House News - Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City

House News
News, Stories, and Insights from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City - Fall 2011
Our Impact
Since our first House opened on September
19, 1981, Ronald McDonald House Charities
of Kansas City has provided over 214,000
overnight stays to families with children
receiving medical care.
“RMHC-KC was a lifesaver for us...”
Focus on Families
When Jacquelyn was born on Easter Sunday 2011 she was a miracle in
more ways than one. Her original diagnosis was that her internal organs
would not develop and she wouldn’t live more than a few hours. Parents
Marianne and Chris were referred from their doctor in Garden City to
Wichita and finally to the newly developed Fetal Health Clinic at
Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Marianne was admitted for
the duration of her pregnancy, in order for little Jacquelyn to be born
inside the hospital that would potentially save her life.
Jacquelyn spent a month in the care of Children’s Mercy Hospital fighting against congenital CMV, low birth weight,
an enlarged spleen and liver, severe jaundice, hearing loss, epilepsy and calcifications on her brain. The entire time
her parents took comfort in knowing they could stay close by and have little to nothing to worry about beside the
care and comfort of their baby.
“RMHC-KC was a lifesaver for us, I honestly don’t know where we would have stayed…our financial situation was
very poor because of the many trips and appointments we had to attend…we may not have been able to stay close to
the hospital.”
After being released from the hospital, doctors requested the family stay close so they could monitor potential
complications. When Jacquelyn suffered from two major seizures and her epilepsy was diagnosed, the family was
glad to be so close to the hospital.
“We are very thankful that we were at Ronald McDonald House when these seizures happened; it allowed us to get
the best care possible…RMHC-KC is a fantastic place for families with children with medical needs.”
Jacquelyn and her parents are ready for the long road to recovery and know that, while her birth defects may cause
permanent and lifelong damage, they can fight together. She is growing well and is making great progress...given her
original life expectancy, that alone is a miracle.
Crown Garden
30 years and more...
Dear Friends,
Inside this newsletter you will see
incredible highlights of the amazing
support we have experienced during
our 30th anniversary year. Hosted
by Honorary Chairs David & Linda
Gentile and by the generosity of
Hangar 10, Red Shoe Shindig
recently raised over $400,000
to support the important work of
the Charity. At Red Shoe, we were
moved by the story of Kennamarie and her family who has
spent much of 2011 living at RMHC-KC. Little Kennamarie
continues to fight for her life at the age of 6 months.
Also, please take time to meet Jacquelyn and her family who
have found a “home away from home” at RMHC-KC. Little
Jacquelyn is simply adorable and was born at Children’s
Mercy Hospitals’ new Fetal Heath Center earlier this year.
We continue to “Fight for Families” like Kennamarie’s and
Jacquelyn’s everyday by providing peace and comfort in
times of medical crisis.
After 6 years of service, Don Swartz (CBIZ), Laura Fitzmaurice
(Children’s Mercy Hospital), and Kevin Kramer (Bank
Midwest) are rotating off RMHC-KC’s Board of Directors.
Kudos and thanks to these individuals who have made
incredible contributions through their leadership and
generosity. Diane Gallagher, JPMorgan, will take over the
reins from Don Swartz as our new President of the Board in
January. I look forward to sharing more about Diane with
you in the spring newsletter.
As we wrap up 2011 we will engage you with opportunities to
continue your involvement to support the Charity through
external events, planned giving, United Way gifts,
volunteerism, and much more.
Best wishes to you and your family as we enter the holiday
season. I look forward to continuing our communication
through my weekly blog about the wonderful experiences,
opportunities, and generosity of others.
Mission Statement
2011 Board of Directors
The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities
is to reduce the burden of childhood illness on children
and their families. We accomplish this by:
Executive Committee
Don Swartz, CBIZ Accounting, Tax & Advisory Services
Courtney Kounkel, Centric Projects
Charlie Ammeen, SKC Communications
Jami Waggoner, American Century Investments
Diane Gallagher, JPMorgan Retirement Plan Services
•
Creating a caring and uplifting environment.
•
Leveraging community partnerships with affiliated
programs that comfort and assist children with
health concerns and their families.
•
Undertaking resource and fund development
activities that support our facilities, programs
and services.
Thanks to Hallmark and a group of dedicated and “green
thumb” employees, RMHC-KC’s organic garden has produced
harvests of spinach, lettuce, snap peas, onions, carrots,
potatoes, radishes, squash,
strawberries, onions, and
much more. The garden has
not only been a source of
nourishment for our families,
but has also become a
therapeutic outlet providing
a welcome break for families
from the long hours spent
inside hospitals and medical
facilities.
vinegar pickles. She was waiting for her child’s test results
and welcomed the opportunity to work in the kitchen during
that time. A volunteer meal group made homemade onion
rings with onions harvested earlier that day -- an absolute
treat for the families! A mother and daughter duo spent
an afternoon making fried onions and potatoes, a dish that
several families mentioned reminded them of home.
We genuinely appreciate Hallmark’s
gift of resources, time, talents, and
fresh fruits and vegetables! Thanks
so much for a great 30th Anniversary gift to our families!
One mother spent hours picking
beans and making onion
Holly Buckendahl, CEO/Executive Director
• Providing comfortable lodging convenient to
local health facilities.
Hallmark and its employees are long time friends and
supporters. One can literally see that the “Crown Garden”,
built and maintained this past spring by a tremendous corps
of employees, is no exception to their generosity.
Directors
Marshaun Butler, Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics
Ron Coker, Burns & McDonnell
Marilyn Dobski, McDonald’s Owner/Operator
Laura Fizmaurice, Children’s Mercy Hospital & Clinics
Mike Goff, Sprint Nextel Corporation
Kevin Kramer, Bank Midwest
Curtis Landherr, CSM Bakery Supplies North America
Marsha Laner, Stewart Title Guaranty Company
Jon Lewis, Scout Investments, Inc.
Kay Martin, Community Volunteer
Cassie Nelson, McDonald’s Corporation
Ed Nelson, KC Hopps
Blaine Proctor, Hotel Phillips
Matt Salzman, Stinson Morrison Hecker, LLP
John Snyder, SNR Denton
Jim Wagy, McDonlad’s Owner/Operator
Celebrating 30 years...
In Loving Memory
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas
City extends its deepest sympathy to the
families of the very special children we served
from July ‘10 through June ‘11.
The full-time staff of RMHC-KC is happy to celebrate 30 years of serving families
in the Kansas City community and recognizes the amazing volunteers, relief
staff, and supporters who continue to make it all possible! Pictured above left
to right: Rebekah Ebeling, Jami Collins, Megan Harding, Lauri Sherry, April
Hudson, Holly Buckendahl, Brandi Sachse, Gina Dennis, Maggie Hiegert,
Lindsay Bohonik, René Larsen, Janice Perez. Not pictured: Anne Dykes and
Alan Lubert.
Logan Balzer
Mathias Berg
Jamie Blenn
Seamus Brooks
Hunter Cartwright
Artis Cobb
Cade Drago
Peyton Dunn
Zerena Finley
Jonathan Flynn
James Fuller
Kynden Harper
Carson Hubbard
Kingston King
Juliana Kramer
Adrian Lewis
Mozell Loggins
Tina Matchett
Rage McReynolds
Ivan Montoya-Hara
Zakayla Morales
Austin L. O’Handlen
Disaya Pittman
Makayla Rankin-Moore
Violet Grace Rhoads
William Riley-James
Landry Robben
Parker L. Shanks
Avia Sutton-Meek
Adrian Tovar
Natalie Weber
Freya White
Audrey Yadrich
Tell us your story!
Serving over 214,000 families in the past 30 years means there are so many stories to be told. We would love to hear your
stories of experiences at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City over the years - how your family has been
helped, has helped others, and how you’ve been impacted. Please visit our website and share with us!
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www.rmhckc.org
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THANK YOU to our 2011 Event Sponsors!
Friends of the House
Kick off the Holidays with RMHC-KC’s
Friends of the House
Friends support RMHC-KC by:
•
•
•
•
Preparing meals at the Longfellow and
Cherry Street Houses
Supporting the operations for our general store
Supporting volunteerism through our children’s charity
initiative – “kids helping kids”
Raising funds to help support our operational and
programming needs
TrentG R E E N
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June 6, 2011 | Shoal Creek Golf Course
June 6, 2011
September 10, 2011
8905 Shoal Creek Parkway | Kansas City, MO 64157
Presenting Sponsor
Presenting Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
®
Friends of the House is gearing up for their 3rd annual
“Light Up the House” campaign. The Campaign starts on
October 24th and will run through December 7th. As
donations are made, the virtual house will “light up” with
color. A celebration, combined with a “jail and bail” of
popular Kansas Citians will occur on December 7th from
5:00 to 7:00 pm at the 810Zone on the Plaza. The celebration
will feature a Happy Hour with free appetizers and drink
specials. Please support this campaign and help us light
up our home! For more information, please contact Brandi
Sachse at bsachse@rmhckc.org. Visit our website to make
a donation!
www.rmhckc.org
Trent Green
Family Foundation
photo courtesy of 53Tom.com
T1 Communication
DAWN PLASENCIA
McDonald’s Heart of America Co-Op
CLIENT:
P R O D U C T I O N / F O R U S E O N LY O N :
D AT E :
04.18.07
Platinum Pumps
RMHC GOLF 1/4 PAGE COLOR
FILENAME:
C11113.1
4.25"W x 5.5"H
Gold Sponsors
Media Sponsors
The Hansen
Family
NOTE: Color representations are approximations of actual production.
1685 Viewpond, S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
616-455-2424
PRODUCTION RIGHTS for designs are reserved for Ross and Associates.These
designs are intended to be placed into production and sold for actual field use only
through the CHANGE-OF-VIEW program. No field agency or other organization is
authorized to locally produce materials using these designs without specific
authorization from, and /or payment of appropriate fees to, Ross and Associates.
NOTE: This art to scale only on legal-size copies.
Approved by:
Silver Stilettos
Team Sponsors
[Client]
Released by:
Brandmark Versions
Searles Associates, Inc.
[Ross & Associates]
There are two groupings of UPS brandmark
versions: full-color and one-color.
Mayer
Hoffman
McCann P.C.
Jami & John
Waggoner
For full-color versions:
• Use the full-color version whenever possible
Ty Yano
Atterbury Family
Foundation
For one-color versions:
• Use the one-color, light background version on
light backgrounds
Full-color
Tom & Marilyn
Dobski
David & Linda
Gentile
The Hansen
Family
Full-color
Ruby Slippers
• Use the one-color, dark-background version
to show contrast on dark backgrounds
Pace Family
Foundation
Since different applications require distinct
Children’s Mercy Hospital
Departments ofAnesthesiology and
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
brandmark
sizes, always use approved artwork
McDonald’s
Heartland
Regional
from
UPSOffice
Brand Exchange to reproduce the
Ed Stevens & Jenny
Atterbury-Stevens
Apartments & Townhomes
Partner Sponsors
One-color, light background
Garney Family
Foundation
One-color, dark background
{
Donn Hess & Robin
Henshaw
Laura Fitzmaurice
Amick & Mickey
Amick
In-Kind Sponsors
Boulevard Brewing
Company
Brandsource
Chipotle Mexican Grill
The Coca Cola Company
Dr. Pepper
Garmin
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KC Hopps
McDonald’s
MillerCoors
Molle Toyota
Nike
Noonshine Window
& Gutter Cleaning
Service
Prairie Farms Dairy
Platte Valley Bank
The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor
Gulch
Sheridan’s
Shoal Creek Golf
Course
SKC Communications
Sprint
U.S. Foodservice
USA Today
photo courtesy of Gallery Portraiture
An Independent CPA Firm
Restaurants
12 Baltimore Café
75th Street Brewery
Black Belt Bar-B-Q
Blue Bell Ice Cream
Boulevard Brewing Co.
Café Roux
Cinzetti’s Italian Market
Restaurant
IronHorse Golf Club
KC Hopps
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Lucky Strike Lanes &
Lounge
McDonald’s
The Melting Pot
OP1906 at Sheraton
Parisi Artisan Coffee
Rudy’s Tenampa
Taqueria
Ruth’s Chris Steak
House
Shatto Milk Company
St. James Winery
Gallery Portraiture
GlynnDevins Advertising &
Marketing
Hangar 10
The Hershey’s Company
Kansas City Transportation
Group
Your change helps local kids.
Last year $223,000 was dropped
in the donation boxes.
A penny from every Happy Meal
purchased comes to us.
In-Kind & Media Sponsors
53Tom.com
Celebration Party Rentals, Inc.
The Coca-Cola Company
CooranBong Vodka
Digital Design
DSS, Inc.
Faultless Linen
Activities at our area McDonald’s
restaurants benefit our Kansas City
Ronald McDonald Houses and the
Family Room.To learn more about
our relationship with McDonald’s,
please visit www.rmhckc.org.
KJO Media
M&S Grill
Major Brands
Spaces Kansas City
Talco Direct Inc.
Trabon
Dollars raised from paper hands
sold from Nov. 10-20 comes to us.
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10 Years - 10 Tons - 24,000,000 Pop-Tabs
2011 is the 10th
year of our pop-tab
program, and we have
an ambitious goal:
10 Years – 10 Tons!
That’s approximately
24,000,000 pop-tabs!
For our Tons of Tabs
campaign, we have a new item: pop-tab stickers for zip-lock
bags. On the RMHC-KC website, you’ll find a sticker template.
Print this out onto sheets of labels and place the labels onto
gallon zip-lock bags. We’ll need lots of new friends to help
us reach this goal. Here’s how you can get involved.
Pop-tabs remind us of an important lesson: even little
things make a big difference. Pop-tabs helps us pay the bills
so moms and dads need not worry about where they will
stay while their children are in the hospital.
Wabash Iron & Metal, our local recycler, buys the tabs at
market rate, and makes an additional charitable contribution.
Wabash generously donates their pick-up and handling
services, so the income from pop-tabs is pure profit.
Collecting pop-tabs is a popular volunteer opportunity that
benefits RMHC-KC families and is easy to organize. When
Tomorrow’s Hope Legacy Society
you pull for The House That Love Built, you expand public
awareness, make new friends, raise money, and protect the
environment.
The Gift Planning Donor Wall was unveiled and dedicated
on April 7, 2011. The wall was underwritten by Mark and
Toube Searles, in memory of Mark’s father, Milton Searles.
Looking for a community service project? Pop-tabs are a
fun way for individuals, schools and organizations to get
involved with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas
City.
Milton Searles was a gentle man who quietly gave for years
to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City. His
many gifts enabled us to give our families the comforts of
home. Mark Searles, his son, wanted to carry on his father’s
legacy. So, Mark continued to give to the House as his father
did and Mark soon found the joy he believes he father must
have had experienced. Mark decided to honor his father
but equally as important, wanted to share with others the
fulfillment of ‘contributing what you are able to enhance the
lives of others.’ Much thought was given to how to honor
his dad. Now Milton would be so proud knowing his son
has underwritten the Tomorrow’s Hope planned giving
recognition piece – a tribute dedicated to Milton inspiring
others to give to Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Collect pop-tabs in zip-lock bags, cardboard boxes, coffee
cans or plastic trash bags – anything easy to empty. Please
do not use plastic soda bottles
or milk jugs because
they’re hard to empty!
10 Tons of thanks for
everyone who collects
pop-tabs.
For information about
the pop-tab program,
contact Alan Lubert at
816.842.8321 x118 or
alubert@rmhckc.org
Ferne Searles, Milton’s wife, adm
iring the plaque.
Milton Searles- Dedicated in memory of a wonderful husband,
father and grandfather. May his gentleness and kind heart
inspire other to give in other to enhance the lives of others.
New Windows
The Cherry Street House was constructed and opened in
1988. For 23 years this House has provided warmth and
comfort to those traveling to Kansas City seeking life saving
medical treatment for a sick or injured child. As with any
home, eventually there are repairs that must take place.
In the case of the Cherry Street House, it became clear
new windows were needed on the 2nd and 3rd floors, for
the safety and comfort of our guests and to run the House
more efficiently. As one can imagine, replacing 83 windows
while 19 families are residing in the House is an enormous
undertaking, both financially and to ensure there was little
distress on the families staying with us.
With great appreciation, the funding for the new windows
was provided by the O.E. Ellis Foundation and the Oppenstein
Brothers Foundation. With their generosity, the Charity
was able to procure the much needed windows. The windows
were delivered almost a month before they could be
installed, so the Kansas City Missouri firefighters came to
our “rescue” by unloading all of the windows into a storage
area at the House for safe keeping. This group of firefighters,
from Station 17, Shift B unloaded the windows on one of
the hottest days recorded in Kansas City’s history. They also
arrived less than ten
minutes after receiving
our call for assistance!
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Jami and John Waggoner in front of their hear
t.
Mark and Toube Serles
The Donor Next Door
On September 1st, nearly 30 contractors from Paul Davis
Restoration and Remodeling in Kansas City spent an entire
day installing new windows; repairing and replacing trim, a
gift valued at nearly $40,000. This extraordinary group of
men and women spared no detail and even made arrangements
for masonry professionals to spend the following day
addressing issues uncovered during the window install,
such as cracks due to the House settling. Ronald McDonald
House Charities of Kansas City is extremely fortunate, and
the generosity of the community means our guests staying
at the Cherry Street House are now enjoying safe and
comfortable accommodations. Thank you to each and every
one for making families’ home-away-from-home improvement
possible!
www.rmhckc.org
Recently a former Ronald McDonald House
Charities of Kansas City Board member wanted
to make a large gift to the house, the problem…
Limited income and limited assets. Nevertheless,
RMHC-KC is now the future guaranteed recipient
of a $250,000 cash gift all provided through a
relatively small annual gift of $3,000 per year
for the next 10 years. This was accomplished
by combining the donor’s lives and securing
a guaranteed survivorship life insurance policy
owned and payable to RMHC-KC. For a relatively
modest planned annual gift for ten years, RMHCKC will receive $250,000 in cash upon claim of
the insurance benefit which will of course benefit
many families in the future.
~Douglas Peete
Douglas Peete
The purpose of planned giving and Tomorrow’s
Hope Legacy Society is to continue to strengthen
the mission with giving opportunities. Generous donors who
thoughtfully include Ronald McDonald House Charities of
Kansas City in their estate plans are considered members of
Tomorrow’ Hope Legacy Society. Qualifying gifts include
bequests, charitable trusts, annuities, remainder interest
in property, retirement plan assets and IRAs, survivorship
designations and life insurance.
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Non Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 979
Kansas City, MO
RMHC Kansas City, Inc.
2502 Cherry Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
United Way
Please “donor designate”
Ronald McDonald House
Charities of Kansas City
during this year’s United Way Campaign!
Top 10 Wish List
♥ QT Gas Cards
♥ Breakfast Cereal
Save the Date
Holidays in Briarcliff Village
♥ Sugar
November 20, 2011 - Holiday Lighting Ceremony
December 1-3, 2011 - Toy Drive & Activities
♥ Coffee Creamer
Jail ‘n Bail
♥ Disinfectant Wipes
♥ Sandwich Bread
♥ Deodorant
810Zone on the Plaza
December 7, 2011 5-7 pm
Trent Green Golf Classic
♥ Dryer Sheets
Shoal Creek Golf Course
June 4, 2012
♥ Napkins
Red Shoe Shindig
♥ Kitchen-sized Trash Bags
For a more complete list of our House needs, please
visit our website at www.rmhckc.org. Click on How
You Can Help.
For the protection of our families, we request that all
donated items are brand new. Thank You.
September 8, 2012 7-11 pm
facebook.com/RMHCKC