fall/winter 2014 heartbeat newsletter

HEARTBEATST. LOUIS

FA L L / W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 • 3 1 4 . 7 7 3 . 1 1 0 0 • W W W. R M H C S T L .C O M

A PUBLICATION OF RONALD M CDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES ® OF ST. LOUIS

delivering the gift of sight

how to help rmhc at the holidays

Meet wyatt and the hill family

2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RMHC ST. LOUIS STAFF

Michael Murphy, ChairmanFelicia Malter, Vice Chairman

Steve Holste, TreasurerBrad Seabaugh, Secretary

Ann BuelerShawn Dryden

Steve FahrigGeorge Gipson, III

Larry GlascottLincoln GrayEd HarmonThomas Hof

Anthony IraceDonald Kalicak

Sirus Karimi

Tami KellerStephen LuxSteve Pelch

Lee RenzDave Sadler

Mark SchlichterKeith Schieler

Colleen SchoendienstJim Souers

Deborah Vogt

Dan Harbaugh, PresidentLisa Stiefvater, Vice President, Operations

Cheri Wuertz, Vice President, FinanceFrank Cognata, Vice President, Development

Pat Newby, Director, AdministrationJudy Schuler, Director, Family Rooms

Jenifer Braucksieker, House Manager, West PineMichelle Burmann, Finance Manager

Laura Droege, House Manager, Park AvenueAlly Favre, Event Manager

Alison Kaspar, Human Resources Manager Matt Lauer, House Operations Manager

Kathy McDermott, Data Manager Katie Nepute, Communications Manager

Danielle Spencer, Annual Giving CoordinatorAlyssa Eason, Event Assistant Barb Jarvis, Finance Assistant

Eugene Johnson, Data AssistantGinny Kappel, Human Resources-Volunteer Assistant

Jacob McGuire, Family Room Assistant Nicki Ascoli, Assistant House Manager, West CountyIan Lindquist, Assistant House Manager, West PineLizzie Poe, Assistant House Manager, Park Avenue

Nicki Island, Receptionist, Park AvenueJonathan Brooks, Housekeeper, West Pine

April Fischer, Housekeeper, West PineVicki Ruckman, Housekeeper, West Pine

Joy Tate, Housekeepeer, West County

House Parents: Joan Blatz, Noelle Perkowski, Nicole McLaughlin

2 Letter from the President; Family Love Note3-4 Meet Wyatt; RMHC St. Louis Wish List5 Volunteer Spotlight6 Volunteer Needs; Ambassadors Program7-8 Special Events Recap; Caring Partners Program9 Building Blocks10 The Duncan Family11-12 How You Can Help at the Holidays13-14 2014 Home Away from Home Appeal15-17 Memorials; In Loving Memory; Transplant Recipients 18 The Tax Advantages of Donor Advised Funds19-20 Tributes; Memorial & Tribute Bricks; Brag Board21 Family Dinner Program Volunteers22 New Faces; Red Shoe Society23-24 Delivering the Gift of Sight: Ronald McDonald Care Mobile25-26 Heartbits

WHAT’S INSIDE

Our MissionTo provide a “home-away-from-home” for

families of seriously ill children, and support to organizations that serve the needs of children.

the heart of rmhcThese values define for RMHC of St. Louis the right course of action as we serve our guest families, volunteers, donors,

partners, and team-members. Through this service, we impact our community and inspire others.

AcceptanceWe care for others without prejudice and value diversity.

AccountabilityWe commit to accepting responsibility for our actions and

holding one another to the highest standards.

HospitalityWe welcome everyone as if we are inviting them into our

home, while maintaining a professional relationship.

IntegrityWe build trust through honesty, sincerity, and mututal respect.

StewardshipWe safeguard the time, talent and treasure with which we

are entrusted.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

As many of you know, I recently celebrated 20 years of being with Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. It is still hard for me to believe that I have been with RMHC this long; time flies when you’re having fun!

And it has been fun, but more importantly, it has been a privilege to serve this great organization. I tell people all the time that I have the “greatest job in the world,” and being a part of the Ronald McDonald House is amazing.

While our cause is one that anyone and everyone can relate to, what makes our organization so incredibly wonderful and successful is the people: the “army” of great folks we have involved at all levels, our volunteers, folks who have served on the Board of Directors, donors, the staff members, and the hundreds of individuals who have served through the years on one of our many committees. It is a true honor to work with you, and I consider you a friend.

We have had many challenges, a great deal of success, and even many unique moments, but most importantly, we have been able to provide comfort and care, hope, great meals and tremendous support to thousands of families.

There are no words that can describe how blessed I feel to be a part of The House that Love Built.

Thanks for your friendship and support through the years, and let’s continue the great work!

Sincerely,

Dan Harbaugh, President

Love Note from a FamilyThank you for your help in providing a “home-away-from-home.” The Ronald McDonald House has provided a “home-away-from-home” for our family throughout LeeAnn’s life. When LeeAnn received her first lung transplant in 1996, our family stayed in the third-floor apartment at the West Pine House. LeeAnn’s younger sister was born during our stay and brought “home” to the Ronald McDonald House while LeeAnn recovered after transplant.

We have seen so much growth since that time, with the addition of the Park Avenue House, the apartments, and the Ronald McDonald Family Room at the hospital. The help you are able to provide to families in need is an incredible blessing.

At this time, LeeAnn is waiting for a lung transplant due to complications, and we feel so very fortunate to be able to return to an apartment at the Roald McDonald House while we wait. The wait time can be very long and stressful, but the workers and volunteers here are always patient, kind and so helpful. The community atmosphere at the Ronald McDonald House provides an opportunity to relax in a peaceful, homey environment.

Thank you! For all you do to keep the Houses open to new and returning families that face the emotional and medical challenges of caring for an ill child. Thank you for being part of The House that Love Built.

Sincerely, The Binder Family

3 Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2014

In April 2013, Amanda and Brandon Hill took their 2-year-old son, Wyatt, to the pediatrician.

While he was there, the doctor noticed something wasn’t quite right, so he ordered some blood tests. Within hours, Wyatt was airlifted from Cape Girardeau to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. That’s when the Hills heard the words that are every parent’s worst nightmare: “Your child has Leukemia.” The next day, Amanda and Brandon were both heartbroken and stunned as they watched their son being wheeled into surgery.

“That’s when we started our journey to fixing our little man,” says Brandon. “We couldn’t believe that just eight hours before, we were oblivious to the fact that he had a monster inside him.”

Wyatt received chemotherapy almost every day throughout the three weeks that followed, and the treatment’s intensity took a toll. His pain was so severe that he couldn’t walk. During that time, the Hills were under an enormous amount of stress. Their world had been turned upside down, and they were more than 100 miles away their hometown of Jackson, Missouri. Fortunately, the Ronald McDonald House, located just steps away from the hospital, became their “home-away-from-home.”

Not having to worry about where they would sleep or find their next meal meant that Amanda and Brandon could focus their time and energy on helping Wyatt heal.

Wyatt’s treatments continued throughout 2013, and when a trip to St. Louis was required, the Hill family knew the Ronald McDonald House would be there. Seeing familiar faces at the House was a source of comfort on their return trips, especially when Wyatt was very ill.

“We ran through a very rough patch around Labor Day last year,” says Brandon. “There were times in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) where we weren’t sure what the outcome would be for our brave guy.”

Now Wyatt is in what is called the “maintenance” stage of his treatment. He no longer receives chemotherapy treatments in St. Louis every 10 days; instead, his family makes the trip every three months. He also takes an oral dose every night. The Hills are counting down the days until June 10, 2016 – Wyatt’s final day of chemotherapy in St. Louis.

“We are so blessed to have our child with us today,” says Brandon. “He’s just like any other 3-year-old: full of energy and so smart. He continues to amaze us, and he will forever be our hero.” ■

MEET WYATT & THE HILL FAMILYhearing the words ‘your child has leukemia’ turned the hill family’s world upside down

Heartbeat • Fall/Winter 2014 4

Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis relies on donations of these household items to provide all the comforts of home in our three Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms. Thank you for your support.

Kitchen Items:Sweet/salty individually wrapped snacks, such as cookies, soups, mac ‘n’ cheese, breakfast bars, hot chocolate, trail mix, dried fruit, peanut butter or cheese sandwich crackers, and candy bars

Liquid hand soap, pump container

Ziploc bags of all sizesDishwasher-safe cookie sheets and cooling racks

Microwavable bowls (such as Corningware)

Plastic forks and spoonsSilverwareAssorted Tupperware

Laundry Facilities:High-efficiency laundry detergent

Softener sheets

Cleaning Supplies:Dishwasher detergentDisinfectant sprayMultipurpose cleanerSwiffer hand duster sheetsWindex

Miscellaneous:Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shaving cream and toothpaste

Disposable razorsIndividually packaged toothbrushes

iPhones (new or used)

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF ST. LOUIS

Our Wish List

To donate items to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis, please call 314-485-0300 ext. 1234 or

email Matt Lauer at [email protected].

After Wyatt’s Leukemia diagnosis, the Hill Family established Friends of Wyatt, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting the battle against pediatric cancer. In March 2014, Friends of Wyatt hosted the 1st Annual 5K/Biathlon/Marshmallow Ride, a fundraiser that took place in their hometown of Jackson.

This event was a huge success, raising more than $13,000. Brandon, Amanda and Wyatt generously donated a portion of the proceeds to RMHC St. Louis. They made the trip to our West County Ronald McDonald House in June, with a very generous financial contribution and many in-kind gifts, including a television and thousands of snack items from our Wish List, in tow.

Friends of Wyatt’s upcoming Mother’s Day Marshmallow 5K/Biathlon will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at Jackson City Park in Jackson, Missouri. For more information, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/community.

Soon after the West County Ronald McDonald House opened its doors in 2010, Joan Johans went on a

tour of the new facility and completely “fell in love with the organization.” She applied to be a volunteer immediately, and was ecstatic when she received the call that a position was available.

For the past two years, Joan has infused the West County Ronald McDonald House with her caring and positive attitude every Wednesday. During her shifts, she spends most of her time lending a helping hand to Joy Tate, the Housekeeper at our West County House. This dynamic duo can usually be found deep cleaning in the busy kitchen.

“Joan goes above and beyond the call of duty,” says Joy. “We’ve truly built a friendship that extends beyond the walls of the House.”

Joan was adamant about fulfilling

a volunteer duty that is integral to the productivity of the House and those who stay there. “I wanted to do something that mattered and was needed to keep the House up and running,” she says.

And that she does. Maintaining a clean and sanitized environment for the sick children and their families is crucial to helping them get well.

Much like the kitchen at your home, the kitchens in each of our three Ronald McDonald Houses are always busy with families grabbing a quick bite to eat on their way to or from the hospital. Thanks to the Family Dinner Program, volunteers use the kitchens to prepare delicious dinners for our families every night of the week, as well as breakfast on the weekends.

Joan is able to get to know many of our guest families while she is cleaning the kitchen from top to bottom.

“Although I am incredibly happy when the families are able to go home, I miss them when they leave,” she says.

When asked for one of her fondest memories of volunteering at the RMH, Joan recalls a time when a little boy showed her a scar he got from surgery. Over the course of his stay at the House, he continued to show her how it was healing. It’s times like this, says Joan, when she feels “unbelievably lucky” to be a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House.

“Volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House has been the best thing to ever happen to me besides marrying my husband and having my four amazing children,” she says.

Joan has inspired us with her dedication and cheerful personality, and we couldn’t be more thankful for the support and hard work she has contributed over the past two years. ■

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHTJOAN JOHANS IS A RAY OF SUNSHINE AT THE WEST COUNTY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE


Joy Tate (left), RMHC housekeeper, and Joan Johans (right), volunteer.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?Our wonderful volunteers make a difference in the lives of families with seriously ill children by donating their time and talent to RMHC St. Louis. Monthly volunteer information sessions are held for people who are interested in learning more about our volunteer opportunities. Current volunteer opportunities are listed to the right. For more information, please contact Ginny Kappel at [email protected] or visit www.rmhcstl.com/volunteer. PARK AVENUE AND WEST PINE RONALD

MCDONALD HOUSE VOLUNTEERSVolunteers are needed for a variety of shifts throughout the week.

“HANDY” VOLUNTEERS Volunteers with varying maintenance skills are needed on a weekly basis to help keep our West Pine and Park Avenue Houses up and running for the families we serve.

DEVELOPMENT VOLUNTEERSVolunteers are needed to help cultivate donors and work on special events.


RMHC AMBASSADORSIs your company, school or organization interested in

learning more about Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis and how you can help our mission?

We are happy to provide an RMHC Ambassador for your next meeting or event. Our RMHC St. Louis Ambassadors are trained volunteers who will deliver an inspiring, engaging presentation about our organization.

Our Ambassadors frequently speak at civic group or club meetings, chambers of commerce, religious institutions, schools, businesses, and organizations that are hosting fundraisers for RMHC St. Louis. Most presentations are 20 minutes long, but they can be tailored to any type of meeting or event. Our Ambassadors also conduct tours of our three Ronald McDonald Houses (tours must be scheduled in advance).

To request an Ambassador for your next meeting or event, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/ambassadors to fill out a request form, or call 314-773-1100.

VOLUNTEERS HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT RMHC ST. LOUIS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY

Pictured left to right: RMHC AmbassadorsRick Mauger, Ann Bueler and Bob Manges.

DELIVERY DRIVERSDelivery drivers are needed to make weekly runs to distribute and pick up House and Family Room supplies.

2014 SPECIAL EVENTS RECAP

10TH ANNUAL TAB TOP PANDEMONIUM ■ SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2014

29TH ANNUAL CASSIDY TURLEY/RMH GOLF TOURNAMENT AND DINNER AUCTION SUNDAY, JUNE 1 AND MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2014

On May 3, RMHC supporters gathered the tab tops they had been collecting for the past year and joined us for a day of fun with Ronald McDonald! Participants enjoyed games, food, face painting, and arts and crafts. Awards were given for top collectors in the following groups: schools, organizations, individuals and families. For this listing, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/tabtops. We hope you will join us for next year’s Tab Top Pandemonium on Saturday, May 2, 2015!

In June, the 29th Annual Cassidy Turley/Ronald McDonald House Golf Tournament was held at the beautiful Meadowbrook Country Club. Sunday featured a delicious seated dinner and a silent/live auction. The next day, 230 golfers hit the links, where threesomes competed for the championship. In total, the event raised a record-breaking $837,000 for The House that Love Built.

We would like to thank Cassidy Turley for their outstanding leadership as our Title Sponsor! We are very grateful for all the hard work and dedication from our committee members and volunteers. Next year’s tournament is scheduled for June 7-8, 2015, so mark your calendar!


THANKS FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR!

21ST ANNUAL SCRAMBLE FOR CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENTFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2014

This year’s Kids & Clays event, sponsored by Moneta Group, LLC, raised more than $331,000! The dinner auction was held on Friday at the Edward Jones Atrium, where guests dressed in Western wear and enjoyed live music by the Alex Riffle Band. The Sporting Clays Tournament took place at Strathalbyn Farms Club, where shooters participated in two flights and challenging side games.

We are extremely grateful for the support of Moneta Group as the Title Sponsor and all who participated as major sponsors to support the RMHC mission! We would also like to thank our great partner, Edward Jones, for hosting this event!

Many thanks to McDonald’s, the Title Sponsor of our 21st Annual Scramble for Charity Golf Tournament! This event took place on Friday, September 26, at The Legends Country Club. Teams of four competed for great prizes in morning and afternoon rounds. Golfers had the opportunity to test their luck at several par-3 games set up on the course. To add to the fun, the Ladies of McDonald’s (YaYas) hosted a tent filled with exciting raffle items, as well as delicious food and drinks!

This year’s event raised a record-breaking $140,000! Thank you to all the golfers, sponsors, volunteers and committee members who made it all possible!


CARING PARTNERS PROGRAM EVENTS ■ FALL/WINTER 2014WWW.RMHCSTL.COM/THIRDPARTYFUNDRAISERS

14TH ANNUAL KIDS & CLAYS TOURNAMENT AND DINNER AUCTIONFRIDAY, AUGUST 22 AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014

HOT CHOCOLATE 15/5K ■ DECEMBER 14, 2014On Sunday, December 14, 2014 the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k is back in St. Louis for an unforgettable run through Downtown. All funds raised through the interactive fundraising page benefit RMHC St. Louis. The race course highlights the city’s biggest attractions, from Busch Stadium to the Arch. Visit www.hotchocolate15k.com/stlouis to register.

RMHC St. Louis would like to thank the individuals, organizations and corporations that host third-party fundraisers on behalf of our charity. Below are some of our upcoming Caring Partners Program events. For more information about the Caring Partners Program, or how you can help host a fundraiser for RMHC St. Louis, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/thirdpartyfundraisers.

Building Blocks

Our Building Blocks are those corporations that sponsor Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis’ special events with gifts of $1,000 or more. By underwriting

these fundraisers, Building Blocks help reduce the expenses to RMHC, ensuring that our

organization maintains the highest level of stewardship so that our individual donors’ contributions may directly provide comfort, care and a “home-away-from-home” for seriously ill children and their families.

105.7 The Point38th Street Financial ACME Constructors, Inc. AHM Insurance Group Alberici Constructors, Inc. American Equity MortgageAmerigroup Community CareAnthem Blue Cross Blue ShieldARCO ConstructionAvala Marketing BKD, LLPBurns & McDonnell Engineering Cass BankCassidy TurleyCharterCitiCMG, Inc. Coldwell Banker Gundaker Core States GroupCorizonCSG West General ContractorsCSI Leasing Deeken PropertiesDidion Orf RecyclingDillard’s Dohmen Life Science ServicesDon Brown ChevroletDr. Pepper Snapple GroupThe Retina Center of St. Louis Co. Enable Midstream Partners Enterprise Fleet Management

Fifth Third BankFull Care Gardens of GraceGateway Warehouse & Transportation Gori, Julian & Associates, P.C. Guarantee Electrical Hemphill Financial Group Husch BlackwellISC Contracting J.W. TerrillJersey Mike’s SubsJM Family Enterprises, Inc. Karpel SolutionsLa-Z-BoyLewis, Rice Fingersh, L.C. Lion PetroleumLodging Hospitality ManagementMarcone SupplyMcCarthy Holdings, Inc. McDonald’s Heartland RegionMcDonald’s Co-OpMcDonald’s Owner/Operators of St. LouisMcGladreyMercy KidsMidwest Equipment CompanyMidwest Valve & Controls Mississippi Lime Co. Missouri Baptist University Missouri LotteryMoneta Group, LLC.

Moore Computing LLPOle Tyme Produce Packaging Concepts, Inc. Parkside Financial Bank & TrustPaul Mitchell The School of St. LouisPlaza MotorsPremium Retail ServicesQuality Solutions, Inc. The Ritz-Carlton, St. LouisRNR Custom Wheels/Rent One/ Imagery Marketing GroupRothman Furniture Stores, Inc. Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. Scottrade, INc.Sigma-Aldrich St. Louis BluesSt. Louis Rams Steward Family Foundation Sumner Group, Inc. Swank Motion PicturesTable Sixteen ProductionsThe Coca-Cola CompanyUMB Bank UPS WalgreensWellPointWestport Pharmaceuticals World Wide TechnologyZeller Technologies

BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR OUR SUCCESS


LIFE CHANGED IN AN INSTANT FOR

THE DUNCAN FAMILY

It was April 20, 2014 when Jessica and Trent Duncan’s lives changed in the blink of an eye. They were driving to Easter dinner about 30 minutes outside their hometown of Carrier Mills, Illinois, when their car collided head-on with a three-quarter-ton pickup truck.

Miraculously, Jessica, Trent and their 3-year-old daughter, Brooklynn, all survived the accident. However, Jessica was 23-weeks-pregnant at the time. Terrified for her baby’s life, Jessica was taken to Carbondale so that doctors could check on the baby, while Trent was airlifted to a medical center in Paducah, Kentucky, for extensive injuries to his arm.

Jessica’s test results were normal, so she traveled to Paducah to be near Trent, who was recovering from surgery to repair his arm. However, while she was there, Jessica experienced complications with her pregnancy and was admitted to a hospital in Marion, Illinois, where she learned that she would need to be airlifted to St. Mary’s Medical Center in St. Louis.

Knowing that their wedding, which was now just three days away, would have to be cancelled, Jessica and Trent

decided to get married in the hospital before their transfer. Jessica and Trent called the priest and family members while Jessica’s team of nurses made sure there was a cake, a veil, and even a bouquet of flowers. They were married that afternoon, one hour before Jessica boarded a helicopter to St. Louis.

One day after arriving at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Jessica suffered a placental abruption, most likely caused by bruising from the accident. On April 24, 2014, in the 24th week of her pregnancy, doctors performed an emergency C-section. Aiden Duncan was born weighing just 1 pound, 3 ounces. He was immediately transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center.

After she was released from St. Mary’s, Jessica spent the night in the NICU so she could be near Aiden, but she worried where she would stay for the many months ahead.

The next day, her prayers were answered: a room opened up at the Ronald McDonald House on Park Avenue, just two blocks away from the NICU. “Because of the Ronald McDonald House, we are able to take care of our child,” says Jessica. “It’s been wonderful.”

In a matter of one week, the Ronald McDonald House had become their “home-away-from-home” and would be for months to come while Aiden continued to receive medical treatment. “Above all, it’s given us peace of mind, knowing that we are so close to our son,” says Trent.

“I’ve always heard of the Ronald McDonald House, and I gave my change at McDonald’s,” says Jessica, “But I never knew how much it helped people whose world is falling apart.” ■

BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR OUR SUCCESS


Help at theThe McGift Shoppe

Our annual McGift Shoppe, which will open in early December, provides a place for our families to shop cost-free for loved ones, easing the pain of being away from home for the holidays. The McGift Shoppe is operated by our volunteers and depends on donations, which can be dropped off at any of our three Houses beginning mid-November. Because of the immune suppression of some of our children, all items must be new. To donate an item or for more information, please contact Jenifer Braucksieker at [email protected].

INFANTS & TODDLERSPush, pull and musical toysFischer Price and Playskool toys

CHILDREN & TEENSAction figures and accessoriesPopular, trendy kids’ giftsLego setsBath and body gift setsMakeup kitsCostume jewelry and fashion watchesDVDs/videos: recent hits or new releasesGift cards: iTunes, Amazon, Apple, Best Buy, Target or Wal-MartNonviolent video games

ADULTSPerfume and aftershave setsCostume jewelry and fashion watchesBath and body gift setsSmall coolers (collapsible type)Luggage (lightweight and easy to store)Small crossbody purses

FAMILYGift certificates to Target or Wal-MartGift cards for gasoline or groceriesDisposable cameras

NO TIME TO SHOP?OUR FAMILIES LOVE GIFT CARDS!

Holiday Wish List

Cookbooks for a CauseThis year, give family and friends a gift that gives back. Southern Living’s Christmas Cookbook, available exclusively at Dillard’s, is just $10! Best of all, its proceeds from St. Louis-area Dillard’s stores benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis.

This beautiful, full-color cookbook includes hundreds of delicious recipes and ideas for stylish place settings, fresh centerpieces and other seasonal table decorations. For more information, visit www.rmhcstl.com/holidays or contact your local Dillard’s store.


Holidays

Let family, friends, coworkers and clients know you’re thinking of them this holiday season by making a donation to RMHC St. Louis in their name. Both holiday cards and holiday card inserts are available. Holiday cards read “Happy Holidays” and are signed and mailed by RMHC to a list provided by you. Our holiday card inserts are flat note cards that acknowledge

your gift and can be placed inside your own holiday cards. A donation of at least $5 per card or insert is suggested. “Happy Holidays,” “Merry Christmas,” and “Happy Hanukkah” inserts are available. For more information, visit www.rmhcstl.com/holidays or contact Danielle Spencer, Annual Giving Coordinator, at 314-932-4146 or [email protected].

“A few years ago, we began making tribute donations to RMHC in honor of our vendors and clients at the holidays. RMHC allowed us to provide a beautiful message in a card and/or email for our most-deserving business partners. The response was immediate, and the appreciation was overwhelming. Never again will we send a ham, turkey or steak. Now, each year, our associates look forward to receiving our holiday message, and they feel great knowing that a donation has been made to RMHC in their name.” — Larry Carrico, Owner of Rent One, RNR Custom Wheels, and Imagery Marketing Group

holiday card tribute program


The Home Away from Home Appeal, now in its third year, is an annual giving program that provides the financial foundation for the yearly operation of our three Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms.

The actual cost of a family’s one-night stay at the Ronald McDonald House is $90; however, we ask families to contribute just a small fraction of that amount. Due to mounting medical bills and other uninsured living expenses, nearly half cannot afford even this small contribution - but no family is ever turned away if they are unable to pay. That’s why we need your help now more than ever!

To make a contribution to the 2014 Home Away from Home Appeal, please use the donation envelope attached to this newsletter. Or to make a gift online, visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate. All 2014 Annual Giving donors will be listed in the Spring/Summer 2015 Heartbeat newsletter.

Because you open your hearts, we are able to open our doors to 13,000 families every year. Thank you for your support.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME2014 Appeal

Serviceo In 2013, St. Louis’ 3 Ronald McDonald Houses provided 18,475

nights of lodging to 1,361 families.

o Last year, our 3 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms provided comfort and care to 11,809 families, many of whom visited more than once.

o Our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, a partnership with Eye Care Charity of Mid-America, provided 650 eye exams and 567 pairs of glasses to underprivileged children throughout the St. Louis area and beyond.

Volunteerso More than 150 volunteers help operate our three Ronald

McDonald Houses, which are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

o Over 400 volunteers staff our three Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, which are open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Stewardshipo 97% of our $3 million operating budget is raised through

contributions and fundraising efforts. RMHC receives $0 in federal or state grants. 100% of money raised in St. Louis stays in St. Louis.

o A small staff of just 27 employees serves more than 13,000 families 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

helping families findSTRENGTH IN NUMBERS


Join Robert QuinnWhen I was seventeen, doctors discovered I had a brain tumor.

I spent a week in the hospital, waiting to hear if I had cancer. If my football career was over. If I would graduate high school. My mom wouldn’t leave my side, so she slept on the hospital floor. Suddenly the time we spent together, as a family, was more precious than ever.

I was fortunate. My tumor was benign, and I returned home. But for plenty of kids, that’s not the case. I know what it feels like to be a kid in the hospital and need your parents nearby, and I’ve seen the healing power of family. As the Season of Giving nears, please join me in supporting RMHC St. Louis by making a gift or pledge to the 2014 Home Away from Home Appeal.

OUR FRIENDS. OUR PARTNERS. OUR FOUNDATION.In order to meet our financial needs and recognize our most generous donors, we have established the Cornerstone Society. Those who make a donation of $1,000 or more to RMHC St. Louis in 2014 will become members of the Cornerstone Society. Last year, 387 Cornerstone Society members donated $1.3 million to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis! We celebrated their generosity and support with an appreciation event at Palladium St. Louis in February, and we plan do so again next year to honor our newest Cornerstone Society members.

All 2014 Cornerstone Society members will be listed in the Spring/Summer 2015 Heartbeat newsletter. For more information about the Cornerstone Society, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/cornerstone or contact Frank Cognata, Vice President, Development, at 314-932-4148 or [email protected].

Robert QuinnSt. Louis Rams Defensive End2014 Home Away from Home Appeal Honorary Chair

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

MEMORIALSEleanor AdamsMr. and Mrs. John J. GuilfoyMr. and Mrs. Patrick D. GuilfoyJoseph M. Alarcon Dr. and Mrs. Justin DurelWillard Allison Consolidated Insurance AgencyAunt Wanda Ms. Barbara K. HeinzenCarl Bailey Mr. and Mrs. and Mrs. Charles J. StrassburgerJ. Stewart Bakula Mrs. Mary E. PixleyCarmen A. Bancroft Mr. Rusty BancroftJames W. Banning Mr. and Mrs. Matt VossenBetty Basler Mr. and Mrs. John J. VogtMatthew K. Bazoian Ms. Beatrice BazoianThe K. Renee & E. Donald Johnson Jr. Charitable FundNellie E. Beel Mr. and Mrs. Roger L. FischerRachel A. Bequette AHS 2014 Parent BoosterSean Bequette Mr. and Mrs. William J. HardebeckMolly Berk Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. SterneckFaye Berwald Ms. Edith TashmaMarie L. Bierenthal Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. BurkhardtDon Bippen Mr. David L. TornettoDave Bishop Mrs. Dixie BishopMr. and Mrs. Larry R. ClarkMr. and Mrs. Al DedeckerMr. and Mrs. William J. HemmingerMr. and Mrs. Paul LindseyMs. Kim Hiatt RischKaren Bixby’s mother RBCNorma Jean Bold - HesterMr. and Mrs. Marty DavisLucille Bommarito Mrs. Josephine Caputa and Ms. Jeanette GiftRobert Borges Ms. Malia ChiangWilliam Braffman Ms. Sherry F. SchmidtKricket Branch Ms. Leane KrausMr. and Mrs. Gary LevinsonMark Braswell Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. ArmstrongAudrey Braucksieker Mr. and Mrs. Ed BrinkerMr. and Mrs. Steven B. DeckerMs. Ruth M. HoulihanMr. and Mrs. Brian MenkingMr. and Mrs. Bill D. Miller

(Braucksieker continued)Mr. and Mrs. Emil L. PoertnerMr. and Mrs. Glenn RuetherMr. and Mrs. Glenn VanLeerMr. and Mrs. Gavin WoolleyMr. and Mrs. Jerry J. WorleyMr. and Mrs. Ed BrinkerMr. and Mrs. Steven B. DeckerMichael Brothers Family of Ann BroadwayMr. and Mrs. John BurrisMs. Elaine BushCentralia Free Methodist ChurchCentralia Regional Library DistrictMr. and Mrs. James M. ClearyMs. Phyllis FosterIuka Grade School Board of EducationStan, Mary, and Brittany JonesMr. and Mrs. Roy KuesterMr. and Mrs. Ron MillerMr. and Mrs. Bill PhoebusMs. Susie StockMr. and Mrs. Larry TaylorMr. and Mrs. Robert TurnerPatricia Buerk Mr. and Mrs. Ralph BeilDoris Carr Ms. Frances E. KoszelnikJoann Chadburn Mr. and Mrs. Mark SchnableBill Christensen Mr. and Mrs. Matt VossenEdith Clavenna The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. CohenGeorge Clobes Mr. and Mrs. James P. FoleyMarshall Collins Antler Package and Pizza, Inc.Mr. and Ms. Seth CollinsMr. and Mrs. Bryan CrawfordMr. and Mrs. Donnie CunninghamMr. and Mrs. Larry StrongLucas Corte Ms. Audrey CorteAmanda Cox Mr. and Mrs. Patrick F. GarlandJerry W. Cravens Mrs. Mary J. CravensJameson Cummins Mr. Timothy B. BarthMr. and Mrs. Michael R. JacksonMr. and Mrs. Matt KindigMr. and Mrs. John KolischMr. and Mrs. Gilbert W. LogelMr. and Mrs. David A. MartinMr. and Mrs. Jim M. MartinPat McCoskyMs. Kathy MuellerThomas Curley Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. GuilfoyAnna Beth Davis Ms. Cathy HegmanMr. and Mrs. Eric ShannonThe Sarah Circle Central Presbyterian Church

LaVerne Deters Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. WalkerBetty Dietz Ms. Carol J. EzellDiMartino’s Nephew Mr. and Mrs. Burton WiceMonica Dirnberger Buzzi Unicem USAPeggy Disana Mr. and Mrs. Dan HarbaughIrene M. Dixon Ms. Patricia A. MoserElijah Doherty Ms. Yolanda Gray FurmanHelen Doyen Ms. Margaret F. NormileRichard Drain Ms. Margaret A. MullenschladerJane Du Bois Mrs. Josetta BollasinaCecilie Dukay Ms. Maria DeranjaGerman Cultural SocietyMs. Eva GoepfertAnonymousMr. and Mrs. Joseph Messmer, Jr.Ms. Karin C. MooreMrs. Ella Marie TaubelMr. and Mrs. Friedrich W. TaubelMs. Joyce WillenburgMargaret C. DunnaganAnonymousMr. and Mrs. William J. WebberDale Durborow Mrs. Marilyn DurborowJack Dwyer Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. DanielsMr. and Mrs. Charles D. GiftVirginia DwyerMr. and Mrs. J. Stephen NeuselDaman Eads Mr. and Mrs. Dean PerryEaston Mr. and Mrs. David M. ArnsWyvos Edmond Mr. and Mrs. John Charles ByarsChristopher Eisele Mr. and Mrs. George RatermannMary E. Eisenhauer Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. McNulty Rory Ellinger Ms. Sherry F. SchmidtShirley Ann Emerson Friends of Shirley Anne “Lee” EmersonMs. Vernadene HollandRaymond H. Enters Mr. and Mrs. James E. DrenonRick Evens Mr. and Mrs. John J. VogtMargaret Fayollat Mr. and Mrs. Scot T. AmbuelNancy L. Fetter Judy Schuler, Jacob McGuire, and the Ronald McDonald Family Room Program James K. Foley Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley

Rylan Foster Ms. Donna J. DeschepperMr. and Mrs. Scott A. SpencerJan Fries Mr. and Mrs. Dale SteinbackMichael J. Gage Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. BurkhardtRichard L. Galen Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr.Marvin Ganek Mr. and Mrs. Niles RosenBill Gawlikowski Ms. Marlene CareyJim Gehrs Mr. and Mrs. Herman CrickNatalie F. Gemignani AnonymousConvergys CorporationMr. Deo L. Gemingnani and Mrs. Louise Bilowit-GemingnaniMs. Rosemarie KearneyMr. and Mrs. Edward J. LiebermanMr. and Mrs. Zachary S. MannMarrs DistributionMr. and Mrs. Mike McCulloughMr. Daniel Plax and Ms. Alison OswaldMr. and Mrs. Gerald C. SchmidtMr. and Mrs. Frederic M. SteinbachConvergys CorporationMargaret Gerli Mr. and Mrs. John ImoJoan KostaMr. Mario J. Pozzo, Sr.Mr. and Mrs. Howard TeitelbaumMr. and Mrs. Thomas J. TornettoMr. and Mrs. Robert D. WardMichelle Gilmore Mr. and Mrs. Jack DeesMonie Greeley Mr. and Mrs. Mike LutskyMrs. Cheryl Ann ProtzelDorothy Grither Mr. and Mrs. Paul J. DeLorenzoBetty Grobe Mr. and Mrs. Robert AchtylMr. Howard L. ChilcuttMs. Cynthia CriderMr. and Mrs. Gary J. JamesonMs. Linda LindenMs. Marilyn O’DonnellMr. and Mrs. Joseph PalazzoloMr. and Mrs. Dean PerryMr. and Mrs. Stephen W. PulliamMr. and Mrs. Timothy G. RevisDr. Homer Sedighi, DMDMr. and Mrs. Kenneth StrickerMs. Joyce E. ThustonMs. Constance VossMr. and Mrs. Robert J. WilliamsCarol J. Gross Ms. Edna I. BrustMr. John DuganFarnsworth Group, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Dan HarbaughFamily of Tommy HowMr. and Mrs. Michael Jacezko, Jr.

Ethel M. GuebertMr. and Mrs. Matt VossenDylan Gutting Mr. and Mrs. Earl GuttingMarcella Hagedorn Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr.Anna M. Hall Ms. Melisa BootenSlyvia Haltzman Ms. Christine M. JoyceMarvin Harber Mr. and Mrs. Jeff SpectorTed Harmon Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr.Charley Harvell Mrs. Mary E. PixleyEdwin Hayes Family of Deborah A. ThuernauErrick Haymer Mr. and Mrs. Bill DickersonLarry Henderson Mr. and Mrs. Jeff SpectorCecile Herold Mr. and Mrs. Kirk P. SybergCarol Hippisley Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. WalkerRichard Hirsch Mr. and Mrs. Wayne E. AndersonJoseph W. Hittler Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth A. BrownPhilip S. Hoffman Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. ArmstrongSean Hogan Mr. David L. TornettoMother HollingsworthThe Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. CohenCarl Hollis Mr. and Mrs. Harvey W. OrdelheideMargaret Horner Mr. and Mrs. William W. BenedictMrs. Barbara C. RegnellMr. and Mrs. Kirk P. SybergRichard Horner Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. WagnerPatrick Hoy Ms. Christy AbbottMr. Michael AbrahamMr. David AinsworthMelissa AlbersMs. Isabel M. ArmbrusterMs. Phyllis AtkinsMr. Thomas BerraMs. Katherine BoothMs. Kathryn M. BurnettMs. Ann K. ChapinMs. Charla ClaypoolConway SchoolMr. and Mrs. Brian T. DallmannMr. and Mrs. Kirk DammanMr. and Mrs. Michael A. DaughenbaughMr. and Mrs. John DavisMr. Thomas C. Erb and Ms. Tracy C. TretiakMs. Patricia FitzsimmonsMrs. Audrey Fleissig

The following gifts were made in memory of someone special from January 1 to June 30, 2014. If you would like to make a donation, please call 314.773.1100 or visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate.



(Hoy continued) Mrs. Peggy S. S. FolkertsMr. Joel K. GoldsteinMs Elizabeth GranaMr. John GreenbergMs. Jennifer GustafsonMr. and Mrs. Patrick F. HeiderMr. and Mrs. John M. HesselMrs. Patrick HoyMs. Cheryl HoyMr. Frank JanoskiMr. and Mrs. Keith L. KrebeckMr. and Mrs. Francis LangreckLewis, Rice, & Fingersh, L.C.Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. LillyMs. Jayme MajorMr. and Mrs. Thomas McAuliffeMr. Charles McCloskeyMs. Abby M. MendilloMs. Kathy MeyerMrs. Fritz’s Fourth Grade ClassMr. and Mrs. Michael D. MulliganMs. Julie L. NicholsMr. and Mrs. Douglas NiederMr. Ronald A. NorwoodMr. and Mrs. Neal PerrymanMr. and Mrs. Charles PhillipsMr. Louis PriftiMr. and Mrs. Jacob W. RebyMr. Vincent D. Reese and Ms. Lisa S. DierdorfMr. and Mrs. Evan ReidMr. John J. Riffle and Dr. Maureen B. RiffleMr. and Mrs. Robert B. SnidmanMr. and Mrs. Brian D. SpacherMr. Peter M. Steuterman and Ms. Anne V. MaloneyMs. Sara K. Stock and Mr. Stephen B. McConnellTaylor & Associates Reporting, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Addison B. ThomasMr. Oliver H. ThomasMr. Joe TradMs. Julia A. WalkerMr. and Mrs. Richard B. WalshMr. and Mrs. Lawrence H. WeltmanMr. David E. Wulkopf and Ms. Kim McDermottMr. Anthony K. Wyche and Ms. Sara K. HowardMr. and Mrs. Chuckson YokotaMr. and Mrs. Tom W. ZookJoseph Huber Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. SidaJames Hubert Ms. Dorothy M. HallLogan W. Hudson Mrs. Rose HudsonLarry Hummel Mrs. Ella Marie TaubelKaren Jackson Mr. and Mrs. Jay M. AlbertinaB&K Auto Sales and Services, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Raymond W. BeanMr. and Mrs. Kevin S. BluemnerMr. J. Ryan CombsMr. and Mrs. Reyburn L. CottinghamMr. and Mrs. Bob L. CulbersonMs. Lori DaiberMr. and Mrs. Martin W. DouglasMs. Nancy FischerMr. and Mrs. James H. GieselmanMr. and Mrs. Larry D. GieselmanMr. and Mrs. Ronald Gray

(Jackson continued) Mr. and Mrs. Dan HanveyMs. Carolyn J. HocherMs. Sandy Kemp and Ms. Pam HildenbrandMr. and Mrs. Richard T. KimesMs. Cathy LavenderLevo-Donohoo, LLCMs. Donna R. LubenkovMr. and Mrs. Todd K. MaedgeJ. S. NemethMs. Rita E. PotterMr. and Mrs. Scott A. RoseMr. and Mrs. Michael G. SinclairMs. Linda SincoMr. Terry TayloeMr. and Mrs. Chad WamplerMr. and Mrs. Gene A. WeisSSgt Daniel YatesPaige James Mrs. Mary Jo SgroBobby Jasper Ms. Carol A. LiebJennifer Johnson BullinerMs. Lavonda FrazerMr. and Mrs. Robert J. KarnesMr. and Mrs. Todd A. KuhnertMs. Janice F. WallBetty J. Kaplan Ms. Marylyn LutherKatie Kelly Ms. Aurora BazoianMr. and Mrs. Steve NolesKim Kelso OfficerMrs. Josephine Caputa and Ms. Jeanette GiftBetty J. Kettenbach Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy T. HeidemanD.K. Kim Ms. Patricia HeningerBeverly S. Knopfel Mr. and Mrs. Lee J. SchulerDorothy Kohl Mr. William BuntingCatherine Konczak Mrs. Cindy SzewczykJimmie Kotowski Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. LanserAda Mae Kramer Mr. and Mrs. Jeff SpectorIlana L. Krashin Mr. Robert CanfieldJan Kreutz Pierremont ElementaryTimothy D. Krumm Mrs. Cheryl A. KrummRoy Lee A. Lamberg Ms. Sally SteinErvin Lampe Ms. Marie B. MooreRoland D. Laury Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. TenholderLarry Lawson Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. WalkerDaniel and Caroll LenhardtMs. Ellen WatkinsBetty Levy Mr. and Mrs. Dale SteinbackGeorgana Linneman Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. HartwigTraci Little Mr. and Mrs. Jerry L. BrownPeggy Roach Lloyd Ms. Peggy Ann Heck Rosalie Logaglio Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. Pogulis

Betty Luth AnonymousShayley Mabury Ms. Sheri Bassett-PrestonMrs. Amy BoosingerMs. Renee BuettnerMrs. Ginger CanfieldMrs. Carrie Canham MosebachMs. Patricia CraderCustom Cellular, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Herbert J. DirnbergerMr. and Mrs. Dylan DukeMr. and Mrs. Elmer KenkelMs. Suzanne MandyMr. and Mrs. Jamie McAlisterMr. and Mrs. Joe OliaroMr. and Mrs. Don W. ParkerMr. and Mrs. Steven W. ResselFamily of Aaron RobertMr. and Mrs. Tim G. RossMs. Regina SanderMr. and Mrs. Tom ShowmakerMs. Whitney StarrElizabeth Mack Mr. and Mrs. and Mrs. Scott and Leah DintelmanArthur E. Mallory Mr. and Mrs. James E. MorrisVallie A. Marler Mr. and Mrs. Wayne BrasserDavid P. Matthes Ms. Karen A. ByrneLloyd Mattmann Mrs. Betty UrbanRichard Maurer AnonymousWilliam May Ms. Nancy A. Spehr and Ms. Carol SobkowMr. David L. TornettoCarolyn Mayer Ms. Barbara G. Hollenbeck Shannon McCarthy Mr. and Mrs. Patrick M. SandersStella McDermott Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. DanielsJennifer McElhaney Mrs. Julie CoxZayne G. McVey Ms. Della GierJoyce McVey Ms. Marie B. MooreRhys Miller Ms. Barbara A. MerryThe Merck FoundationO.D. Mitchell Ms. Sherry F. SchmidtDenise Moore Mr. and Mrs. James E. DrenonConnor Moore Ms. Stacie LightSteve Morris Mr. and Mrs. Steve HedgesMichael Muckler Mr. Sean T. GeogheganMr. David L. TornettoLillian Mudro Ms. Marie B. MooreChip Nenninger Mr. and Mrs. Bill DickersonMr. and Mrs. Wes FrankensteinMs. Yvonne S. GabrielMs. Darcy McCloudMr. and Mrs. Milton L. NewmanMr. and Mrs. Marty NewmanLois Nixon Ms. Jean V. Wolford

James W. O’Brien Nidec Motor CorporationPam Oliver Mr. David L. TornettoCalvin J. Olk Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. HartwigChristopher Paganini Mr. and Mrs. Alan RamseyWomen’s Electrical BoardCatherine M. ParmeterMs. Ashley BechererMs. Patricia BeckerMs. Patricia A. NewbyMs. Carolyn TatePamela A. Partell Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. BurkhardtShirley J. Pasch Mr. and Mrs. Mel E. RichRichard Pearce Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. NiesIrvin Pernikoff Mr. and Mrs. Jeff SpectorKirk Peter Ms. Ruth AldertonAnonymousMr. and Mrs. Timothy BealorMs. Jane BeckMr. and Mrs. David BieryBlessing HospitalMr. and Mrs. Gregory CampbellMr. and Mrs. Kasey CornwellMs. Marcia CornwellMs. Tammie CrammMs. Dolores DaughteryKarel DingersonMs. Barbara S. DuesterhausMr. and Mrs. Daron DukeMr. and Mrs. Steve DukeMr. and Mrs. William DuncanMr. and Mrs. Tim EatonMr. and Mrs. Lewis EberdtMr. and Mrs. Kenneth EllerbrockMs. Janell FarmerMr. and Mrs. Jered FrankelMr. and Mrs. Jerry FrankelMr. and Mrs. Dennis GormanMr. Alan GraffGriggsville Veterinary ClinicMr. and Mrs. Joe GroneworldMr. and Mrs. Alvin HallMr. Jerry HardinMr. and Mrs. Kent HardnessMr. and Mrs. David HighleyMr. and Mrs. Philip HildebrandMrs. Marjorie HyerMs. Janet JanssenMs. Deborah JohnsonMr. and Mrs. Gerhard JungMr. and Mrs. Paul KenadyMr. and Mrs. Fredrick KendrickMr. and Mrs. Dennis KerkerMr. and Mrs. Richard KlusmeyerMr. and Mrs. Larry KoellerMs. Patricia LieuranceLivestock Supply, Inc.Mr. and Mrs. Adam LucieMr. and Mrs. John MaglioacchettiMr. and Mrs. Donald McClearyMr. Ronald McClellandMr. and Mrs. Robert McLearlyMr. and Mrs. Richard MealiffMr. and Mrs. Richard MeyerMr. and Mrs. Gerald MillerMr. and Mrs. Dennis MohrmannMr. and Mrs. Mark MorrisonMs. Juliann OrrMr. and Mrs. Wayne Orr

(Peter continued) Mr. and Mrs. Tom OstrowskiMr. and Mrs. Dennis PadgettMr. Dean ParkerMs. Mary ParkerMr. and Mrs. Donald PeterMr. and Mrs. Charles PolandMs. Helen RabeMr. Ryan RabeMs. Cheryl RineyMr. and Mrs. Daniel RobertsMs. Diane RobertsonMr. Monte RowlandMr. and Mrs. Gary ShupeMr. and Mrs. G. Mark SillMr. and Mrs. Frank SpechtThe State Bank of LimaMs. Donna VossMr. and Mrs. Randy VossMr. and Mrs. David WeimannMr. and Mrs. Mark WillardMr. and Mrs. Dean WoodruffMr. and Mrs. Bernie WoodworthMr. and Mrs. Scott WrayMr. and Mrs. Joseph WuestenbergStan Philipak Mr. and Mrs. Ross H. MulderCarl L. Poslosky Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. GoldfederCharlotte Pound Mr. and Mrs. Terry L. GoodingSue Pratt Mr. and Mrs. Dennis R. HamannRon H. Protzel Ms. Sherry F. SchmidtDee Dee Rabe Ms. Margaret A. MullenschladerJennifer Raley Mr. Ray W. RaleyDella Ramsey Mrs. Mary A. HiggersonVirginia Reiner Mr. Jimmy ReinaMary E. Remes Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy CoxMr. and Mrs. James W. CubbageMr. and Mrs. William P. FlatleyMs. Frances GallagherMr. Michael T. JohnstonMr. and Mrs. Herbert F. KoesterMr. and Mrs. Mark LoefflerMr. Robert E. MorseMr. and Mrs. Richard L. RehmMr. and Mrs. Robert D. RichardsMr. and Mrs. W. J. RothMs. Carol TalleurCandice Rice Mrs. Janice McConnellOrville W. Richardson Women’s Electrical BoardMary Richter Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. HartwigJune Rives Ms. Margaret F. NormileMary V. Roach Ms. Peggy Ann Heck Helen Roberts Mr. and Mrs. Norman CartwrightMr. and Mrs. Marvin W. DablemontMr. and Mrs. Art DavisMr. Shawn EisermanMr. and Mrs. Landon FreemanMr. and Mrs. Roy Richardson, Jr.Mr. and Mrs. Danny RobertsMr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Rosenburg

Memorials Continued

Elysa Rojas Ms. Sarah PoulosSister of Ron Sandler Mrs. Ruth HartsteinFrank Rosen Mrs. Ruth HartsteinNelson Rosenbaum The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. CohenJonathan Sackberger Mr. and Mrs. Jerry A. SackbergerPaul Satz Mr. and Mrs. Robert GrittsJim Sauter Ms. Joyce E. ThustonHelen Scheibal Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. GiftFrancis Schmidle Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. GussSchneider Ms. Emily SchnurmanMichael Schroeder Mr. and Mrs. Gary Garrett Jack Scott Ms. Bettie J. ScottRalph Seibert Mr. and Mrs. Niles Rosen

Jody Shaw Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. SwiftJesse Shayne Mr. and Mrs. Robert GrossmanMildred Shea Ms. Margaret A. MullenschladerBobbie Joe Shockley World Wide TechnologyDavid Sielfleisch Mr. David L. TornettoL. Silverberg Fort Zumwalt School DistrictMaxie Sloan Mr. and Mrs. Dean PerryEleanor Smith McDonald’sMike Smith Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. VollmerAnna Marie Sohaney Mr. and Mrs. A. L. SohaneyTom Sondermann Ms. Margaret F. NormileDavid Spalding Captain David SpaldingDoris J. Stern The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. Cohen

Gale Stone Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. HartwigRichard Strini Captain David SpaldingMichael Swit Mr. and Mrs. Jesse BassMr. and Mrs. Timothy J. BrinksMr. and Mrs. Robert CowanMr. and Mrs. James M. FultzMr. and Mrs. Jeff HallMr. Kenneth SekundaMr. Stanley M. SetMr. and Mrs. Walter T. WitenbergMr. Robert ZimlichMs. Margaret ZinlichJohanna Tasker Mr. and Mrs. Niles RosenSylvia Taylor Mr. and Mrs. Alfred NewtonMargaret M. Taylor Ms. Margaret F. NormileDavid Thompson Mrs. Joan M. Althaus Barry C. Tilson Mr. and Mrs. Roger M. BerentPaul M. Tornetto Mrs. Victoria Tornetto

Vladimir TustanowskyMr. and Mrs. Clyde R. BaughMr. and Mrs. William J. HardebeckMs. Marie B. MooreMr. and Mrs. Paul E. VivianMr. and Mrs. Harry WiegertRobert Valko Mr. and Mrs. Patrick D. GuilfoyJim Vessell Mr. and Mrs. John J. VogtAlice Vogel Mr. and Mrs. Dean PerryJune C. Wagoner Ms. Barbara ZingrichRonald S. Wallace Ms. Cindy WahlBetty J. Walsh Mr. David L. TornettoBud WamHoff Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. CummingsRobert Ward Ms Jerry OlsonKathryn Watson’s motherRBCPaul Weis Mr. and Mrs. Roger L. Fischer

Jeremiah J. White Mr. and Mrs. Lee G. KrabillKarl H. Wiegert Ms. Marie B. MooreHarold Williams Ms. Marie B. MooreAustin Williamson Mr. and Mrs. Hilbert E. SchoeningerGabrielle Wintjen Mr. and Mrs. George WintjenMarcus K. Woodford Mr. and Mrs. Ken RichardsonRobert C. Wright Mr. David L. TornettoJames Young Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. SterneckScott Zamler Mr. and Mrs. Ronald KramerJudy Zurfluh Mrs. Geraldine Leeker

Memorials Continued

Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis extends its deepest sympathy to the families of these very special angels:

In Loving Memory


We make every effort to include everyone correctly. If you have a correction, please contact us at 314.932.4134.

Oakley LawHope HayesRayne Smith

Kelsie Scoggins

Grace DuncanMarshall CollinsAndrew DurkinAlexandria Doss

Kelsi AhlfieldShayley Mabury

Jeffrey PostonJules Porte

Cody SutheardKahden McGraw

Aleksandra Hadley

The following children who have stayed or are staying at the House have received transplants since the last newsletter:

Emily Kuhn - BMTRosalie Albright - Lung

Blane Headings - HeartBraxton Escobar - Heart

LeeAnn Binder - LungAleksandra Hadley - Lung

Transplant Recipients


T he Donor Advised Fund or “Fund” not only makes the giving of appreciated stock easier, it may also function as an ideal method to make planned giving even more tax

advantageous. A Fund is easy to set up with a simple application

and initial gift — no need to deal with multiple brokers representing various charities. Once the Donor Advised Fund is funded, you are able to make grants to various charities with ease (either online or with a call).

The great tax advantage of utilizing a Donor Advised Fund over giving stock directly to charity is that it enables donors to accelerate charitable deductions without a requirement to immediately make a gift. Accelerating deductions is most beneficial for tax years in which you expect to have higher taxable income (i.e. sale of business, vesting of stock options, bonus, etc.).

Let’s consider an example of an affluent couple making annual gifts totaling $50,000, itemizing and filing jointly with Taxable Ordinary Income of less than $220,000. In 2014, however, due to the sale of their business the couple’s annual income is increased to $850,000. In 2014, the couple is subject

to the top federal income tax rate of 39.6%; however, moving forward they will be subject to a lower federal income tax rate of 28%.

The table below provides a sample comparison of using cash to make annual gifts, appreciated securities, and an accelerated gift of appreciated stock via a Donor Advised Fund. As you can see, the use of appreciated stock to make the gift reduces the couple’s cost of the gift by $30,000. Taken a step further, the use of a Donor Advised Fund to accelerate the deductions into the current higher income tax year reduces

the cost of the gift by $53,200.For more information,

please contact Frank Cognata, Vice President, Development, at [email protected] or 314-432-4148.

GAIN TAX BENEFITS WHILE GIVING TO OTHERSLEARN MORE ABOUT THE TAX ADVANTAGES OF UTILIZING A DONOR ADVISED FUND

Steven A. Frank, JD, CFP®, AIF®, Wealth Manager, Director of Compliance for Plancorp, LLC. is a member of the RMHC St. Louis Planned Giving Committee.

Cash Contributions Over 5 Years

Annual Stock Donation Over 5 Years

Donor Advised Fund Donation Over 5 Years

Fair Market Value of Annual Gift in 2014

Cost Basis of Publicly Traded Securities

Charitable Contribution Tax Deduction in Year 1

Charitable Contribution for Years 2-5

Long Term Capital Gain Avoided

Income Tax Savings from Permanently Avoiding LTCG @ 15%

Deduction at 39.6% marginal tax bracket in Year 1

Income Tax Savings from Charitable Income Tax Deduction at 28% marginal

tax bracket in Years 2-5

Total Tax Advantages from Deduction and Avoidance of Gain for 5 Years of gifts

totaling $250,000

Net Cost of Gift

$50,000

N/A

$50,000

$200,000

N/A

$0

$19,800

$56,000

$75,800

$174,200

$50,000

$10,000

$50,000

$200,000

$200,000

$30,000

$19,800

$56,000

$105,800

$144,200

$250,000

$50,000

$250,000

$0

$200,000

$30,000

$99,000

$0

$129,000

$121,000

Alpha Delta Pi Eta Nu ChapterMs. Kathleen O’SullivanJustin Arulsamy Mr. and Mrs. Steven A. BuschBarbneri Family Ms. Colleen HolmesRonald A. Becker Mr. and Mrs. Albert FinkelsteinMr. and Mrs. Larry Sosna Mr. and Mrs. Gary S. Traub, DDS

Logan Bergman Dr. and Mrs. Paul L. BuckmanJohn Bettag Mr. and Mrs. James R. StoepplerAlaina Bickhaus Salon ArtisteDeb Bishop Ms. Beverly HiattCharlotte Blanc Mrs. Sally HoenerStuart L. Block Mr. and Mrs. Tom DiedrichJoseph Boyher Ms. Sherri LopatinLaurel Brantley Mrs. Chanda TracyKahli Brauch Ms. Carol A. SchanzKilah Brauch Ms. Carol A. SchanzJohn P. Britt Mr. and Mrs. Emichael BrittMr. and Mrs. Laurence T. BrittMr. and Mrs. Ronald S. BurkhardtMs. Dianna DiMartino

(Britt continued)Ms. Margaret F. NormileMr. and Mrs. Michael SimpsonMr. Michael R. WittlichLucille Brommelhorst Ms. Patricia ChampionTerri Bulejski Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. SidaElliot Bulejski Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. Sida

Aaron Bulejski Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. SidaHarry D. Burack Dr. and Mrs. Mark FeldmanTyler E. Burlbaw Ms. Sherri Lopatin Casimir Buttar Miller Mr. Gregory BishopJohn Chollet Mr. Matt BialockJesus Christ Mr. Martin MillerEdna Conness Mr. Thomas L. CarrollMr. and Mrs. Jason D. EllisAlbert WalkerMr. Phillip M. WoodNadine Crase Mrs. Ruth HartsteinJohn Darling Mrs. Geraldine LeekerClyde Dempsey Mr. and Mrs. David Behrens

Aleka Detter Mrs. Julie Burgdorf Dopuch Family Ms. Teresa PalosFrederick Dust Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth KnolhoffMichael Enyart Mr. and Mrs. and Mrs. Thomas O. SweeneyDonald Feher Mr. Andrew YurkoCadeance Ferrell Mr. Matthew JanickeCambry Fields Ms. Emily MullenEdward B. Fliesher Mr. and Mrs. David R. SegalAnn Marie Fraser Ms. Carol TilleyAdmari Freeman Ms. Yafang ChiMr. and Mrs. Emil P. JosonMs. Elisa N. MccormickMr. and Mrs. Ky V. NgoLinh T. NguyenMs. Khimonna T. S. StithJoe Garvey Mr. and Mrs. Irl S. SolomonTerry Gooding Ms. Cheryl A. PerlJackie Gross Mr. and Mrs. Stuart L. BlockJacob & Ashley, Grandchildren of Bonnie Hall Mr. and Mrs. Enoch L. HallDan Harbaugh Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. HardakerMr. and Mrs. Steve W. Hays, Sr.Mr. and Mrs. Jim L. MatherDeb Harder Mr. and Mrs. Robert GrittsPete Harper Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. SidaFaith Hartzell Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. FlemingLitchfield National BankMs. Charlotte A. LoweMr. and Mrs. Danny H. SweetMr. and Mrs. Jack E. TitsworthThomas P. Hillmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Vincent P. GeorgeMr. and Mrs. Gregory LaVigneBob Hollander Mr. and Mrs. Steve FermanJacob Huff Mr. and Mrs. Christian LuxardoJulie Jarvis Mr. and Mrs. Phil JarvisLeah Jarvis Mr. and Mrs. Dave MurleyScott Jarvis Mr. and Mrs. Dave Murley

Alexander Jobe Mr. and Mrs. Bobby AlexanderAdam Johnson Sikeston Board of Municipal UtilitiesRonald Kanterman Mr. and Mrs. Tom DiedrichZachary Karleskint Mr. and Mrs. Chris GoddardSam Klein Mr. and Mrs. Stanford D. ShankerAnthony Kueston Mr. William SchnittkerLonnie Land Mr. Louis A. RussoDonna M. Lang Mr. Louis A. RussoRoland Laury Ms. Cely SchmittgensNora Lee Ms. Amy CoRaydine Lending Mrs. Sharon J. GordonAddison Lynch Mr. and Mrs. Sean L. LynchBarbara MacLeod Ms. Nancy AllenEmma Malter Mr. and Mrs. Henry DiamantSarah Malter Mr. and Mrs. Henry DiamantReed Marko Patty BouillonCaroline Martin Ms. Teresa PalosRichard Mauger Ms. Pat BelinskiMr. Joseph M. BoodenMr. Dan S. Bruns and Ms. Rebecca L. RodesCoca-Cola North AmericaMrs. Christine ConroyMr. John CoxMr. David DenyseMr. William D. HammondMs. Kerri A. JohnsonMr. Paul KimballMr. T. Jeffery LawhorneMr. and Mrs. Peter F. MaguireMr. S. Michael MapesMs. Patricia F. MccarthyMr. and Mrs. David S. PowersMr. William A. RhineMr. Bret P. RoyMr. and Mrs. Robert S. Sheehan, Jr.Mr. Michael SlocumMr. and Mrs. Kurt A. SuttonMs. Ann C. TousignantPaige McGrady Mr. James O. Freiburghaus and Ms. Kristine R. McGrady

Henry McInnis Mr. Christopher McInnisIsabelle Mills Ms. Linda S. Hyken Mr. and Mrs. Hiram C. Martin, IIIIzzy Mills Mrs. Jeanne PassJulia Mize Ms. Barbara Whitehead and Mr. James A. SpenceRobert Palos Ms. Teresa PalosSteven Peterson Ms. Brandy HannerTerry Reeder Mr. Michael DeCandidoBret Rich The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. CohenRosas Family Ms. Teresa PalosDick Rosenthal The Honorable and Mrs. Robert S. CohenMatt Rowles Mr. and Mrs. Alan M. MeyerLouis A. Russo Mrs. Erica LandAnn Ryan Dr. Kelsey RyanAva Schanz Ms. Carol A. SchanzKaitlin Schoenbeck Mr. Sean LandgrafSteve D. Short Mr. and Mrs. Terry L. KnothSilke Sida Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. SidaDuffey Sida Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. SidaChris Sida Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. SidaKay F. Siegrist Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. WeberMike Steffen Mr. and Mrs. Eric ShookMark Tampow Ms. Jennifer L. DolceSienna W. Thomson Mr. and Mrs. Ronald KramerFrank Trulaske Mr. and Mrs. Scott BazoianEileen M. Weber Ms. Kay F. SiegristCody Westfall Mr. and Mrs. James E. Drenon

We make every effort to include everyone correctly. If you have a correction, please contact us at 314.932.4134.

TRIBUTESThe following gifts were made in honor of someone special from January 1 to June 30, 2014.

If you would like to make a donation, please call 314.773.1100 or visit www.rmhcstl.com/donate.



MEMORIAL & TRIBUTE BRICKSMaplewood Lions ClubLion Charlene Williams

01/17/1950 to 04/21/2014

In Loving Memory of Hope Anne-Marie Hayes

In Loving Memory of Rayne Sayuri Kioi Smith

In Loving Memory of Kelsie Hope Scoggins

In Loving Memory of Marshall Dale Collins

In Loving Memory of Grace Duncan

In Loving Memory of Andrew Joseph Durkin

In Loving Memory of Alexandria G. Doss

In Loving Memory of Kelsi Emma Ahlfield

In Loving Memory of Shayley Reese Mabury

In Loving Memory of Jeffrey Poston

In Loving Memory of Jules Porte

In Loving Memory of Cody Joe Sutheard

In Loving Memory of Kahden McGraw

In Loving Memory of Aleksandra Hadley

In Memory of Barbara Jean “BJ” Poore

Loving Wife, Mother & Grandmother

She Will Be Greatly Missed

The following bricks were purchased from January 1 to September 30, 2014in memory or honor of someone special.

Brag BoardRMHC St. Louis was one of two local nonprofit organizations to receive a 2014 Ladue News Charity Award, along with a generous $3,000 donation, in June 2014.

our organization and volunteers recently received the following awards and honors:

Sirus Karimi and Lincoln Gray, RMHC St. Louis Board Members, were named two of “40 Under 40” influential business leaders by the St. Louis Business Journal in February 2014.

Ryan Murphy, Development Chair for the Red Shoe Society, our organization’s young professionals group, was named one of “30 Under 30” future leaders by the St. Louis Business Journal in June 2014.

Longtime RMHC volunteer Pat Britt will be recognized at the 12th Annual Ageless Remarkable Saint Louisans Gala in November 2014, which will honor 19 amazing adults age 75+ who are reshaping the face of aging throughout our region. In addition to volunteering with RMHC, Pat dontes his time to several other nonprofit organizations. He has also competed in more than 40 marathons and participated in 14 different events at the 2014 Senior Olympics.

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Albrecht Family and FriendsAldersgate United Methodist C.L.I.C.K. GroupAlpha Delta Pi-Eta NuAlpha Epsilon Delta at Wash UAlthleta St. LouisAlthoff Cheer TeamAlu FamilyAmeren Corporate SafetyAmerican Legion Auxillary Post 312Ameriprise FinancialAmeriprise Financial Grenia/ Barbey/Van Sickel TeamAmie’s Girls NightAmy RichardsAnheuser Busch Past & PresentAnthem Blue Cross/Blue ShieldApple Tree Academy-WCCARK/Living Lord Lutheran ChurchAscension Lutheran Church Evening GuildAscension Troop 2924Athleta St. LouisBaker Sterchi Cowden RiceBaptist Church of the Holy CommunionBarry-Wehmiller COBartels FamilyBazoian FamilyBernard Middle SchoolBethalto United Methodist Church (BUMC) MOPSBethel UMC Community GroupBirke FriendsBlack Alumni Council of Washington UniversityBlessed Teresa of CalcuttaBlum FamilyBoeing Accounts ReceivableBoeing REACH VolunteersBoeing SE/SWBohannan/Anderson FamilyBon AppetitBonnie, Lynda & FriendsBrown Smith WallaceBrownie Troop 1330Buckner FamilyBungeBunzl GroupCassidy TurleyCassidy Turley PM Weber HillCassidy Turley-JP Morgan TeamCentral Reform Congregation 7th GradersCheryl Christensen & FriendsChrist Community Lutheran School FamiliesChristian Activity CenterChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and the Community of Christ CollaborationColumbia High School Beta ClubCombs Elementary Teachers

Community Christian ChurchCooking Like LouCorizonCrestwood/Sunset Hills KiwanisCSI LeasingDebby & FriendsDelta Phi Epsilon-Gamma ZetaDepartment of TreasuryDept of Radiation OncologyDillards Mid RiversDisney VolunteersDo-Gooders AnonymousDuPont Nutrition & HealthEagle Bank & TrustEast Bridge FellowshipEgan FamilyEllisville Church of ChristEmployee Staffing GroupEnterprise Fleet ManagementEsic Baptist ChurchEthical Society (S.E.E.K.)Fang and FriendsFirst Baptist Church of Chesterfield Inspirational ChoirFirst E-Free Church of Franklin County Florissant Ward-Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsForsyth SchoolFortress FriendsFox FCCLAFRB of St. LouisFriends of HofstettersGamma Sigma SigmaGateway Science Academy Geyer Road Baptist ChurchGier-McVey FamilyGirl Scout Troop 45Girl Scout Troop 539Girl Scout Troop 2627Girl Scout Troop 2898Girl Scout Troop 3380Girls Scout Troop 3446Goldfarb Student Nursing AssociationGovero FamilyGrace Church Grace Family Outreach Church, St. LouisGrant Thompson LLPGregory Behrens DeesGrowe Eisen KalrenGS Cadets 1680GS Troop 3537Hazelwood East High Student CouncilHeart of the Midwest ConventionHelitech Waterproofing and Foundation RepairHermann London GroupHHS FootballHighland Friends & FamilyHolen Family and Friends

Hubbs Family & FriendsIron Mountain Records ManagementJamba JuiceJanet SchillingerJBI VolunteersJbloomJean Iezzi and FriendsJim & Barbara McElroyJM Family EnterprisesJoAnn, Carol & FriendsJob’s Daughters Bethel 5John & Mary HofmanJohn C. & Bonnie Hill John C. Hill & FriendsJulius FamilyKalisha Friends & FamilyKappa Delta AlumnaeKappa EpsilonKappa PsiKara Shaw & FriendsKathy & CrewKathy & FriendsKDSC Student CouncilKeeven FamilyKellie Leach Meyer-Coldwell Banker GundakerKevin ZeldinKirkwood KiwanisKirkwood Youth ServiceKiwanis Club of ChesterfieldKnights of Columbus #11437Laquita and FriendsLa-Z-Boy Furniture GalleryLe Cordon Bleu Saint LouisLife Savers/Civic Memorial High SchoolLord of Life Lutheran ChurchLutheran Hour MinistriesLuzum/Huth ParthMAB & FriendsMakayla’s WarriorsMarcone SupplyMarquette High School Culinary ArtsMaryville University-SERVE ProgramMassa’s Italian RestaurantMcBride Charitable FoundationMcDermott FamilyMcVey FamilyMedinah Temple #39 Youth GroupMeetup Volunteer GroupMeetup Volunteer Group (C&B)Mega MomsMercy Nursing LogisticsMercy Orthopedic CrewMerkel, Berra & Mr. HMicrosoftMike’s GroupMiranda’s AngelsMoneta GroupMonsanto MBTMonsanto Regulatory People Team

NCBF ND BasketballNew Neighbors League of St. Louis (NNLC)Nicholson FamilyNicky’s HugsNiesNovo NordishParkway UCCPatrylo FamilyPfizer St. Louis PHRD GroupPfizer, Inc. Polansky GroupPowers Healthmart PharmacyPraise Community FellowshipProtective Asset ProtectionRaferty FamilyRawlings Sporting GoodsRed Shoe SocietyRichmond FamilyRiver Rats Riverbend Down Syndrome AssociationRockford Rebels 4H GroupRockwood South NJHSRockwood Summit High School National Honor SocietyRockwood Summit SMILERosati-Kain Faculty & StaffRSMH NJHSRubin Brown LLPSarah GreenwellScarpino FamilySCOS/Computer OpsScottrade, Inc.Sczesniak FamilySecond HelpingSeeds of PromiseShenandoah FamilySimpson Elementary SchoolSisterhood of Cardinal Ritter College PrepSLU MSW Student AssociationSmall GroupSMOTJSNOWSo You Think You Can CookSodexoSouth County KiwanisSouth County YMCA Team Leaders ClubSouthwest Airlines EmployeesSouthwest St. Louis County Kiwanis ClubSpirit of Love ChurchSt. Agatha Catholic School 7/8 Grade ClassSt. Ambrose Girl ScoutsSt. Elmo High School FCCLASt. Louis APHONSt. Louis Chaos Softball TeamSt. Louis Texas ExesSt. Louis University Athletics SACSt. Mary’s School Alton

St. Paul’s Lutheran National Junior Honor SocietySt. Peter Eighth GradeSt. Peter Kirkwood Confirmation GroupSt. Peters Spirit Hockey TeamSt. Thomas Holy Spirit Lutheran ChurchSt. Thomas UCCStephen DiSalvoSwiney FamilyTarget BellevilleTen Mile Baptist ChurchThe Company of GHOST, the MusicalThe Growth PartnershipThe Helping Hands The Jr. GOYA of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Town & CountryThe McCarthy Risk Management GroupThe Mommy NetworkThe Ritz Carlton Community FootprintsThe Sweet FamilyThe WayThies FamilyThomas Family & FriendsTracy Bosch & FriendsTransitions ServiceTri M Chapter of Hazelwood Central High SchoolTroop 3361Troop 3905U.S.NavyUnited HealthcareUnited Hebrew CongregationUrsuline AcademyUS BankValley Park National Junior Honor SocietyVenture Crew 2450VeysWade FamilyWashington University Circle KWashington Unviersity APOWaterloo Honor SocietyWGE ClubWhite Hats of Harrisburg High SchoolWindsor High School Foreign Exchange ProgramWinkler FamilyWinschel GirlsWISE AmerenWright FamilyWUMCHAXi Iota OmegaXi Psi Phi Dental FraternityZeta Tau Alpha AlumnaeZeta Tau Alpha-UMSLZoe Wall

FAMILY DINNER PROGRAMOur Ronald McDonald House families enjoyed many delicious, home-cooked meals prepared by the following volunteer

groups between January 1 and June 30, 2014. For a list of available dates or information on how to reserve your next date, please call the Family Dinner Program line at 314.531.6601, ext. 1202, or email to [email protected].



DANIELLE SPENCER is very excited to have joined RMHC in August as the Annual Giving Coordinator. She is a graduate of Webster University and comes to us from Media Watch. At Media Watch, she

was responsible for tracking and measuring successful media relation campaigns for a wide variety of PR agencies, like Fleishman Hillard and Weber Shandwick, PR professionals, and consumer-focused clients such as AT&T, Gatorade, and Anheuser Busch. She currently lives in the Southwest Garden Neighborhood with her two cats, Dillan and Marley. Meow!

NEW FACES AT RMHC

GINNY KAPPEL joined the Ronald McDonald House in West County as the Human Resource and Volunteer Assistant in September. She is excited to start her career in the nonprofit world, as her dream is to serve others. Ginny graduated last year

with her bachelor’s in psychology from Webster University and has a background in salon management. Her favorite quote is from the late Maya Angelou, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

ALYSSA EASON is excited to have joined RMHC in August as the Event Assistant. Alyssa will soon be a graduate of Webster University with a Master of Arts in Communication Management. She joins RMHC from Osborn Barr

Communications, where she managed multiple client projects, trade shows and social media support. She currently lives in Illinois with her cat, Riddick.

JONATHAN BROOKS joined RMHC as the Housekeeper at Park Avenue in April. Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife, Mariesa, and four children: Janise, Jordan, Courteny, and Amber. He and his wife own a pediatric health care

company, and he also works evenings at Bethesda Nursing Home. According to Jonathan, working at the House has been a great experience because of all the wonderful families he has met.

KATHY McDERMOTT joined RMHC in September as the Data Manager. She has been in the nonprofit sector most of her life, with jobs ranging from ticket-selling, event planning, graphic design, IT coordination, and database administration. Her free time is spent volunteering for Circus Harmony and the St. Louis Visionary Awards, and spending time with her one-year-old granddaughter.

Meet the newest faces at Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis! We are excited to welcome them to our team.

CALLING ALL YOUNG PROFESSIONALS!The Red Shoe Society strives to engage, empower and inspire young professionals to participate in philanthropic and leadership endeavors while building awareness for Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. For more information, visit www.rmhcstl.com/redshoesociety.


Paul, KindergartenPaul spent one of his last days of kindergarten in June 2014 aboard the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, where he was fitted for eyeglasses. “I sit in the very front of class,” says Paul, who cannot read the board from the back of class. Now Paul is excited to wear his new glasses all the time because they are blue — his favorite color.

Jeriyah, 1st GradeFirst grader Jeriyah is no stranger to the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. She received her first pair of glasses about a year ago when first visiting the mobile unit. Over the year, her vision has progressively worsened and she needed to have her lenses adjusted. After a short exam, Jeriyah left seeing better than ever.

Steven, 3rd GradeSteven was sitting in the back of the classroom when he realized that things around him looked hazy. Since his mother, aunt and grandmother all wear glasses, Steven already knows how important they are. “I’m excited to take care of them,” he says. “If I play on the playground, they could get dirty or someone could step on them, so I will keep them in my case.”

DELIVERING THE GIFT OF SIGHTSince its launch in March 2013, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, a partnership with Eye Care Charity of Mid-America, has served nearly 2,500 underprivileged children throughout the St. Louis area and beyond. In June 2014, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile visited Jackson Elementary School in the University City School District. Here are some testimonials from three children who received glasses aboard the Care Mobile that day.


Seven-year-old Demetrius Reynolds received his first pair of glasses in early 2014 when he stepped onto the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile for the first time. The Care Mobile was visiting his school, the St. Louis Language Immersion French School, and was screening and giving eye exams to the students for the day. His mother, Nadesha Arnold, was not aware of his problematic vision until he failed an eye exam administered by his school.

“I didn’t even know he was having trouble seeing,” says Nadesha. “He never told me.”

After failing the eye exam, Demetrius visited the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, where he received a brand new pair of prescription glasses that same day. Since then, his mother has seen a great amount of progress at school.

“He has had a very big improvement with his reading and schoolwork,” says Nadesha. “Before his glasses, he wasn’t finishing his work, and he was frequently getting frustrated. Now he is reading much better.”

A short while after Demetrius was provided with glasses, they broke, and he was no longer able to wear them. His mother, aware of all the improvement she had seen since he received his glasses, knew that he could not be without them anymore. She contacted the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile and offered to

buy another pair even though it would be financially difficult; however, Demetrius received a second set at no charge. He now loves his glasses, which Demetrius says he chose because they are red and blue like Superman. When he wears them, he feels like he has super powers because now he can see everything!

“I’m very grateful,” says Nadesha. “I’m a single mother working on a low income, and without the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, I wouldn’t be able to afford to buy him glasses.”

SUPER POWERS

HEARTBITS

The 4th Annual LoneRiders Charity Poker Run took place in June and raised $615 for RMHC St. Louis! Cyclists stopped in New Melle, Wright City, Troy and Winfield to compete for prizes for the best and worst poker hands.

Thank you Natalie Siegel, Danielle Hayes and the Pattonville High School Student Council for hosting a Wish List drive to collect snack items for the Ronald McDonald Family Room Program!

Our friends from Seeger Toyota Scion donated a new green Sienna minivan to the Ronald McDonald House in Spring 2014. Our volunteers and staff are extremely grateful for this thoughtful gesture of support!

Pickleman’s Deli, located on the campus of St. Louis University, donated a delicious dinner to families using the Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. Louis Children’s Hospital in September.

Many thanks to the volunteers of Love on a Leash, who visit the Ronald McDonald House monthly with their therapy dogs for our guest families. We love the companionship of these four-legged friends!

A big thank you to volunteers from Lincoln Financial Group, who rearranged the warehouse at the West County House! We appreciate your time and support.

Nicole Alemond’s family used the Ronald McDonald Family Room when her son broke his arm. Now Nicole, a professional hair stylist, donates specialty hair products to those who are using the Family Room!


St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer generously donated $7,500 to our Sponsor-A-Family Program! This program allows us to provide a “home-away-from-home” for up to 59 families of seriously ill children every night.


The Cohn Family stayed at our Ronald McDonald House on Park Ave. for several months in 2013. The Key Club from their hometown of Kennett, Missouri, raised money for RMHC to show their support. Nearly one year later, the Key Club and the Cohns visited the RMH and delivered a check for more than $1,000!

Brandon Maddox, rising Nashville music star, stopped by the West Pine House in August to perform original songs and Country music hits for our guest families! Thank you for the great entertainment!

A big thank you to members of the Student Council at Highcroft Ridge Elementary School for hosting a Wish List drive for RMHC St. Louis! These essential items will help us keep our Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms running as homes.

Many thanks to the employees of AXA Advisors, who spent a day volunteering at the RMH on Park Avenue in October as part of their Annual Day of Service. AXA also presented RMHC with $5,000!

Volunteers from Brickman Group transformed the grounds of our West County RMH into a beautiful Tranquility Garden in September as part of the company’s Founder’s Day of Service. They also helped with landscaping projects at the Park Avenue and West Pine RMH locations. Thank you!

UMB Bank volunteers helped beautify the West Pine Ronald McDonald House grounds in May by planting flowers and doing landscaping work. Thank you for making The House that Love Built a more welcoming place for families to call “home”!

The National Junior Honor Society at St. Paul’s Lutheran School, who are Family Dinner Program volunteers, hosted a Walk-A-Thon in Spring 2014 that raised more than $6,000 for RMHC! This generous donation covered the cost of new ovens in our West County Ronald McDonald House kitchen.

A service group from U.S. Bank donated their time and talent at the West Pine RMH in August. They spent the day cleaning, painting, and completing other helpful household chores. Our families, volunteers, and staff are very grateful for your support!

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PERMIT NO. 210

ST. LOUIS

3450 Park AvenueSt. Louis, MO 63104

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West Pine Ronald McDonald House4381 West Pine Boulevard

St. Louis, MO 63108314-531-6601

Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House3450 Park Avenue

St. Louis, MO 63104314-773-1100

West County Ronald McDonald House300 Ronald McDonald House Lane

St. Louis, MO 63141314-485-0300

fall/winter 2014 heartbeat newsletter

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