February 2018
Keeping Families Close
Mission Moment: A Home-Away-From-Home
"Thank you so much for the room during my stay here while my daughter Kadee was at the NICU at Riley for 3 weeks and the first 3 weeks of her life! This room was able to provide me the sleep and breaks I definitely needed along the way. Being a single and currently unemployed 2nd time mom, the meals and "home-away-from-home" along with the wonderful meals and hospitality provided by the House and all the staff and great volunteers was more than I could have asked and wished for. The overall help and stay was so very much appreciated."

A Message from our CEO


 Michelle Study-Campbell,  Chief Executive Officer, receives check from Ryan Kafury, Store Manager of Dillard's in Richmond, IN, from Southern Living Christmas Cookbook sales.

Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter, but we're ready for Spring and warmer weather here at the House!

Already this year, we've been keeping busy! Our House maintains a full-room list nearly every night and we're gearing up for our Spring and Summer events to help us provide our families with top-notch care. Be sure to read below and save the date for various ways you can support our families such as our 2nd annual Blingo (featuring special guest: Ben Higgins) on Saturday, April 21, our 32nd annual Swing for Kids Golf Tournament on Monday, June 4, third-party fundraisers and more!

None of this would be possible without the continuous support from our community. Our good friends at Dillard's in Richmond, IN continued keeping families together and near their hospitalized children with the sale of their exclusive Southern Living Holiday Cookbook. This year, proceeds from the sale brought in over $1,500 to our chapter!

Keep reading to learn more about our fabulous supporters as well as what keeping families close for 35 years looks like!
Adopt a Room Spotlight header
The Adopt-a-Room program is a year-long sponsorship of a room or continuing care apartment at our Limestone and Riley Houses. The program provides families with much more than just a roof over their heads -- it helps to provide support, home-cooked meals and relief from their stressful situations. Most importantly, room partners are helping families focus on what matters most -- their seriously-ill or injured child.

This month we would like to recognize Phi Beta Psi sorority, Theta Alpha Gamma Chapter. Located in Bedford, IN, this chapter includes 22 women who hold fundraising events and donate to the House every year. Their main focus is furthering cancer research as cancer has touched the lives of each of these women in some way. Thank you ladies for your continuous support of the House and for giving our families a "home-away-from-home"! 
Fun Fact #1: Did you know that Super Bowl LII Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, had a hand in starting the first ever Ronald McDonald House? 

first ronald mcdonald house
The first Ronald McDonald House on Spruce Street in Philadelphia.
In 1969, Eagles tight end Fred Hill received news that no parent wants to hear, his three-year-old daughter, Kim, had been diagnosed with acute lymphatic leukemia. 

As his daughter underwent treatment, Hill knew he wanted to help. After speaking with Dr. Audrey Evans, head of oncology at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Hill and Jim Murray, then-general manager of the Eagles, realized there was a great need: the hospital needed a house where the parents could stay.

Murray turned to the help of corporate sponsor, McDonald's. Together with their help (and the sale of delicious Shamrock Shakes!) the first Ronald McDonald House officially opened on October 15, 1974 with seven rooms.

Just eight years later, we joined RMHC as the 38th House operating in only 3 countries -- the U.S., Canada and Australia. Today, there are nearly 400 Houses worldwide with a global reach in 63 countries, along with newer programs that focus on promoting the health, well-being and education of children and families.
Click here  to hear more from RMHC founders about how we got our start!

Shop for a Cause at Vineyard Vines!

vineyard vines logo What: Vineyard Vines Shop-to-Donate
When: Wed., 3/7/18 | 4-8 p.m.
Where: The Fashion Mall at Keystone
8702 Keystone Crossing, Space 108A
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Why: #KeepingFamiliesClose

Spruce up your spring wardrobe while also giving back to the House at with Vineyard Vines' shop to donate event on March 7. Vineyard Vines will donate 20% of all purchases to RMHCCIN.

Blingo is Back: Saturday, April 21!

Blingo is back and better than ever! Join us at The Hatch on Saturday, April 21 as we put the "bling" in bingo at our 2nd annual Blingo event presented by Indiana Members Credit Union featuring special gu est, Ben Higgins , of The Bachelor!

D on't miss your opportunity to play using Kendra Scott's signature Color Bar gemstones and win dazzling Kendra Scott prizes! 

Tickets are $50 and include:

* Two rounds of bingo
* Brunch buffet
* Drink tickets for the mimosa bar
* Sweet treats and more! 

The best part? It's all for the benefit of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana.

Tickets will sell quickly! Click here to get yours!
Please note: Due to Gaming Commission regulations, we can only accept debit cards for online registration.  To pay via cash or check, please contact Savannah Ball, Corporate & Community Partnerships Manager, at [email protected]

Around the House: Fun in February



 
Our friend Cash getting silly with some
 photo booth props! 
Brason (and Mac!) enjoyed learning about robotics!

Families had the the opportunity to enjoy some quality family time earlier this month including Valentine's Day cookies and crafts and playing with robots courtesy of our friends at Starbase Indiana!



Our beloved Heart Wall recently underwent some major renovation including some beautiful new fencing. W e now also have a second wall to add more hearts! A big RMHCCIN thank you to  Signature Countertops, Inc.  for donating material,  ASI | Signage Innovations  for helping with the installation and  Purposeful Design  for the custom woodworking.





Donating your time and talent to the Ronald McDonald House can be a rewarding experience and a real gift to the families staying at the House. Whether you are looking for an ongoing commitment or want to share a special gift or talent on a short-term basis, there is a way for you to make a difference at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana! Current needs include but are not limited to:

March & April Meal Groups Needed!
We are in need of meal groups for both our House at Limestone (located on the IUPUI campus) and our House located inside Riley. RMHCCIN welcomes meal groups on a one-time or reoccurring basis. Additional dinner dates and meal group guidelines can be found here .

Limestone Dinner Dates:
 Riley Lunch Dates:
 Riley  Dinner Dates:
  • Fri. 3/16
  • Fri. 3/30
  • Mon. 4/2
  • Thu. 4/12
  • Fri. 4/20
Limestone  Breakfast Dates:
  • Thurs. 3/1
  • Mon. 3/5
  • Tues. 3/6
  • Mon. 3/13
  • Thurs. 3/15
  • Sat. 3/17
  • Sun. 3/18
  • Wed. 3/21 - 3/27
  • Thurs. 3/1
  • Fri. 3/2
  • Mon. 3/5
  • Tues. 3/6
  • Wed. 3/7
  • Thurs. 3/8
  • Fri. 3/9
  • Mon. 3/12
  • Tues. 3/13
  • Mon. 3/19
  • Thurs. 3/22
  • Sun. 3/25
  • Mon. 3/26
  • Wed. 3/28
  • Thurs. 3/29
  • Fri. 3/30
  • Fri. 3/2
  • Sun. 3/4
  • Mon. 3/5
  • Tues. 3/6
  • Wed. 3/7
  • Mon. 3/12
  • Mon. 3/19
  • Tues. 3/20
  • Fri. 3/23
  • Mon. 3/26
  • Tues. 3/27
  • Wed. 3/28

Interested?  Please  contact Marci Corbin, Family Experience Coordinator, at [email protected]  or at (317) 267-0605, ext. 210 or  visit our website  for additional opportunities and information.

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