December 2015
 
Thank you to the 200+ generous donors who helped us raise over $40,000 for our families on #GivingTuesday!  Many of these donors are new  to the RMHI cause.  B ecause of this extraordinary response we have funded the cost of 450 overnight stays at the House. Thank you to all who participated in this fantastic day of giving.

 
Home for the Holidays Open House 

 

Thank you to all who were able to join us for this year's annual holiday open house. The day was filled with great food, entertainment and fellowship.  An event like this requires a great deal of teamwork so special thanks goes to all the staff members and volunteers who helped make it possible. We look forward to doing it all again next year!  Save the date for 2016...November 29th.

 
The Holidays at the Ronald McDonald House
 
Like many homes, the holidays around the House are filled with fun and celebration. Check out all of the fun we have going on this monthy.  
 
McDonalds Owner / Operator Dinner - December 15
  
Holiday Meal at Riley Hospital - December 18
  • Riley Hospital Atrium from 2 - 6 p.m.
  • Donated by Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
  • Volunteers should contact Rhonda Hainer at [email protected].

Christmas - December 25

  • Pastries provided by McDonald's Owner/Operators, Jim and Terry Props
  • Dinner provided by Sam Hoss and friends

Santa Shop - December 18 - December 25

 

Santa Shop helpers are needed to help families select items, restock and keep the shop organized.  A volunteer sign up sheet is located in the front office at Limestone or contact Connie Cripe at [email protected].

  • December 18 from 5-8 p.m.
  • December 19 from 12-5 p.m.
  • December 20 from 12-5 p.m.
  • December 21 from 4-8 p.m.
  • December 22 from 4-8 p.m.
  • December 23 from 4-8 p.m.
  • December 24 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • December 25 (Manager on duty if needed).
 

Holiday Wish List

 

If you receive inquiries about our holiday wish list, it is now available on our website. Please direct the caller to our website at rmhindiana.org and search for "Wish List". 

 
 

Thank you Bryce Nelson

 

Recently, Guest Services Volunteer and musician, Bryce Nelson, performed at the Warren Performing Arts Center and arranged for 20% of the proceeds to benefit the House. In addition to his moving performance, he did a wonderful job of educating the audience about the House and how the proceeds are used to serve our families. He also provided entertainment for our guests during this year's holiday open house. Thank you Bryce for your continued support of the House and the families we serve.  
 
Super Service Challenge

Looking for a quick and easy way to help support the House? Join the Super Service  Challenge!  Any volunteer group of two or more can enter by doing the following:
  1. While you're volunteering, create a short (two minutes or less) video explaining why you volunteer for the Ronald McDonald House.  The video must contain at least two people in your group.
  2. Upload to the Super Service Challenge website.
  3. Share with our friends and family so they can vote!

Each submission is placed on the Super Service Challenge website for viewing.  Anyone can vote for any video they see on the site.  For every 25 votes that a video collects, the video will receive an additional entry to win a prize.

 

Voting and video submission for 2015 all cease on December 31.  In January, the Super Service Challenge board chooses videos at random and awards cash grants ranging from $500 to a grand prize of $50,000.  Last year, the House received $4,000 total!

 

To learn more, please visit their website: Super Service Challenge.

 
Thank you to a group of IUPUI students who created and posted their video  Reason for Serving. Please vote for them!

 

Absences Over the Holidays

 

Just a reminder to let Mary Friend know if you will not be able to come in for your scheduled shift over the holidays.  Also, if you know you will have some extra time available, we know we can find a shift or two where your help would be needed and greatly appreciated!
 
Mission Moment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comfort, care and lots of coffee go into making our House a home for more than 5,000 families each year. Thank you for all you do to help us fulfill our mission! 
 
 

 
Look Who Was Caught Rolling Out The Red Carpet  
    
Mary Friend, Volunteer Resources Manager caught Handyman and Guest Services Volunteer, Byron Robinson, demonstrating cooperation, communication and teamwork.    
  
Mary wrote: "Byron is a true team player.  Not only is he one of our Tuesday morning handymen, he frequently comes in by himself to help with a variety of projects on other days including (slowly but surely) de-cluttering the basement.  This is in addition to his Guest Services shift on Friday afternoons at Limestone.  Byron even disposed of our worn out grills to make room for our new ones!"
  
Thank you, Byron! 
_________________________________________________________________

Congratulations, Byron!  Your name was drawn this month in our Red Carpet Award drawing and your Crew's Carwash pass is in the mail.
_________________________________________________________________

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    
  • Please remind guests to turn in their completed exit survey prior to check out. This information is important to us as we look at ways to improve our services.
  • If your shift does not have a designated greeter, please work together to assure that the front desk is always covered. 
 
Reminders from Rhonda at the RMHI at Riley   

In this season of thanksgiving and gift giving I am thankful for all of the volunteers who so generously give the gifts of hospitality, comfort and support to all of our families.  You make such an incredible difference in so many lives, mine included.

Have a happy and safe holiday!
 

Updated Volunteer Schedule

 

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

 

December Guest Services Schedule

Happy Birthday!
 
Please join us in celebrating the following RMHI birthdays: 
 
Teresa Woods
Whitney Soden
Nancy O'Connor
Robert Twitchell
Ron Lenz
Bonnie Morrison
12/1
12/2
12/3
12/4
12/5
12/6

Kevin Buehner
Kim Karmenzind
Roy Borgmann
Sinita
   Moore-Benson
Sarah Shirey
12/9
12/11
12/12

12/13
12/13  

Sarah Copeland
Karen McGugin
Elizabeth Henry
Aaliyah Coe
Zach Jones
Donis Kendrick

12/14
12/20
12/23
12/25
12/25
12/25

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.)
 
Holiday Meal at Riley Hospital
December 18 from 2 - 6 p.m.

Santa Shop
December 18-25
Christmas Meal at RMHI Limestone donated and served by Sam Hoss and Friends
December 25
 

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