Pop Tab Inspiration!

Adventures Plus in Andover, MN just dropped off these functional pop tab chairs. What a clever idea! They worked in conjunction with Rum River Elementary School and raised close to 50 lbs of pop tabs to benefit the families of RMHC-UM.

A big thank you to everyone that contributed to this project!

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® in action!

Our good friend, photographer Jim Bovin, came aboard the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile this week and took some amazing photos!

Good Samaritan University Specialty Center

Today three of the six women from a weekly women's group at Good Samaritan University Specialty Center brought this beautiful hand-tied blanket the group made this winter. Elizabeth Giffin, the group leader, called and asked if the group could tour of the House and present the quilt. The quilt expressed the feelings and thoughts of these women, who can so identify with the emotions the parents and grandparents staying at the House feel. Some of the thoughts written on the quilt included: Invincible, Caring Hearts, To Hell with the Snow, We want to love and be loved, and a couple of drawings including a picture of gratitude.

At the House, the summer program for the children includes a volunteer project at Feed My Starving Children. The kids and parents love going there because it gives them a chance to "pay forward" the many things being done for them while staying at the House. It warmed our hearts to have Elizabeth's group bring this quilt that included so many months of hard work and love to the House today.

Stained Glass artist Michael Pilla designing windows for RMHC-UM

I have been working with renowned stained glass artist Michael Pilla on the beautiful windows he has designed for common places here at the House. Donor Jim Hansen, a huge fan of Michael's work, is behind the project matching dollar for dollar each donation (up to $10,000) to cover the cost of the materials and creation of the windows for the House. I went to the studio this morning to see the first group of glass pieces Michael has cut and assembled and is now ready to glaze. Pictured are the panels in with the glass cut but not yet glazed. The process will take several months but we hope the first series of four windows in House 1 will be installed by mid-June.

Because of the dynamic nature of blogs and Facebook, I want to mention here - after 21 years in his studio in Saint Paul, Michael has learned he will need to relocate his studio by the end of the month. If you know of a studio or large area that has electricity and windows in western Wisconsin or eastern MN, please let us know. We want to help Michael find a new studio so he can continue his projects for the House (and others) without interruption.

Mother's Day Love

One of my favorite things about working at the Ronald McDonald House is meeting so many wonderful people. It is such a privilege to meet and walk alongside these families during a part of their journey. As we walk with them through the ups and downs of their child’s medical experiences, while we mark the hard days, it is a joy to celebrate the special days. Mother’s Day is one of those special days to celebrate. It is our honor to recognize the extraordinary women mothering their children here at the House. In these women we witness such a powerful example of unconditional, sacrificial love. They inspire us with the depth of their love.

So, we celebrate this love in a big way, with lots of help from many folks. This year the children at the House made special gifts for their moms assisted by the Foresters. The children made beautiful boxes filled with special memories. They beaded heart pins and stamped colorful hand prints on a poem. Finally, they wrote love notes to their moms on a picture of themselves, telling one special characteristic of their mom that they love.

The Friday evening before Mother’s day, a group of beaders gathered at The Bead Monkey to make each mom a bracelet with each of their children's names and birth stones on it. The Bead Monkey has generously supported this gift for seven years! These very special bracelets are packaged up for each mom in a gorgeous package made by our friends at Stampin Up.

On Mother’s Day, a lovely brunch was served by the Tryon Connection- and each mom was acknowledged and celebrated. A Mother’s Day away from home, with a child who is critically ill away can be a tough one to get through. With the help of all these fabulous supporters of the families and the House, it is eased a bit and we share a little of the love these moms give their children.

The House that love built for sure…….. and keeps on building!

Lauren and Katy beading.....

Tina and Tanis beading.....

The beaders smile for the moms....

A completed beauty....

Isn't this a fabulous package of love.....

And finally the bracelets find the moms....