Meet Alley Gary, Guest Services Volunteer and Mentor
What would you tell others who are looking to volunteer?

"This is just a great opportunity to help people in their worst time of need."

What is your favorite part about volunteering?

"My favorite part is definitely seeing how appreciative the families are the littlest things."
Alley Gary has a heart for service and the House.
2019 Volunteer Celebration Survey
We are planning this year's volunteer celebration event and would like your input. Please answer a short survey which can be accessed by clicking on the button below. We are looking at holding the event sometime between the end of August and the first of October.
Next New Volunteer Orientation
Our next new volunteer orientation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you know someone who is interested in learning more about ways to get involved at the House, please have them contact Mary Friend at mfriend@rmhccin.org or at (317) 267-0605, ext. 225.
Share This Barcode!
For every 13 gallon bag (or kitchen-size trash bag) you donate, Goodwill will issue a $5 Collect & Connect voucher that our families will be able to use!

When donating, make sure to show this barcode or specify that your donation is for the "Collect and Connect for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana."

Take a picture of the barcode above and share it with family and friends!
Help Needed
Help with 3:30-6:30 p.m. shifts at Limestone
If you can help fill in on a 3:30-6:30 p.m. shift or any other shift at Limestone, please let Mary know. This is one of the most difficult shifts to fill and from time to time we need subs.

Tour Guides : We are looking for volunteers to help conduct tours at our Limestone Street location. These tours would be during your regular volunteer shift. Please let Mary know if you would be comfortable giving a tour.

Van Drivers : If you are interested in learning more about helping transport our families from the House to the hospital (Riley or Methodist) using the House van, please contact Mary. Schedules will be determined based on your availability.

Spanish Speakers: If you speak Spanish (or any foreign language) and are willing to share your skill to help make our non-English families' experience more welcoming, please contact Mary.

If you would like more information about any of these opportunities, please contact Mary Friend at mfriend@rmhccin.org or at (317) 267-0605, ext. 225.
Operational Updates
Volunteer Sign-in/out Binder
It is very important that you record your hours through Volgistics, our volunteer timekeeping software. Not only does it record your hours but it helps us track your volunteer involvement. At both locations, there is a binder where you can look up your PIN (Personal Identification Number) if necessary or record your hours on a paper time sheet so we can enter your hours manually. At Limestone, this binder is marked "Volunteer Sign-in/Out" and at Riley it is in the cabinet by the entrance.

Need To Know Binder
Please remember to check the "Need to Know Binder" each time you arrive for your shift at Limestone. This binder is the best way to keep you updated on any changes that have been made since your last shift. After reviewing the binder, please do no hesitate to ask the Manager on Duty for any clarifications you may need.

Below is a list of some of the recent changes mentioned in the binder:

  • Guest Room Preparedness and Accountability Checklist - A new checklist has been developed to make sure guest rooms are prepped correctly.
  • Limestone Families Utilizing Our Riley Location - Families registered at Limestone can now use our Riley location just by showing Riley their blue lanyard.
  • Lost and Found Policy - Items logged into our lost and found will be held for 30 days. If not claimed, usable items will be donated to other charities.
  • Abandoned Personal Property - Every attempt will be made to contact guests who leave behind items after checkout. Once they have been contacted, items will be held for up to 7 days. At the end of 7 days, usable items will be donated to other charities.
  • Laundry 101 - A reminder that comforters, mattress covers and blankets are laundered at the House and do not go down the laundry chute. Sheets and towels are professionally laundered and do go down the laundry chute. The notice also explains what to do with mattress covers, bedbug enclosures and pillows.
  • Food Donations and Meal Group Reminders 2019 - Reminders on what food donations we can accept, general reminders when interacting with our meal groups and the proper location on where to put refrigerated and frozen food.
Yoga Anyone?
Houseguests, volunteers and staff are welcome to join our complimentary yoga classes on the first Monday of each month from 7- 8 p.m. The next two classes will be held on Monday,  April 8,  so please join us! Thank you Kelly Alford from  The Yoga Studio  for your generous donation. 
Look Who Was Caught Rolling Out
The Red Carpet
Patti Cooper , House Operations Associate, would like to recognize Guest Services Volunteers, Cathy McCann, Alice Voris and Shirley Yegerlehner , for amazing teamwork on their Thursday afternoon shift at Limestone.

Patti wrote: "This shift is routinely busy with checkouts and Cathy, Alice and Shirley all work like a well-oiled machine. They do a great job helping us stay on top of checkouts and guest requests."

Emilie Bender , Guest Services Assistant, would like to recognize Guest Services Volunteers, Tami Evans and Chris Gerth , for their attention to customer service on Monday evenings at Limestone.

Emilie wrote: "On a cold winter night, we were having heating issues in a couple of guest rooms. We had a guest who had mobility and health issues who was on her second move due to heating issues. Tami patiently packed up the guest's belongings and moved the guest and her possessions. What customer service! On the same evening, Tami's shift partner, Chris Gerth made his own list of things he saw that needed to be done. He just sees things and does them, like never passing the laundry in the basement while working on other tasks and always keeping the laundry moving along. He has also learned how to reboot our furnaces. Chris puts the guest above all and even went on the hunt for a guest's missing wallet, that was later found in the guest's car. Chris didn't care, he went the extra mile looking for it. "

Thank you all. We appreciate your dedication to teamwork and for caring for our guests!

Congratulations! Your Crew Carwash pass is in the mail.

Remember, if you catch a volunteer rolling out the red carpet and providing an excellent family experience, please submit a nomination using the form below. 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 Carwash pass.
Updated Volunteer Schedule
Please view the updated volunteer schedule at the link below.
MISSION MOMENT
"I am very thankful for the volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House and to everyone who has donated to it so that my husband and I could take turns getting a good nights sleep. We have 9 children and our 6-year-old recently had brain surgery.

It helps to have one of the strongest, bravest children I have ever met. If there is anything I can pass on is to stay strong for your children, never doubt the power of God and prayers, and don't be afraid to ask for help!"

The Pottorf Family
Please join us in celebrating the following birthdays:
3/2 Jordan Almos
3/2 Naomi Dart
3/6 Bob Schofield
3/8 Christopher Burtzo
3/9 Candice Bradbury
3/10 Andy Ball
3/10 Kathy Beattie
3/10 Kurt Beier
3/11 Gerry Stieglitz
3/12 Terri Jackson
3/13 Lisa Lusk
3/14 Adam Hufford
3/14 Dave Kleiman
3/14 Michael Laurendine
3/17 Julia Sansone
3/20 Lindsey Donovan
3/20 Gerry Justice
3/20 Ellen Syphers
3/22 Alex French
3/22 Craig Ito
3/22 Ruthann Lord
3/22 Marge Vogel
3/23 Patrice Bradley
3/23 Shirley Yegerlehner
3/25 Susan Huesing
3/28 Randy Shields
3/29 JayLynn Hardrick
3/29 Dave Mason
3/29 Daniela Pretorius
3/29 Jon Stock
Upcoming Events
Visit our website or watch for details in future editions of this newsletter for these upcoming events.
New Volunteer Orientation
Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Saturday, April 13

Monday, June 3

Saturday, June 15
Friday, July 26

Friday, November 1

Tuesday, December 5
Substitute List
Please contact these people if you need a substitute
Limestone
Lori Ball (Not available Tues. or Wed.)
(317) 371-9150

Katy Brawley
(317) 258-9451

Jennifer Cannady (Weekends only)

Gwen England (Weekday evenings, except Tues., and weekends)
Craig Ito (Weekdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.)

Rega Kowalski
(317) 241-1566

Steff Mabe (Not available Tues. mornings)
(317) 374-2529
Riley
Anita Butts (Evenings)

Laurie Eagan (Weekdays, 12-3 p.m.)
(317) 691-3757
Michael Rhinaman (Weekday evenings)
(317) 258-4688
If you would like to add your name to this list, please contact Mary Friend at mfriend@rmhccin.org 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!
Our Mission
We provide a supportive "home-away-from-home" for families of children receiving medical care at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health and other area hospitals, and we champion programs that improve the health, education and well-being of children.

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: ICARE
  • 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.

Newsletter Editor
Mary Friend, CVA
Volunteer Resources Manager
Direct Line: (317) 267-0605, ext. 225