15 years ago, K im came to stay, while

her baby girl was in the hospital.

Lo e Notes

Now, we celebrate 15 years of Rachel’s life and the House that helped them.

Thanks to you, we are celebrating the Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald House’s 15th Anniversary!

15 years later, Kim shares her story of staying at the Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald House when it was brand new.

Ronald McDonald House Charities®

of Greater Washington, D.C. creates and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children.

Our Mission

Dorinda W. BurroughsChair

Mary T. OrzechowskiVice Chair

Neva Van ValkenburgTreasurer

Craig R. McCuneSecretary

Ryan S. WhittierMember at Large

Chris ChatmanCeline J. CrowsonBrian deKowzan

Robert P. DrumhellerJason G. EverettPatricia A. FerrickKerri JohnsonJulie L. JonesAngelique Kelly-LaraCindy LevineIlene L. LevineLori LokerJames F. NorrisHarry J. Pilson, IIDennis W. PrescottHeather RussellClair S. SassinBrenda Shepherd-Vernon

Rhiannon SwansonJudith Yavit

2013 Board of Directors

Family L♥ve Notes

A Message from Executive Director, Karen Torres

RMHC of Greater Washington, D.C.info@rmhcdc.orgwww.rmhc.greaterdc.orgwww.facebook.com/RMHCofDC

Washington, DC House3727 14th St. NE, Washington, DC 20017Phone: (202) 529-8204

Northern VA House3312 Gallows Rd., Falls Church, VA 22042(On the campus of INOVA Fairfax Hospital)Phone: (703) 698-7080

Contact Information

Dear Friends,

This year marks the 15th anniversary of our 2nd Ronald McDonald House, opened on the grounds of Inova Fairfax Hospital in 1998. I would like to take this opportunity to say a heart-felt “Thank you” for 15 amazing years.

Thanks to you and your generous support, this House provided well over 30,000 nights of comfort to families struggling through the most difficult times of their lives.

Thanks to your kindness, more than 3,500 families from all walks of life were able to stay close to their seriously ill children as they fought to get well; a constant presence so their child did not have to battle alone.

Thanks to the remarkable gifts of your time and resources for the past 15 years, we have shared countless stories of hope, courage, strength, smiles and tears with the many families who have needed us.

And thanks to your continued support, we will provide this same comfort and hope to help the many families who will need us in the future.

“We love it here! Thank you so much for providing a safe, welcoming place, close to the hospital and our son’s doctors!”

"The best part of the House is the people. Everyone is very helpful and kind. The house itself is extremely comfortable and beautiful! There is evident love inside the walls as well as the people.”

"This was a great environment for our family. Everyone was very friendly. The volunteers did a great job helping relieve the stress from family members. ”

"Thank you for letting us stay here. It really helped decrease our stress levels. All the friendly staff and supportive families were great to have around.”

"Everything, from the staff to the apartment and shuttle, was excellent! It was like being home-away-from-home and itmade the process a little easier. Thanks!”

“This house was a godsend during a horrifying and stressful situation. Everything that could make us comfortable was provided to help us stay focused and take care of ourselves.”

For more information, visit www.rmhc.greaterdc.org

The Northern Virginia House is 15 years old! See pictures of construction, the opening, and families on page 6.

Connect: Like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/RMHCofDC

Follow us on Twitter @RMHCofGreaterDC

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Washington, D.C. addresses the most urgent need of our community – children’s health. We are dedicated to improving children’s access to quality health care through our three core programs.

Five Ways You Can Help Change a Child’s Life

1. Give at Work. Workplace Giving Campaigns begin in the Fall. Please designate Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC on your pledge card. Federal employees, use CFC #15005. DC One Fund number #8961.

2. Hold a Wish List Drive. See our Wish list on the back cover. For a full list, visit us online and go to How Can I Help? www.rmhc.greaterdc.org

3. Pull for the House. Collecting pop tabs is a great way to teach kids about giving and recycling.

4. Leave a Legacy of Hope. One way you can help tomorrow is to remember us in your estate planning today.

5. Donate your change. Drop your change in donation boxes at local McDonald’s. Your small change makes a big difference to our little ones.

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14 average days stayed

701 total families served by our houses

3,994volunteer hours served

40scholarshipsawarded to freshman

2,248free health care visits to under-served kids in DC wards 5-8

grants given to non-profits serving the needs of children in our community. Funds come from the generous McDonald’s Owner Operators serving the Greater Washington, DC area.

22U.S. Families Served

Other14%

Maryland29%

New York4%

South Carolina1%

Virginia46%

West Virginia6%

Since 1980, over

nights served

157thousand

Your 2012 Impact

Fifteen years ago, my life took a turn no new parent should ever have to experience. When I took my newborn to the hospital, I had no idea it would be so long before I could bring her home again. Rachel’s lungs were not fully developed, her kidneys were struggling to function, she needed to have open heart surgery, and she was diagnosed with a genetic disorder.

When we were transferred to a hospital for Rachel’s heart surgery, we had the opportunity to stay right next door at the new Ronald McDonald House. With all the stress going on, it was such a relief that we did not have to worry about traffic, a hotel, or the extra costs involved when your child is in the hospital.

When I arrived at the House, I was greeted like an old friend. They had just opened and I was one of their first guests. I could still smell the fresh paint. The House was quiet, relaxing, and homey. I remember waking up on Easter morning to an Easter basket full of Beanie Babies for Rachel. It made me smile and cry to know that someone cared enough to think of us on that day. Rachel still has those Beanie Babies! My stay at the house was only for 24 days and it was bittersweet to leave.

Now, I lead Rachel’s Girl Scout Troop and when they were choosing a local charity to donate cookies to this year, one option on their list was Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC (RMHC). I didn’t mention my connection to the House because I didn’t want to sway their decision. In a twist of fate, they chose to donate to RMHC.

When we pulled up to the House, my first time back since we left, I looked at the front entrance and smiled a teary smile. It was just like I remembered. The front lobby, the floors and the wonderful sunlight coming thru the windows, were all the same. While touring the House with the troop, we were shown the room I stayed in. When I saw that door, memories of how I felt back then resurfaced. I could still see that Easter basket sitting there on the floor. The best part about being back was, this time my daughter was there with me, standing in the halls, taking the tour, sitting next to Ronald on the bench just like her grandmother did, and being a goofy teen with her friends in the courtyard.

The Ronald McDonald House helped me in the kindest and simplest way... they were there, no questions asked and nothing needed from me. I was able to be a mom and an advocate for my little baby girl. I could come and go as I pleased and for that I am forever grateful.

Thank you to all the donors, volunteers, and supporters that made it possible to build the Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald House and keep the doors open these 15 years for families like Kim’s.

“When I saw that door, memories of how I felt back then resurfaced.”

“I’m not sure how I would have managed without the House and without being so close to Rachel at all times.”

“Back then, many people said she wouldn’t survive, but in my heart, I knew she could pull through.”

Rachel’s mom, Kim, tells the story of her family’s experience staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Northern Virginia, the first year it was open:Kim’s Story

For more information, visit www.rmhc.greaterdc.org

The 3rd Annual Red Shoe Run & Walk 5k took place on the beautiful morning of Saturday, April 6th, at Dulles Station in Herndon. More than 600 runners, walkers, and strollers joined Ronald McDonald, himself, to raise their feet to raise hope for healing families!

Thank you to Strayer University for sponsoring the crowd-favorite Kid’s Fun Run, where more than 25 kids participated and proudly earned their souvenir medal. Two DJs played music to keep everyone’s feet moving at the Start/Finish line and along the route. At the end of the race, Ronald joined the participants in dancing the Cupid’s Shuffle, which you can see on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/rmhcofgreaterdc!

Team Elms was awarded prizes for the Largest Team and Most Money Raised By A Team. Some groups kept fundraising after the run and teams Created a Monster and Jazz-ercise Cares raised almost $3,000 each! Thelma Moss raised the most money for an individual, with Mary Helen Shulte in a close second.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year a success! We raised over $30,000, which goes directly to our programs. Thank you Kilometer sponsors: The McDonald’s Family Restaurants of Greater Washington, D.C. and Crimson Partners; and other sponsors and goods providers.

Participants, Mid-Atlantic, and PGA, and LGPA golfers joined us at the private Woodmont Country Club for RMHC’s 29th Annual Pro-Am Golf Tournament on July 1st. Title Sponsor McDonald’s Family Restaurants, Platinum Sponsor Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and many more enjoyed swinging alongside the pros to support families of seriously ill children. This event has enjoyed the longstanding support of Martin-Brower for over 22 years, Fitzgerald and Co. for 18 years, McCain Foods for 15 years, and Coca-Cola North America for 13 years. Thank you to these and our other sponsors for making this event possible!

Donors in Action

The McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community. About 3,000 big-hearted people attended the first leg of McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel on Tour May 9th, at Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland. Their Love Offerings resulted in a $14,308 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C., which will go a long way in helping children heal faster and cope better. We are grateful for this incredibly generous audience.

The Road Gang - Joung Lee, 1st VP of the Road Gang, toured the D.C. Ronald McDonald House with Karen Torres and Claudia Lewis. The Road Gang has been a great friend to us for over 22 years. During that time, the Road Gang’s support has included proceeds from the Tony Kane Golf Tournament, silent auctions at their Holiday parties, and supporting our capital campaign for building the new D.C. House. To help us tell our story better, the Road Gang and one of their members, Voice Associates, donated production of three videos. Funds donated over the years total $124,381. The value of their friendship is priceless!

5

Rockin’ for Ronald - “The Ronald McDonald House made one of the worst times in our lives that much easier by giving all they did to our family. We were so very grateful that shortly after our stay at the House, we started our own charity event, Rockin’ for Ronald, to raise money for the House we once called home. To date, our event has raised over $58,100 and we’ve collected more than 300 pounds of pop tabs. All of the money raised has supported the D.C. House in the purchase of many items, including a playground that was built in 2012.” - Jessica Klug

$100,000 +McDonald’s Loyal Customers, Washington DC Regional Co-Op

$50,000 to $99,999Southwest Airlines

$25,000 to $49,999The Klug Family’s Rockin’ for Ronald

$10,000 to $24,999Birk Family FoundationMary C. ClearColumbia Capital, LLC

Pulte Homes, Washington Division

Six Flags AmericaThe Road Gang

$5,000 to $9,999Alpha Delta Pi , Alpha Pi Chapter, GWU

AXA FoundationCoca Cola North AmericaDell Corporate GivingFitzgerald and CompanyIREXLa-Z-BoyMcCain FoodsMartin-Brower CompanyStrayer University

Chris WarnerWells Fargo Advisors, LLCWidgeon FoundationWorld Bank Community Connections Fund

$1,000 to $4,999Acumen Solutions, Inc.AmbitAmerican Legion Brandywine Post #277

Anna H. Hall CharitableLead Unitrust

Arnold WorldwideAVE LivingThe Bama CompaniesBonner, Kiernan, Trebach & Crociata

Bowman ConsultingGroup, LTD

Mr. Joseph J. BrossBrownie Brittle, LLCMr. & Mrs. Benton Burroughs

Mr. & Mrs. Andrew ButtsMr. & Mrs. Michael CarverCGHCardinal BankMr. Russell W. CoeColumbia Furnace United Methodist Church

Crimson Development &Leasing LLC

Davenport & Co. LLCDaVita - Total Renal Care,Inc.

Delta Resources, Inc.

15years of helpingfamilies of seriously ill children

find a home-away-from-home.

When the need for a Ronald McDonald House in Northern Virginia became evident, the community rallied around the cause. Thanks to supporters like you, enough funds were raised to build an 8-bedroom House with all the comforts of a home.

Groundbreaking took place in 1996 and by 1998, the House was ready to serve families like Kim’s on page 4.

To the left you can see several original newspaper clippings and pictures showing the beginnings of the Northern Virginia Ronald McDonald House, and the hope that it brought to the Greater Washington, DC area. In 15 years, this House has been a home-away-from-home to more than 3,500 families going through some of the most difficult days of their lives, and we have been honored to be a stable place for them to heal.

It is with hearts full of gratitude that we celebrate this shared milestone with our supporters and our community. With your help our doors have remained open, and continue to do so for future families who need our care.

Donors August 1, 2012 - June 15, 2013

Celebrating 15 years, thanks to you!

7

Ms. Sara-Ann DetermanMr. & Mrs. RobertDrumheller

Dr. Geoffrey EvansDr. PepperExxonMobil Foundation,Inc.

Fru-Con FoundationGoddard Systems, Inc.Goldman, Sachs & Co.GolinHarrisMr. & Mrs. Isaac GreenKeystone FoodsMr. & Mrs. MichaelHedges

The HogettesThe Employees of IBMImagen RecordsMr. & Mrs. Glenn KikuchiMs. Cindy LevineMacerich, Tysons CornerCenter

Ms. Bette J. MaderMarshall B. CoyneFoundation, Inc.

Mr. Martin MicklinMillerCoorsNational Student Clearinghouse

Mr. & Mrs. David NatysinNonprofit Advisors LLCNortheast Foods/Automatic Rolls

NovartisPlumbers Local Union #5Mr. Timothy PritchettMr. & Mrs. Dave RardinReed Smith LLPMr. & Mrs. Herbert G.Reines

SA Lone Star Truck &Equipment Inc.

Mr. Christopher SavcakMr. & Mrs. Billie ShaddixMr. & Mrs. Daniel SmithSocial ClusterSRA InternationalMr. & Mrs. Adrian L.Steel, Jr.

Stellar Solutions Foundation

Mrs. Eugenia R. SuggT-MobileMr. & Mrs. RameshTakata

Taylor Farms

TD BankMs. Margaret A. TribbyMr. & Mrs. Jason K.Trueman

Mr. & Mrs. Max VanValkenburg

Welburn ManagementMs. Kia T. Williams

Goods and services

$10,000 to $24,999NikeSelect ComfortTempur-Pedic

$5,000 to $9,999Children’s NationalMedical Center

Martin-Brower CompanyMy Plumber

$1,000 to $4,999American Society forMicrobiology

Blendetec, A Division ofK-Tec

Ms. Lily ChangChong Hwa Saint TaoYuan

Coca Cola North AmericaFairfax County PoliceAssociation

Mr. & Mrs. Eric S. FrancisGenerous George’sPositive Pizza Place

Goode Heating & AirConditioning

Goodwin Proctor LLPGreenblum & Bernstein,P.L.C.

INOVA Fairfax RadiologyDepartment

KeurigKohl’s #340La-Z-Boy FurnitureGalleries

Lumber Liquidators,Store #1016

NII Holdings, Inc.Northern Virginia Assoc.of Legal Administrators

Order of the Eastern Star,Prince Hall

Oriental East RestaurantMr. Will Patten

Potomac DisposalServices

Mr. & Mrs. Nathan QuachScoops2u

Shenandoah’s Pride DairyShinnyo EnShirley ContractingCompany, LLC

The Jessie ReesFoundation

Thompson Creek Window Company

Urban Petals

$500 to $999Ms. Alexis AlvarezAssociation of CorporateCounsel

Avalere Health LLCBeta Sigma PhiMr. Richard CampbellEcolabEdensExxonMobil Foundation,Inc.

Fairfax County Office forChildren - SACC

First PotomacManagement

ForestersGame StopGeorgia PacificCorporation

Mr. Gary GloverHearts & Hands ReachingOut

Holland & Knight LLPMr. Murray HorwitzKnit & Crochet Group -Franconia

Knitting & Crochet Group Cascades Senior CenterMC Services, Mr. MarkCox

NabiscoNational Association ofPower Engineers, MD #5

One BrickRavensworth ElementarySchool

Southwest AirlinesThe Carolina KitchenThe Potomac SchoolTzu-Chi FoundationMr. & Mrs. Jay Wallin

Young Women’s League, Inc.

MeMorials Reece Edward Andercyk

Joey AngelCharles Matthew BaerPatricia BowlingMartha A. BradleyRusty ClarkMichael A. CollinsLouise F. CoolJennfer and Tyler Davies

John J. Degnan, Jr.Steven DetermanLilo DillonHannah EdwardsAbigail Kathleen EllisThelma and Louie Garlow

Dolly D. GilliamConnor HillMarilyn “Jeanne”Hockmuth

Donald LeeJerry MendelsonGene MerrillGabriel MillerNathan Morehouse Miller

Shirley MillinerBrandon Scott MinterWayne R. MurrayTriston NixonCaitlin O’HaverMarie Victoria OrbeAshley O’RiordanShirley A. PearlKyle PhelpsBrian RedmondShelly ReedSandra ReevesLauren Ellen ReinesTroy SatterleyIsabella SchuenemanDorothy M. ScottLester ScottBillie Jennean ShaddixBarbara SilvermanNaomi Ruth SmithDennis P. Sterling IICarol Van Valkenburg

Sign up for our E-Newsletter today to

receive regular updates on programs, families,

ways to volunteer, events, and more!

Just click the “Newsletter” button from our website: www.rmhc.greaterdc.org

2013 Wish List

Household Items• Bleach• Copy Paper 8.5 x 11• Dryer Sheets• Fantastic or Mr. Clean• Swiffer Wet/Dry Wipes• Hand Sanitizer• High Efficiency Liquid Laundry Detergent• Lysol Antibacterial Wipes• Swiffer Dusters• Shower Curtain Liners

Gift Cards• Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter• Target, Walmart• Office Depot, Staples• Bed, Bath & Beyond• Home Depot, Lowes• Michaels, AC Moore• CVS, Walgreens

Kitchen & Pantry Items• Cereal• Dishwasher Tablets• Disposable Cutlery• Fresh Veggies & Fruits• Individual Juices• Individual Snack Foods• Keurig Coffee and Tea K-cups• Plastic Wrap & Foil• Tupperware containers• Ziploc Bags (all sizes)

Big Ticket Items• Blue Ray DVD Players• Brown Twin Sheet Sets• Flat Screen TVs for bedrooms• Hair Dryers• New or gently used DVDs• Pots, Pans, Baking Dishes• White Full Sheet Sets

For more information, visit www.rmhc.greaterdc.org

3727 14th St. NE WaShiNgtoN, D.C. 20017