September 2015

Welcome Candice Bradbury, Our New Business and Finance Manager

 

 We are happy to welcome Candice Bradbury to the RMHI team as our new Business and Finance Manager.  She comes to us with extensive public accounting experience as well as experience in the nonprofit sector. Candice says our mission is what drew her to the House.  In her free time, Candice is an avid hot air balloon race fan which allows her to travel throughout the Midwest. She also enjoys planning day trips for a group of friends.

 

Please introduce yourself when you have the opportunity.  

 
 
Change in Website and Email Addresses
 
We recently made a slight change to our website and email addresses.  Everything is the same except we removed the hyphen between "rmh" and "indiana".  Our website address is now  www.rmhindiana.org and the hyphen has been removed from all staff emails. If someone includes the hyphen, they will still find us on the internet and we will still receive the emails.
 
 
Mission Moment

This month's "Mission Moment" is radio station B105.7's new video sharing why RMHI volunteer's take time to volunteer at the House.  Thank you Carla Crock, Marco Ray, Diana Roberts, Marie Shea, Kim Webb and Charlene Wilson for joining Michelle Study-Campbell in sharing your volunteer experience story.  

The video is also a call to action to join our B'Cause We Care for Kids Volunteer Army for a special community day of service at the RMHI at Limestone on Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m. - 12 noon.
 
In addition, our summer Communications and Marketing Interns, Rachael Taylor and Josh Thien created another video asking the RMHI community why they love the Ronald McDonald House.  Additional thanks to volunteers Cara Kowal, Bryce Nelson, Josh Thien, Shaylee Hernandez, Rachael Taylor and many others in sharing their sentiments.
 
To see the videos, please click on the links below:

 
Look Who Was Caught Rolling Out The Red Carpet  
    
Rhonda Hainer, Guest Services Manager at the RMHI at Riley, caught Guest Services Volunteer Bob Skorjanc demonstrating friendliness, compassion, cooperation, communication, teamwork and professionalism.  
  
Rhonda wrote; "I nominate Bob Skorjanc for being consistently upbeat, positive, friendly, always smiling, helpful and willing every Wednesday to make countless trips back and forth to pick up supplies and to drop off tabs at Limestone.  His tireless energy and eagerness to assist in any way is stellar. Whether it be making up beds, washing dishes or stocking the pantry, Bob's enthusiasm never fails.  He is also the "King of Steps."  Just ask to see his Fitbit that records his daily steps."  
  
Thank you, Bob! 
_________________________________________________________________

Congratulations, Bob!  Your name was drawn this month in our Red Carpet Award drawing and your Crew's Carwash pass is in the mail.
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Remember if you catch a volunteer or staff member rolling out the red carpet and demonstrating excellent customer service, please submit a nomination using the form below listing the criteria. Printed copies of this form are also available in the front office at both Limestone and Riley.  Each month, all nominations are eligible for a random drawing for a Crew's Carwash pass.

Please click on the following link for the nomination form:

 
Operations Update - Limestone  
  • An updated checklist containing the steps to check-in and check-out our families is now available at the check-in desk and in the front office.  These laminated checklists serve as a concise reminder of what to cover with our families so everyone gets all the necessary information.  Our goal is to provide a consistent check-in and check-out experience for all our guests.
  • Remember we only accept new and unopened toys and new clothes.  We continue to receive used clothes and toys and many times are unable to use them.
 

Watch for Your Invitation to our Volunteer Recognition Celebration

 

Watch your mailbox for your personal invitation to this year's volunteer recognition celebration on Friday, September 25 6-10 p.m. at the beautiful Indiana Landmarks Center. 

 

Space is limited so please remember to RSVP to Mary Friend at [email protected] no later than September 18.  With your RSVP, please include if you will be bringing a guest, your guest's name and your entrée choices. 

 

Dinner will be provided by MBP Distinctive Catering and will include:

  • Mesculn Greens - with Dried Cherries, Candied Pecans, Gorgonzola Crumbles and Balsamic Dressing
  • Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan - Garlic Crumbs
  • Three Cheese Mashed Potatoes

Entrée choices of one of the following.

  • Filet of Beef with Capers, A Fresh Saute' of Spinach and Roasted Tomatoes
  • Saffron-scented Halibut served on a bed of Fresh Saute' of Spinich and Roasted Tomatoes
  • Veggie Fettuccine with Broccolini, Yellow and Red Cherry Tomotoes, Asparagus, Red Pepper and Pecorino Romano Cheese 

Space is limited....we look forward to seeing you all there!
 
RMH at Riley Reflections from Rhonda
 
The following story is an adaptation of Loren Eiseley's "The Star Thrower".
 
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.  Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"  The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean.  The surf is up and the tide is going out.  If I don't throw them back, they'll die."  "Son, the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?  You can't make a difference!"  After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.  Then, smiling at the man, he said, "I made a difference for that one."
 
Every day countless families walk through the doors of the Ronald McDonald House washed ashore by an unexpected diagnosis, a life altering accident or a recurring, relentless medical issue and their world is suddenly turned upside down.  They are scared, confused and in need of help.      
 
Perhaps we can each recognize a time in our own lives when we were washed ashore and some kind soul, through some simple act of kindness, tossed us back into the ocean again. Just like the boy and the starfish, the work we do makes a difference in the lives of families who stay at our House.  By providing a safe, comfortable and affordable place to stay, we are also providing a break to families who may desperately need to catch one.
 
To all our volunteers, thank you.  Your commitment and your work matters. 
 
"Start where you are.  Use what you have.  Do what you can.  It will be enough."   -Theodore Roosevelt
 

Updated Volunteer Schedule

 

Please click on the link below for the updated volunteer schedules:

 

September Guest Services Volunteer Schedule

 

Happy Birthday!
 
Please join us in celebrating the following RMHI birthdays: 
 
Lisa Hull
Kyle Just
Courtney Kunkel
Colleen Madden
Carolyn McMahon
Courtney Troxel
Cathy Barnes
Bernadette Fletcher
Peggy Hall
Mona Vasavada
9/1
9/1
9/1
9/1
9/1
9/2
9/4
9/4
9/4
9/4
Bill McKernan
Jeri Shipp
Betsy Robbins
Jackie Vermilyer
Curt Hidde
Teresa West
Sarah Witwer
Cindy Hutchison
Deb St Pierre
Janet Stach
9/5
9/5
9/8
9/12
9/13
9/13
9/15
9/18
9/19
9/19

Theresa Errard
Kelsey Berggren
Charlie Giesting
Paige Morrison
Gary True
Barb Babbitt
Niraj Patel
Judy Hall
Katherine Burbrink
Hayley Williams
9/20
9/21
9/23
9/24
9/26
9/27
9/27
9/28
9/30
9/30

Upcoming Events

 

Visit our website or watch for details in future editions of this newsletter for these events that involve our volunteers.

(* Denotes a third-party event where RMHI is the beneficiary of community events organized by individuals, local organizations, schools or businesses.)

 

Sporting Clays Shoot & Barbecue

September 5

 

Volunteer Orientation

September 16

 

Volunteer Recognition

September 25 

Taste...Journeys to the Wine Regions of Italy

November 6

 

Winter Wonderland Holiday Open House

December 1

 

Substitute List
 
Please call these volunteers if you need a substitute.

Limestone
  • Lori Ball: (317) 371-9150 (Not available on Tues., Wed. or Thurs.)
  • Jennifer Cannady: [email protected] (Weekend only)
  • Craig Ito: [email protected] (Weekdays 9 a.m. - 12 noon) 
  • Rega Kowalski: (317) 241-1566
  • Mercedes Roots: (317) 356-9002 (Afternoons)
  • Paula Swift: (317) 797-1398 (3:30-9:30 p.m. and Weekends)
  • Marge Vogel: [email protected]
 Riley
If you would like to add your name to this list, please contact Mary Friend at [email protected] or at (317) 267-0605, ext. 225.
 
Please remember to notify the manager on duty for last minute shift cancellations, and if you know your conflict in advance, notify Mary Friend.  Also let us know if you are able to find a substitute so we can update the schedule.  Be sure to notify Mary or the manager on duty directly rather than through your shift mates. 
 
  Thank you!

Our Mission

To provide a supportive home-away-from-home for families of children receiving medical care at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health and other area hospitals. 


Our Vision

Nurturing a community where children and their families embrace life and healing with a sense of hope, enthusiasm, courage and joy.

 

Our Values

I CARE

  • Innovation: We aim for continuous improvement to provide the highest level of comfort and care for our families.
  • Compassion: We seek to listen, understand and serve.
  • Accountability: We strive for the highest level of integrity and transparency with all of our partners and stakeholders.
  • Respect: We treat all people with dignity, compassion and respect.
  • Excellence: We embrace our mission and passionately commit to creating the best home-away-from-home for our families.

Ronald McDonald House of Indiana
435 Limestone St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
317.269.2247
Newsletter Editor:
Mary Friend, CVA
Volunteer Resources Manager
Direct Line:
317.267.0605 x225