65738 McKay RMHC - Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities
of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana
1900 Spring Road, Suite 310
Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
Non Profit Org.
US Postage
Paid
South Holland, IL
Permit No. 382
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Wish Lists
Northside House
Loyola House
Hope House
Chapter Office
Lysol spray
Individually wrapped snacks and candy
Canned soups and pastas
White computer paper
Gift cards for Costco, Jewel and Dominick's
Powdered laundry detergent
Powdered dish detergent
Clorox cleaning wipes
33-gallon garbage bags
8-gallon trash bags
Gift cards: gas, Jewel, Target & Costco
Assorted individual snacks
Assorted takeout containers
Individual Keurig coffee cups
Stamps
Liquid hand soap
Dishwasher soap (Cascade)
Laundry detergent
Fabric softener
Paper products
Individually wrapped snacks
Individual size cereal
Photo copy paper
Hand sanitizer
Southside House
Gift cards for Sam’s, Target,
Bed Bath & Beyond and Jewel
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Paul Clark, Chairman
Mike Kotynek, President
Joe Endress, Vice President
Mary Haggerty, Treasurer
Don Crosby, Secretary
Steve Brunner
Don Camp
Carmen DeCarrier
Phil Douglas
Mark Duffy
Mark Freeman
A.J. Hotaling, M.D.
Barbara Jenkins-Buddig
Bill Keyser
John Knazur
Greg Koerner
Patty Kryscha
Cindi LaPorte
Eric Leininger
Sheila Musolino
Tim Nevins
Jim Petrowich
Dave Pojman
Ruby Roy, M.D.
Sue Singleton
Charlie Stone
Liz Thompson
Kathi Willett
RMHC-CNI: OFFICE
Doug Porter, Chief Executive Officer
1900 Spring Road, Suite 310
Oak Brook, Illinois 60523
(630) 623-5300 office
(630) 623-5307 direct
(630) 623-0808 fax
www.rmhccni.org
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSES:
Near Children’s Memorial Hospital
(Northside House)
Anne Czarnecki, House Manager
622 West Deming Place
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 348-5322
(773) 348-7619 fax
Near University of Chicago Comer
Children’s Hospital (Southside House)
Mardelle Gundlach, House Manager
5444 S. Drexel Avenue
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 324-5437
(773) 493-2905 fax
Near Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital
Kelly Evans, House Manager
4410 W. 93rd Street
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
(708) 423-5285
(708) 423-5658 fax
Near Loyola University Medical Center
Andi Wadas, House Manager
Tripp Avenue at Air Mail Road
P. O. Box 7002
Hines, IL 60141
(708) 327-2273
(708) 327-6000 fax
HAND IN HAND EDITORIAL STAFF:
Jill Sterling, Editor
Kate Bousum
Anne Czarnecki
Kelly Evans
Mardelle Gundlach
Mary Agnes Laguatan
Nancy Smyth
Andi Wadas
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Janel Toal, Graphic Designer
McKay Printing Services
MISSION:
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana is a leader in making the lives of children and
their families better by operating Ronald McDonald Houses which provide a home away from home for the families of
children being treated at local hospitals, operating a Ronald McDonald Care Mobile and funding scholarships for local
college students. RMHC-CNI is supported by its volunteers, generous donors and staff, as well as the McDonald’s family,
which includes owner-operators, suppliers and employees.
Help us update our information
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Please return the above to the RMHC-CNI office in
Oak Brook. Thank you.
Spring 2009
handinhand
The “Miracle on 93rd Street”
The new Ronald McDonald House®
near Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital
in Oak Lawn officially opened its doors
to families on December 15, 2008.
Located at 4410 W. 93rd Street in
Oak Lawn, the House serves families
of pediatric patients being treated at
Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital.
The new 16-bedroom House has been a
miracle for the countless families it has
served since its opening. Families that
otherwise may have slept on the floor
of the hospital’s waiting room or at a
nearby hotel now have a warm bed and
a home-cooked meal to help them feel
more comfortable. Many of the families
staying at the House stay for weeks or
months due to the critical nature of
their child’s medical situation.
In December, over 1,400 people came
though the House during the preopening celebration week to share in
the completion of a dream that began
over three years ago. Members of the
community, donors, city officials, and
hospital employees were thrilled with
the newest “home away from home” for
families. RMHC®-CNI is also incredibly
grateful for the continued and generous
support of Advocate Hope Children’s
Hospital, Oak Lawn Community High
School District 229, and the entire Oak
Lawn community for helping bring the
new House to life.
Volunteerism was critical to our
successful opening and continues to
be a crucial part of our operations. The
House is proud of its roster of more
than 200 volunteers who have helped
us organize shelves, answer phones,
clean refrigerators and make our
families comfortable in innumerable
ways on a daily basis.
In addition to assisting in the basic
operations of the House, we are also
thankful to volunteers who provide
services and prepare meals for our
guests. Yoga classes are offered once a
week and massage therapy is offered
every other week, all free of charge.
Dinner is prepared by groups or
individuals every evening through our
“Meals from the Heart” program. This
program gives families an opportunity
ir
to enjoy a home-cooked meal after their
return from the hospital.
RMHC-CNI staff gather to celebrate the Ronald
McDonald House near Advocate Hope Children’s
Hospital ribbon cutting on December 15, 2008.
The Ronald McDonald House near
Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital has
already, in its short existence, become
a special refuge for our families. If
you would like to get involved with
our newest House in any way, please
contact House Manager Kelly Evans
at 708-423-5285.
Staff and friends of St. Gerald’s School cook up a
delicious dinner for the families through the “Meals
from the Heart” program.
1
From Our Leadership
How Is Our Charity Doing?
A Message From
Mike Kotynek and
Doug Porter
Doug Porter (left) and Mike Kotynek (right)
This question is the most common
question posed to us over the last six
months. Given the current economic
environment, we know the question
is asked out of sincere concern and
interest about and in our charity, its
services and its mission.
The short answer is that we are paying
special attention to two major trends in
the current economic climate.
First and foremost, for a number of
reasons, we are seeing an increase in
demand for our services. Unfortunately,
pediatric diseases do not recede in a
recession. There are as many children
and families struck by horrible diseases
today as there were one or two years
ago. Further, as job losses mount,
families lose medical coverage. The
need for assistance at our four Ronald
McDonald Houses is greater than ever.
Second, we recognize that fundraising
is more difficult in this environment.
While fundraising is not nearly as
volatile as the stock market or the
fluctuations in unemployment figures,
we understand that it impacts people’s
ability to give. Knowing that, we are
focused on ensuring that our current
donors understand the positive impact
their contributions have on our
programs. We also contine to seek
out new donors and ambassadors for
our charity.
2
Instead of focusing on “how we are
doing,” we are focusing on how we can
continue to provide services to those
who desperately need and rely upon us.
We remain steadfast in applying the
necessary business discipline to our
charity. We watch our expenditures
closely, try to look for efficiencies
and do more with less. We have very
conservative investment policies
and constantly monitor our budgets
and plans. We do all of this with an
unwavering focus on maintaining our
current level of service to the families
and children we serve.
The good news in the midst of these
challenging times is that we are
engaging more and more people every
day that share our vision.
We recently had an opportunity to hear
Roy Spence, chairman of GSD&M Idea
City, who spoke to a small group about
his new book, “It’s Not What You Sell,
It’s What You Stand For: Why Every
Extraordinary Business Is Driven By
Purpose.” Spence defines “purpose”
as the definitive statement about the
difference you are trying to make in the
world. “It can’t just be words on paper,
it has to get under the skin of every
member of your organization,”
Spence says.
At RMHC-CNI, our purpose is to keep
families together during their child’s
illness and we live and breathe it
every moment. We are always asking
ourselves how we can do it better, more
efficiently and at maximum capacity. It
isn’t about our individual commitment
to RMHC-CNI and its mission. It is our
collective purpose and the difference
that we, working together, will make in
the world.
This year, we will provide over 23,000
nights to families to keep them together
during some of the most stressful hours
of their lives. As we look to the future
and work on the development of our
new 86-bedroom Ronald McDonald
House in Streeterville, we will need
to engage even more people in our
purpose. We are thrilled that more and
more people are joining forces with us
every day.
Next time you find a quiet moment, we
encourage you to reflect on your own
purpose and how it will be fulfilled. If
we all find our purpose and approach
it with robust enthusiasm, not only will
we as individuals and organizations
be better for it, we believe our
communities will as well.
Warm regards,
Mike Kotynek
President, Board of Directors
Doug Porter
CEO, RMHC-CNI
Family Story
The Merchant Family
Andrew and Amy Merchant from Kansas
City and their two children, Austin, 3, and
Anabelle, 6, have spent considerable time at
the Ronald McDonald House near Children’s
Memorial Hospital. Austin has a rare
condition called Spitz Nevus, characterized by
a constellation of discoloration and moles that
have the potential to turn cancerous.
The entire family traveled far from home to
find the best medical care and plastic surgeon
to treat Austin. Dr. Bruce Bauer, department
head and world-renowned plastic surgeon
at Children’s Memorial Hospital, specializes
in the treatment of Spitz Nevus. Austin
is currently undergoing tissue expansion
treatment so he will have skin to use to graft
over the affected areas.
During one of their initial visits to Chicago,
Andrew says the family stayed at a hotel,
ate out, and took cabs everywhere. When
they realized the amount of time involved in
Austin’s treatment, the family began to worry
about mounting costs. The family turned
to the Ronald McDonald House where they
found lodging for a fraction of the cost and a
way for the family to stay together and close
to the hospital.
Austin Merchant
enjoys a great day
at the beach
“More than anything else, it was the
ability for us to stay together as a family,”
said Andrew.
Our Hearts Remember
Ryan Caron
Janell Carson
Sebastian Cruz
Jordan Darby
Messiah Dawkins
Rachel DelagadoKillian
Victoria Fitzsimmons
Bryce Handley
Trinity Jenkins
Carson McKay
Drew Mickelson
Joshua Prunsky
Javier Rodriquez
Aucero Rojo
Nicholas Sadewater
Camryn Slager
John Stobb
Aaden Stirbis
Elisa Sylymani
Xavier Thomas-Weeks
Cooper Wilkey
Baby girl Williams
Russell Witek
Jerry Yelder
handinhand
The Merchant family
3
Around the Charity
In March, Ronald had a
rk
first-hand look at artwork
ying
designed by kids portraying
"What will the future of the
medical world look like?""
One child depicted, "...in
the future we hope shotss
won't hurt and medicinee
comes in the form of ice
cream!!" Thank you to the
n
folks at Rosalind Franklin
University of Medicine and
Science for their efforts
that raised over $1,700!
In January, the Chicago Brushmasters, a group of
local pinstripers and automotive artists, raised over
$46,000 for RMHC-CNI. Throughout the weekend,
hundreds of Kustom Kulture Art pieces were
featured in six lively auctions. Thank you for your
continued support.
In May, guests enjoyed a wonderful evening at our annual Big Mac Under
Glass event, held at Palmer House Hotel. The event, which helped us raise
over $500,000, featured Chicago icon impersonators, a performance by
7-year old piano prodigy Emily Bear, world-renowned artist Michael Israel,
fabulous silent and live auction items and entertainment by The Chicago
Catz. We hope you will join us next year at this fabulous event.
Mark your calendars for the most fashionable event of the
season. Macy’s Glamorama will once again set the stage
in style this summer with a fashion and entertainment
extravaganza that fuses famed musical headliners with the
latest in fashion couture and the hottest looks for fall. In a
new partnership with Macy’s, a portion of ticket sales and
Glam Pass sales will benefit RMHC-CNI!
One of the stars confirmed to perform is Ne-Yo and
confirmed designers to date include Calvin Klein Collection,
CNC Costume National, John Paul Gaultier, Just Cavalli,
Marc Jacobs, Sonia Rykiel, and Sport Max.
Upcoming events
June 5-6: Chop Around the
Clock, Foltos Tonsorial Parlor,
Batavia, Ill.
June 28: Hoops for the House,
Hinsdale, Ill.
July 10: Technology Charity Golf
Classic, White Pines Golf Course,
Bensenville, Ill.
July 14: Donor and Volunteer
August 29-30: Sporting Clays
Recognition Reception,
Tournament, Northbrook Sports
Doubletree Hotel & Suites, Oak
Club, Hainesville, Ill.
Brook, Ill.
October 3: Southwest Plane
Pull near Midway Airport,
July 30: 23rd Annual Golf
Chicago, Ill.
Classic, Cog Hill Golf and
Country Club, Lemont, Ill.
October 17: Recycle with
Ronald, United Scrap Metal,
August 21: Macy’s Glamorama,
Cicero, Ill.
Chicago Theatre, Chicago, Ill.
For more information and a complete list of upcoming events, go to www.rmhccni.org.
4
Donor Spotlight
One Family Helps
Plant the Seed
for the Ronald McDonald House near
Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital
p
n
After his first surgery, Owen
al
was in the pediatric surgical
ring
heart unit for 23 days. “During
our first stay at the hospitall we
oms
were sleeping in waiting rooms
with no windows, or living in a small guest house adjacent to the hospital
that was later demolished and turned into a parking lot,” Ryan said.
After Owen’s second surgery, Kirsten and Ryan felt so blessed that Owen was
recovering that they vowed to create a house where parents could come and
go during the day and night while their children were receiving care.
The Schiffs visualized an environment that would make parents feel
comfortable and well-rested during their most difficult times. They also felt
it was important that the house offer lodging at little or no cost so that it
was available for everyone who needed assistance.
Ryan’s commitment to making this dream a reality prompted him to join
forces with RMHC-CNI in 2005 to assist in establishing a Ronald McDonald
House near AHCH.
With a generous seed gift from The Owen Schiff Foundation, which was
established during the family’s medical struggles, RMHC-CNI was able to
begin plans to build the Ronald McDonald House near AHCH. Three years
later, the House began welcoming guests to “The House in the Woods,”
a 16-bedroom Ronald McDonald House located across the street from
AHCH. Since the House’s opening in December 2008, the House is near full
capacity on most nights.
“It’s been my life’s achievement to be even a small part of the House,” Ryan
said. “It takes my breath away when I walk in. Anyone who donates to the
Ronald McDonald House cannot help but feel totally fulfilled,” he added.
RMHC-CNI is incredibly grateful to the Schiff family for their personal and
financial commitment to our charity. With their invaluable assistance, a
new Ronald McDonald House is now open and serving families every night
of the year.
How can I help?
Opening
New Doors
The Campaign for the Ronald McDonald House
near the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's
Hospital of Chicago is off to a very exciting
start. We are thrilled to report that as of April
2009, $10.2 million has been contributed
to assist us in building the largest Ronald
McDonald House in the world.
Scheduled to open in 2012 and located at
211 E. Grand Avenue in Chicago, the new House
will be a beacon of hope and love for families
who need a "home away from home" while
their child is being treated at one of the four
world-class hospitals in downtown Chicago.
We are especially excited about a recent pledge
from the McDonald's Owners of Chicagoland
& Northwest Indiana (MOCNI), who have
implemented an innovative program called
"Make Every Happy Meal Count." Through
this initiative, MOCNI will donate a portion
of the proceeds for every Happy Meal sold
in area restaurants over the next five years.
This extremely generous gift will be critical in
helping us bring the new House to life.
To all those who have given to the campaign
thusfar, we thank you. If you or your company
is interested in helping RMHC-CNI help more
families than ever before, please contact Tim
Larson, senior director of development, at
630-623-5551 or [email protected].
Make a tax-deductible contribution of cash or appreciated stock.
Matching Gift Programs — Check with your employer to see if they will match
your charitable gift or allow you to donate through a payroll deduction program.
Host a wish list party for your local House. Ask your guests to donate items from
House wish lists. See the back page for House wish lists.
handinhand
Ryan and Kirsten Schiff
learned first-hand about thee
struggles associated with
having a young child in thee
est
hospital when their youngest
son Owen endured two
open heart surgeries at
Advocate Hope Children’s
Hospital (AHCH).
5
Around the Southside House
More than 20 years ago, “Mardelle & Friends” was
formed to cook dinners every month for the Southside
House. Now, a generation later, two of the children
from the original group have continued the tradition.
Pictured here are Kathy Ruge’s daughters Vanessa (far
left) and Melanie (third from right). Mardelle’s son
Adam is pictured here with his fiancé Sarah Scott (to
Adam’s left.)
sincere concern
“ Your
and love for others is
appreciated and so needed.
Become a permanent part of the
Southside Ronald McDonald House by
purchasing a personalized brick for
placement on the walkway along the
House’s wraparound porch.
4”x 8” bricks are available for $250;
8”x 8” for $500. Call the House at
773-324-5437 for more information.
”
After a successful liver transplant,
Afrah (at left) from Saudi Arabia
spent her 12th birthday at our
House. Her father accompanied her
to the United States and the family
stayed at our House for more than
five months.
On her birthday, her daytime
caretaker, Mervat Farhoud, prepared
a special lunch and the House
provided a beautiful new outfit and
a cake to help her celebrate.
Madison & Friends, a Chicago children’s store, has shown an
incredible commitment to our House in a number of ways.
The daughter of the owners, Madison Shelist (pictured center
in the pink and gray coat), donated gas cards for our guests
and raised close to $1,000 for our House. Madison raised funds
by selling lemonade on Oak Street and soliciting contributions
from business associates of her father’s store. The store also
donates clothes for our Fashion Show event every year.
Pictured with donated gas cards are from left to right: Nick
and Lisa Morgan, Madison, Gaby and Beth DeLaCruz, Karen
Hope and Jenna Dimas.
We are so grateful for the support of Madison & Friends and
look forward to a long relationship.
““Recipes
Re
from
the
the Heart”
Cookbook
on
Co
SALE Now
6
RMHC-CNI is selling cookbooks
kbook
ks to b
benefit
enefit the four Ronald McDonald Houses
Houses.
“Recipes from the Heart” features recipes from our supporters and friends and includes
everything from appetizers to desserts. The cookbooks cost $18.50, including shipping and
handling, with net proceeds benefitting our Houses. If you are interested in purchasing a
“Recipes from the Heart” cookbook, please send a check to Ronald McDonald House near
University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital, c/o Recipes from the Heart, 5444 South
Drexel Avenue, Chicago, IL 60615.
Around the Northside House
Caroline Griffin (seated) knows
the halls of Children's Memorial
Hospital all too well — she had a
ry
heart transplant there on January
d.
9, 1994 at only three months old.
ts
Fifteen years later, Caroline visits
his
Children’s Memorial regularly. This
ts
year she decided to wrap presents
ney
during the holidays to raise money
for the Northside House. Thanks to
Caroline for giving back.
La-Z-Boy representatives Lynn Reedy (far left) and Brenda Green (far right)
ht)
n
stand with House Manager Anne Czarnecki and La-Z-Boy deliverymen in
front of two new chairs generously donated by La-Z-Boy. The company has
d
made an annual commitment to donate furniture to all Ronald McDonald
wo
Houses in Canada and the United States. The Northside House received two
very comfortable chairs and matching ottomans, as well as a new couch
and loveseat.
you for everything.
“ Thank
The House is a beautiful,
”
The Northside House was grateful to receive many items from
our wish list this winter, thanks to our generous friends from
Lennar Homes. Pictured unloading the items (left to right) are
Doris Pickens, Terri Solomon, Doug Bober, Assistant House
Manager Lora Batdorff, Matt Brown and Ken Stec.
Members of the St. Benedict Elementary School’s Girl Scout Troop stand
proudly with their Girl Scout leader, principal, and House Manager Anne
Czarnecki as they show off the pop tabs they collected as a school-wide
project for the Northside House. Their very own “Pop Tab House” will stay
at the school so that collecting for the Northside House becomes a tradition.
handinhand
comforting and wonderful respite!
7
Around the Loyola House
Omar Aweidah decided his 2008 Christmas gift list would include
toys for children staying at the Ronald McDonald House near Loyola.
Omar selected and purchased toys that he treasured as a child,
wanting to share the feelings of excitement and joy with other
children. Omar plans to continue this tradition for years to come.
“ Thisand thehousepeopleis a areblessing
beautiful,
”
special people with big hearts.
Timmy Cheatham was awarded a Wal-Mart gift card for selling
popcorn to earn funds for his Boy Scout Troop. Timmy chose to use
his gift card to purchase seven boxes of laundry soap for our House.
He also collected and donated a gallon bag of pop tabs for the
House. The House supported his family when his brother Tommy was
at Loyola Hospital. Timmy is proof that even our youngest citizens
can truly make a difference.
Dedicated students from local area schools donate their time and
efforts on a regular basis as part of a campus ministry or specialty
club. Pictured here are banners that represent some of these schools.
We are so grateful for the incredible commitment local students make
to our House and the families we serve.
Nine students and one staff member from Michigan’s Alma College
spent part of their spring break volunteering at our House. This
Alternative Break service trip is funded through a grant that alleviates
the out-of-pocket expense incurred by the students who choose to help
others during their school breaks.
One of our other young volunteers is featured on page 11. If you
know of any students who would like to volunteer at our House
and add their school pennant to our line-up, please have them
contact the House at 708-327-2273.
8
Around the Hope House
RMHC-CNI supporter and board member Sheila Musolino
and one of her helpers bring holiday cheer to the House.
Our sincere thanks to Sheila for leading the effort to
decorate our House so beautifully for the holidays.
“ TheTheystafftreatedwasusoutstanding.
like family.
”
House Manager Kelly Evans greets a troop
tr
of
Girl Scouts from St. Christina who graciously
presented children’s books and cards for the
House’s guests.
our sincerest
“ With
gratitude — God bless
”
all of you — Thank-you
On February 18, 2009, Food Check Out Day took place at
the Ronald McDonald House near Hope. The partnership
between RMHC-CNI, the Cook Country Farm Bureau and
Country Insurance & Financial helped collect over 3,000
pounds of food. The food was later distributed to our four
Ronald McDonald Houses. Our thanks to all involved with
this amazing event.
handinhand
House guests Tommy and Stacio enjoy sometime with
Ronald McDonald.
9
RMHC-CNI Programs
RMHC-CNI U.S. Scholarship
Program Celebrates Its Fourth Year
Our mission as a charity is to improve
the health, well-being and education of
children in our area. Our RMHC-CNI U.S.
scholarship program is a critical part of
furthering our mission.
Since the launch of our multi-year,
renewable scholarship program in 2006,
we have been privileged to be a part of
the lives of 40 young people during their
college years. We currently have 25 juniors,
six sophomores and nine freshmen on our
rolls. Over the years, we have become a
part of the lives of these young people,
engaging them in our charity’s mission and
employing them at our chapter office.
February marks the beginning of the
scholarship season at RMHC-CNI. Our
annual fundraiser, “Stake in the Future,”
held at Morton’s The Steakhouse in
Westchester, raises critical funds for our
scholarship program every year.
This year, we were pleased to welcome
Amanda Gallegos, a freshman at the
University of Chicago and first-year
scholarship winner, as a speaker at the
event. During her speech, she thanked
RMHC-CNI and those in attendance for
believing in her and her dreams. Amanda
attended the event with her parents and
younger brother.
Thanks to the generosity of those in
attendance and throughout the year, we
are able to sustain funding for a program
that touches many young lives. This year,
the event raised over $49,000 for our
scholarship program.
Fifth Third Bank has been a significant
partner in the scholarship program.
Fifth Third provides a large financial
contribution to the program and
nd
has two representatives serving
g
on our Education Committee,
the committee responsible for
selecting our winners every year.
ear.
This year, we will award six
more scholarships to academically
ally
outstanding and financially
challenged young people.
Amanda Gallegos, freshman scholarship
recipient, and Chip Reeves, president of
Fifth Third Bank
We hope you will join us again
next year at our annual fundraising
ingg
event and consider supporting thee
program throughout the year.
For more information on
RMHC-CNI’s scholarship program,
m,,
please contact Jill Sterling,
director of scholarship programs,
at 630-623-5175.
Our wonderful supporters from United
Scrap Metal attend “Stake in the Future.”
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Celebrates
1st Anniversary of Service
RMHC-CNI is proud to be partnering with
Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital to
fund and staff the Ronald McDonald Care
Mobile® (RMCM) for the benefit of
children in the Chicagoland and Northwest
Indiana area.
Launched in early 2008, the 40-foot
mobile medical unit travels primarily to
the southern and southwest suburbs where
poverty is significant. The Care Mobile
provides free physicals and immunizations
to children who desperately need access to
medical treatment.
10
The RMCM often visits schools, where the
school nurse collaborates with our
RMCM staff to identify and schedule
children who need treatment. The Care
Mobile also provides care at other locationss
throughout our service area.
In 2008, the RMCM saw almost 700
patients, providing 670 physicals and 1,082
2
vaccinations. We hope to triple that number
er
in 2009!
If you’d like to learn more about our
Care Mobile program, contact Mary Agnes
Laguatan at 630-623-5119 or
[email protected].
A patient receives care on the Care Mobile
Volunteers
Volunteers Offer Helping
Hands and Loving Hearts
Northside
Loyola
Southside
Hope
Chapter Office
Zio Perez
Cori Kaminski
Noël Brusman,
Maribeth Gannon
Lynn Story
Zio has been volunteering
at the Ronald McDonald
House near Children’s
Memorial Hospital since 2006.
She is a reliable, friendly,
compassionate volunteer
who is always ready to pick
up an odd shift or fill in
during a holiday.
Last spring, Cori read about
the opening of the Hope House
and decided she would like to
volunteer her time and talents
to help us.
How can I help?
Maribeth Gannon has been
a volunteer with the Ronald
McDonald House near
Advocate Hope Children’s
Hospital since it opened in
December. As a welcome desk
volunteer, Maribeth always
comes in with a smile on her
face and a great attitude.
Maribeth, who lives in
Oak Lawn, was inspired to
become a part of the Ronald
McDonald House as the
parent of a child who received
care at Advocate Hope
Children’s Hospital.
What Maribeth likes most
about volunteering at the
House is working with nice
people and being in the
kitchen. She volunteers at
the welcome desk and helps
prepare meals for our “Meals
from the Heart” program.
“I think that it is a warm and
wonderful House that was
obviously needed because it is
always full,” Maribeth said.
Lynn Story first became
involved with our charity
when she participated in and
volunteered at our annual
Sporting Clays Tournament
five years ago.
Lynn volunteers at all of
our annual chapter events
including Big Mac Under
Glass, for which she is an
event planning committee
member, the Golf Classic,
Stake in the Future and of
course — the Sporting Clays
tournament.
Lynn is the charity
representative for RMHC-CNI
at Havi Global Solutions,
where she has worked for 12
years. Lynn organizes several
food and toy drives to benefit
our four Ronald McDonald
Houses and encourages her
co-workers to participate in
our events.
We are grateful to Lynn for
being an advocate for RMHCCNI and for her continuous
support and dedication.
Correction:
In our last issue, we highlighted Joanna Snobel, a special
volunteer at the Southside House. We erroneously reported
that she averages 100 volunteer hours per year. In fact,
Joanna averages over 300 volunteer hours per year.
Attend or hold you own creative fundraisers to benefit RMHC-CNI and its programs
Be a guest chef and provide a dinner for families
Collect pop tabs from aluminum cans and remit to RMHC-CNI
Leave a financial legacy
handinhand
Noël Brusman, now in her
15th year as a volunteer at the
Ronald McDonald House near
Comer Children’s Hospital, says
she finds peace and uncommon
joy during her Tuesday and
Since the Hope House wouldn’t Thursday afternoons at the
be open for some time, Cori
volunteer desk.
started volunteering at the
Noël, who averages over
Loyola House last June.
300 hours per year, answers
“Whenever I feel like my life
Although she helps in many
the phone, checks in families,
is upside down and stressful,
ways, one of Cori’s favorite
writes thank you notes for
I appreciate the small things
things to do at the House is
donations, and spends time
in life when I chat with the
to work in the kitchen. “I like
families that stay at the Ronald working in the kitchen because with the families. She finds
that connecting with the
McDonald House. Many times it gives me an opportunity to
families brings her the
I am not able to contribute
interact with families and see
monetarily to charities and
the kids who are staying here,” greatest satisfaction. “Parents
are under great stress — some
volunteering at the Ronald
Cori said.
even in shock — from a child’s
McDonald House allows me to Cori is a senior at Lewis
sudden illness and diagnosis.
give back,” Zio says.
When they need an unhurried
University and has a double
Zio, who is a preschool
major in biology and radiation opportunity to talk about
teacher, is able to combine
therapy. She hopes to continue their child and their fears,
her job with her volunteering
her education at Northwestern Noël listens.
responsibilities. “As a teacher,
University. One of the other
In her other volunteer positions
I always look for ways to
things Cori enjoys doing in
as a board member of the
instill the love of giving to my her spare time is coaching
Hyde Park Historical Society,
students,” Zio says. As a RMH basketball for 7th and 8th
as an interpreter for a nearby
volunteer, she implements a
grade girls.
Frank Lloyd Wright house and
community service project in
“This was probably one of the as a docent at the Oriental
her classroom. Each year, her
Institute, Noel’s job is to talk.
best decisions I have made,”
preschoolers collect pop tabs all said Cori. We’re grateful
At the Ronald McDonald
year and hand deliver them to Cori made that “best decision” House, she listens.
the Ronald McDonald House.
and is doing so much good at Noël is a retired high school
Thanks to Zio for being an
our House.
teacher who has lived in Hyde
ambassador of volunteerism
Park for more than 50 years.
She and her husband Marv are
for our house.
proud parents of five children
and grandparents of eleven.
11