Grand Opening of Ronald McDonald Family Room
Inclement weather couldn't dampen the festivities when Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri (RMHC) opened its newest Ronald McDonald Family Room at Boone Hospital Center. An Open House was held the morning of February 26th to welcome guests into the new facility. So many friends and supporters came that there was only room to stand. RMHC Board of Directors President, Mary Ebert and members of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony signaling the official opening of the Ronald McDonald Family Room. They were joined by representatives of Boone Hospital Center and Ronald McDonald.
The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Boone Hospital Center offers families of hospitalized children an escape from the hospital atmosphere. This 1,200 square foot facility offers guests a comfortable sitting area, stocked kitchenette, bathroom with shower facility, and a privacy room where families can retreat if they need to have time to themselves.
Ronald McDonald House Charities is fortunate to have two such facilities in Columbia. The area's first Family Room was opened at University Hospital's Children's Hospital. During its first month of operation it welcomed over 1,200 visitors through its doors. This had been the expected usage estimate for the entire first year. The new Ronald McDonald Family Room at Boone Hospital Center has been warmly received as well.How to become involved with the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Boone Hospital Center
Although the room is now open, we still need volunteers to staff the facility and serve the families who need our help. The Ronald McDonald Family Room is entirely dependent upon volunteer participation. The Family Room cannot be open for families without a volunteer present, so we must fill all positions immediately. Our greatest need for volunteers is during our weekend shifts, which are 3-4 hours on one Saturday or Sunday per month. Ronald McDonald Family Room volunteers will serve as host/hostess to the room and will receive comprehensive training before their first shift.
You may also choose to make a financial contribution to the project. To date we have raised approximately one-half of the cost of the facility. All donations will be warmly received and those over $250 will become a permanent part of our recognition wall.
If you are interested in making a contribution, please contact Amanda at (573) 817-1747.
Spelling Bee Success
The 2002 Ronald McDonald House Charities Spelling Bee, sponsored by Isle of Capri Casino, was a great success! Great fun was had by all as spellers representing local businesses battled it out to see who would take home the coveted RMHC Spelling Bee trophy. With the help of supporters and friends throughout the Mid-Missouri region, we were able to raise $17,400 to benefit the families of hospitalized children.
It was difficult to tell which competition was more fierce...the competition for spelling champ, or the competition for team spirit. In the end the McDonald's team, represented by students from Jefferson City High School, proved the victorious spellers. In a well fought cheering battle the KLIK team, represented by students from Blair Oaks High School, was awarded the prize for best spirit.
The success of this event was due to the generosity of Isle of Capri Casino, our title sponsor, Boone County National Bank, Capital Plaza Hotel, Capital Region Medical Center, Jefferson Bank, KLIK, KRCG, McDonald's of Mid-Missouri, Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance, and to all of the other sponsors, donors and volunteers who gave of their energies and resources to help the families of Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Like Father, Like Son
Since 1999, Will Green has been volunteering with Ronald McDonald House Charities. By profession Will serves the community as a Police Officer with the Columbia Police Department. While off duty, Will gives of his valuable time by bringing milk to the Ronald McDonald House from the Central Missouri Food Bank. Will says, "Helping others makes me feel good!"
Recently Will began bringing his son, Joshua, to assist him with his volunteer efforts. Will is setting a great example for his son and said he "likes it when Joshua sees Daddy doing volunteer work."
Will and Joshua make a real difference to thousands of families every year and are a tremendous help to the staff of Ronald McDonald House Charities. Nearly all of the families who stay at the Ronald McDonald House or use a Ronald McDonald Family Room benefit from the milk they deliver. Volunteers use the milk in baked goods that are enjoyed by all, while others use the milk in their morning cereal or coffee. It's amazing how the simple act of delivering the milk can touch the lives of so many.
Talk About a Tough Decision!
Volunteers are truly the heart of the operation at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Caring people give of their time and talents on an individual basis and sometimes as part of a group. Volunteers serve on our Board of Directors and various committees, give of their time at our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, and help keep the Ronald McDonald House clean and comfortable for families who stay with us. This is a mere sampling of the wonderful things that our volunteers do for us.
This year staff members of Ronald McDonald House Charities were given the opportunity to nominate a few volunteers to receive a 2002 HERO Award, presented by the Voluntary Action Center.
There were three categories in which volunteers could be entered - Youth, Group, and Individual. Staff members had the bittersweet task of choosing only a few of our fabulous volunteers to nominate.
Andrew McCarney was nominated in the Youth category for sharing his birthday with Ronald McDonald House Charities. For the past two years, Andrew has included a copy of the RMHC Wish List along with his birthday party invitations. Guests were encouraged to bring an item from the Wish List in lieu of a gift for Andrew. By having such a large number of friends, Andrew was able to present RMHC with enough food and paper items to provide comfort and nourishment to families of hospitalized children for more than a month.
Members of Hickman High School's Community Life Skills Class were nominated in the Group category. These special individuals are learning skills that they can use after graduation. They do a wonderful job keeping the Ronald McDonald House clean and sparkling for our guests.
Sarah Hill was one of our nominees in the individual category. Sarah was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and became involved with Ronald McDonald House Charities while in college. While her journalism career blossomed, Sarah continued to volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities by serving on the Board of Directors and several RMHC committees. Sarah has recently become an Emeritus Director and continues to volunteer her time at the Ronald McDonald Family Room at University Hospital's Children's Hospital. She also serves on several RMHC committees.
Since 1999, Molly Remer has been a RMHC volunteer. Molly is a very special young woman who graduated from the University of Missouri - Rolla at the tender age of 19 and earned her Masters degree in Social Work at 21. She is a very energetic volunteer who gives of her time at both Ronald McDonald Family Room locations as well as at the Ronald McDonald House. Molly faces everyday with a bright smile and, as so many of our volunteers do, adds a wonderful upbeat spirit whenever she is present.
BACK TO TOP
