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Dear Volunteers:
Stacy and I have chatted with many of you over the past couple of weeks, but wanted to make sure we reach everyone via the newsletter. Stacy has now been on board with the House for 2.5 months - time is going swiftly! As Stacy has begun to acclimate and learn all of the ins and outs of the House and our programs, we have taken the opportunity to visit and meet with many high-performing Houses around the Midwest and beyond.
Since joining the House in 2015, my goal has been to work hard with our team to build the greatest House possible within the RMHC network. With our new COO settling in and familiarizing herself with our operations, we are seeing opportunities and enhancements that we can implement to make sure that our families have a great experience here at the House.
Laundry: We realize that the topic of laundry here at the House has stirred quite a bit of conversation and many different reactions. In an effort to provide a great family experience here at the House, we are now laundering all components of the bedding - from the mattress pad to the bedspread, and everything in between - before the room is made available to a new family.
To make this process easier and more efficient for the team we are working on the following:
- Purchasing new, large capacity washers and dryers for the 1st floor North Wing
- Creating and documenting a streamlined process that is easy to follow
- Creating new "Laundry Parties" volunteer opportunities for service groups
- Purchasing new equipment such as a laundry cart, smocks, gloves, etc
- Utilizing our outside laundry service additionally when possible
As I shared with you in June, we realize that there have been many changes at the House within the past two years, and we understand that this can be frustrating and you may have questions. Please know that all of the changes are designed to help us in our goal to provide the best possible care for our families and our partners. Should you have questions or concerns about a specific policy or change, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us. We truly appreciate and value your suggestions and feedback as we move forward.
Thank you for being patient with us and your continued dedication to our mission and our families - we can't possibly run our House without you.
Most of all, thank you for being the heart of our home!
Michelle Stacy
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Personal License Plate
Help show support for Ronald McDonald House Charities! We are collecting signatures to support our petition for a Ronald McDonald House Charities Specialty License Plate.
We need 500 signatures from Indiana residents to be considered by the BMV. You are not obligated to purchase the plate by signing the petition, which can be found in the volunteer office at the Limestone House or at the volunteer desk at the Riley House. Please remind volunteers, meal groups, and in-kind donors to sign. Each plate purchase benefits the Ronald McDonald Houses of Indiana. A portion of each plate sold will benefit the Ronald McDonald Houses across the state.
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Fall is just around the corner! Kick-off the cooler temps with a pumpkin spice latte or other hot speciality McCafe beverage at McDonald's! A portion of every drink sold helps keep families close!
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Through the month of September, you can save and help families all at the same time!
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Volunteers Needed for Taste...the Pacific Northwest!
Volunteers are needed for our upcoming Taste gala. The event takes place from 6-10 p.m on Friday, November 3 at the Biltwell event center, but volunteers may be needed the afternoon before and as early as 4:30 p.m. the night of the event. Light lifting of auction items may be required.
If you are interested, please contact Savannah Ball, Development Associate, at [email protected].
Thank you!
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Help Wanted
Help with Linens
We need help with the laundry at our Limestone location. This includes making up linen packets for our families and helping us keep up with the laundry we do in-house. Scheduling is flexible.
Meal Groups and Casserole Makers
We have a number of meal openings coming up at both locations. Please spread the word about dinner service and casserole service projects to individuals or organizations that you know might be interested. They can also donate store bought frozen casseroles if they would like!
If they would like to serve a meal at either location, have them use the following link: Prepare a meal for our families or direct them to our website.
If they would like to come in and prepare casseroles at our Limestone Street location that can be frozen and used at a later date, have them contact Mary Friend.
Tracking Inventory
We could use some help with straightening, organizing and tracking inventory of our cleaning products and kitchen supplies (dishes, bowls, etc.) at Limestone. Either of these can be done before or after a Guest Services shift or separately. Scheduling is flexible.
Van Driver
We are looking for an additional van driver to pick up donations once a month, using our van. Some lifting is involved. Drivers need to be at least 21 years of age and have a valid drivers license. Scheduling is flexible.
Please contact Mary Friend at
[email protected] or at 317-267-0605, ext. 225 if you are interested in learning more about these opportunities.
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Yoga Anyone? 
We are now offering complimentary yoga classes on the first Monday of each month from 7- 8 p.m. House guests, volunteers and staff are welcome to join. The next class will be held on October 2 so please join us! Thank you Kelly Alford from The Yoga Studio for your generous donation.
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| Mission Moment "Thank you so much for your hospitality and giving us a place to stay while our son was a patient at Riley. This has been a very stressful time for us and knowing we had a place to sleep was one less thing for us to worry about. I even slept for 9 uninterrupted hours. I don't remember the last time that happened! Thanks again! Chelsey and Chris Kittridge" |
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Operations Update - Limestone
- Check-In Privacy: In an effort to create a more private and distraction free check-in area for our families at Limestone we have begun closing the copy room door while check-ins are in progress. The door will display a sign that notes that a check-in is in progress during these times. Please be mindful of the check-in if you find the door closed and try to reduce the amount of traffic through this area when possible.
- Please remember to check the volunteer "Need To Know" binder when you arrive for your shift for the latest and greatest updates.
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Look Who Was Caught Rolling Out The Red Carpet
This month we have
TWO Red Carpet honorees!
Patti Cooper, House Operations Associate, recently caught
Cindy Maude, Guest Services Volunteer at Limestone, displaying friendliness and compassion.
Patti wrote: "During Cindy's shift, guests came to the front office visibly upset. Their grandson had passed away at 1 a.m. that morning and they were checking out. Both grandparents were crying and distraught. Cindy showed a great amount of compassion and she stayed 45 minutes past the end of her shift to talk with them and provide comfort to both grandparents."
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Jean Zimpfer, Guest Services Assistant, recently caught
Jennifer Cannady, Guest Services Volunteer at Limestone, displaying cooperation, teamwork and professionalism.
Jean wrote: "On Saturday, August 19, we experienced a domestic incident. As I was in the kitchen preparing dinner, Jennifer's attention was directed to managing the situation. Jennifer handled the immediate situation with the victim with total compassion and professionalism. She diffused the situation as much as possible and at the same time, managed the front of the House. Her teamwork, cooperation and willingness to help not only the guests, but the entire House, was what got us through a very difficult situation."
Thank you, Cindy and Jennifer. You are appreciated!
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Congratulations Cindy and Jennifer! Your Crew Carwash pass is in the mail.
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Remember, if you catch a volunteer 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. All nominations are eligible for a random drawing for a Crew Carwash pass.
Please click on the link below for the nomination form:
Red Carpet Nomination Form
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| Updated Volunteer Schedule Please click the link below for the updated volunteer schedule: September 2017 Guest Services Schedule
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New Volunteer Orientation
It takes a village to fulfill our mission of keeping families close at RMHCCIN. Each year, thousands of families come through our doors and we couldn't do it without the help of our volunteers. To help make sure each shift is appropriately covered, we are always looking to add to our amazing team of volunteers!
Many times, new volunteers comment that they learned about our opportunities from another current volunteer. Please help us continue to spread the word. If you know someone who might be interested in volunteering at the House, please have them contact Mary Friend. Mary will provide them with information about current volunteer opportunities, answer their questions and sign them up for one of our upcoming orientations.
Orientations take place at Limestone and are scheduled from 6 - 9:30 p.m.
Upcoming orientations are:
Tuesday, November 14
Please contact Mary Friend at
[email protected] or at 317-267-0605, x 225 for details.
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Happy Birthday!
Please join us in celebrating the following birthdays:
Lisa Hull
Colleen Madden
Carolyn McMahon
Tama Zehr
Peggy Hall
Mona Vasavada
Bill McKernan
Jeri Shipp
Betsy Robbins
Addison Crouch
Vicki Browne
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9/1
9/1
9/1
9/2
9/4
9/4
9/5
9/5
9/8
9/9
9/12
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Jackie Vermilyer
Curt Hidde
Tori Lampert
Sarah Witwer
Sara Fickle
Kay Jackson
Deborah St. Pierre
Janet Stach
Theresa Errard
Kirsten Dewey
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9/12
9/13
9/13
9/15
9/18
9/19
9/19
9/19
9/20
9/21
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Liz Brajevich
Katy Brawley
Jody Rachell
Charlie Giesting
Christine Miller
Ann Barnum
Niraj Patel
Emilie Bender
Judy Hall
Mike Murray
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9/22
9/22
9/22
9/23
9/26
9/27
9/27
9/28
9/28
9/30
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Upcoming Events
Visit our website or
watch for details in future editions of this newsletter for these events.
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November 3
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Deck the Halls Tree Competition
November 27 and 28
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New Volunteer Orientation
November 14
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November 28
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Substitute List
Please contact these people if you need a substitute.
Limestone
Riley
- Laurie Eagan: [email protected] or (317) 691-3757 (weekdays 12 - 3 p.m.)
- Michael Rhinaman: (317) 258-4688 (weekday evenings)
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. 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!
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