Our First Resident - Shielah Huelster Andersen

Our first patient to ever live at the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities shares her recollections of her stay and the impact it has made on her life, 30 years later.

At nine years of age, Shielah Huelster Andersen was diagnosed with Stage 1 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer that originates in the white blood cells.  Shielah and her family made the decision to get treatment in the Twin Cities for exploratory surgery that combined both chemotherapy and full-body radiation.  The need for a Ronald McDonald House in the Twin Cities was never more evident, than in Shielah’s case as her family initially traveled the 6-hour roundtrip drive twice a week while the RMH was in construction. 

Shielah recalls life before the RMH, “I remember my dad getting pulled over for speeding with me lying in the back of the station wagon, and the policeman giving us an escort with the lights and sirens from Chippewa Falls to the Hospital.  My mom also stayed at Powell Hall, the old nurse's dorm, for a time. I can remember the two of us having dinner from the vending machine a few times.” 

Despite being only nine-years-old, Shielah maintained a positive attitude about her diagnosis.  Much of this mature outlook originated from her wonderful imagination – something that was spurred by her mom reading “The Hobbit,” one of many gifts and cards sent to cheer her up.  “I remember sitting in my chair during chemo, sucking on a lifesaver and imagining Prince Vinchristine and his army of chemo drug warriors fighting the Cancer Orcs in my body,” says Shielah.

Doctors and nurses also played a key role in Shielah’s approach on her bout with cancer as they often allowed her to come into the lab and look into the microscope to count her white and red blood cells and platelets.  “There were times that I was scared, nervous or worried, but I was very lucky to have something unique at that time - doctors and nurses that believed in telling kids what was going on, explaining things to them step-by-step.”  And despite 30 years after her hospital stay, Shielah’s doctors and nurses are still fresh in her mind.  “I had a few doctors, but my main Oncologist was Dr. Krivit and my Radiologist was Dr. Kim. I also remember Dr. Shigeko Lau, Dr. Robb, Dr. Pat and Dr. Nathan.”

After being released from the hospital and with construction complete, Shielah and her family were finally able to make the Ronald McDonald House a home while she stayed in the Twin Cities to make sure her cancer was cured.  The minimal cost each day and the removal of a long, burdensome commute was a huge help to Shielah’s family.  “We were thrilled when the RMH opened and we were allowed to stay there for $5 a day.  It was so new, we had to supply our own paper products and light bulbs, but we were happy to do so.”

Shielah and her family were not alone, however, as eight families were able to stay in the original House.  “Being able to bond with other families gave my parents and I a built in support group that we drew upon often,” says Shielah.  “It had such a homey feeling, being able to sit on a couch with a blanket and watch TV and eat snacks like a normal kid instead of being in a tiny hotel or hospital room.  I liked being able to play with the other kids and have my parents close by.”

One of Shielah’s fondest memories of her stay at the RMH was babysitting Gabriel, the son of the RMH’s caretakers who lived in an apartment on the side of the House.  As Shielah remembers, “I used to play with and baby-sit for Gabriel while they worked around the house. I remember going into the basement and having it feel like Christmas because there were boxes and piles of toys and games that had been donated, and we were the first ones to open and play with them!” 

Life has changed quite a bit for Shielah since her stay at the Ronald McDonald House, but it is very clear that her cancer early in life made an incredible impact on the person she is today.  Shielah is the proud mother of two young children, Jesycah (12) and Jayred (5).  She teaches swimming and water fitness to people who are overcoming various forms of injury, surgery or illness at a health fitness center that is affiliated with Waukesha Memorial Hospital and Pro-Health Care.  “I often find myself being perceived as a hopeful example of survivorship and never hesitate to share my experiences if it can help someone,” says Shielah.  

Shielah is also an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society and is on committees for Daffodil Days, Relay for Life, and is an ACS Survivor Scholarship application reviewer.  Shielah notes that the last position is really emotional for her.  “I am always happy when I read that someone's experience with cancer has changed them for the better in some way. Many of these kids decide to go into oncology, nursing, or some other form of medical career because of the things they learned about themselves while battling cancer.  Who makes a better counselor or oncologist than someone who has been there?”

Shielah does not just limit her impact on the health community via her day job or volunteering, however.  As a creative and nature-oriented person, Shielah is developing an archery therapy program for breast cancer survivors.  Shielah states that, “the motion used in archery can be beneficial to the muscle groups affected by a mastectomy and it is one thing that a woman can do where having one or no breasts can be a positive thing – not to mention the camaraderie can be great for support through trying times.”

One of Shielah’s favorite accomplishments is of course her own story of being cancer-free.  “I celebrate my 30th anniversary as a survivor with the Ronald McDonald House that was so helpful in making me who I am today.”  We thank Shielah for celebrating her 30th Anniversary with us and we look forward to sharing many more heartwarming stories with you throughout the year. 

Back to list of previous stories >> #2: Keeping our Families on Course: Golf Tournaments

Keeping our Families on Course: Golf tournaments have played a key role in the growth of the Ronald McDonald House.

The Duval family enjoys a round of golf at the 2009 Ronald McDonald House Classic.

Monday, June 8th marked the 19th Annual Ronald McDonald House Classic Golf Tournament.  The Classic is one of two core fundraisers for Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest and we count on this event to provide significant fundraising dollars for the families staying with us.  This year’s tournament was a huge success despite brisk weather.  Playing at Bearpath Golf & Country Club in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, the golf and dinner sold out well-in-advance of the event and we estimate that we netted one of the higher fundraising totals in recent memory. 

Included in this exciting outcome were donations totaling over $30,000 for our “Share a Night” fundraiser.  With a cost of $136 per family, per night, we charge families $15 if they can afford it.  We never turn a family away, but we always need help making up the difference for hosting families at the House.  Setting a $30,000 goal for our 30th anniversary was definitely ambitious, as we needed a 100% increase from the 2008 tournament.  Thanks to our wonderful donors, we achieved that goal!

The Classic was initially started by the Roberg family.  After losing their daughter, Kelsey, while staying at the Ronald McDonald House, the Roberg family started the Kelsey Classic as a fundraiser for “The House That Love Built.”  Under the Roberg family’s guidance, the tournament quickly grew and became a wonderful event in honor of Kelsey.  The Kelsey Classic was later given to the RMH to continue and we’ve made sure to keep the connection to Kelsey with the Kelsey Lynn Roberg Spirit Award.  The award recognizes Kelsey’s enthusiasm for life and passion for helping others.  She was the pure embodiment of spirit and never let cancer stand in the way of living life to the fullest.  Winners of the award include the Roberg family in 2007, Randy Shaver in 2008 and the Roane family in 2009. 

The RMH Golf Classic isn’t the only golf event that celebrates the Ronald McDonald House each year.  3rd party tournaments have helped us for many years.  In fact, the Jason Orton Golf Tournament is actually older than the House itself!  The tournament was started by Dave and Carol Orton, in honor of their son Jason, to support families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities while their child was being treated at a neighboring hospital.  Now in its 32nd year, the event has come full circle as cancer-survivor, Jason Orton and his friends, many of whom are children from the original steering committee, continue the tradition of raising funds and awareness with a 2-day event each fall.  The event raised over $30,000 in its 30th year in 2007.    

Many years ago, Russ and Monica Schneiderman’s son Joey had to be rushed to the Children’s Hospital at Fairview from Northern Minnesota after a low blood count was found.  With no time to plan, they came to Minneapolis with no idea about the length of their stay and where they would spend the night.  After a few days by Joey’s hospital bed in intensive care, they heard about the Ronald McDonald House from a nurse and for $5 a night they were able to sleep in beds. 

The friendships, memories and love that the Schneiderman’s received while at the House is big reason why they were able to cope with the loss of Joey and why they continue to support the organization.  “Some of the most positive, happiest memories that we have of Joey are the ones of our family in that house.  We can’t help but give back, to grow and have it continue to service the needs of other families.”

Russ Schneiderman joined the RMH Board of Directors in 1985 and commuted to meetings from Northern Minnesota because he felt so strongly about what this organization was doing.  The Schneiderman family has also donated over $250,000 from their annual golf tournament in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest.

Golf tournaments are just a sampling of some of the fundraising efforts of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest.  If you are interested in leading a community fundraiser, click here. Visit next week for a touching story on another key fundraiser, pop tabs!

Back to list of previous stories >> #3: Annabel Jiran and Nicolette Cariveau

30 Stories Celebrating 30 Years #3 - Annabel Jiran and Nicolette Cariveau

Annabel Jiran and Nicolette Cariveau

An inspirational story about two young girls who used an amazing friendship to fight pediatric illnesses    

As two fun-loving girls in elementary school, Annabel Jiran and Nicolette Cariveau were supposed to be dancing, participating in gymnastics and having slumber parties.  Through a series of extremely difficult and emotionally-draining events, however, Annabel and Nicolette’s friendship went in a very different direction as each girl took turns organizing fundraisers, visiting each other at the Ronald McDonald House and providing emotional support well beyond their young years.

Diane Cariveau had been Kristi Jiran’s hair stylist for several years and they became good friends.  Chats at each hair appointment focused on their lives in Grand Forks, North Dakota and their wonderful families.  With daughters around the same age, they figured it would be fun to introduce them to each other and as Diane put it, “the rest was history as they instantly became friends.”

A couple years later, however, tragedy hit both families as young Annabel was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia (a rare blood disorder in which the bone marrow does not produce enough cells – reds, whites and platelets) and Diane’s husband, Dan, was diagnosed with AML leukemia.  In a matter of weeks both families had their lives turned upside down and the hair appointments became “more of a therapy hour for both of us than anything else,” said Kristi.  Diane continued, “When Kristi would come get her hair done we would talk about blood counts, blood cells and platelets.  We understood what each other were talking about.”   

After their Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World, the Jiran family moved down to the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities in June of 2006 to begin Annabel’s pre-transplant regime for new bone marrow.  Back home in Grand Forks, Nicolette knew she had to do something to help her friend.  “At the supper table one night Nicolette said ‘I want to do something for Annabel’s family.’  She organized a fund raiser at her school, told everyone about her friend Annabel and went door-to-door collecting money in ice cream pails that she had decorated.  She raised over $600,” said Diane.  Kristi was also impressed with Nicolette’s fundraising skills, “She was amazing in her abilities to raise funds; I used to joke that I wanted to hire her to help raise money for the nonprofit I work for!  Nicolette has a huge heart and it really showed during this time.”

The Jiran family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House through mid-October and Annabel even attended the RMH Home School as she recovered from her bone marrow transplant.  “The RMH was truly a life saver for us.  To be able to have a place where our whole family could be together was amazing,” said Kristi.  “It helped so much to be close to the hospital and to have a guaranteed meal every night was priceless.”  During their stay, Annabel and her two sisters enjoyed summer program activities, like visiting the library and candy factory, as well as cooking and making rockets.  Annabel’s favorite memory was when her Aunt Mara and Uncle Ken would visit and play games, watch movies and have dinner together. 

Although Annabel had a successful return home to Grand Forks, the Jiran and Cariveau families’ story did not end here.  As Kristi states, “I'll never forget Diane calling me at home one Saturday to tell me that Nicolette was in surgery for a brain tumor.  It felt surreal; I couldn't believe that this was happening to them after all they had been through with Danny.” 

In February of 2007, Nicolette started to have intense headaches.  Although she would not complain about them too much, her teacher at school knew she was not her normal, bubbly self.  On April 20th, Diane brought Nicolette to see a doctor and they took a precautionary CAT scan.  “When the neurosurgeon and the doctor came into the room carrying the scan, my heart fell to the floor!  They saw a mass, the size of a golf ball,” said Diane.  “We couldn't believe this was happening again, but this time to the most precious thing in our lives!”  After two brain surgeries, the Cariveau family moved into the Ronald McDonald House for six weeks during Nicolette’s chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

It was now Annabel’s turn to provide a shoulder for Nicolette to lean on.  “Annabel's student council did a fundraiser for Nicolette last spring and Annabel got to write up the flyer for kids to take home to their parents. That was really special for her.” said Kristi.  During a check-up appointment in Minneapolis, Annabel and her family made sure to visit the Cariveau’s and to play Thursday night BINGO at the House.  As Kristi mentioned, “It was really neat for Annabel and Nicolette to connect as they truly understood what the other was going through.” 

“RMH was a God send and I do not know what we would have done without it,” said Diane.  “It kept us busy so we did not have to think about what we were going through. It helped to have our minds on other things, like it's almost 5:30 what's for supper tonight, what movie is playing or what field trips are this week?” 

Nicolette talked about the many wonderful memories from her stay at the Ronald McDonald House, including picking strawberries, BINGO, playing Dance Dance Revolution and celebrating her birthday.  However, her favorite memory of the House was “all the nice people that cared about the sick kids.  It felt like I had a new big family that cared about me so much!”

Nicolette and Annabel remain the closest of friends, tied together by life-threatening struggles that they both have hopefully conquered.  “Annabel is doing wonderfully and there is no way to over-emphasize this!” said Kristi.  Her favorite activity continues to be her gymnastics performance team and she is back full-time with her classmates for the 5th grade. 

Nicolette is on the A-Honor Roll and is busy with Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Dance Line.  Diane said that they have to come back to Minneapolis every three months for more scans and tests.  “The last test showed that the tumor was under control with no sign of growth so we felt that we had gotten our second miracle!” 

The families still see each other frequently and have recently thrown a scrapbooking party for Nicolette, celebrated Annabel’s birthday and had a blast with Nicolette’s Make-A-Wish, a new pool and hot tub in their back yard!  “And of course, I always see Diane at least once a month for a haircut or style,” said Kristi, “but thankfully, these days our conversations do not always have the word ‘platelet’ or ‘tumor’ in them.” 

“Nicolette and Annabel are two very special little girls - wiser than their years.  They are always thinking of others and never about themselves,” said Diane.     

To check in and see how Annabel and Nicolette are progressing, you can visit their CaringBridge websites: www.caringbridge.org/visit/annabel and www.caringbridge.org/visit/nicolettecariveau.

Back to list of previous stories >> #4: Thirty Years Ago: How the RMH Founders beat the Economy to Build a House of Love.

With gold shovels in hand, the RMH prepares to break ground for expansion in 1987

Thirty years ago, a group of committed parents, doctors and McDonald’s owner-operators began a grassroots organization called Children’s Oncology Services Upper Midwest (COSUM).  This group developed a goal to build a “home-away-from-home” for families with children fighting cancer.  In October 1979, they opened the initial eight-bedroom, two-bath Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities.  Still in the same location, the House has grown to four connected houses containing rooms for 48 families.

The 1970’s economic stagflation did not discourage this small, dedicated group. The parents and grandparents involved had all experienced a child losing their battle with cancer. Although they did not live in the House, they knew the difference convenient housing and a supportive community would make to families that would follow them. Confidently believing that this small group would do whatever it needed to open the House, a founder took out a personal loan for $250,000 at the going rate of 18% interest to start the process. 

Buttons proclaiming “Ask Me about the House that Love Can Build” were sold for $2.00 each all across the state.  Julius and Mae Levine were the champion button sellers, stopping in small towns each Friday as they drove “up north.”  They would explain the need for the House and leave a box of buttons to be sold at area businesses. The following week they would stop and pick up the proceeds. 

"I'd like to help a little bit, but I can't do much" - famous words from our founder and first Executive Director, Perk Stanko, who along with other founders like Colleen Renner worked tirelessly to get the RMH up and running

Working with McDonald’s Restaurants, Joann Christenson arranged for friends, family and volunteers from civic groups, including the Rotary, Jaycees, Kiwanis and Lion’s Club to fill and sell balloons at the area McDonald’s. At the end of the two week period, a record $52,000 had been raised.  The founders were able to pay off the entire construction loan within three years.  

Although Dr. Krivit and Dr. Nesbit deliberately chose not to ask for help from the families whose children were still in the midst of battling cancer, that didn’t stop those families from using their creativity to help build the House.  Cancer survivor Jason Orton’s parents, Dave and Carole Orton, and their friends also sold buttons on the street corners around Princeton, Minnesota and began the Princeton Golf Tournament to raise funds to build the House.  Jason and his friends now run the golf tournament over 30 years later.

After Lonnie Wedl was diagnosed with leukemia in the early 1970’s, his grandparents, Ernie and Mel Perron, along with parents, aunts and uncles hosted back-yard carnivals in the northern suburbs. Each summer carnival raised two to three hundred dollars. Thirty years later, Cheryl Wedl, her mom and sisters still periodically get together to make items for craft fairs and send the proceeds to the House.

Thankfully, the economic challenges of the 1970’s did not deter the original founders of the Ronald McDonald House.  The Ronald McDonald House programs continue to grow with the same type of grass-root support that was the signature of the founders. 

In celebration of our 30th Anniversary, we are bringing back our inaugural balloon fundraiser!  On Friday, June 26th and Saturday, June 27th, you can purchase balloons at the McDonalds on 9530 Black Oaks Avenue in Maple Grove.  Balloons are just $2 or 3 for $5 with all proceeds supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest.   

Back to list of previous stories >> #5: Faith's Lodge

30 Stories Celebrating 30 Years #5: Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest reaches families beyond our doors by partnering with Faith’s Lodge.

In July of 2007, a very important outreach program opened for Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest.  Located on 80 picturesque acres in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Faith’s Lodge is a unique retreat for families who currently have a seriously-ill child or have suffered the loss of a child.  Faith’s Lodge provides a temporary respite for guests by offering them a peaceful escape to refresh their minds and spirits as they spend time with others who understand what they are experiencing.

Faith’s Lodge has eight individually-designed guest suites that can each accommodate up to six people.  The retreat offers many fantastic amenities, including a state-of-the-art kitchen with fully stocked freezer and pantry, a reading library and resource area with computer access, a movie room, a small private lake for canoeing and fishing, Faith’s Garden and multiple hiking and nature trails. 

Partnering with Faith’s Lodge is a natural fit for the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest as we focus on outreach opportunities for families beyond our doors.  We currently provide a significant annual grant to Faith’s Lodge for family programming and several of our RMH families have utilized the spacious facilities at some point during their journey with pediatric illness. 

Having a sick brother or sister is extremely difficult for siblings and we offer a variety of programs to help them cope with this situation.  Faith’s Lodge has also served as a special retreat for our siblings staying at the Ronald McDonald House.  Every few months, siblings at the Ronald McDonald House spend time together at Faith’s Lodge participating in a new program – “Sibling Camp.”

In partnership with Faith’s Lodge, eight siblings attend each camp, some from as far away as Hawaii, to connect with other kids coping with similar circumstances. The siblings spent time engaged in activities including dog sledding and creating mittens during the winter camp, and swimming and fishing at the lake and playing mini golf during the summer camp.

Other activities include making fleece blankets, relaxation exercises, creating individual pizzas, playing games, toasting marshmallows and twinkies, watching movies and generally enjoying the time together. Sibling Camp is a special experience for all kids in a beautiful setting and it would not be possible without the creation of Faith’s Lodge – a truly unique retreat for families fighting life-threatening illnesses.

For more information about Faith’s Lodge, visit www.faithslodge.org or click here to watch WCCO’s story on Faith’s Lodge. 

Back to list of previous stories >> #6: Summer Activities

We always like to keep our RMH kids busy throughout the year.  From September thru May, the Ronald McDonald House Home School is in session and dozens of students participate in classes while their sick brother or sister is at the hospital.  During the summer months, however, we launch our summer activities program!

The program consists of 2-3 weekly field trips over the 12 week period, in addition to all of the year round in-house programming.  It gives our families a much needed break from the hospital and is a fun way to get outside and see the great activities that Minnesota has to offer.
 
This year has been bigger than ever with new special events such as “Dream Night” at the Minnesota Zoo in June and “Ronald McDonald House Day at the Fair” this upcoming Labor Day.  We will also be continuing the tradition of cookout lunches each Wednesday, the Turtle Derby, sibling camp at Faith’s Lodge, horseback riding, Jerry’s birthday party and more! 

Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest has launched a new Flickr page to share some of our favorite summer photos with you.  Whether we’re building model rockets or making our very own ice cream, our summers are always packed with fun activities for our RMH families! 

Click here to visit our RMH Flickr page.

Back to list of previous stories >> #7: The Great Crane Migration

1,000 origami cranes wish Max a speedy recovery at the Ronald McDonald House.

Ace (far right) and students of the RMH Home School proudly display the photo collage from Waikele Elementary School.

They sent 48 welcome bags for each family, including cookies from a local bakery. Max’s brother Ace has been attending the Ronald McDonald House Home School, so his classmates sent six books about Hawaiian legends to share their culture with the students at RMH. And in order to share a bit of their paradise the students took pictures of their campus on the island of Oahu and sent a collage to hang in the house, along with their collection of pop tabs. 

“The children wrote us letters thanking us for taking such good care of their friends and explaining each of the items they sent to us.” said Cindy Britain, teacher at the Home School. “It was an inspiring show of support, not only for the Szalkus’, but for all the families that stay with us.”

Back to list of previous stories >>#8: Lemon Aid for a Cause

Summer is a time for relaxation, fun-in-the-sun and cool refreshing drinks from the lemonade stand on the side of the road! If you and your family enjoy these summer pleasures, join Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest in our new Lemon-Aid Stand project!  Together, you and your family could help us by setting up your own Lemon-Aid Stand in your neighborhood, letting everyone know your proceeds go straight to support “The House That Love Built.”

Check out the Lemon-Aid Stand Project website (link to Lemon-Aid web page) for a how-to guide to get started, registration information, sample posters, supply lists and much more to create the best Lemon-Aid stand ever. Don’t forget to also snap some pictures of your kids and their stands and we’ll post the best ones on our website!

After the big Lemon-Aid stand event, kids can send in their donations to help Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest. 

What your gift will do:

$30 --  Host one movie night, complete with popcorn and candy
$50 --  Provide one school lunch for 10 students
$75 --  Stocks 7 kitchens with dish soap
$136 -- Provides 1 night of lodging & programming for one family
$150 -- Hosts the monthly birthday party, complete with gifts

Lemon-Aid is an inspiring way for caring people of all ages to support a great cause and we are excited to launch this new fundraiser during our 30th anniversary. Help support the RMH and enjoy an ice-cold glass of Lemon-Aid! E-mail lemonaid@rmhtwincities.org for more information.

Back to list of previous stories >>#9: McDonald’s

As the primary donor to Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest, the McDonald’s Twin Cities and Northeast regional co-op’s support of the House has been both immense and diverse.  Our co-op’s have gone above and beyond the call of duty each year to initiate and take part in a variety of different programs that provide support to “The House that Love Built.” Not only do our local McDonald’s restaurants provide annual support, but they also play a key role in establishing Ronald McDonald Houses around the world.

Our Background with McDonald’s

McDonald’s restaurants are a significant partner in the development of all Ronald McDonald Houses.  Each Ronald McDonald House is independently owned and operated and develops an individual relationship with the restaurants in their community.  Our partnership is unique and extremely beneficial, but often misunderstood by the general public.

The McDonald’s Corporation provides a license agreement allowing each Ronald McDonald House to use the trademarks of the corporation.  Each Ronald McDonald House is governed in full by a separate Board of Directors, establishes its own mission and policies and manages its own budget and fundraising process.  Assets are not co-mingled. It is the responsibility of each Ronald McDonald House chapter to cultivate a fundraising relationship with their local McDonald’s owner / operators.

Our local McDonald’s restaurants wholeheartedly support the House by participating in various fundraising activities that happen inside and outside the restaurants.  The prominent placement of donation boxes in each restaurant makes it easy for the community to support families facing a medical crisis.  The funds that are collected by our local restaurants contribute between 20-25% of our annual operating budget.

Additionally, our local owner-operators and their suppliers personally provide financial support and in-kind product donations to the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities. Through McDonald’s, the House has access to the services and support of national donors and suppliers.  For example, The Coca-Cola Company supplies vending machines and free bottled water, juices and soda to all Houses nationwide.  Houses collect and use the change from the machines for programs for families.

How McDonald’s supports us:

Canister Program: Now a core program of McDonald’s restaurants all over the world, The Twin Cities co-op was the first McDonald’s co-op in the country to install coin collection canisters in their restaurants and drive-thrus. Today, these coin canisters have raised millions of dollars worldwide and over $400,000 annually for the House in Minneapolis.  This is the single largest fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities and it all started here in Minnesota.

World Children’s Day: November 20th marked World Children’s Day, a global initiative in its 7th year.  By donating a $1 per extra value meal on the 20th and selling “Give-a-Hands” the week surrounding World Children’s Day, franchisees of our co-op’s play an instrumental role in raising over $200,000 for our charity in that brief timeframe.  Owners, operators and employees make a concerted effort to present the mission of Ronald McDonald House to each customer and connect the House with a local television station (KSTP in 2008) for a special World Children’s Day morning telecast, complete with Ronald McDonald flipping pancakes to advertise the unique project.

Event Sponsorships: McDonald’s owner/operators sponsor our key Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest event fundraisers: The RMHC-UM Golf Classic and the Fam Glam gala.  The Co-op also encourages owner/operators and employees to participate at a personal level by purchasing their own sponsorships, as well as making donations to the silent auctions of both the golf event and gala. 

Cooks for Kids: Each month different restaurants of the McDonald’s Co-op take part in a program called Cooks for Kids.  Restaurants send a group each month comprised of owners, managers and employees to cook dinner for 85-100 people.  Not only does this help the House’s families, but it also offers a unique outlet to employees of McDonald’s to take part in philanthropy – a program not available at similar fast food restaurants.

Casual for Kids: Members of the corporate office of the regional co-op take part in a fundraising program as well.  Casual for Kids is an initiative where employees pay $5 to partake in a casual dress day at work.  Each employee wears a Casual for Kids sticker on their clothing that day to show their support to the House.  The regional office consistently takes part in this program each month promoting awareness throughout their office and to the vendors, suppliers and customers who visit each day. 

Pop Tabs: Another core fundraising program for RMHC-UM, the recycling of pop tabs, brings approximately $35,000 to the House annually.  McDonald’s is the heart of this campaign as they serve as collection points and chief advertisers of the pop tab initiative.  Each McDonald’s restaurant has a large Coca-Cola can to collect the tabs, as well as pamphlets and cardboard pop tab houses. 

Care Mobile: The Care Mobile is a mobile dental unit that will provide free dental care to underprivileged children in the Twin Cities metro region and beyond when it is launched in August of 2009.  McD Co-op Inc. is a main financial supporter for this ground-breaking project that will fill a major void in the medical/dental arena of the metropolitan area.  The positives that this outreach program will provide are immeasurable and our McDonald’s co-op is at the forefront of this exciting new initiative. 

The support offered by McD Co-op Inc. goes way beyond direct business interests.  McDonald’s deeply cares about the Ronald McDonald House and it shows monetarily and in the community.  As evidenced above, the diversity of assistance they offer the families staying at the House is quite impressive, not to mention the Care Mobile service project that is about to launch that will help thousands of children within the metropolitan community.

Not surprisingly, the McDonald’s Twin Cities Regional Co-op won the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce’s Quality of Life Award for the opportunities they offer their employees to support the community and Ronald McDonald House specifically.  Without our McDonald’s co-ops, the Ronald McDonald House simply would not be where it is today. 

Back to list of previous stories >>#10: Catching up with the Krupski’s

The Krupski family first came from Vermont to the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis, MN for their son Joseph’s medical care.  Three years later they are back in Minnesota to stay for a different reason and they couldn’t be happier.  

The Krupski family returned to Twin Cities when dad, Brian Krupski received an unexpected job offer from Target Corporation.  Brian came to Minnesota three months before the rest of his family and began working for Target a little over a year ago.  The rest of his family arrived after the kids were finished with school is Vermont.

“We are really enjoying all the Twin Cities have to offer, including the professional sports teams and events.  We are so impressed with all of the diverse cultural opportunities that we did not get a chance to take full advantage of when we were here for ten months during Joseph’s two bone marrow transplants,” said Brian.

You may remember Joseph from our 2005 annual report that detailed his and his family’s fight with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).  We’re happy to share that it’s been over three years since that memorable journey and Joseph is doing fantastic.  He came out of his transplants well with small, very manageable side effects.

“God has big plans for this little guy,” says Brian.

The Krupski family is still very much involved with the Ronald McDonald House.  They regularly participate in providing meals to residents through the “Dinners In a Pinch” group and Brian is serving on the 30th anniversary committee for the House.  Brian’s wife, Mary Krupski, is looking forward to volunteering in the Ronald McDonald House school next year when Joseph is in first grade.  Even the kids have gotten involved by recently hosting a Lemon-Aid stand with all proceeds supporting current families staying at the RMH.  Brian says it’s nice to be able to give back to the house that propped them up in so many ways during the hardest time of their lives.

In addition to their involvement with the House, Jerry, the Ronald McDonald House dog made quite the impact on their family during their stay here.  Once Joseph reached his one-year post-transplant birthday, they found a local breeder in Northern Vermont and bought a Labradoodle just like Jerry and named him, Henry. Brian is allergic to dogs, so the Labradoodle breed really appealed to their family.  Henry even visits the House sometimes for play dates with Jerry.

It is interesting the way life reconnects people and events and we are happy to have the Krupski’s doing well back in Minnesota and are grateful for their continued involvement with the House.

Back to list of previous stories >>#11: Jerry, the Ronald McDonald House Dog

The main goal of the Ronald McDonald House is to create a home-away-from-home for families with children living with life-threatening illnesses.  This is made possible through caring staff members, volunteers, donations, love and support.  However one caregiver in particular provides a sense of home like nothing else.  He is patient, loving, happy and very hairy. His name is Jerry and he is the House’s dog.

Since families cannot bring their pets with them during their stay, Jerry, a Labradoodle (Labrador retriever/poodle), was generously donated as a gift to the House at the annual Fam Glam fundraising event in October, 2006. Since then he has given support, playfulness, laughter, and plenty of cuddle sessions to anyone who crosses his path.  Although just a young dog, Jerry has already become a professional cheer-giver for everyone living and working in the House. 

A typical day in Jerry’s world is made up of playing with kids, napping, listening to troubles, getting his head scratched and visiting people all around the House – he is a true social-butterfly.  He stays healthy and fed thanks to the Ronald McDonald House’s partnership with Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet, a provider of all Jerry essentials including toys, food and supplies for the upcoming year. 

In times of heartache and stress, any second of relief can lift a thousand burdens – allowing those in pain to simply breathe. Jerry is of course innocent to know the power of his presence, but he has given these moments countless times for children and their families. His gift is something no doctor, medicine, or treatment can offer – putting a feeling of home into the House.

Star Tribune: 9/14/2007 When Jerry’s in the House
Our favorite Jerry photos on Flickr

When noted dog artist Amy Brazil offered to paint Jerry, the House dog, she had only one request - she wanted the artwork to be enjoyed by RMH families and continue to raise funds for the House long after it was hung near the family entry. Ceramic bones will be engraved and hung on the wall around the painting. Giving amounts will be $250, $500, $1,000 and $5,000. If you are interested in adding your name or the name of a loved one to the Ronald McDonald House Jerry wall, please contact Donna Moores at 612-767-2784.

Jerry’s Best Friend:

Back to list of previous stories >>#12: The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® Arrives!

Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest is pleased to announce the arrival of the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile to the Twin Cities!

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, owned and operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest, is one of 37 state–of-the-art mobile units that provide cost-effective, high-quality dental and medical care to underserved children throughout the world. Beginning this September, the Twin Cities Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will provide dental care to underserved children up to age twenty-one and pregnant women that have the greatest barriers to accessible dental care.

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is 40-feet-long by 8-feet-wide and weighs 26,000 pounds. The inside features two dental operatories for hygiene and restorative care and a welcome area for guests. The dental staff and volunteers on the mobile dental unit carry valid MN dental licensure and will provide both preventative and restorative care to those seen on the unit. Dental services include; cleanings, sealants, X-rays, crowns, root canals and extractions. Every patient will receive education on proper dental care and will leave with a referral to an area dental clinic.

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will be seen at many community sites within the thirteen county metropolitan area. The community site partners will play a significant role in identifying children with the greatest dental needs and will be instrumental in scheduling the appointments at a time that is convenient for the child. All community sites will provide a safe and welcoming environment for our dental staff, volunteers and our patients.

Just as the Ronald McDonald House allows families to have a place to live while they access specialized medical treatment, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile provides access to the highest quality oral health for children at risk. We are so grateful to our supporters; Medical Teams International (care provider) Ecolab, McDonald’s, Delta Dental of Minnesota and Coca Cola Midwest Bottling Company for supporting us as we launch this much needed program. We are also appreciative of the outstanding work of our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Advisory Board and our Marketing Team for their determination as we have worked to bring the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile to the Twin Cities Area.

To learn more or to support the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile please contact Gretchen Ambrosier at 612-767-2790 or gretchen@rmhtwincities.org.

We’ll see you on the road!

Back to list of previous stories >>#13: How your Pop Tabs turn into Money for RMHC-UM!

“It just hit me to help.”

That’s what Vince Vanella of Waste Management says as to why he wanted to help start a program for Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest to collect the aluminum tabs off soda-pop cans.

In the late 1980’s, Vanella had just finished a metals identification class where he learned that the top of the can was more valuable than the can itself.  The cans were worthless since they were dirty aluminum; however, the tabs were a pure clean dense aluminum that could be melted down to make the most profit. 

One afternoon Cheryl Blair, representing VFW #295 in South St. Paul, came into the center to recycle her cans and asked that all the money be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.  Vince, with no knowledge of this organization, researched where he was supposed to send the money.  As he researched the House, he was hit with this feeling that he had to help. 

The idea was easy; getting all parties to agree and donate their time and resources was the hard part.  After working with RMHC-UM to institute the ground-breaking fundraiser, they then had to get the area McDonald’s restaurants to agree to serve as a collection point for the pop tabs.  From there, Perlman-Roque and most recently Martin-Brower would pickup old fry boxes full of pop tabs from the restaurants and deliver them to Great Western Recycling where the tabs would be stored until they could be sold.  Great Western Recycling further helped out the cause by not enforcing the processing fee, thus the full value of the aluminum would go to RMHC-UM! 

As a reminder for people to collect their tabs, little pop tab houses are available at RMHC-UM and McDonald’s restaurants.  This was another project where Vince played a key role, securing the design and paperboard for the printing of the small collection boxes.  “This is so beneficial.  I do it for the kids.” 

Waste Management and Great Western Recycling have played an instrumental role in making this program a worldwide success and it all started here in Minnesota.  Since 1987, the program has raised nearly one million dollars for the charity.  In 2007, nearly 63,000 pounds of pop tabs were collected for “The House That Love Built.”  

As the Facilities Manager of RMHC-UM, Mike Orum has had the opportunity to see how effectively this program has worked.  “Vince, Waste Management and Great Western Recycling have always been incredibly responsive to our needs.  Vince really believes in the mission of Ronald McDonald House and never hesitates to add an extra pickup whenever we call.  This has really been a fantastic partnership.”

The pop tab program is strongly promoted in partnership with McDonald’s restaurants throughout Minnesota and many schools work with RMHC-UM to teach curriculum to young students.  For more information on the program and to learn how you can become involved, visit www.rmhc-um.org

Back to list of previous stories >>#14: The Rude's Story

The story of Dawson Rude and his family from Wendell, Minnesota is a touching one.  In April of 1999, Dawson was born with one kidney and that kidney had only 5-10% functioning ability.  The family made the trip to the Ronald McDonald House for Dawson’s kidney transplant and then went home for what they hoped was the beginning of a new life for him. Unfortunately, devastating news hit once more when Dawson was diagnosed with cancer in 2003. Dawson and his family came to the House once more for a lengthy stay that included a nation-wide search for a new kidney donor for Dawson. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TIxZd3UmVs

Now 10, Dawson is doing great and the family recently held a homerun derby fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House with Dawson running around to each attendee soliciting donations for “his House.” Here’s what Dawson’s mom had to say about the event:

“The Wendell Fire Dept and First Responders annual Softball Tourney helped add a twist to the Tourney this year by added a homerun derby to support the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities.  They wanted to help Dawson Rude support the place he calls his "home-away-from-home.”  Dawson Rude has spent much of his life at the Ronald McDonald House and loves to give back anytime he can. He and his mother came up with the Homerun Derby and thought it would be a great addition to the tourney this year.  Everyone stepped up to the plate by giving. We can't thank everyone enough for the fantastic turnout. We raised $408 for the RMH. 1st place winner Nathan Lampy won a RMH shirt and 25% of the funds raised but he gladly gave them right back to the RMH. Blessings from a Small Town – Wendell”

Back to list of previous stories >>#15: The Ronald McDonald House Home School

As the Home School at the Ronald McDonald House celebrates its 12th school year, teacher Cindy Britain said one day is still never the same as the next. The Home School is the only one of its kind at a RMH and the unique circumstances bring added challenges and rewards to the classroom.

The one-room schoolhouse is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, primarily the siblings of hospitalized children at the House. It opened in September 1998 in response to a consistent need expressed by families and the House’s commitment to helping families stay together, said Meg Katzman, House executive director. The school has served up to 24 students at once.

“Families often remarked that the most difficult decision they had to make was which hospital they would select for their child's care,” she said. “However, in their anxiety and determination to get the best possible care for their sick child, they would equally as often remark that they had no idea what to do with their school-aged siblings.”

Although the school is a new setting, most students look forward to class time because it’s a reminder of something familiar in their lives during a time full of unknowns. “Their worlds are upside down; they are being pulled from their beds, their home, their school and their friends,” Britain said. “They are hanging onto something that’s normal.”

While the school’s purpose is to help students make the transition back to their home school, the experience is often much more about character building and emotional stability than academics, Britain said. “One of the things that is great about this school is though academics are important, they aren’t necessarily the most important,” said Teaching Assistant Libby Hoops. “It’s more about life priorities.”

The students gain a much stronger understanding of being thoughtful to others and understanding differences, Britain said.  “They all know they are here for the same reason. They become this family that cares about each other.”

Katzman said the school has undoubtedly been a success for the House and residents. “The results of our school have been astounding, not only from the perspective of academic and social performance, but also in terms of the level of satisfaction from parents in terms of the importance of having the entire family together,” she said.

Back to list of previous stories >>#16: McDonald’s Donation Boxes

One thing that has always rung true with Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest is the creative propensity to launch effective and original fundraising opportunities.  In 1985, the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities teamed up with local McDonald’s restaurants to start the “McDonald’s Canister Program.”  The idea was simple: customers would purchase a burger and fries, pay a couple dollars and then donate their spare change in a little collection box on the counter or at the drive-thru window to “The House That Love Built.” 

The program was an instant hit.  Donations of 15 cents or 72 cents quickly added up to equal hundreds of dollars for the charity.  Ronald McDonald Houses throughout the nation took notice and adopted the program to raise money for their Houses as well.  Now renamed “McDonald’s donation boxes,” the program is the #1 fundraiser for global Ronald McDonald House Charities and a commercial was even played during the Super Bowl to advertise the program last year.

Minnesotans still give to the program with a high frequency; per store averages in our Twin Cities region consistently rank in the top 5 of all markets nationwide.  The program brings about $400,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest annually and remains one of our biggest and best fundraisers.   

Next time you visit your local McDonald’s restaurant, remember to drop your change in the Ronald McDonald House donation box… those pennies, quarters and dollar bills help our families immensely.  

Back to list of previous stories >>#17: The Myers Family

Back to list of previous stories >>#18: Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest turns 30!

On October 2nd, 1979, the Ronald McDonald House opened its doors. 30 years later, we celebrate this phenomenal accomplishment. 

Click here to donate today.

Back to list of previous stories >>#19: Matt's Gift

In 2006 at the age of 9-years-old, Matt Pearl and his family came to the Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities for a bone marrow transplant. Matt suffered from Fanconi Anemia and he was enduring a difficult stretch of trying to find a bone marrow donor to stop the progress of his illness. In fact during the 6-year search for a bone marrow match, the Pearl’s encouraged over 100,000 people in their hometown of Eureka, Missouri and abroad to be tested and added to the national bone marrow registry. As Matt got sicker, however, his family decided on taking a risk by attempting a transplant with just a near tissue-match donor.  They knew it would be their only option and they needed to save Matt’s life.   

In June of 2006, Matt received his bone marrow donation and thus started a difficult 120-day journey for the Pearl family. From the beginning, Matt’s fighting spirit was evident as the young boy nearly died twice and the combination of transplant cells and medicine left him with a limp in his right leg. The worst was over though, and Matt was on the road to recovery. 

During the summer of his transplant, Matt kept close tabs on one of his most favorite hobbies - baseball and specifically, the St. Louis Cardinals. Celebrating the first season in their new stadium, the Cardinals defied all odds by winning only 83 games, yet still made the playoffs. One of the star players on that team, Albert Pujols, was Matt’s hero. Matt often leaned on some of the same qualities that Albert possessed - determination, toughness and a huge heart - to defeat his battle with Fanconi Anemia. During Matt’s fight with his illness, he received a prized possession from his hero - an autographed baseball from the slugger who was being compared to legends Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron.

As the Cardinals continued to rack up October victories, the team improbably reached the World Series.  The team won three of the first four games of the October Classic and secured a clinching game on October 27th, the same night as the Ronald McDonald House’s Fam Glam gala. The Pearl’s now had to make a decision - do we watch the Cardinals potentially win the World Series or do we attend the gala in honor of the House that gave us so much?

Ultimately, the decision was very simple for the Pearl family and they gladly attended Fam Glam while receiving updates on how the game was progressing. When the program reached the live auction portion of the night, Matt knew he had a special gift for the Ronald McDonald House - he was donating his Albert Pujols autographed baseball. 

The moment could not have been any more incredible. The Cardinals were now three outs away from winning the World Series and now Matt was donating his autographed Albert Pujols baseball in honor of the Ronald McDonald House. As Matt’s ball was to be auctioned off, news flooded the stage that the Cardinals had indeed won the World Series! The ball went up for auction and the bids ran all the way up to $3,500 - a huge sum of money for an autographed baseball.

But then something magical happened. In what seemed like a scene from a Disney movie, Matt went up to the stage, held the ball, and then told the audience that he wanted to touch his prized possession one last time before giving it away. Everyone there that night immediately got goose bumps and one special donor felt especially moved by the selflessness of the young boy. All of sudden a bid of $20,000 hit the floor and everyone was stunned. What an unbelievable gift! As Matt went to award the baseball to the winner, the donor refused to take the ball and instead asked Matt to keep it near and dear to his heart. 

Now 12-years-old, Matt is doing great. When not busy with classes, Matt keeps a busy schedule as a motivational speaker. At such a young age, Matt makes people laugh and cry as he promotes the importance of bone marrow research and finding donor matches for other kids just like him. What an incredible young man and what an amazing gift he gave Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest.   

Back to list of previous stories >>#20: Dominik Lawson and Evan Cousineau

The Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities has the longest average stay out of any Ronald McDonald House program in the world.  It is because of this fact, that many of our families form close relationships during their stays.  For the Lawson and Cousineau families, however, this special bond transcended what either family would have initially imagined.

If you have visited the Ronald McDonald House in the last two years, there is a good chance that you have met one of the members of the Lawson family.  It seems that ever since Dominik was born, complications have caused him and his family to stay at “The House That Love Built.” 

Born prematurely, Dominik was in immediate need for a kidney transplant.  Luckily, Dominik’s mom, Kelly was a perfect match and the Lawson family returned to their home in Taconite, Minnesota.  Unfortunately, Dominik rejected the kidney and the Lawson’s packed up their suitcases to return to the RMH, as the search was on for a new donor.  Siblings Kailey and Donte would attend classes at the Ronald McDonald House Home School, while Dominik’s dad, Jim would commute regularly from his job as mayor and hockey coach. 

While the Lawson’s were searching for a new kidney donor, Gina and Mark Cousineau were living every parent’s nightmare.  Their nine year-old son, Evan was a bubbly, athletic young boy who participated in hockey, water polo and swimming.  One day during swimming, Evan had a seizure and doctors diagnosed him with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a genetic metabolic disease that is usually only found in young boys.  In hopes that a new drug protocol prior to a bone marrow transplant could be the cure to her son’s diagnosis, Gina, her 20-year old daughter Mary and Evan made their new home at the Ronald McDonald House, while husband Mark and siblings Derek and Alaina would fly in regularly when able. 

While Dominik and Evan received treatments at the University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, both families soon became close, sharing medical updates and a shoulder to lean on.  Evan received a double cord blood transplant and it appeared that he had beaten the odds, until a virus attacked his diminished immune system.  Evan passed away just a day before his 10th birthday he shared with his twin-sister, Alaina. 

While the Cousineau’s left the Ronald McDonald House to grieve for the loss of their beloved son and brother, the Lawson’s were on a dedicated mission to find a living kidney for their son Dominik.  An incredible and sometimes exhaustive worldwide search included appearances on local and national television, sharing her son’s plight with viewers in hopes that one would be her son’s kidney donor.  Hundreds were tested over several months, but no perfect match was found for little Dominik.    

The February after Evan passed, the Cousineau’s ventured up to Minnesota once more to thank the doctors that tried to safe Evan’s life.  They also made a special trip to the dialysis ward to visit Dominik and the rest of the Lawson family.  The families had traded messages on their respective CaringBridge websites and phone calls of encouragement, but it was a welcome sight to see each other again.  It was during this visit that Evan’s sister, Mary (pictured with Dominik), who had stayed by her brother’s side throughout his treatment, felt the urge to be tested to see if she was a match for Dominik’s kidney donation.  “I felt a conviction that this was something I needed to do and I just knew that I would be Dom's match,” Mary later said. 

Mary’s intuition was correct.  The Lawson’s had searched far and wide for a perfect kidney donor and the answer to their son’s ailment had been living just a few hundred feet under the same roof at the Ronald McDonald House.  On April 30th, 2007, exactly one year after Evan suffered his initial seizure, Mary called the Lawson’s to let them know that she would “be offering their son a new chance at life.”

Less than a month later and after a six-hour operation, Dominik had a new kidney.  Mary’s kidney had now provided Dominik with a new life, full of the exciting developments any young child should grow through.  At nearly three years of age, Dominik was now able to eat pizza, chocolate and other foods.  His energy level was now through the roof as he was playing catch with his sister, Kailey and hockey with his brother, Donte.  This incredible transformation would not have been possible if not for a selfless act by a grieving sister, who reached out to a family in desperate need and became a hero.         

This past August, the Cousineau and Lawson families excitedly met once again at “The House That Love Built” with little Dominik lifting up his shirt and showing everyone his present and lifeline from Mary.  Reflecting on Mary’s generosity, Kelly Lawson said, "Of course, we say thank you, and we love you, but I don't think you can ever express the emotion and the gratefulness that we truly feel. There are no words. It's a blessing every minute I look at him."

But for the young college student, mature beyond her years… she was just embracing her family's mission to "Save Lives in Honor of Evan."

Back to list of previous stories >>#21: Our Minnesota Sports Connection

Goalie, Josh Harding hangs out with the Lawson family.  Kevin Love poses with the Myers brothers during a visit. The Lynx assist with dinner and shoot hoops with the kids.

30 Stories Celebrating 30 Years #21:
Our Minnesota Sports Connection

Minnesota sports have played a huge role at Ronald McDonald House Charities, Upper Midwest. Not only are donated tickets to sporting events a wonderful gift for a family that is looking for a distraction after a long day at the hospital, but player visits are a special opportunity for children to meet some of their heroes. 

From individual tickets to suites, the Minnesota Twins, Wild, Vikings, Timberwolves, Lynx, Swarm and Gophers have always provided donations to “The House That Love Built.”  The opportunity for families to catch a ballgame for free and reenergize as a family has always been one of the many highlights mentioned after a stay at the Ronald McDonald House.  Former Gopher basketball great, Quincy Lewis, donates his tickets to every home Gophers basketball game as part of his “Golden Moment” campaign.  All-star Marian Gaborik consistently supported the Ronald McDonald House by providing suites for families at the House a few times each season and now newly-signed star, Martin Havlat, is picking up where Gaborik left off and is doing the same. 

Tickets are a wonderful gift, but player visits are always an unforgettable memory for kids at the House, as well.  From Kirby Puckett and Torii Hunter of the Twins, to Kevin Garnett and Kevin Love of the Timberwolves, several players from our favorite sports franchises make a special stop to the House each year.  Most recently, pitcher Jon Rauch of the Twins ate lunch with kids at the Ronald McDonald House Home School and played a game of ball in the courtyard over recess. 

We graciously thank our sports teams for providing our families with an exceptional opportunity to take part in the magic they create on and off the field. 

Jon Rauch and TC Bear stopped by the House in the middle of their 2009 Central Division-winning stretch run.	Kevin Garnett adds his signature and hand to our “wall of hands” in the gym.
BMX riders stop by the House to teach the kids some fun tricks.	RMH families enjoy a suite and visit from Vikings cheerleaders at a big game.

Back to list of previous stories