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RMHC Love Notes             September 2016

September is National Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Awareness Month.  Most of our families find themselves at the Ronald McDonald House because their children are in the NICU. Babies in the NICU are often very small and fragile, which limits a parent's ability to hold, bathe, or feed them.  Parents often feel helpless and scared, which is why it's so important we are here to provide support along with warm smiles, hot meals, fresh bedding, and other comforts of home. 

During NICU Awareness Month, we want to acknowledge the amazing nurses and physicians who provide great care for these littlest ones, and the kind social workers who connect families with us and continue providing support throughout their child's hospital stay.  The care team truly puts their heart and soul into their work.

Thank you for helping us keep families close to their hospitalized children - your donations, volunteerism, and support really do make a difference.

Mindee Reece, CEO/Executive Director
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Kansas

Denim to Diamonds Havana Nights Gala

The 14th Annual Denim to Diamonds gala took place on Saturday, August 20, 2016, with more than 400 people in attendance.  The theme was "Havana Nights," with authentic Cuban food, a mojito bar, and music performed by Mark Camacho.  Highlights of the evening included photo ops with Ronald McDonald and premiere of the 2016 Ronald McDonald House Family of the Year video, which resulted in more than $20,000 in Share-a-Night donations to support family stays at Topeka's Ronald McDonald House.  This year we introduced mobile bidding on all of the silent auction items.  This allowed gala attendees as well as others to place bids on more than 200 donated items.  The live auction featured 15 amazing items, including Southwest Airlines tickets, an all-inclusive Cancun vacation, a black and white diamond necklace, and a Spirited Liquor Cart.  Overall Denim to Diamonds proceeds are $65,000, a significant increase over last year's event.

"Havana Nights was one of our most extraordinary Denim To Diamonds galas to date, with amazing decor and fantastic auction items," commented Joyce Beals, Denim to Diamonds Planning Committee co-chair.  "The assistance of our Board members, volunteers, donors, sponsors, House staff , McDonald's Owner/Operators, and the attendees truly made this event a success.   We can all work together to raise more money in the coming year's events so we are able to provide a home-away-from-home for families with critically ill children."

We sincerely appreciate the sponsorship, participation, and support of the McDonald's Restaurant owners and operators, as well as our other sponsors:
  • Alpha Media
  • Bartlett & West
  • Best Harvest Bakeries
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas
  • CBIZ
  • CFS Engineers
  • CoreFirst Bank & Trust
  • Creative Business Solutions
  • Diamonds by Design
  • Dobski & Associates
  • Dr. Pepper
  • Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds & Palmer
  • Hill's Pet Nutrition
  • J.F. McGivern, Inc.
  • Laird Noller Ford
  • Lincoln Center
  • McDonald's Corporation
  • McDonald's/Alta Prairie, Inc.
  • MIze, Houser & Company
  • NEKAN Co-Op
  • Reser's Fine Foods
  • Security Benefit
  • St. Francis Health
  • Standard Beverage Corporation
  • Stormont Vail Foundation
  • Tallgrass Brewing Company
  • Westar Energy
  • WIBW
  • Worldwide Wine & Spirits
Denim to Diamonds Planning Committee Co-Chair Mary McBride said, "The overwhelming support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Kansas by the community through sponsorship, donations, gala attendance, and partaking in the live and silent auctions is completely heartwarming."   
While Denim to Diamonds emcee Melissa Brunner looks on, RMHC Board President Nathan Leadstrom welcomes participants and shares a personal story about why he supports the Ronald McDonald House.
SGT Donald Watkins, his wife Carrie, and their daughter Aspen'Ahnalise are our 2016 Family of the Year.  Click on the image above to view this video, which tells their Ronald McDonald House story.
Done in a Day Project

Joan and Blake Sutton, with help from their family and friends, have transformed one of our sleeping rooms from a simple room with two beds to a place of comfort and warmth!  They participated in the Done in a Day Project in honor of their son Drew, who passed away, and their personal Ronald McDonald House experience.  We appreciate the love and care they put into this amazing room transformation, and are proud to display a plaque honoring Drew.

All eight of our sleeping rooms have been adopted for updating through this project, and we appreciate the creativity and generosity of all families and organizations involved.  Through their kindness, families will hopefully rest easier in this home-away-from-home.
The Ronald McDonald House in Topeka provides a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children being cared for in a nearby hospital. Annually, more than 2,000 nights of lodging are provided at an approximate cost of $75/night. Families are requested to make a $25 donation for each night's stay; however, less than 25 percent of our families are financially able to do so.  No one is ever turned away for inability to pay. Our families are provided a room with a private bathroom; a kitchen with three meals a day, including a hot evening meal; a family room; and laundry facilities.  We are open 365 days a year. Last year, 429 individuals stayed at our House.
Upcoming Events
  • Huff 'n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally, Tinman Circle at Lake Shawnee, Topeka 
    • Friday, Sept. 9,            5 - 10 pm
    • Saturday, Sept. 10,   5 - 10 pm
  • 2017 Pull-a-Plane Challenge, American Flight Museum, Forbes Field, Topeka
    • Saturday, June 10
  • 2017 Denim to Diamonds Gala, Ramada Inn Hotel & Convention Center, Topeka
    • Saturday, Aug. 20
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Kansas
825 SW Buchanan Street
Topeka, KS  66606
(785) 235-6852
info@rmhcneks.org
www.rmhcneks.org

 
Copyright © *2016* *Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Kansas*, All rights reserved.


Our mailing address is:
825 SW Buchanan Street
Topeka, KS  66606

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Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Kansas · 825 SW Buchanan Street · Topeka, KS - Kansas 66606 · USA

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