tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72873828282386730382024-03-20T21:50:23.603-07:00Inside RMHC-UMThe official blog of staff, volunteers and families of Ronald McDonald House Charities-Upper Midwest.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978771982727008599noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-35973607143487385962013-07-11T10:08:00.002-07:002013-07-11T10:08:24.190-07:00St. Paul Mayor Cooks for Kids!
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday, July 9<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> was an extra special night in
the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Gillette Specialty Healthcare. The St.
Paul Mayor, Chris Coleman, and Councilmember, Chris Tolbert, served a Cooks for
Kids Meal in partnership with McDonalds. We had a great turnout by families <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">– it's not every day the Mayor serves you dinner! </span>
Both the Mayor and the Councilmember were excited to meet with the families and learn about their experiences. Overall, the night was fun for all involved
and we would love to see both the Mayor and Councilmember back to serve another
Cooks for Kids Meal in the future!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>St. Paul Mayor, Chris Coleman and Councilmember, Chris Tolbert, visited with families after dinner.</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;">If you're intersted in supporting families through our Cooks for Kids program, click </span><a href="http://rmhc-um.org/how-to-help/volunteer/cooks-for-kids/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">! </span></o:p></span></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-11789764245365392582013-05-21T14:33:00.000-07:002013-05-21T14:33:41.551-07:00Our Marvelous Teachers <span style="font-family: Calibri;">Can you believe it? This is the 15th blog post celebrating all 15 marvelous years of our school <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">– right here inside the Ronald McDonald House</span></span>. We have loved sharing about our
awesome students, the wonderful volunteers and all of the
aspects of this special family service. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today, we celebrate the teachers who make this program
happen! We are so fortunate to have Cindy Britain as our Teacher
and Libby Hoops as our Assistant Teacher. Their styles blend and complement
each other in amazing ways and to see them in action is truly r<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">emarkable</span>. </span></span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">n 2006, Mrs. Hoops joined our team. Every day, she brings her calm, soft-spoken nature to the classroom. As she works, Mrs. Hoops <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">uniquely </span> observes exactly what each student needs. It may be a compliment, guiding him or her to an alternative method, or just the support to master an unfamiliar or challenging task. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mrs. Hoops also brings her insight to staff as we work to determine the most effective way to continue to provide support and guidance to students. Her perspective is so valuable! She has the unique gift of seeing challenges as opportunities. You are a gift to us, Mrs. Hoops! Thank you for your dedication to our mission. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Mrs. Hoops (left) and Mrs. Britain (right) work together to support and nurture RMH students. They are a dream team! :)</em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back in 1998, Mrs. Britain joined the RMH team as the first (and only) teacher at our newly opened school. What an awesome day that was! Mrs. Britain has nurtured, cared for and </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">encourag</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ed growth in the program <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span> in the same way as she nurtures, cares for and encourages growth in her students. The enthusiasm Mrs. Britain has for teaching is visible in the faces of each student. They are inspired to learn! Mrs. Britain loves to continually update and build out curriculum for each student. This is no small task, considering new students enroll throughout the year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wrapped up in her enthusiasm for teaching and inspiring students to develop a fundamental love of learning, is her love and dedication to each of "her kids." Mrs. B is tuned in to the whole child and works to strike a balance between the emotional and academic health of each student. The circumstances that bring families to stay at the Ronald McDonald House are complex. Students here are experiencing unthinkably difficult realities. Each day, it is Mrs. B's mission for each child to feel loved, supported and successful. This method includes setting high (but attainable!) academic expectations. And...you know what? In the midst of the challenges students face, with the love and support they feel in our classroom, they meet and often surpass these expectations! How amazing is that?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you, Mrs. Britain! The Ronald McDonald House thanks you and each of the 500+ students whose lives you have touched and changed throughout the past 15 years thanks you! You and Mrs. Hoops are our mission in action. </span></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Mrs. Britain (above) has been the RMH teacher for the past 15 years </em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span> <em><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-small;">since the school opened!</span></em></span></td></tr>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-74353705662559325062013-05-17T13:03:00.001-07:002013-05-17T13:03:41.425-07:00Race for Grace!
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Thanks to community support in Baxter,
Minnesota last Memorial Day weekend, the Ronald McDonald House <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">– </span>Oak Street "Help
Yourself" pantry was fully stocked through the first annual Race for Grace! Parents, Jake and Alyssa stayed with us after
Grace was born in May 2011. They organized the annual Race for Grace Memorial 5K walk/run to remember Grace and continue serving others in her honor. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This year, the funds raised will support our friends at Faith’s Lodge. Faith's Lodge does such amazing work for families. Their mission is to provide a place where parents and
families facing the serious illness or death of a child can retreat to
reflect on the past, renew strength for the present, and build hope for
the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We support the wonderful Lee family </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and invite others to join them on Sunday, May 26 for the second annual Race For Grace. For more information, find "Race for Grace" on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Race-for-Grace/213018465466715?ref=hl" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #a9501b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Facebook </span></strong></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">or learn more on the </span><a href="http://raceforgracemn.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #a9501b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">race website</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWEIISZwqge25xpHqHKBeRm9KPkRKWw994aA7GQCuzUK8taIfXl8K4JoH_A-d5l55ac_B4HyPMm7KgNQ6rW9tDD_nFIU4KdQdUGOdnNfHEnx42Rwb11Nz9SfZieVU7E5U8dy5dx0WLLaD/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWEIISZwqge25xpHqHKBeRm9KPkRKWw994aA7GQCuzUK8taIfXl8K4JoH_A-d5l55ac_B4HyPMm7KgNQ6rW9tDD_nFIU4KdQdUGOdnNfHEnx42Rwb11Nz9SfZieVU7E5U8dy5dx0WLLaD/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Kids like Emmie (above) are so thankful to have convenient snacks available in the "Help Yourself" pantry.</em> </td></tr>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-78515509045223486972013-05-13T14:27:00.000-07:002013-05-14T06:30:54.036-07:00"How could we ensure Maya received all of the support and love she deserved and needed? The RMH filled in the gaps."<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Kindergarten is a big year. When folks say “Oh, they just play in
kindergarten!" We know it's so much more than that. Kindergarten is the foundation and the beginning of a lifetime of learning. When students begin kindergarten at our school, our teachers pay close attention to this critical
transition in the child’s life as it coincides with all the other stress,
transitions and loss they may be experiencing. Former student, Maya, made the transition to kindergarten
at the same time she made many other difficult moves in her young life. Maya
and her family were living and working in Senegal, West Africa when one of her
brothers was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. Her brother’s treatment brought
them to Minnesota...and brought Maya to our school to begin kindergarten.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1TI_CMn3kQYz1EyeaWSQDnHeV8oPCXM8dF5IM_NSFssvX0meJdjC3zBL5OzBuq-ssr6guHHq_EXF_9T17Zz8VDUj24w56M_TPWdZyo0ojs6rBhPVDXAkKuGMcor8oG2jWRe7dXQahnAM/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1TI_CMn3kQYz1EyeaWSQDnHeV8oPCXM8dF5IM_NSFssvX0meJdjC3zBL5OzBuq-ssr6guHHq_EXF_9T17Zz8VDUj24w56M_TPWdZyo0ojs6rBhPVDXAkKuGMcor8oG2jWRe7dXQahnAM/s400/photo.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Maya joined our school from Senegal, West Africa for her brother's 16-month medical treatment.</em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tina, (Maya’s mom) shares...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"When I see the photos of the staff and students at the
RMH School, I can’t help but smile from ear to ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They. Are. Amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our eldest daughter, Maya, started kindergarten
at the RMH in September 2011. Just a
year and a half prior, she had gracefully grown through a dramatic
life change, when she became the big sister to triplets in January 2010. Yet, she was faced with even more transitions
to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In April 2011, one of her
brothers, Khalil, was diagnosed with high-risk stage IV Neuroblastoma and
within days, Maya had to say goodbye to all of her friends and loved ones and we
packed up the only home she’d ever known and moved from Senegal, West Africa
to Minnesota so her brother could begin a 16-month intensive treatment to
combat cancer."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">"I</span>t was a difficult time, a tough diagnosis, a
logistically complicated move, and just plain challenging with one-year-old triplets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could we ensure Maya received all of
the support and love she deserved and needed? The RMH filled in the gaps."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"The truth is, looking back, if I had to choose a school
for our kids to attend, medical crisis or not, it would be the RMH school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The RMH school sees and connects with the whole child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each child is nurtured, inspired, given
challenges, opportunities and support to thrive regardless of his or her
circumstance. Academically and socially
Maya blossomed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The staff worked tirelessly to
create a family within the classroom and the empathy and compassion each
child learned in that setting was matched by the empathy and compassion shown
by the staff." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Maya regularly says how much she misses the RMH school
and how she wishes every school could be just like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I ask her why and what she liked about
it, she always says first, “The people."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then she says, “My friends, the castle, and the food." She was surrounded by love and inspired to
learn there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her strongest memories of
the year and a half her younger brother battled cancer in Minnesota were not of
fear or loneliness or sadness, but of being surrounded by love, friendship,
warmth and safety. I know the staff
and volunteers of the school have made a huge difference not just in who Maya
is today, but who she will be in the future, and for that we are FOREVER GRATEFUL."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Maya shares her memories...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2oJvCR9TyJjZbQ_4Rohyphenhyphen3I4NEVThKMwP0JyBfvDo0hOUzcSFleO-6RzhDCPaC_Z2_kS9i7aQMEG1muc1AzxwHwneM47Z0hyoZKxrJc9ZQXXyQjTzZviAdiunRRXf4l_4JHmzTNYlHoli/s1600/maya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2oJvCR9TyJjZbQ_4Rohyphenhyphen3I4NEVThKMwP0JyBfvDo0hOUzcSFleO-6RzhDCPaC_Z2_kS9i7aQMEG1muc1AzxwHwneM47Z0hyoZKxrJc9ZQXXyQjTzZviAdiunRRXf4l_4JHmzTNYlHoli/s400/maya.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Maya even learned to ride a bike without training wheels while at the RMH!</em> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thank you for sharing your story with us, Maya! You are an amazing, <span style="font-family: "Times","serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">resilient </span>young lady and we're honored to know and love you and your family. </span><br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-16982528035876970342013-05-07T14:23:00.000-07:002013-05-07T14:23:04.170-07:00"We heard they had a school there, but little did we know the lasting impact it would have on our lives!"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVocTN8xUW39mOw4_gDAJ138qT3UF6tXBf39nhXGXbXb46Sq1D8Z8iSF59O1C71_qlqirQ260FapMfoEM0j0WgOQoxLCqomuYqvvS8e-_17J7_xxAnh-snnvk69596OWIlS8esCJQIAAs/s1600/Wes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVocTN8xUW39mOw4_gDAJ138qT3UF6tXBf39nhXGXbXb46Sq1D8Z8iSF59O1C71_qlqirQ260FapMfoEM0j0WgOQoxLCqomuYqvvS8e-_17J7_xxAnh-snnvk69596OWIlS8esCJQIAAs/s400/Wes.jpg" width="351" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wes and his family are part of our RMH family! </span></em></td></tr>
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Wes and his family first came to stay at the House soon
after his sister, Ireland, was born. Ireland has several serious
conditions that require ongoing medical care. During long stretches in the hospital, Wes and his family stay at the RMH to be near her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wes and his family have been spending time at the RMH since Wes was a toddler. In fact, he attended our RMH school for most of his Kindergarten year into first grade. During that time, Wes made many friends. As his
mom, Shanna, points out, he learned to say good-bye to many friends too; as they headed home
while Wes and his family stayed on for Ireland's continued care. Wes learned so much about medical conditions while he was here at the House. We were all touched when he announced his plan to grow his beautiful, red hair to donate
to Locks of Love</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">®, supporting kids going through chemo. Wes is wonderfully compassionate and loves to help others.</span> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5GWYSGLQAifnqgb1Nb2xFkvJu0nhdHgibj_dfeShCZUFHdPc8PqL0fgQd1Etb9HUfCRDQORtKZ3-PHhdSoKWOSEKGdrb_XDl7wAY3h6L2XKbfUUOlT_Fo0xAin5sh-7_CZuxftkFHdQV/s1600/wes+long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5GWYSGLQAifnqgb1Nb2xFkvJu0nhdHgibj_dfeShCZUFHdPc8PqL0fgQd1Etb9HUfCRDQORtKZ3-PHhdSoKWOSEKGdrb_XDl7wAY3h6L2XKbfUUOlT_Fo0xAin5sh-7_CZuxftkFHdQV/s400/wes+long.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Inspired by his sister and the other kids he came to know at the RMH, Wes grew his hair to donate to Locks of Love</em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgmPaoUVWd6KF2xi9eN9T3M63Shd8E2IbWwzOd12OnUQIvqDGYdKXa1AbsTBxDLzrMzRGKuRlNpJhxgQyEo0apwY0jwbnOjWgfZA3zURAAarPw9P64n-ud3VSnrfHKF0-ALZIEzAE3xqw/s1600/wes+short.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgmPaoUVWd6KF2xi9eN9T3M63Shd8E2IbWwzOd12OnUQIvqDGYdKXa1AbsTBxDLzrMzRGKuRlNpJhxgQyEo0apwY0jwbnOjWgfZA3zURAAarPw9P64n-ud3VSnrfHKF0-ALZIEzAE3xqw/s400/wes+short.jpg" width="390" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We love to see kids make a difference! </span></em></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After Wes left the RMH, we experienced a first for the school; a chance to visit a student's hometown school. Our teacher, Mrs. B, and Persis (Director of Family Services) helped students learn about Ireland's conditions, what children experience at the Ronald McDonald House, and how we help families stay together. It was a wonderful visit and something we wish we could to for every student. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shanna (Wes' mom) shares her memories….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>"We had our first stay at the Ronald McDonald House in
2008, just a few months after Ireland was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wes was</strong>
<strong>2½ years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We heard they had a school there, but little
did we know the lasting impact it would have on our lives!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I asked Wes what his favorite part of
going to school at the RMH was, his reply
was, "We'll that's easy. The teacher!" Wes has such great memories of that time. He frequently looks
through his RMH scrapbook and Ireland loves
looking at it, too! Wes formed friendships
that will last a lifetime!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids
there form such special bonds and help each other through tough times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hardest part of leaving the Ronald
McDonald House for Wes was leaving behind his friends and of course his
teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The RMH staff does such a
wonderful job helping kids as well as parents through these difficult transitions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having a sick child is
stressful enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so reassuring
not to have to worry about Wes academically on top of everything else."<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5zrX8lzpEtqYZzkMENDQ3ktoqHhf9FF-t2sEY4RTITDZsMyWIhG-dmca6DSxcVO35Y9_H5PomoS0lqU4gwNiAVOUmbiwEB7kNwGLjqwVTX478xOf9DaioM_a4sILWXIdDB1audXbnt-h/s1600/RMHC+Twin+Cities+April+16+2011-16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO5zrX8lzpEtqYZzkMENDQ3ktoqHhf9FF-t2sEY4RTITDZsMyWIhG-dmca6DSxcVO35Y9_H5PomoS0lqU4gwNiAVOUmbiwEB7kNwGLjqwVTX478xOf9DaioM_a4sILWXIdDB1audXbnt-h/s400/RMHC+Twin+Cities+April+16+2011-16.JPG" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sibling love at the RMH! Devin, Ireland and Wes. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">- Photo by Jim Bovin</span></em></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Wes turned 8 years old yesterday<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His time at the Ronald McDonald
House has definitely helped shape him into the wonderful little boy he is
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you, Ronald McDonald House
and staff!"<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Birthday, Wes! We're so glad to have you as part of our RMH family.</span> </span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-62425063207673938332013-04-29T14:36:00.003-07:002013-04-29T14:36:50.831-07:00"What I remember the most from my children’s time at the RMH school is that imprint of education with CARE!"<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Happy Marvelous Monday!
Today, we're writing about a mom of two former RMH students. Our school
serves both patients and their siblings. It's an amazing education model
providing lots of emotional support, flexibility and compassion for students.
Our school provides a sense of normalcy that's so important for
children in crisis. In the 15 years our school has been serving families, there
have been many times when patients and their sibling/s attend together.
Students come to us with varying needs, but above all is their need to be with
family. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Tesa, writes….</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"My son,
Dawson, attended school at the RMH during one of the toughest times of his
life. Dawson has been treated for cancer and has endured two kidney
transplants. He attended school at the RMH while going through dialysis – waiting
for his "perfect kidney.” The wait started in July of 2005 and that
amazing day came April 10, 2006. During the months of waiting, there were days
when he was unable to even lift his head or he would just simply fall asleep
right on his desk. However, Mrs. Britain just kept going with him…at his pace.
It was difficult to know at times if Dawson had a learning disability or was
just sick. Mrs. Britain was positive in her assessment that Dawson was learning
what he needed to learn at that time. One of my favorite memories of Dawson’s
time at school was during music class. Dawson loved music and one day, the
students did a music parade through the Ronald McDonald House, stopping to
serenade the staff and families. The music class was on his day off of dialysis
which meant he was full of waste and wasn't feeling well. However, when it was
music time, he was at the front of the line, pounding on those drums like it
was his very own band. He was elated for those 15 minutes. Parents stood and
cheered and I got to watch him just be a little boy. The school
provided us an opportunity for Dawson to be that normal kid – even when he
wasn't feeling his best. We can't thank you enough for that. School was hard,
but you made it easy…you made it real."</span><o:p></o:p></em></strong><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"My daughter,
Dana, also attended the RMH school. Dana's needs were different from my son’s
needs. She was a freshman in high school during Dawson's treatment. As a
parent, to hear the word "cancer" changes your life in an instant and
your normal life seems very distant. As much as you want to make things better,
you can't. Dana was having a tough time coming and going from our home to our
home-away-from-home at the RMH. Being away from Dawson was difficult and then
of course, being powerless to what her brother was going through. We saw things
changing for her that January and knew the best place for her was with us at
the RMH. Mrs. Britain helped us make it happen. Dana was able to follow her
curriculum from home which is just amazing. My favorite memories of Dana in
school were seeing her work with other siblings of patients. She instantly
became an honorary older sister to her classmates. She would complete her work
and was able to focus. The school staff knew when Dana needed to be with us at
the hospital and were so flexible in making that time happen. Dana grew up a
lot that year and Mrs. Britain and others from the school were there to help
her grow and cope with all that was happening in our family. Dana is now in
college and I think she remembers her life at RMH as the most positive
experience in her life. God brings people and places into our lives and they
leave the largest imprints on our hearts." </span><o:p></o:p></em></strong><br />
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</span><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">"What I remember
most from my children’s time at the RMH school is that imprint of education
with CARE! I experienced having a child who was ill attending school as well as
his sibling. If asked if the school is the biggest asset of the house? Of
course I'd say YES! What it provided for my family and our life during that
difficult time was wonderful, but perhaps more importantly, it provided us a
lifetime of memories and gratitude."</span><o:p></o:p></em></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAF8qLJuQGlDN3OzBiZtk3vI3-OYP-DAK3-stcysreOJtrPnKE5DQDOyGMoZBdgF51zK17JyoKr3LeDMNuXYSFPW1bB8rxa7pElHNsJ1yBwHow6QSuJ-kmpH0AVlpd1BG6pkmMCJ18woe/s1600/dana%252C+dawson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiAF8qLJuQGlDN3OzBiZtk3vI3-OYP-DAK3-stcysreOJtrPnKE5DQDOyGMoZBdgF51zK17JyoKr3LeDMNuXYSFPW1bB8rxa7pElHNsJ1yBwHow6QSuJ-kmpH0AVlpd1BG6pkmMCJ18woe/s400/dana%252C+dawson.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Dawson and his big sister, Dana, were able to attend school together at the RMH.</em></td></tr>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-37183337371186347782013-04-22T11:16:00.000-07:002013-04-22T11:16:03.171-07:00"If it wasn’t for the time I spent with the kids of the RMH, I’m not sure I would have known what it meant to be brave. I think that makes me one of the lucky ones."
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week’s Marvelous Monday post features
another exceptional volunteer, Jeff. A common role for volunteers is “House
warming.” House warmers help out in various ways, including preparing and serving lunch for students in our
school, followed by then supervising during lunch and recess. Jeff began volunteering as
a House warmer, helped with many special events and even became an ambassador
in the community to tell others about our mission. Jeff was
willing to help wherever and however he could. However, the job he enjoyed most
was being with the kids at lunch and recess. After Jeff graduated from the University
of Minnesota, he moved to New York City. As it turns out, we were
never far from his thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jeff writes:<br /></span><strong><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"My Strange and Fortunate Life as the Jellyman...<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2002; my first year as a student [living in Frontier Hall at the University of
Minnesota] was an exciting time. Like most freshman, I was exploring a
life far from home, meeting new friends and figuring out what I wanted to
study. While this felt like the beginning of something great, I couldn’t help
but be humbled each day as I walked the sidewalks around my dormitory and
encountered the brave and adorable RMH children – many bald and most wearing
medical masks on their way to and from the hospital. I
soon learned these kids were living with their families at the Ronald
McDonald House and undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses such as
leukemia. Many were far from home and in the Twin Cities for a life-saving
transplant or other complicated medical procedure. It was admittedly a dose of
reality to see them on a routine walk to class. </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spring semester
came and I decided to get involved. I couldn’t
just walk past every day without feeling as if there was more to life than
pursuing self-focused goals. It struck me how lucky I was that I was healthy
and had enjoyed a full and happy childhood. It could easily have been me or
someone I loved in their shoes. So, I started volunteering at the RMH between
classes. Twice a week, I would do whatever I could to help out the staff:
stocking food pantries, cleaning rooms or planning activities. It was rewarding,
but I wondered what it would be like to work with the children. Then, I got my
chance when I was asked if I would like to help with the school lunch
hour. </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I
couldn’t have predicted how amazing it would be to interact with the siblings
and often the patients themselves. Their energy, their optimism and their passion
for life was inspiring. I would enter each volunteer shift worried about an
exam or my ambiguous future and exit completely appreciative of the simplest
things. One could say the perspective I gained working at the RMH truly set the
foundation for me to be a better man…or at least a guy the kids would come to
call “Jellyman.” </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong><em>The
story goes, one routine day, the students learned an important
lesson from their talented teacher [Mrs. Britain] on alliteration </em></strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">– </span><strong><em>which is the literary term for
repeating consonant sounds. Rowan </em></strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span><strong><em> a young Egyptian girl was
pointing at her classmates and providing them nicknames by applying the lesson.
When she came to me, she declared proudly, “JELLY JEFF! JELLY JEFF!” Of course,
there was a chorus of laughter among the group (which only finally faded when I
brought out their lunch). </em></strong></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shortly
after, as I worked on cleaning the dishes, I heard a high-pitched endearing
request echo toward me:</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Hey, Jellyman!
Can you help me open my milk?” The boy responsible, seven-year-old Elijah,
didn’t flinch in calling me Jellyman. In fact, he actually thought that was my
name. And it stuck. From that day forward I was the Jellyman. (The moniker
became such folklore that many RMH staff members to this day only know me by
it). Years would pass and I would graduate and move to New York City to begin a
new chapter…sadly parting ways with the RMH, but taking the Jellyman name
with me. </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fast
forward a few years into my life in Manhattan when I found myself confronting
one strange symptom after another, which led me to the emergency room. Having
experienced 27 years of a healthy life, I never could have predicted what would
come of that trip to the hospital. To this day, the doctor’s words seem
surreal. “Jeff, you have leukemia.” </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I bet
you didn’t see that coming. I know I didn’t. Life is rarely predictable and
disease knows no bounds.</span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On my
first day of radiation, I was parked in a wheelchair waiting for my turn in the
treatment chamber. As I nervously anticipated being microwaved, a young boy (age
9) was parked next to me with his father. He had several days under his belt
and was on-deck for another round. Yet somehow, he was still smiling ear to
ear. His toothy grin immediately took me back to the kids of the RMH in Minneapolis. My mind drifted to the four years I spent volunteering. I realized
in that moment, I had a built-in source of motivation for survival to tap into.
I looked at the young boy and smiled back as they wheeled me in for my turn. </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I
came out, despite feeling sick and struggling physically, I worked up a big
smile for when he saw me. As he went passed I gave him a high five and
declared, “You’re up buddy- you’ll do great." As I said the words, I knew I didn’t
have to tell him. He was the tough one…just like each of the kids I had
encountered at the RMH. Elijah, Rowan and so many others who had shown me what
it meant to be brave. If they and their siblings could endure it, so could I.</span></i></b></div>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></i></b><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In
November, 2011 I underwent a successful stem cell transplant with my own hero. My older brother, Matt, was my donor. Today, at 29, I am proud to say I am a
cancer survivor. If it wasn’t for the time I spent with the kids of the RMH, I’m
not sure I would have known what it meant to be brave. I think that makes me
one of the lucky ones." </span></i></b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPlBwWIjOSno15AjnMd6Y9lOivLFon1p8wnmreNabzjFFSmEQhe6OUiGzvSWiByZC_wUkYF47l4cl_7YaKl80HSaf_LMY-yaCKV7JkyPD2iduBcz5EHtu51mT48yjMve3X5Lr6teHTbL1/s1600/jeff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPlBwWIjOSno15AjnMd6Y9lOivLFon1p8wnmreNabzjFFSmEQhe6OUiGzvSWiByZC_wUkYF47l4cl_7YaKl80HSaf_LMY-yaCKV7JkyPD2iduBcz5EHtu51mT48yjMve3X5Lr6teHTbL1/s400/jeff.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><em>Volunteers are truly the heart of the House.</em></span></div>
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</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-32983801356421673942013-04-15T11:44:00.000-07:002013-04-15T11:44:16.192-07:00I remember thinking during my first day, “Wow, this is what school should be!”
This week’s Marvelous Monday features another one of our
AMAZING volunteers. (April is volunteer appreciation month!) We are fortunate
in that some of our volunteers are retired teachers. Their teaching expertise adds
so much to the classroom. Ann taught kindergarten for many years and upon
her retirement, offered to help us out during a particularly busy time in the
classroom...seven years ago! <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPmZdTfw6JfKJ9A8wSFjLV2XUo4fgfGX-bwXMFnr-CcnItgaNSlmGOUsjFfg1dvKJ7QaX6e6z0Nza30XAtgrSmMqk-RxqHW5S-_i-Xyeb5_VBV5cO6ZjM3V7CgPf3Ao7d4sQxduWbzWZP/s1600/IMG_3628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPmZdTfw6JfKJ9A8wSFjLV2XUo4fgfGX-bwXMFnr-CcnItgaNSlmGOUsjFfg1dvKJ7QaX6e6z0Nza30XAtgrSmMqk-RxqHW5S-_i-Xyeb5_VBV5cO6ZjM3V7CgPf3Ao7d4sQxduWbzWZP/s320/IMG_3628.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Ann starts each week in the RMH school.</em> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ann writes…….<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><em>As a
newly retired teacher, a classroom was the last place I expected to be spending
my free time. I was invited to help out for a “short time” while the
classroom was at capacity in the fall of 2005. Well, here I am 7 ½ years later.
It’s been a pleasure to start my week each Monday with the Ronald McDonald
House students, listening to their “Positrations” and being part of a warm,
supportive community.<o:p></o:p></em></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I remember thinking
during my first day, “Wow, this is what school should be!” This is the
classroom model that professors promoted when I was in grad school: small
student numbers, 1 to 1 support, each student learning at his or her own pace with
time and opportunity to explore individual interests. It’s all there in the
Ronald McDonald House School. I love watching the students of different ages
and cultures interacting as they learn. Not only do these students (who have
been yanked from home and school) keep up with their studies, they blossom and
move ahead or conquer a skill that has challenged or frustrated them.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<strong><em> All the Marvelous Monday posts highlight the classroom’s positive and
supportive climate. Mrs. Britain and Mrs. Hoops set that tone at the beginning
of each day with “Positrations." It helps us all </em></strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span><strong><em> adults and children, look for
and appreciate bright spots in our days. Mrs. Britain and Mrs. Hoops also use “Positrations” to help the students cope with incredibly difficult
circumstances. For example, a student might share that a sibling had trouble
breathing overnight and is back in the hospital. You can see the teachers process
the information and then say something like: “Can I write down “The doctors are helping Sam
breathe?" The student will nod and you can see his or her entire body relax.<o:p></o:p></em></strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Volunteering in the classroom is fun! I was an elementary school
teacher so interacting with teenagers has been a blast. They continue to
educate me in academics and pop culture. Meeting children from all over the
country and the world, I’ve learned about Argentina, Peru, Ireland, Senegal,
India, Hawaii, ranching, surfing, hockey, hunting . . . And I love watching newbies
experience Minnesota winters. Winter becomes a lot more tolerable when you get
to watch kids play in their first snow.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> I’ve volunteered in many organizations and had a variety of
experiences. I’d like to thank the staff of the Ronald McDonald House
School and the entire organization for making my time in the
classroom and around the House such a positive experience. I’ve felt welcomed,
respected and appreciated.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Thank you, Ann. We are so grateful for your dedication to our RMH
students and teachers. What an incredible impact you've had on our community. You know the saying" Teachers don't ever retire?" We're honored that in your case, it was true. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRbyxrQhgzsSJW6XLyi99XBzh3L2LnZf4o0B1hvLcIdq-ZAcXNxTjIX2pnqol6Nrmf8Q4Svkw1RrQVo5PkvWw5td8kXAMDWoOkl15gHmrdu7G-oTFlAOWG5PNbOsNep1tr6aynyvIniwl/s1600/IMG_3630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRbyxrQhgzsSJW6XLyi99XBzh3L2LnZf4o0B1hvLcIdq-ZAcXNxTjIX2pnqol6Nrmf8Q4Svkw1RrQVo5PkvWw5td8kXAMDWoOkl15gHmrdu7G-oTFlAOWG5PNbOsNep1tr6aynyvIniwl/s400/IMG_3630.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Classroom volunteers give our students the one-on-one attention necessary to help them thrive through a difficult time.</em> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-6601207614000143902013-04-08T15:15:00.000-07:002013-04-09T07:48:42.367-07:00"For me, the school was more than a classroom. It was a life-changing experience."<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This week’s Marvelous Monday
post recognizes a former student, Mimi. In 2005, Mimi and her family came to
Minnesota from Amman, Jordan for treatment for Mimi’s youngest brother, Ahmad.
Ahmad battled an aggressive form of leukemia. Mimi participated in the summer
activities program with her family, and then in September, she enrolled in
school as an 11<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> grader. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l9WgbTpDblEKrxPfzD0Dl-MKUaT_m4NP78WMtX7y_phqUM4oAtek6pZK2d5Em7zEWtfYsc6_vzeuCFRGi2y_-ZgZW8s_UbB4ul2_xkYJPLcseq_svRRwI2Vp7LhHVZ3lpsNelGR51ewJ/s1600/bbmimi+at+rmh.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5l9WgbTpDblEKrxPfzD0Dl-MKUaT_m4NP78WMtX7y_phqUM4oAtek6pZK2d5Em7zEWtfYsc6_vzeuCFRGi2y_-ZgZW8s_UbB4ul2_xkYJPLcseq_svRRwI2Vp7LhHVZ3lpsNelGR51ewJ/s400/bbmimi+at+rmh.png" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Mimi came to the RMH in 2005 for her brother's medical care.</em> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mimi reflects on her time
at RMH…</span></i></div>
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<i></i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“The minute we entered the
RMH we found the support, help, and love that we wouldn't have had anywhere
else. When we discovered there was a school at the House, we were really
surprised. For me, the school was more than a classroom. It was a life-changing
experience. Since I come from the Middle East, my education was mainly
in Arabic except for English language classes." <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i>“At the RMH school, I was
off to a good start on language skills, and in no time I was able to handle the normal curriculum for students my age. Without the hard work and dedication
of Mrs. Cindy and the volunteers, it would not have been possible. The
classroom environment helped me cope and kept my mind off what my family was
going through. Even just a short break every day made a difference." </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i> </i><i>“For a couple of hours each
day, I was able to talk with people, learn new things and enjoy my time like
other girls my age. At that time I was 16 years old. In the classroom, I found
support on hard days. On good days, I found people to share my happiness and
reason to celebrate. Mrs. Cindy always started our day on a positive note –
sometimes asking a question, which helped me see the good things going on in my
life. I would intentionally do things or go somewhere to have something good to
say the following day in the classroom when Mrs. Cindy asked her question of the
day. I had such a unique experience at the RMH school." <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i><o:p> </o:p></i><i>“I’ll forever treasure the
memories of the special people I met, the education and the memories. I
recollect all and whenever the occasion rises, I tell people here in Jordan how
kind, supportive and generous you were to us and everyone who entered the
House. Despite the gravity of the situation, you made it so much easier for the
families. The school was right down the stairs! You guys are amazing! I always
think of volunteering and being able to give back part of the care, love and
affection that you guys have given me and my family.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mimi has remained in contact,
as many students do, with Mrs. Britain. After returning home to Jordan, Mimi
completed secondary school and has now graduated from college and is working as
an architect. Sadly, Mimi’s bother lost his battle with leukemia and while
we mourn Ahmad’s passing, we celebrate her accomplishments and are so grateful
that she and her family are forever part of our RMHC family.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeK6vlB-KMeRRpL4MgfnajSQ7TGEO4_4rq3ZMI-eyPCgx2R4_8rFmB0gOhVsLziblRmjmRUchx4Oj7XRDZ5ZIZK_lemlhz70_DTm39N5ZWKECYw78V87mvEhesvCB9Q2NPLzJbT9B5Krn/s1600/ahmad+and+bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeK6vlB-KMeRRpL4MgfnajSQ7TGEO4_4rq3ZMI-eyPCgx2R4_8rFmB0gOhVsLziblRmjmRUchx4Oj7XRDZ5ZIZK_lemlhz70_DTm39N5ZWKECYw78V87mvEhesvCB9Q2NPLzJbT9B5Krn/s400/ahmad+and+bear.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Ahmad may have lost his battle, but he remains forever in our hearts.</em> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-41197231904462250362013-04-01T15:00:00.000-07:002013-04-01T15:00:22.752-07:00Celebrating a Marvelous Monday recognizing Breanna's Gift <span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Six years ago, we partnered with Breanna's Gift – a
fellow non-profit organization whose mission it is to bring smiles to the faces
of children with cancer and other serious illnesses through the magic of the
arts. The organization is named after Breanna – a little girl who loved to dance. In her honor, Breanna’s Gift brings the healing power of art to
children battling critical illnesses. On Friday afternoons, teachers from this
wonderful organization come to the House to offer dance and art classes. They
provide the materials for the classes as well as tap shoes for each child to
keep. The classes are open to all the children at the House – including
patients and their siblings. At dance class, the students learn tap steps,
practice movement exercises, and even learn exciting styles like Flamenco
dancing. It’s something to see! The kids learn the steps as well as how to put it
all together to create dance. After several weeks, the families and staff are
treated to a dance recital.. It’s a boost for siblings to shine and recognized,
and for patients to regain strength and feel the success of normal activities…the
work of childhood. All of this is gained from the gift of a dance class.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ib9lDaAI0FfkCNtInyWg5dXqseCSH1gBZ12MC61qO2oEf6u5CZxO8xK7Q5JQStgXSJWqrT-yZ32gL4LYHxJAxVe5eYYbx4WgqI6lUEo66WWdGNqic0S_9Y_ixJn9xQTJJIyuvKqTcUzT/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ib9lDaAI0FfkCNtInyWg5dXqseCSH1gBZ12MC61qO2oEf6u5CZxO8xK7Q5JQStgXSJWqrT-yZ32gL4LYHxJAxVe5eYYbx4WgqI6lUEo66WWdGNqic0S_9Y_ixJn9xQTJJIyuvKqTcUzT/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em><strong>Breanna's Gift brings dance and art to the House!</strong></em> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Onto the art. Breanna’s Gift provides projects that
vary from learning to create animals in pastel crayons, saori weaving, origami
rockets and animals, or creating mini-books. Like dance, art classes are a
special time for students to feel success, the delight of one-on-one attention,
the pride of learning a new skill, and the joy of creating. In addition to the
weekly classes, Breanna's Gift provides workshops, which are 3-5 days long, both
during the school year and over the summer months. The workshops provide a unique
opportunity for kids. It’s an intensive time to create and work together.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Founder and Executive Director, Masha Ovitz,
shares her thoughts about all the gifts this program brings to the students –
particularly the workshops. <em>“Since 2007, we have been privileged to bring our
dance, art classes and workshops to the Ronald McDonald House kids and their
families. From the beginning, each opportunity to work with kids has been
special. Some of our most memorable projects have been when everyone has come
together for our special workshops. The first of these Breanna's Gift projects
was a mosaic workshop led by artist, Lori Greene. The children and their
families worked to create a Tree of Life piece in honor of the Ronald McDonald
House's 30th anniversary in the Twin Cities community. Because it is on
permanent display, everyone can stop, look, enjoy and remember. Drama camps
with our guest artist, Annie McNaughton, have the children making their own
costumes and scenery and performing portions of plays such as The Sound of
Music and Annie. We tried getting Jerry to join us, but he was not interested
in the applause or the encores! Margo McCreary's annual puppet workshops where
the puppets are created and come to life in their own puppet theater are so
much fun. The story lines the children develop are always a surprise. No one
knows where they will take us, but it's about the journey, right? Thank you,
Ronald McDonald House! The energy, the joy and the smiles are the gifts that we
take with us. It's such an honor to work with the children, their families and
the staff.”</em></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How amazing is that?! Dance and art offer so much
to RMH kids. Thank you for your partnership, Breanna's gift! Thank you for this
priceless gift. To learn more about Breanna's Gift, visit <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.breannasgift.org/">www.breannasgift.org</a>.</span></span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-76138338897518998142013-03-25T15:02:00.000-07:002013-03-25T15:02:08.871-07:00The Whole Year!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
today’s Marvelous Monday post celebrating our school, we’re excited to feature another
student! A handful of times over the past 15 years, students have been enrolled
with us for the </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">entire</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> school year. Although it is uncommon, it is not unexpected due to the extreme medical conditions that bring families to
stay with us. At the Ronald McDonald House on Oak Street, the average length of
stay is longer than any other Ronald McDonald House in the world!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Alyssa’s
family lived at the RMH for 219 nights. Alyssa’s younger sister, Gracie, was
born with Down Syndrome and the first years of her life were occupied by many
medical complications. During Alyssa’s time with us, she was involved in many House
activities. Every Monday night was Nintendo Wii time. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Alyssa and her RMH friend, Ky, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> loved to dance! They would boogie the
night away competing with other kids and our staff. Katy could keep up...Persis
not so much! During the winter, school recess is either in the gym or the game
room. There is a fabulous Dance Dance Revolution game in the game room which Alyssa
mastered. Her feet never missed a step! Alyssa also
participated in one of our Sibling Camps at Faith’s Lodge. This is a 3-day trip specifically for
the siblings of patients. Time is spent having fun, feeling special, having
adventures and celebrating the wonderful job siblings do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Alyssa (currently back home in North Dakota and in the 4th grade) shares:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoxXXIP5PCqUd-ORwk5kV1DnSKFoX3MJ72u7BfXJcOJxJGcGvsgT8E51u0ZYbB8CBAhLDJT0jmjGsGbgD1DbeHndWlEyKbZyjP8AfvAw0BuIgMmddlFxh6XQnbGmY4xOBVfhyOLMKeqz6/s1600/alyssa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoxXXIP5PCqUd-ORwk5kV1DnSKFoX3MJ72u7BfXJcOJxJGcGvsgT8E51u0ZYbB8CBAhLDJT0jmjGsGbgD1DbeHndWlEyKbZyjP8AfvAw0BuIgMmddlFxh6XQnbGmY4xOBVfhyOLMKeqz6/s400/alyssa.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alyssa and her family lived at the RMH for over 200 nights. </td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
have so many memories of going to school at the Ronald McDonald House! I
spent my entire first grade year at the Ronald McDonald House School! I loved
that I was able to go to school and still be close to my family. Our classroom
was set up just like any other classroom; the only difference was there were
all different aged kids. It was a one-room school house just like on
“Little House on the Prairie!” I loved Mrs. Britain! She always made me
feel special and gives great hugs! Mrs. Hoops always had a warm smile on her
face and that really encouraged me. It was so nice to be able to go to school
with other kids who had sick brothers and sisters, or were patients themselves.
We all understood how hard it was. I loved Persis [Director of Family Services] because she gave me Beads of Courage and always took the time to see if I was
alright and to check on Gracie. We got to do some super neat activities in
school. I especially liked Wordily Wise, Positrations, Jerry coming to school,
and our many field trips. I learned so much! I loved lunch too. We had great
food and the volunteers were so nice to us. Our classroom was like a big
family. Together we celebrated the happy times, the scary times and the sad
times. Towards the end of the year, I was the only student left. Mrs. Britain,
Mrs. Hoops and Persis made me feel extra special and always gave me the hope
that one day I would be able to return home."<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alyssa
(4<sup>th</sup> grade | Age 10) <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">North
Dakota <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
an incredible perspective! Thank you, Alyssa, for sharing with us!
Thank you for being a great kid, a great student, a great dancer and a great
big sister! And guess what? Alyssa is a big sister again! In December, her
family welcomed another baby girl!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-83369604071574657392013-03-18T14:21:00.002-07:002013-03-18T14:21:53.134-07:00Reading is FUNdamental<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>We love every subject covered in our school! However,
reading and language concepts are a primary focus. Our teacher, Mrs. Britain,
hopes every student develops a love of reading. Mrs. B knows a love of reading is
attributed to a solid foundation in a student’s educational foundation! In
addition, Mrs. B understands the benefit of reading and being swept away by imagination. For many RMH students facing stressful daily realities,
being transported to another place for a little while is a tremendous gift.
Reading also introduces our students to role models who encounter challenges
and difficult circumstances and find ways to endure, thrive and grow through trials.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AObKu92Kcje6ajpPlJSnxe8nYEvmsFm5lUG-1w3LZ5Rb84qf2ml-i9IUOHX72t-cu8oQgVuIPOgQVXb-b_kpCC1D-3hjbTPc0rn1Zpf9JDCHLrTUggEHrqBYhe6hyio3FNypYRG2BL0r/s1600/for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_AObKu92Kcje6ajpPlJSnxe8nYEvmsFm5lUG-1w3LZ5Rb84qf2ml-i9IUOHX72t-cu8oQgVuIPOgQVXb-b_kpCC1D-3hjbTPc0rn1Zpf9JDCHLrTUggEHrqBYhe6hyio3FNypYRG2BL0r/s320/for+blog.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Volunteers from Capella University help us celebrate 15 years of serving students at the RMH!</span></em></td></tr>
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In our classroom, reading happens all day! There is
time when volunteers read aloud to students and there is time when students
read aloud to one another, or to teachers or volunteers. Students also select their own books for quiet-time reading. To see our classroom full of kids cuddled up with their books makes us truly happy. <br />
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Each month, the classroom breaks for <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Reading Club</span>.” This time is designed as a special out-of -classroom,
partner reading time for each student with an adult volunteer. The purpose is
for students to share time with an adult, which will encourage the student
both as a reader and as a special child who is cared for and valued. Volunteer
groups sign up to come to the House, read with the students for 30 minutes
and then have lunch and recess with us. Volunteers provide the books
as well as lunch. It’s a unique and special volunteer opportunity that has a
lasting impact. Book Club days are special for so many reasons. Thank you to
our wonderful volunteer groups for giving the gift of reading to our students. To learn more about this awesome opportunity, email Carynn Roehrick | <a href="mailto:carynn@rmhc-um.org">carynn@rmhc-um.org</a>.<br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-11317472115340098982013-03-11T13:01:00.000-07:002013-03-11T13:01:23.114-07:00Marvelous Monday, Featuring Julie & Hope<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today's Marvelous Monday post celebrates two amazing volunteers. Oftentimes, we share stories about the friendships children and families find at the Ronald McDonald House. Today, we're sharing and celebrating the friendship two volunteers found.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XN-L08xXWGGA_0uv8qYc0Fq5QrIPp_E0hvKwWJBMWHmeOtwjIiH1oqxsJZ6t7NQelYtnOIKkjpQiwyew1gWap1urhI2Rms3aVvE0VLdf2WUpbINw9KLlTvIBRmiJDH_gzxaub0VuWRpm/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XN-L08xXWGGA_0uv8qYc0Fq5QrIPp_E0hvKwWJBMWHmeOtwjIiH1oqxsJZ6t7NQelYtnOIKkjpQiwyew1gWap1urhI2Rms3aVvE0VLdf2WUpbINw9KLlTvIBRmiJDH_gzxaub0VuWRpm/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" width="265" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Julie and Hope have volunteered in our school for six years.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Six years ago, Julie and Hope met as "Thursday morning" volunteers in our school. Because each of our students has an individual
curriculum, most of the teaching is done on a one-to-one basis. Our teacher, Mrs. Britain, plans the
curriculum and teaches the concepts, then students are paired with
volunteers to complete their work. As you can imagine, we need a lot of help! Most
mornings and afternoons, we have at least 2 volunteers in the classroom. Julie and Hope have been devoted volunteers. They've added shifts when there are higher numbers of students in school and are flexible with taking on other tasks when the numbers in the classroom go down. They have supervised recess, added and multiplied, spelled and read (and read and read). Through their volunteer experience, they have become lifelong
friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(Julie and Hope write)</span><br />
<em><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For six years, the two of us have met
every Thursday in the Ronald McDonald House classroom. We have been blessed to
meet children from all over the country and all over the world. With ages
ranging from 5-15, we have experienced life in the classroom from the eyes of
all grade levels. The common thread, however, is the intense need for love and
community. It has been an honor for us to meet in a place where the values are
so real and important. The kids are amazing, and though their lives are
difficult and their days <span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">unpredictable,
</span> they learn to cope and rise to the
occasion of what is expected of them at school. We have learned more from these students than anything we could have taught them. It
is a true pleasure to volunteer in the school.</span></strong></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thank you, Julie and Hope, for your heartfelt service to children in need. You are truly marvelous!</span></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-62239489622881578312013-03-04T14:27:00.000-08:002013-03-04T14:27:42.879-08:00Marvelous Monday: POSITRATIONS <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1SUTYjASIt89i0pj3YBfFKl-NwB0vzPCQWC1ZrQ7BFRwEsVPmGByJLANq8816Pgf0l1DbQX53KphK10DrfGASMsmixEsmOD0HyYp2Rx-xsm-CA2U3eqf-N5dFBFwvK6U9O41qt-oXBSU/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1SUTYjASIt89i0pj3YBfFKl-NwB0vzPCQWC1ZrQ7BFRwEsVPmGByJLANq8816Pgf0l1DbQX53KphK10DrfGASMsmixEsmOD0HyYp2Rx-xsm-CA2U3eqf-N5dFBFwvK6U9O41qt-oXBSU/s400/blog.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Positrations are a special, daily tradition at the RMH school.</span></em> </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Past Monday posts have
mentioned positrations… so today we'll explain what this positrations thing is
and why students love it so much! Each morning, after the students arrive at
school, there is a morning meeting. It's a time to review the date, weather and
plan for the day. At our school, we also “do positrations” at this meeting. A
positration is a time for concent<b><span style="color: red;">ration </span></b>on
something <b><span style="color: red;">posit</span></b>ive: <b><span style="color: red;">positration</span></b>. Students at our school are under a
great deal of stress. They each have a sibling who is critically ill, or they
are critically ill. They’re away from home; leaving familiar surroundings,
school, friends and pets. Our goal is to provide not only an education for
students at our school, but an entire network of support during a medical
crisis. There is so much love and support for our students in the
classroom. The lessons move at a different pace, leaving time for conversations
about change, fears and life being different. One major way students are
supported is through positrations. At positration time, each student is
encouraged to share something positive from the past day. This isn’t always
easy for students, but each day, with the help of their teachers, the kids find
something. Sometimes it's a special event at the RMH, or the prize they won at
BINGO. Sometimes it's an important milestone in their sibling's (or their own)
treatment. There is always time for conversation about each positration,
including time to explain medical procedures. While we know focusing on the
positive is not the only way to cope in such challenging circumstances, positration
time allows for positive thinking, and most importantly, wonderful sharing and
a warm cushion of support from peers and teachers. It's a safe time for
students to share and be heard. And, there is an added bonus! Each positration
is written on a poster board. When the board is full, there is a special
positration lunch or event! The students always encourage writing with BIG
letters! :) </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are a few examples of recent positrations. (First initials used for anonymity.)</span></div>
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</span></span></span>B is breathing on his own</span></div>
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</span></span></span>Book club is today</span></div>
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</span></span></span>C (a patient) is back at school</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span></span></span></span>
</span></span></span>L is excited to go home next week</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span></span></span></span>
</span></span></span>L’s mom got to hold her baby sister</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span></span></span></span>
</span></span></span>A’s brother got a new heart!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span></span></span></span>
</span></span></span>L has been off her vent (the breathing machine)
for 4 days</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span></span></span></span>
</span></span></span>D is very excited for BINGO!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span></span></span></span>
</span></span></span>R lost her tooth last night</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span></span></span></span>
</span></span></span>K had his big surgery</span></div>
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</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">L’s mom went to trach (tracheostomy) class </span></div>
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</span></span></span>R went to the Mall of America. The turtle ride
was scary and fun.</span></div>
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</span></span></span>A played the drum set with Melody at music</span></div>
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</span></span></span>Today is field trip day</span></div>
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</span></span></span>D is so glad to be in school</span></div>
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</span></span></span>B went to the Twin’s game</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span></span></span></span>
</span></span></span>Today is bouncy house day</span></div>
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</span></span></span>B’s sister is coming in 2 days</span></div>
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</span></span></span>A and M went to Kevin Love’s baseball camp</span></div>
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</span></span></span>J had his 100 day biopsy</span></div>
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</span></span></span>L is getting help at the hospital</span></div>
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</span></span></span>A’s hickman (permanent IV line) comes out today</span></div>
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</span></span></span>A likes the author Gary Paulson</span></div>
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</span></span></span>B hurried to school this morning</span></div>
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</span></span></span>L got to hold his brother for the first time</span></div>
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</span></span></span>M solved the geography riddle</span></div>
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</span></span></span>The Ronald
McDonald Care Mobile is coming to the House!</span></div>
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</span></span></span>R won a tie-dye kit at BINGO and made her dad
socks</span></div>
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</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-24183705622401443422013-02-25T13:00:00.000-08:002013-02-25T13:00:01.849-08:00Marvelous Monday featuring volunteer, Liz Null
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today’s Marvelous Monday is the story of one of our
volunteers. Many volunteers in the classroom are students at the University of
Minnesota – just down the street from the RMH. These are such special young
people who look outside of themselves to serve others. College is a very busy time. There is so much
to balance and attend to as a young adult. We are always amazed and grateful
for the college students who carve out time for families in need. But, as Liz
says, “The giving goes both ways.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Liz has been a volunteer at the RMH since 2010, primarily
in the classroom. Before she shares her thoughts about her time spent with us,
let us share a bit about the many ways she supports our families… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1bEuDOuEE40v-OthCOMETHKAud66StmqFMTZFZhTRdjo40SoEgoLOcWD4RyuARIxHhTC3t8FYW5AXVxlioUkIGWJP6cvozhDaFd27h2YiggkY5r4AYCCxlwayvkGduHMogxVxumiQAc3/s1600/IMG_6151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ1bEuDOuEE40v-OthCOMETHKAud66StmqFMTZFZhTRdjo40SoEgoLOcWD4RyuARIxHhTC3t8FYW5AXVxlioUkIGWJP6cvozhDaFd27h2YiggkY5r4AYCCxlwayvkGduHMogxVxumiQAc3/s400/IMG_6151.jpg" width="300" /></a><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">L</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">iz is a fabulous musician, so we have enlisted her help
(along with her sister) to perform at our Parents’ Night In “Date Night,”
where<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Liz brings her enthusiasm and
generosity…like everything she does at the House. Over the summer, she
helped out on many of the field trips we took with the kids and families. When
we host a lemon-aid stand, Liz is often on the corner with the kids waving
signs and encouraging lots of sales. Liz and her family celebrated her 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
and 21<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> birthdays by serving dinner to families at the House
through our Cooks for Kids volunteer meal program. When she is not
volunteering, she is a bright and diligent pre-med student. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Liz writes…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I have been a volunteer in the classroom since 2010.
Working with kids of all ages and ethnicities challenges me to adapt to many
different types of learning styles. Although I'm now in college, the favorite
part of my week is having the opportunity to transport myself back to
elementary school to re-discover the pure joy in getting a multiplication fact
correct or scoring a goal at recess. Listening to the positrations and the
enlightening and imaginative conversations that take place among the students always
leaves a smile plastered to my face as I walk out door and on to my own
classes. I'm very proud to serve in the RMH classroom every week!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-60268482268741020452013-02-18T07:00:00.000-08:002013-02-18T07:00:00.052-08:00Rowan’s view from Egypt<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">This week’s Marvelous Monday is the amazing story
of one of our students. We are starting with Rowan, as she holds the honor of
having enrolled in our school the most times. Rowan, a wonderful young woman
from Egypt has enrolled in our school seven of the fifteen years the school has been open.
Rowan and her family come to the Amplatz Children’s Hospital for treatment for
her brother’s rare immune compromising diagnosis. As she says below, she
learned English in our school as well as many other life lessons. Rowan attended
the Ronald McDonald House School for part of her first, second, third, fourth,
sixth and seventh grades. Rowan is a bright, gentle, kind and motivated young
lady. She is a fabulous sister to her brother. She adapts to all of the changes
his diagnosis has presented to her family. Rowan knows herself, in the midst of
all the changes, and seeks out the support and help she needs. As it is with
all the children and families we have the privilege of knowing, it has been
such a joy for the staff at the House to get to know Rowan and be a small part
of her journey.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Rowan writes…..</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NA0NJLeHt0S4Gi2co6qYu6xjaIJVWSEWnAAyXTJ4vjWEIDNiGKYKPGn8zJakOpIuYQodhOquDtfsx4wtU2scSwBsg9Q9N1SGTizFkZXUMS1dF6aU9bJZy8B_5VtpHLotU4xw6uwiyxCH/s1600/shafey_family_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NA0NJLeHt0S4Gi2co6qYu6xjaIJVWSEWnAAyXTJ4vjWEIDNiGKYKPGn8zJakOpIuYQodhOquDtfsx4wtU2scSwBsg9Q9N1SGTizFkZXUMS1dF6aU9bJZy8B_5VtpHLotU4xw6uwiyxCH/s400/shafey_family_04.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We love when Rowan and her family are "home" with us! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I owe having an enchanting </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">one-of-a-kind
childhood to The Ronald McDonald House school. Mrs. Britain is a teacher one
cannot fail to admire and I'm eternally grateful for her help in teaching me
English although I’m from Egypt and English was so foreign to me. Mrs. B helped
make learning easier with her fun-loving spirit and excellent skills. This
school made me a stronger, more confident person. It was my second home because
I could be myself in it and express myself freely. I really loved positrations
in school where everyone would share what they did last week and we would all
listen with such excitement and love, like a big family. So many precious
memories, I remember when it was Halloween and Mike served us the best scary
food, and all the thrilling costumes! Also, when Mrs. Britain and I were
interviewed by a journalist which was published in the newspaper just before I
went back to Egypt in 2010. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have had such an
experience. I'm truly blessed, even in hard times the school managed to
brighten up my day with its vividly colored walls and never-ending shelves of
books. Not only has the RMH School helped boost me academically, it taught me
the most important lessons in life; it taught me to be kind and understanding
...for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. It taught me to be happy be
bright and most importantly be myself!"<o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thank you Rowan for sharing with all of us. We
think of you often. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Rowan made many friends from all over the world
while she was here. And she read and read and read. Stay tuned in the coming
weeks. We will describe some of the special things about the school that Rowan
mentioned. What is a positration? How are holidays celebrated in our school?
Who is this Mrs. Britain? A classroom as a family? Stay tuned! There is lots to
share!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-15484099135765469512013-02-11T13:51:00.001-08:002013-02-11T13:51:58.277-08:00Many Marvelous Mondays <div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Our school is celebrating 15 years of serving RMH families by kicking off a new Monday tradition called "Marvelous Mondays." For the next 15 weeks, we'll share photos, quotes, stories and other things that make our school a truly unique family service. Your support makes all of our programs and services possible, and we wouldn't be here without you! Thanks and enjoy the first "Marvelous Monday!" </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;">Over the past 15 years…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We've had 521 student curriculums were planned (87 for patients, 434 for siblings).</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> We've had 540 Monday mornings at school.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Approximately 5,250 peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches have been made for lunch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">About 3,000 rolls of paper towels and toilet
paper have been used. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">About 1,000 bottles of hand soap have been used. (There is a lot of hand washing!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Teachers and volunteers have used about 600
containers of Clorox wipes to keep the classroom clean and safe.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">About </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8,000 volunteer shifts helped in the classroom and/or supervised recess. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Students have used about 2,500 pencils and
2,300 boxes of Crayola markers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Students went on over 900 field trips.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Over 5,</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">000 books have been read in our
classroom.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Countless </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">hugs have been given. Many friendships made and so much love and support shared.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The most students we have had at one time is 23.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Most students are enrolled for an average of 40
days. Several students have been enrolled for the entire school year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every year, we have students enrolled from multiple grade levels. Our teachers work with individual student's home district to keep kids on track with their peers back home. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="color: red;">©</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></span><strong><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Students have come to our school from around the
world. 15 countries have been represented, including: </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri;">Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Egypt, India, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, The Netherlands, Nigeria, </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pakistan, </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Portugal, Senegal, Taiwan and Turkey. How amazing is that?!</span></span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><span style="color: black;">15 years of providing education to children at the Ronald McDonald House </span></em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><em><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– Oak St. What a milestone!</span></em> </span></span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-34770168200394357162012-09-18T14:38:00.001-07:002012-09-18T14:38:43.980-07:00Thank you, Coit! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYhHUzgCgiwV2hMhgl-0boHfSM77-19NWrxlyaXQc8TeckYT1gsEqvMrefUntcjQwYuhksQah01s-YXEzzgEt_Dlz3CIIbsrok8jafWSNjpcTumt8B9JCo0lCcvQ64P8F-aWUp78kmAs3/s1600/COIT+Cleaning+donates+our+carpet+cleaning+08172012IMG_3234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYhHUzgCgiwV2hMhgl-0boHfSM77-19NWrxlyaXQc8TeckYT1gsEqvMrefUntcjQwYuhksQah01s-YXEzzgEt_Dlz3CIIbsrok8jafWSNjpcTumt8B9JCo0lCcvQ64P8F-aWUp78kmAs3/s320/COIT+Cleaning+donates+our+carpet+cleaning+08172012IMG_3234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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For over twenty years, Coit Cleaning has donated the cleaning of the carpets and furniture at the Ronald McDonald House - Oak Street. Recently, Ernie, Tony, Jordan and Jacob began their day at 5:00am so they could clean the slate floors and grout in the common areas of the House before the daily activities began. Thanks to Coit, our rooms are quickly cleaned for each new family before they arrive. I recently stopped by the Coit <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span> Bloomington office to recognize this dedicated group. We can't thank you enough for your generosity. Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234702487297674230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-3467373962957746312012-09-13T09:10:00.000-07:002012-09-13T09:10:07.251-07:00Making Dental Care Accessible<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvAcK6WrgQ25oDd7cTdyX4KC42LKSWp3LoBbnmFwgd13aEukb9KWKrDYbGtlnV_WOsxOj9hiXNan0laASdBa-wkGsT4uEq8oS7WUvoOA9Int0D3IuCHzGKtzI_cFzYjfEIiIneB7_g7tj/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvAcK6WrgQ25oDd7cTdyX4KC42LKSWp3LoBbnmFwgd13aEukb9KWKrDYbGtlnV_WOsxOj9hiXNan0laASdBa-wkGsT4uEq8oS7WUvoOA9Int0D3IuCHzGKtzI_cFzYjfEIiIneB7_g7tj/s320/IMG_0039.JPG" width="196" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Thank you to Delta
Dental of Minnesota, supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper
Midwest since 2008. Throughout the last five years, Delta Dental of Minnesota
has graciously given $170,000 to the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program- providing
dental care to underserved children in the metro area. Since 2010, they have
been present as a Fam Glam sponsor, totaling $17,000. Delta Dental of Minnesota
is a true friend of RMHC-UM and we are so grateful for their continued support!</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><a href="http://rmhc-um.org/what-we-do/ronald-mcdonald-care-mobile/">Click here to learn more about this program. </a></strong></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-86271092088787753872012-09-12T16:18:00.000-07:002012-09-13T08:06:26.656-07:00Cal’s All-Star Angel Foundation Shows Support<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tom and Stacy Sutter and their family visit the Ronald McDonald House - Oak Street every summer to drop off much needed items to help us serve families in gratitude for the support they received when their son, Cal, was treated here in the Twin Cities. Cal's All-Star Angel Foundation responded to a request for new, flat screen televisions for fifteen rooms of the House. Much to our delight, the new televisions are installed and fit perfectly in the bookshelves in each room. With gratitude to Tom and Stacy and their supporters, we say a huge THANK YOU! Even though Cal's Angel Foundation is actively supporting families in the Chicago area where they live, their continued support and generosity makes a real impact.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234702487297674230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-74956978850704584822012-08-28T13:24:00.001-07:002012-08-28T13:24:42.486-07:00Twin Cities Live "Fair Fashions" Support RMHC-UM! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Check out the KSTP-TV broadcasts of Twin Cities Live while you are at the Minnesota State Fair. You can support RMHC-UM by purchasing a <b>Twin Cities Live apron</b> at their booth. Earlier this month, John and Elizabeth and <b>the Twin Cities Live team served a delicious meal prepared and donated by Acapulco Restaurants at the Ronald McDonald House - Chicago Avenue</b>. Now, Twin Cities Live fans can also support RMHC-UM by purchasing a Twin Cities Live apron at the fair. For each apron sold, they will donate $1 to our Cooks for Kids meal program. If you want to see available Cooks for Kids dates, check out our website at <a href="http://www.rmhc-um.org/">www.rmhc-um.org</a>. Thanks again, John, Elizabeth and the entire staff of Twin Cities Live for supporting families!Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234702487297674230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-90520106275034923502012-08-09T14:15:00.002-07:002012-08-09T14:15:40.554-07:00Johnstech International Cooks for Kids!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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RMHC-UM board member and founder and President of Johnstech International,
David Johnson, and his team of employees and family members recently served a fun and creative
"State Fair" meal at the Ronald McDonald House - Chicago Avenue, inside Children's Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis. Everything was served on a stick - brats, hotdogs, corn, fruit
kabobs, cotton candy - everything except for the snow cones were reminiscent of
the State Fair's most popular foods. The State Fair decor enabled
families to find nourishment and community just steps away from their critically-ill child. These precious moments to relax
and recharge are so meaningful to families...and we can't do it without Cooks
for Kids!
Families look forward to having a delicious home-cooked meal and the opportunity to spend special time with other children or family members. Johnstech International
has supported families through Cooks for Kids at all three of our locations by
providing delicious and creative meals. We salute and thank David and
the employees of Johnstech International for their continued support. <br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16234702487297674230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-3051820043251717632012-08-02T07:27:00.000-07:002012-08-02T07:27:20.732-07:00Visitors to the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®I recently had the pleasure of hosting seven health professionals from across Africa on the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">®</span>. They are visiting as part of a training program with the U.S. Department of State and were being hosted by the Minnesota International Center.<br />
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These professionals hail from the countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Malawi, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, Togo, and Uganda. Their positions range from Director of the National Tuberculosis Control Program to doctors of Obstetrics and Gynecology to ecologists.<br />
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Before coming to Minnesota, the group visited Washington D.C. and Baltimore and following their time here they will visit New Mexico and Seattle. During their time in the United States, they are learning about the public health system and the control of infectious diseases.<br />
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What better way to see public health in action than the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile?<br />
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The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile had clinic at North Metro Pediatrics in Coon Rapids. The group was able to come out to the site and take a tour of the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile and learn more about the dental services we provide on a daily basis.<br />
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They had many questions about the population we serve, how the program was initially started, etc. Needless to say, they were impressed with the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile and our commitment to dental health and providing accessibility to services. It was equally as informative to speak with the group and learn about the various programs and initiatives they are working on in their own countries. Several of the individuals are in the process of starting mobile medical programs. It was an eye opening experience to learn about their current goals and challenges.<br />
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Thank you to the visitors with the Minnesota International Center for your visit to the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile! We wish you well as you learn and develop programs across Africa!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16083489135915595086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-12991395603332411422012-04-06T08:54:00.010-07:002012-04-06T09:12:17.272-07:00Volunteers Make Holidays Sweet!<div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYGB2FOctCvonS0AyOBNUfn0-oejGVrT-WRJ6LVhLSdNosQ8l6m6yhgRk1JIm-90oFzwS_YwpH6ziXwEPUT-0fBuFZOZJV2FkKs9eJ3nHPQrLO1tXHXyZJqq11_NdfxVVlSzmJ9YtKaWH/s1600/P1000273.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728319740341141474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYGB2FOctCvonS0AyOBNUfn0-oejGVrT-WRJ6LVhLSdNosQ8l6m6yhgRk1JIm-90oFzwS_YwpH6ziXwEPUT-0fBuFZOZJV2FkKs9eJ3nHPQrLO1tXHXyZJqq11_NdfxVVlSzmJ9YtKaWH/s320/P1000273.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj994CuY-SHQc6LBEkGrgaoZCMINB9T7c6u0tT5yMqXE4DwTWEHnWr2f14L98LJOS0WgynY7kl2acA6s1Dyw53QIhoIANPjZIjo_AfYZqeCvfAvAUnfID_JbRYQ4MKf3ISbDBHpGztlYFrD/s1600/P1000262+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728319720491335842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj994CuY-SHQc6LBEkGrgaoZCMINB9T7c6u0tT5yMqXE4DwTWEHnWr2f14L98LJOS0WgynY7kl2acA6s1Dyw53QIhoIANPjZIjo_AfYZqeCvfAvAUnfID_JbRYQ4MKf3ISbDBHpGztlYFrD/s320/P1000262+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLA0v0QQEkwr21U2K7edXA3enECs1A9k6eO_1hT1zUp5X-F8sROFqyHsl-zAvHAwmBcSMnWMnbDxoC-5zHYStDunnH0ogCmCSULCDfZsoHsliBxEY3s-cKOLzJib9T-rK-0fIteWcDwbPj/s1600/P1000267.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728319717789452290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLA0v0QQEkwr21U2K7edXA3enECs1A9k6eO_1hT1zUp5X-F8sROFqyHsl-zAvHAwmBcSMnWMnbDxoC-5zHYStDunnH0ogCmCSULCDfZsoHsliBxEY3s-cKOLzJib9T-rK-0fIteWcDwbPj/s320/P1000267.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomnoSZ7kGwjr_3AIrU6dyW_BfdlAex9b35lI9R-nIJ8A_mJn5aKfdGbPYnwHQX0WPJ__j6Rw8IU3Yp1TndHQLlOczgdP8sYV3oz9z5-OAvA_pObyDERs9pEqLV6o9lEEI2Fn-YY_Dt79k/s1600/P1000270.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728319707726906370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomnoSZ7kGwjr_3AIrU6dyW_BfdlAex9b35lI9R-nIJ8A_mJn5aKfdGbPYnwHQX0WPJ__j6Rw8IU3Yp1TndHQLlOczgdP8sYV3oz9z5-OAvA_pObyDERs9pEqLV6o9lEEI2Fn-YY_Dt79k/s320/P1000270.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYh9QCe0L8JBHWR4dE0ZHVZQA7IBkBw-3lCk6OZ7BmLZxmZoKOz0O5McWZBGPr__1i2taxzuE1eFij23OsmDhrHd65lARVBlNCi_wJLBXvYScVFVByfJzwoQzscAxrHh8xiKRvdXH5xLgK/s1600/P1000264.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728319696683034066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYh9QCe0L8JBHWR4dE0ZHVZQA7IBkBw-3lCk6OZ7BmLZxmZoKOz0O5McWZBGPr__1i2taxzuE1eFij23OsmDhrHd65lARVBlNCi_wJLBXvYScVFVByfJzwoQzscAxrHh8xiKRvdXH5xLgK/s320/P1000264.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Check out the special Easter and spring-themed treats two special volunteers cooked up for the families at the Ronald McDonald House - Chicago Ave (inside Children's Hospitals & Clinics of Minnesota). We celebrate holidays big and small to bring levity to the children and families our programs support. If you're interested in sharing your creative culinary talent with families when they need it most, contact <a href="mailto:carynn@rmhc-um.org">Carynn Roehrick</a> to learn how to help.</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01124992104946929482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7287382828238673038.post-63105176274982102512012-03-30T12:04:00.008-07:002012-04-02T09:00:12.504-07:00The Lucky Month of March<div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihRBogOZADGZ0FkoDXgL7eBnc8ejMtBVUPTOiE-KwkvuNMFz7nSFzU69zxPCg4aPGClsG8NhaTcPCTrZzrVAecTOXsaeVL8LBoK5U3V90hfdRN8Nb1DCMEVnlH0fGpZPxWRJOVr7sCnB6/s1600/March-St.+Pattys+day.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 265px; text-align: center; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725768318712512258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihRBogOZADGZ0FkoDXgL7eBnc8ejMtBVUPTOiE-KwkvuNMFz7nSFzU69zxPCg4aPGClsG8NhaTcPCTrZzrVAecTOXsaeVL8LBoK5U3V90hfdRN8Nb1DCMEVnlH0fGpZPxWRJOVr7sCnB6/s320/March-St.+Pattys+day.JPG" /></a>As the month of March came to an end, the wall inside the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare was completely filled with "lucky shamrocks." In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we decided to have families write down what they feel lucky for on shamrocks surrounding the rainbow. We got many responses such as: family, life, love, kids, pets and many patients’ names currently receiving care at Gillette. Thank you to all of the families that participated in this activity. WE are lucky to have each and every one of you at the Ronald McDonald Family Room.</div></div></div></div></div>Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07239985473715440069noreply@blogger.com0