Through the window - Snow

Through my window today I see snowflakes falling, adding to the piles already here. To me, it looks like shoveling and long commutes, but to the family I just met from Texas, it is a once in a lifetime experience. Seeing them gazing happily out the windows made me stop and appreciate the snow, just for a moment. It's experiences like this that make me appreciate working right inside the RMH-Oak Street and to be part of an organization that provides a haven for families from across the country. I know it will still be a bit of a pain for me, but as I shovel tonight after work, I'll think about that family and the fun they saw out the window.

We Support Families

Even though we reach thousands of families each year, we never take our focus off each one and their unique story.

Thank You Volunteers!

Yesterday, a group of 11 volunteers from UHC came to the RMH- Oak Street to help us clean. Our mission wouldn't be possible without the dedication of groups like this. Thanks to all of our volunteer groups for their selfless efforts during this very busy holiday season!

Through the window - Former Family visits

Again, through my window I see many things here at RMH-Oak Street, but one of my favorite things is when former families come back and I recognize them as they drive in to the parking lot. Today, a great family came by for a visit and a night of BINGO before a 6 month check-up. It's great to see their smiling faces and to catch up on what they've been up to since we last saw them. Visits like this really bring joy for me and the work we do here at RMHC-UM.
The family from today in particular is fun because they have made it their mission to collect hundreds of pounds of pop tabs to help raise funds for the charity. It all started with just a few pounds and a delivery after a few months away from the RMH. Six months ago they delivered over 500 pounds, and today another 290! Hauling pop tabs in 15 degree weather isn't my favorite part of the job, but catching up with them while we worked and hearing about the first semester of high school made it all worth it in the end.

Here's a photo from the summer drop off - if only it were still flip flow weather here in Minnesota!

The New House!

It's been a long time coming, but the new House, inside Children's Hospital, Minneapolis is just a few days away from opening. There have been events all week to kick-off the opening -from a media tour on Monday, a Donor Reception on Wednesday and an all-staff and volunteer open house today. The opening of the new House is incredibly exciting because there is no geographic requirement -- we've expanded our service to local families! Thanks for sharing the excitement of the opening of a second RMH. The common areas of the new House open November 1st and overnight stays will begin in February. There are 16 bedrooms, so beginning February, we'll be serving 64 families, 365 days per year. Amazing!

(photos by Mike Krivit)

Summer Fun at the Ronald McDonald House

Fall is in the air! The Minnesota State Fair has come and gone, the U of MN students have returned to campus and to volunteering here at the House :) and the Ronald McDonald House School started last week. But before we get too far into fall, picking apples and getting ready for Halloween... we wanted to highlight some of the fun summer moments we enjoyed at the House......
we played baseball...
we sold lemonade to raise money for the house...
we made fun clay creations....
we cranked fresh ice cream...
we celebrated Jerry's 4th birthday....
we went bowling....
we made yummy pizza....
we cheered on our turtle Flash at the Turtle Derby....
we made t-shirts for the 4th of July and tie dye too...
we paddled the lakes in Minneapolis....
we had fun at the water park....
we rode horses....
we went to Faith's Lodge for Sibling Camp....
we climbed high on the rock wall....
we performed selections from Annie as part of our drama camp....
we built rockets....
then we decorated them....
and then we launched them....
we were Queens for a Day....
we made blankets...
we made beautiful beaded bracelets and zipper pulls.....
and we celebrated the end of summer with our annual Luau...
We had so much fun together!!

Here is a slide show of some of our adventures. Be sure to click the white message box in the bottom left corner to see the captions.

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® at the State Fair

I love the State Fair and was thrilled to be in the parade with the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile this year. What a wonderful parade! The Ronald McDonald House Care Mobile was at the fair with representatives from the House both August 26th and September 2nd. The fans waved and cheered enthusiastically as we walked and drove by. The bands and various acts who are in the parade were really fun to see, too.

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile provides mobile dental care for uninsured and under-insured children and youth in the 14-county metro area. In just a year since inception, over 1,000 children have received dental care. Many of the children had never been to the dentist before.

BMW of Minnetonka, the Valet Sponsor of our annual gala, Fam Glam, provided a BMW Convertible so the Williams, a current family who are staying at the House while their daughter is receiving treatment, could ride in the Fair parade. Molly, Luke and Jean had a great time waving to the crowd as they rode in the convertible. I have to admit - I loved driving the BMW, too! Thanks, BMW for your continuing support of RMHC-UM families.