Fall 2014 Newsletter - Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central

1100 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13210
P: 315.476.1027 | F: 315.476.5022 | cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage
paid
Syracuse, NY
Permit No. 999
13th Annual
Many Hearts
One Home
Celebration
Saturday, November 15, 2014
SRC Arena and Events Center
Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY
home
A publication of Ronald McDonald House Charities®
of Central New York..
away from home
Finding a Home at the CNY Ronald McDonald House
Staff Members
Beth M. Trunfio
Executive Director
Jennifer Saraceni Leitgeb
Development Director
Lee Wilder
House Program Manager
Rose McGevna
Business Manager
Jessica Ockenden
Fund Development Associate
Karen Hynes
Administrative Office Assistant
Tammy Burgmeier
Evening Assistant
Anne Dashnaw
Housekeeper
SAVE THE DATE!
Fall 2014
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central New York
© 2014 McDonald’s
Leola Rodgers
President
Aaron D. Hugo
1st Vice President
Kathleen Kotz
2nd Vice President
Karen Ohliger
Treasurer
Colleen M. Schmidt
Secretary
Justin Hummel
Douglas K. Lattner
Yvonne Annese LoRe
Mike Madigan
Steven Malone
Maureen E. Maney
Hon. Anthony J. Paris
Henry Pearl
Mark Renquin
Jonathan V. Riddell, MD., FRCS
Matt Schiro
Brian Sickora
© 2014 McDonald’s
2014 Board of Directors
At 21 months, Chad Lown was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML) by his pediatrician in Oneida, New York, and
was referred to Upstate Golisano Chidren’s Hospital for treatment.
For weeks, Chad and his parents, Christopher Lown and Amanda Riel, traveled back and
forth between Oneida and Syracuse, but as the frequency of Chad’s treatments and
appointments increased, a social worker at the hospital introduced the family to the
Central New York Ronald McDonald House.
VISIT CNYRONALDMCDONALDHOUSE.ORG
TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW E-NEWSLETTER
Many Hearts One Home Celebration
Celebrating a true community partner—CNY Central
Join us on Saturday, Nov. 15, for our 13th Annual Many Hearts
One Home Celebration at the SRC Arena and Events Center on the
Onondaga Community College campus. We will honor NBC3, CBS5,
CW6 and CNYcentral.com for their dedication and commitment to
our organization. The event will include silent and live auctions, hors
d’oeuvres and food stations. Cocktail attire is suggested. For more
information, visit cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org or email Jessica
Ockenden at [email protected].
Ronald McDonald
House Charities Youth
Advisory Board
The Youth Advisory Board’s mission is
to create projects that educate people
about the value of philanthropy and
volunteerism in the community. The
board plans and conducts fundraising
events, community events and volunteer
activities that raise awareness and funds
for our House. Members are students
from various school districts throughout
the Syracuse area. For more information,
call 315.476.1027.
Chad and his parents stayed with us for five weeks while Chad received regular
chemotherapy treatments. The additional space in our new House meant Amanda’s
parents were even able to stay with us to remain close to their grandson. Despite his
rigorous treatments, Chad never seemed to lack any energy, and he quickly stole the
hearts of everyone at the House. Chad was usually seen playing in the playroom, wearing
his handsome smile and red race car slippers.
save the date
Baldwinsville Big Chill
January 2015
Baldwinsville, NY
Kim’s Walk of Hope
May 2015
Rockport, MA
7th Annual Bella Casa
Celebrity Fashion Show
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Holiday Inn
Liverpool, NY
Christmas in July
July 2015
Syracuse, NY
“The staff and volunteers
at the CNY Ronald
McDonald House were
so compassionate and
family-oriented”
“The staff and volunteers at the CNY Ronald McDonald House were so compassionate and
family-oriented,” said Amanda. “They helped keep a smile on my son’s face.”
We’re happy to report that Chad celebrated his last day of chemotherapy over the summer and was able to go back home with his
parents to continue on his road to recovery.
For more information about upcoming events,
visit: cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.
For ticket, advertising and sponsorship information on any of
the above events, contact Jessica Ockenden at 315.476.1027 or
[email protected].
Community Volunteers
Thank you to all of the local schools and groups who
support the CNY Ronald McDonald House, including
Bikers United of CNY, Eagle Wings Academy, Girl Scout
Troop 10263, Red Creek Elementary, St. James Church
Middle School and Willow Field Elementary.
Students at OCM BOCES held a competition to see who
could collect the most pop tabs. At the end of the school
year, the students turned in more than 174 pounds of pop
tabs! The students also spent time baking and pulling
weeds from our garden.
“They helped keep a smile on my son’s face.”
1100 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 | cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org
letter
from the director
Dear Friends,
This year we celebrate the
40th anniversary of the Ronald
McDonald House Charities system
and the opening of the very
first Ronald McDonald House in
Philadelphia in 1974. While the CNY
Ronald McDonald House is a few
years younger, our House would not
be the home that it is without the
past, present and future supporters
of Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Thank You
Thank you to all the individuals and
groups who continue to dedicate their
time and talents to raising money for
“The House That Love Built.”
Binghamton Senators and Beth Dibble Organization: Binghamton University, Hinman College – Theme Week:
Brenda Geiger – Glitter Gala:
$160.00
$70.00
$2,386.96
Camillus Middle School – Student Council Fundraiser: $300.00
Cascade & Maverik Lacrosse – Employee Fundraiser:
$223.00
Colonial Inn – Breakfast with Santa: $293.00
First Presbyterian Church – June Bake Sale: $200.00
Grace Engle – Lemonade Stand: $1,054.00
Grant Middle School – PTO Arts & Crafts Fair: $100.00
ITT Goulds Pumps – Employee Jeans Day: $138.00
Jerry & Cynthia Sharfstein – Kim’s Walk of Hope: Liverpool High School Key Club – Cookie Dough Sale: Rome Memorial Hospital – Denim Day: $322.50
Here’s how:
Sandra Spina – “Wings to Remember” Card Sets: $400.00
1. Take a photo showing us how you wear your stripes –
the more creative the better!
Syracuse University Shadows of Health Group – Spring Semester Fundraisers:
$300.00
4. Challenge your family, friends, co-workers and
community members to join in on the fun.
5. Don’t forget to use
As always, we thank you for your ongoing support. It is
because of supporters like you that events like “Artie’s
Party” at the Syracuse Nationals, Christmas in July and our
Golf Invitational exceeded our expectations. We were able
to raise much-needed funds to help us support the day-today needs of our guest families, but our fundraising efforts
are ongoing. We look forward to growing even stronger
together in the years to come.
Your continued support helps us keep families exactly
where they belong… Together.
Beth Trunfio
Executive Director
Remember Our Donation Boxes
Whether you’re driving through or dining in,
please remember our charitable-donation boxes
at your local McDonald’s. Your
spare change directly supports the
children and families of Ronald
McDonald House Charities. The
boxes are one of the largest
fundraisers each year for our
local organization.
A special thank-you to our event sponsors: Carrier Corp.,
JAG Environmental LLC, Summit Cars, Welch Allyn, 93Q,
CNY Central and Syracuse Woman Magazine. Additional
thanks to: Wegmans, John Charles Cook, Jeff Watkins,
Renee’s Salon, Rick Policastro Photography and Donna
Adamo, who traveled from Atlanta to emcee the event.
Welch Allyn employees spent time at our House during the organization’s
annual “Show of Hands Volunteer Event.” For the past three years, Sung
Lee has been the team leader for our site. He and his team did another
outstanding job this year, landscaping and cooking for our guests.
$55.00
NYS Amateur Trapshooting Association – Ronald McDonald Trap Shooting Event: $4,500.00
Oneida City School District – March Jeans Day: $255.00
A group of Anaren employees spent the company’s annual Community Service
Day baking and cooking for our guest families. We would also like to thank
our friends at Cardinal Health, First National Bank, McDonald’s Philadelphia
Region and Oviatt Hearing & Balance for supporting our organization!
RIMS Upstate New York Chapter – 20th Annual Educational Fundraising Golf Outing: $140.00
Syracuse University Department of Recreation Services – Quidditch Club Tournament: $320.00
External fundraisers, both big and small, are a tremendous source of support for the CNY Ronald
McDonald House every year, and they can be very easy to coordinate. Thinking of supporting
the CNY Ronald McDonald House by holding a dress-down day at work, setting up a bake sale in
your neighborhood with the kids or going on a bowling outing with your co-workers? Visit our
website, fill out a host application form and we will help you get started.
Donations made from Feb. 1 through Sept. 1, 2014.
Gift Bags for Guest Families
Emma Neufang, a previous guest of the Ronald
McDonald House of New York City, planned a
project with Clay Community Church to benefit
the guest families at the CNY Ronald McDonald
House. With her project, Emma wanted to
help our guests feel as welcome in our home
as she did when she stayed at the New York
City House. Emma’s two-part project involved
donating gift bags and preparing a dinner for our guest families. Each gift bag
included a canvas bag, a book, a stuffed animal and other assorted items.
Leave a Legacy
Our House
For more than 30 years, Ronald McDonald
House Charities of CNY has helped
thousands of children and families in need.
If you are passionate about our charitable
work, please consider making a legacy
pledge to our organization.
In our new, larger House we provide a
private bedroom and bathroom for our
families, warm, home-cooked meals, a
fully stocked kitchen, free parking and
all of the comforts of a typical home.
To watch a video tour of our home
and view our new photo gallery, visit
cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.
With just a little planning and a big heart,
you can arrange a charitable plan that
brings hope and help to sick children
and their families in our region. Your
donation can be made through a bequest,
a life income gift, or a gift of retirement
assets or life insurance policies. For more
information about making a Planned
Gift, please call 315.476.1027. or visit
cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org/how-youcan-help.
Corporate Connection
Over the summer, 12 GameStop District Managers from across the Northeast
drove to Syracuse to volunteer at the House. Led by GameStop regional
director Michael Thomaston, the team spent a day barbecuing, baking and
enjoying time with our guest families.
$698.60
NBT Bank Small Business Banking Department – Monthly Jeans Day: 3. Tag us on Facebook @Central New York Ronald
McDonald House Charities and on Instagram @rmhc_cny.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to
everyone who helped make the 2014 Bella Casa Celebrity
Fashion Show a success. A total of 550 people attended
our special evening, and together we raised more than
$67,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY.
At this year’s show, we were honored to have Pelensky
Joassin, a former guest at the CNY Ronald McDonald
House, share his story with the audience.
$1,950.00
To join in the celebration and to help us raise awareness, we
are asking for you to Tell Us How You Wear Your Stripes on
social media. Share your stories and photos incorporating
our iconic RMHC red and white stripes. Encourage others
to participate and be a visual symbol of support for all the
families who have been touched by the Ronald McDonald
House Charities and the CNY Ronald McDonald House.
2. Upload it to your Facebook and/or Instagram account.
Sixth Annual Bella Casa
Celebrity Fashion Show
Buy a Brick
Today, you can become a
permanent part of our home by
purchasing a brick paver in honor
or memory of a loved one. Personalized brick pavers will
be placed in the outdoor patio at our House and are a
great gift idea for birthdays, holidays and special occasions.
Buy your brick now at cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.
Artie’s Party Raises
Nearly $75,000
Pinstripe and airbrush artists worked almost around the
clock at “Artie’s Party” during the Syracuse Nationals to
hand-paint original automotive artwork on items of all
kinds, from vehicle panels to mailboxes. The one-of-a-kind
items were then auctioned throughout the weekend.
This year, the event raised nearly $75,000 to benefit
our organization!
The volunteer pinstripers came from across the United
States and from as far away as Italy and Japan to support
Artie’s Party through their custom artwork. We would like
to extend a very special thank-you to Artie Schilling and
his volunteers for this amazing event and his commitment
to our organization.
Many thanks to all the individuals and groups who dedicate their time and talents to raising money for “The House That Love Built®.”
Christmas in July
Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate Christmas in July! More than
70 community groups, businesses and individuals participated and collected
many items from our wish list, including food, household items and gift cards.
Together we collected more than $10,500 worth of wish list items to help
support our guest families.
A special thank-you to Lamar of Syracuse and our media sponsor, Time Warner
Cable News, as well as our top collectors: Sauta Family & Friends, Thirty-One
Gifts and FedEx Ground.
Special Visits
Kelly and Lloyd Bedford, based in Fort
Drum, stayed with us for nearly two
months in 2013 when their daughter,
MacKinley, was treated in the Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit at Crouse Hospital.
After their stay, the family moved to
the Syracuse area, and they never miss
an opportunity to give back. The family
recently collected wish list items to
celebrate Christmas in July with us and
surprised us with homemade cupcakes.
Kelly’s parents, Colleen and Mike Ward,
also visited and made a contribution in honor of granddaughter MacKinley.
Kishma Alexander first came to the
House after traveling from the Dominican
Republic to Syracuse in 2005 to undergo
treatment to correct her eyesight. During
her stay, Kishma had her first eye surgery
at age 15. She returned two years later
to have surgery on her other eye. Today
Kishma’s eyesight is wonderful, and she
recently graduated from the University of
Buffalo with a degree in environmental
science! She and her parents visited
and shared the exciting news with us –
congratulations, Kishma!