARD OF DIRECTORSLoree Collett, PresidentJames Greene, Vice PresidentDavang Shah, Vice PresidentMark Slade, TreasurerSheri Belcher-Tribble, SecretaryAlan Harris, Past PresidentJacquelyn Lapinski, LiaisonJohn Zdanowski, Liaison

Michelle CairdJenny CarpenterDennis Crowley, MDMatt DejanovichElissa Gaies, MDA.C. GangerMayuri GuntupalliJoe KryzaChelsea LandryMichelle McAllisterDoug MervisDavid Perry Roy SextonJames Stewart Debbie TiricoMonique Vann BrownRosie Fellhauer, Emeritus

STAFFAdministrationKim Kelly, Executive DirectorJulaine LeDuc, Director of Development Marcia Monson, Operations DirectorMary Moffett, Development and

Communications ManagerStacey Laho, Volunteer and Support

Services CoordinatorKathy Baum, Administrative ManagerAnna Beeman, Development CoordinatorCathy Marshall, Finance Manager

ANN ARBOR HOUSEHouse ManagersNancy BaileyMichelle HarrisBrenda MillerJim ScrivenKhristian Speelman

MOTT HOUSEHouse ManagersHeidi KozlowskiPeggy McCloskeyBeth PateriniDiana PattersonKathleen SchorinRobin Toussant

Building ServicesBrian BarnesCassie Lindsey

2 Hope Away From Home | Fall 2018

Saturday, April 27, 20197-11 p.m. | Jack Roth Stadium Club, Michigan Stadium

In May, Lexi Spence a junior at Garden City High School stopped by the Main House to deliver a large amount of WishList items. Lexi, a member of the high school’s Key Club coordinated a school-wide collection for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor. However, planning for this project began many years ago.

As an infant, Lexi was in and out of the hospital with a number of medical issues, but it wasn’t until she was 7 ½ months old that she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. At that time, Lexi spent a month in the pediatric ICU at Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, and her family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for the first of many times to come.

Lexi was frequently in and out of the hospital before she turned three years old, enduring two brain surgeries and multiple other surgeries, as well as chemotherapy. Lexi’s mother, Dawn, says that staying at the House was a lifesaver. Lexi’s older brother, Brent, was two years old at the time and as Dawn says, “It was the only way my husband Rick and I got to see him.”

Occasionally, they would get some time to play in the play room or watch a video with their son. “It meant so much to get an hour of normal,” said Dawn. “Being at the hospital all the time is so overwhelming; you sometimes need to walk away and regroup.” She says the Ronald McDonald House gave her the flexibility to do that.

Although Lexi doesn’t remember anything about that time, she often thought about doing something to benefit RMHCAA. This past spring, when the Key Club at her high school was looking for project ideas, the timing seemed right.

Lexi rallied the support of club members and her teachers. She made flyers promoting the WishList collection to post in classrooms and on bulletin boards around the school. Her efforts paid off!

When Lexi and her mom delivered the items to the House, they were given a tour which brought back lots of memories for Dawn. Happy with how her service project turned out, Lexi is now looking forward to her senior year of high school.

3Visit us online! | www.rmhcannarbor.org

Lexi’s WishList Collection

www.facebook.com/RMHCAnnArbor

• pillows

• laundry baskets

• ALL brand laundry detergent pods

• carry out containers (microwavable)

• white towels (bath, hand and washcloth)

• microwavable soups/pastas (single serving)

• chips, cookies, granola bars (individually packaged)

Hospitality a la Carte:• fleece blankets

• pocket size tissues

• socks

• grooming kits ( nail clippers, tweezers)

• journals

House WishListOur Greatest Needs

Hospitality a la CarteWe know how stressful it is to have an ill child and to wait for their medical appointments or services. On a daily basis, there are many families visiting Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital who may not need to stay at RMHCAA, but spend many hours at the hospital. To help meet their needs, we are excited to introduce Hospitality a la Carte which enables us to support even more families.

The cart will provide comfort items like blankets, coloring books for kids and adults, sibling bags, journals; things a family might need when they have a long wait. The Hospitality a la Carte will circulate on multiple floors and units at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

Hospitality a la Carte will make its debut this fall. It will provide an additional way for RMHCAA to support families and make their time in the hospital just a little more comfortable. If you are interested in donating items for the Hospitality a la Carte, visit our website for a complete WishList of items needed.

This little guy wanted to give

Ronald McDonald a hug.

4 Hope Away From Home | Fall 2018

Summertime at the House

The Red Shoe Society provided a special

brunch and treats for all RMHCAA

dads on Father’s Day.

Big sisters are always good for a push!

The Force was with us as Wolverines Trooper

helped to deliver meals from McDonald’s

for our families on McDelivery Day.

“Out of this world” traffic cop!

Thanks to the McDonald’s on Stadium Blvd. in Ann Arbor, our families enjoyed dinner and some Star Wars themed fun.

5Visit us online! | www.rmhcannarbor.org

Hanging out on the playground with Ronald McDonald.

Red Shoe Society volunteers have

a green thumb when it comes to

gardening at the House.

Team Adalyn members made dinner for our families

and offered free haircuts.

Notes from Our Families

RMHCAA frequently receives notes of appreciation from

families who have stayed with us. The notes are often

addressed to the staff and volunteers, and the donors who

support our mission of providing a home away from home

for families caring for a hospitalized child. Here are a few

messages from notes we recently received:

“ Thank you for making this place of peace and hope possible. . . the situation itself was overwhelming, let alone trying to f igure out where we could stay on a long-term basis. This place is such a peaceful sanctuary when the rest of our lives was sometimes unbearable. I can’t thank you enough for making this home available to us, as wel l as the many other families that benefit daily from your kindness and generosity.”

“We just wanted to show some appreciation for

all the care you provided us while our son was

in the PICU a couple weeks back. In moments

where all of our energy needed to be on our son,

you filled in gaps for us that allowed us to do so

while holding onto some sense of normalcy, hot

showers, laundry services for clean clothes, and

a hot cup of coffee that woke us each morning

at 6 a.m. so we could join the rounds (at the

hospital). We cannot thank you enough.”

6 Hope Away From Home | Fall 2018

Summer Events Benefit RMHCAA

Speediatrics Fun Day Festival Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor was the recipient of a $20,000 grant from The NASCAR Foundation’s Speediatrics Children’s Fund. The award was presented by Nichole Krieger, The NASCAR Foundation’s executive director, at the Speediatrics Fun Day Festival held at the Michigan International Speedway on August 10. It was accepted by RMHCAA’s development

director, Julaine LeDuc, and members of one of our families who participated at the event and enjoyed the many fun activities for kids.

The festival was dedicated to inspiring children to lead a healthy lifestyle by staying active, eating well, and having fun in the process. The event featured NASCAR-themed games and activities and those attending had the opportunity to meet Dalton Sargeant and Myatt Snider, two up-and-coming NASCAR drivers.

The partnership with Michigan International Speedway and RMHCAA

is an initiative of The NASCAR Foundation’s Speediatrics Children’s Fund, which supports hospitals and organizations providing medical and health care services in NASCAR racing communities.

Golf Outing is a Labor of LoveWhen Nick VanSimaeys was younger, his little cousin was born with a number of health issues that required multiple surgeries including an open heart procedure. According to Nick, the Ronald McDonald House where his cousin was hospitalized, provided a much needed home away from home for many members of his family for almost 6 months.

When Nick turned 21 years old, he wanted to give back to the organization who supported his family during that difficult time. For five years now, he and his mother, Stacy Conn, have organized a golf event to benefit RMHCAA. This year’s outing held on July 28, at the Rattle Run Golf Course in St. Clair, was a great success with 121 golfers participating raising $3,000 for our organization. According to Nick, the event’s success is due to the great support from friends and area businesses who donate prizes or serve as hole sponsors. Golfers mark your calendar! Next year’s outing is scheduled for July 27, 2019.

McBiker Ride Celebrates 20 Year AnniversaryThe 20th annual McBiker Poker Run was held on July 22nd. The event, organized by McDonald’s owner-operators Peter and Nancy Donaghue, benefits both the Detroit and Ann Arbor Ronald McDonald House Charities. The 100 mile ride, beginning at the Donaghue’s”McBiker” McDonald’s and ending with dinner and an auction at the Shark Club in Waterford, has raised more than $70,000 for RMHCAA over the years. With more than 300 participants some years, the event is always a great experience for riders. RMHCAA thanks the Donaghue’s for their many years of commitment to our mission and for their support of our families.

7Visit us online! | www.rmhcannarbor.org

RMHCAA Benefits from LargestGift to RMHC Global

In August, at the Ronald McDonald House Charities International Conference, the largest single gift in the organization’s history was announced. AbbVie donated $100 million dollars to be used to build family-centered spaces and over 600 guest sleeping rooms in at least 26 states and 32 Ronald McDonald Houses.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor is pleased to be one of the beneficiaries of that gift. Waiting for a room at RMHCAA can be excruciating! Even though we are the largest House in Michigan (with 29 rooms in the Main House and 12 in the Mott House in the hospital) we often have a waiting list for families. We serve more than 1,200 families annually, so the need is always great.

RMHCAA received $118,000 of the generous AbbVie gift to be used to expand our occupancy by adding two more rooms to

the Main House. Utilizing a rarely used sitting room space, we were able to create two more family bedrooms. These rooms will increase our capacity to a total of 43 rooms, providing many more nights of comfort and rest for families close to their hospitalized child and the medical care they need. The new rooms are expected to be ready for occupancy in October

“We are grateful for AbbVie’s support of the organization’s mission and recognition of the need to serve more families with sick children,” said RMHCAA’s Executive Director Kim Kelly. “We are happy to provide a “home away from home” to help relieve families’ emotional and financial stress during a difficult time. The impact of the new rooms will be felt immediately when we are able to take two families off the waiting list and provide them with a comfortable place to stay.”

To schedule a tour to visit the House, contact Julaine LeDuc,

at 734-998-6532 or email jleduc@rmhcannarbor.org

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How You Can Help

Be a RMHCAA VolunteerShift Volunteers: Individuals are needed to cover a three hour shift, every other week at either the Main or Mott House. Assist in answering the phones, accepting donations, stocking the pantry, and helping to make our “home away from home” comfortable for residents.

Dinner Group Volunteers: Provide a meal for our families. Groups of 8-10 are responsible for purchasing the food, prepping it, cooking dinner, serving and cleaning up.

Hospitality a la Carte Volunteers (NEW!): This exciting new volunteer role will involve circulating the Hospitality a la Carte, donated by RMHC Global, to families at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. This new program will begin this fall.

Interested in volunteering? Contact RMHCAA Volunteer Coordinator Stacey Laho at slaho@rmhcannarbor.org or call (734) 998-2103. Pillars of the House

Would you like to learn more about leaving a legacy for years to come? Our Pillars of the House have made plans in their estate to support the Ronald McDonald House. If you have already included RMHCAA in your planning, please let us know so we may recognize and thank you! If you would like to learn more about leaving a gift to RMHCAA, please call Julaine LeDuc at 734-998-6532.

Donate a vehicle to RMH Today!www.OneCarHelpsRMHC.com

Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor1600 Washington HeightsAnn Arbor, MI 48104

Ronald McDonald House within C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital1540 East Hospital DriveAnn Arbor, MI 48109

Phone: 734-994-4442Fax: 734-994-4919www.rmhcannarbor.org

Pop Tabs Collecting pop tabs is a great way to raise money for RMHCAA families and help the environment. We take the tabs to a local recycling company and receive money for each pound of tabs. Through this recycling program, we raise funds that help to provide a home away from home for families. Collections are easy to organize! For more information on collecting pop tabs or on the Michigan vs. Columbus Pop Tab Battle, visit our website at www.rmhcannarbor.org and click on “get involved”.

Host an EventRMHCAA is honored to be the beneficiary of community events organized by individuals, organizations, schools and businesses. For more information about hosting a third party event, please contact Mary Moffett at mmoffett@rmhcannarbor.org, or 734-998-6531.