Meet Danny Pelletier - Sites@Duke

Ronald McDonald
House
Durham, NC
Volunteer Newsletter
June 2009
Volume 1, Issue 4
What’s Inside
This Issue
Meet Danny Pelletier
Page 1 Meet
Danny Pelletier
Pages 2 &3
Volunteer
Pages
Danny doing
tricks on his
skateboard)
Danny has been a guest at Ronald McDonald House of Durham many times over the past 7
years. Now 16 years old, this typical teenager spends time playing video games, texting, and
skateboarding. Despite being paralyzed from the waist down as a result of a tumor growing
on his spine, Danny has been skateboarding since he was 6 years old. So far, Danny has been
in one skateboarding competition, and loves learning new tricks. While he is originally from
Florida, Danny and his family now live in the mountains of Waynesville, North Carolina—
where he hopes to take up snowboarding soon. For now, Danny is catching up on homework
and getting ready to return to his life as a 10th grader in Waynesville very soon.
This newsletter is published
monthly by the Ronald
Mc Donald House of Durham.
The House provides lodging,
comfort and care to families
who have critically ill children
being treated at nearby
hospitals.
Join Us For A Friends Of
Ronald McDonald House Social
Date: Wednesday, June 17th
Time: 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Place: Mez
5410 Page Road
Durham, NC 27703
www.mezdurham.com
*Friends of Ronald McDonald House is a social organization
whose members commit to giving at least $10.00 each.
month to the Ronald McDonald House of Durham to defray the costs of
caring for critically ill children and their families. We would love to have
you join as a member, but there is no pressure to do so.
RSVP: friendsofrmhd@gmail.com
Durham Ronald McDonald House Newsletter Page 2
Around the House
Board
President Richard Ballard
President - Elect Ric Richards
Treasurer Edith Rosenblatt
Secretary David Knobeloch
Assistant Secretary Carol Martin
Jim Bressler
Bart Brunk
Darnell Crews
Bill Donovan
David Knobeloch
Scott MacLeod
Art Pappas
Cheryl Russell
Joe St. Geme, MD
David Welsh
Jim Wulforst
Staff
Noreen Strong
Executive Director
Karen Morgan
Assistant Manager
Jessica Long
Development Coordinator
Lisa Lambert
Community Events Director
Yaw Boadu
Facilities Maintenance
Michelle Audette-Bauman
Administrative Assistant
Jordan Travis
Administrative Receptionist
Ava Bland
2nd Shift Manager
Althea Mangum
3rd Shift Manager
Our Volunteer Recognition Picnic Was a Blast!!
Thanks to all our faithful volunteers who do so much for our House! In May we
hosted our annual volunteer recognition picnic to honor and celebrate all the
AMAZING volunteers we have. The volunteers were treated to a very special
entertainer, Gary Mitchell.
No pig picking would be complete without our famous, incredible Chef David
Knobeloch. David has been cooking for all of the volunteer picnics for more
than 12 years. He was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award—the first
the House has ever presented to a volunteer.
The delicious side dishes included coleslaw, potato salad, and a veggie and
cheese tray donated by Whole Foods. There were muffins and cookies from
Fosters Market, as well as rolls and hush puppies from Costco. Wal-Mart in
Brier Creek donated 150 pieces of fried chicken, and BJs provided the plates,
Relief Managers
plastic ware and cups. To finish this fine meal, Good Taste Cake Designs
Dewayne Hinnant,
Catherine Stevens,
treated our volunteers to a yummy cake and cupcakes. Volunteer Camille
Meghan McMahon
Stubbs secured all these donations by calling a few of our favorite local
**Sue Lindsey was this year’s recipient of the
RMH Family Room Volunteer of the Year Award. businesses. Even during these difficult economic times these fabulous venders
For over 3 years, Sue has coordinated the Thursday went the extra mile and donated all the fantastic food.
afternoon volunteers for the RMH Family Room at
the hospital.
Camille was awarded this year’s House Volunteer of the Year Award. Each
**George Grody is this year’s Development
week Camille comes to the office and secures in-kind donations that have saved
Volunteer of the Year. His leadership as inaugural the house thousands and thousands of dollars year after year. Like all not-forchair of the Hearts of Hope Society helped to raise
profits this has been a difficult year financially, and Camille has been a lifeline
over $200,000—surpassing our goal.
**Brona Addison has volunteered for over 3 years securing all the in-kind gifts that make such a difference in our families’ lives.
at the RMH Family Room, but her work recently
Also, Judy Wooden and Mary Beth Cecil were recognized as the Special Events
was particularly great. Brona normally ends her
shift at the Family Room at 9:00 PM, after which Volunteers of the Year. They and other behind-the-scenes volunteers made the
the room usually closes. One night this year,
2009 Winterfest event another huge success. Although the Washington Duke
however, she kept the room open all night to
Inn and Golf Club is always a beautiful venue, Mary Beth and Judy transformed
provide a place to gather for a family whose 13the ballroom into a Paris-themed scene, which included a magnificent replica of
day-old baby was in very critical condition and
the Arc de Triomphe.
eventually lost the fight for its life. For going
beyond the call of duty and remarkably providing
comfort to a family in a time of need, Brona was Finally, a very large thank you to each and every volunteer who gives of their
recognized as a Service Champion by the Duke
time and resources to help make our House a true home away from home.
University Hospital and we would like to
Thank you. We appreciate you all!!!
recognize her work as well.
Durham Ronald McDonald House Newsletter Page 3
Swing for Hope Golf Tournament
(Supported by the Law Office of Paul M. Goodson)
On Friday, June 5, 2009 at Hillandale Golf Course the Ronald McDonald House of Durham played its highly
anticipated and very successful second annual golf tourney. When this article was printed we had four (4)
major sponsors, over 26 teams and 30 hole sponsors! We would like to thank our major donors American
Equity Mortgage, Premier Chiropractic Group, DocuSource of NC LLC and Paul M. Sullivan in memory of Alan
Donald Sullivan for helping to make this event a huge hit!
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to The Law Office of Paul M. Goodson and Hillandale Golf Course; Fran James
and all her staff; McDonald’s in Durham on Roxboro Road and McDonald’s of Oxford and Creedmoor for the
wonderful Breakfast. Special thanks to Tarheel Trophy for the awesome trophies and to all the companies
and individuals who donated the terrific door prizes for the tournament.
An extra special thank you to all the volunteers, board, staff and players who came out to support our truly
unique and amazing “House That Love Built”! Please visit our website for a list of sponsors and donors that
made this a perfect day!
Lisa W. Lambert
Community Events Director
Happy Birthday, June Volunteers!!!
Linda Bailey
Jan Beckwith
Vicki Crenshaw
Hamlin Landis
Sue Lindsey
James Lloyd
Natalie Mota
Jillian Simpson
Jeaninne Wagner
H.O.G., C.B.A., M.O.B. CAR & BIKE Cruise-In to support RMH of Durham
WHEN:
Saturday, June 20, 2009
WHERE:
Burlington Square Mall
(Rain Date June 27, 2009)
Huffman Mill Rd.
TIME: 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Burlington, NC
No tents allowed in the cruise-in area.
DETAILS: Please join the Burlington Harley Owner’s Group (H.O.G.), Alamance Concerned
Biker’s Association (C.B.A.) and the Mustangs of Burlington (M.O.B.) for a CAR and BIKE
cruise-in to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Cruise-in is open to ALL makes
and models of vehicles. Please stop by the tent and register your vehicle and pick up your
donation supplies. EVERYONE gets to vote by donating money. Please be sure to attend to
“vote” for your favorite vehicle with your money and/or bring supplies for the Ronald
McDonald House.
All proceeds will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House of Durham.
Any questions please contact Raz (Richard) Zipf (C.B.A. President., Alamance
County) at 336-263-5552, Kirby Page (M.O.B. coordinator) at 336-228-1482, or
William Blanchard (H.O.G. Director) at 919-563-5834.