Join Us for This Year's Volunteer Celebration
We are excited to host this year’s volunteer celebration on Friday, September 13 at the I ndianapolis Art Center , 820 E 67 th Street, beginning at 6 p.m., dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. followed by a short program. Invitations are being mailed to all registered volunteers and you are welcome to bring a guest. Convenient, complementary parking will be provided. We would love to see everyone of you!

The Indianapolis Art Center is set atop nearly 10 acres along the banks of the White River in Broad Ripple. This year’s event will be outdoors utilizing the Riverfront Portico, with access to the Churchman-Fehsenfeld Gallery in the event of rain.

Our menu will include hickory smoked beef brisket, fried chicken, roasted chicken, caprese salad, creamy cider slaw, roasted vegetables, carrot souffle and mac and cheese bake and petite desserts. Iced tea, strawberry lemonade, fruited water and coffee will be complementary. A cash bar will be available for beer and wine. 

Please RSVP using the card provided in your invitation or by emailing Mary Friend at mfriend@rmhccin.org by Friday, September 6. Final confirmation details will be emailed to all those who RSVP.
Saying Goodbye To A Friend
The House loss a friend when, volunteer and staff member, Michael Rhinaman passed away last month. Mike started volunteering at the RMH at Riley in January of 2010 and joined the staff as a Manager on Duty soon afterwards. He also helped with special events and loved the holidays. In fact, he was one of the coordinators of Santa’s Workshop each December. He loved the House, the families we served, as well as the staff and volunteers he worked with. 

In honor of Mike, we are looking for volunteers to carry on his love of the holidays by offering to decorate the RMHC at Riley for the Christmas holiday, sometime around Thanksgiving. Thanks to Mike, we have all the decorations, we just need the creative volunteers. Please contact Mary Friend at mfriend@rmhccin.org or David Lawson at dlawson@rmhccin.org if you are interested.
Support the House and Enjoy Papa John's Pizza
Over the first Thursday - Sunday of each month through December, our friends at Papa John's are offering 20% off your pizza PLUS they will give the House 20% of the sale. A coupon is required and they are available at both Limestone and Riley. This offer is valid in participating Indy Metro stores.
A Message from Shelly Cates,
Director of Operations
Dear Guest Services Volunteers,

With all the changes at Limestone, it seems to be confusing on who you should go to for questions when working in the front office. Obviously, you are welcome to ask whoever is closest if it’s urgent otherwise here are the appropriate steps:

  1. Ask or page the Manager on Duty
  2. For house maintenance issues (bugs, light bulbs, toilet/shower, heating or cooling), please speak with Patti Cooper or leave her a detailed note. In her new role as Facilities Manager, Patti is no longer a Manager on Duty but she is our guru of maintenance!
  3. Mary Friend is your go-to person for everything about volunteering.
  4. Marci Corbin is our activities and meal master.
  5. If you find yourself alone in the front office area and need help, please page the Manager on Duty and ask them to call the front desk. (To page, press 6 on the phone, make the announcement and then hang up.)
  6. If I am in my office, you are always welcome to ask me!

The only other operational changes coming in the near future include going back to having one manager covering the evening shift from Sunday to Thursday and rotating Managers on Duty on the weekends. Some staff members will be changing their office locations once the "GSA" remodel is complete. Then it should be smooth sailing from here! Thanks for your patience. If you have any suggestions or concerns, please let me know.

Again thank you very much for volunteering at both locations of the Ronald McDonald House. We cannot successfully operate our “House of Love” without you! We appreciate every one of you!
Shelly Cates
Help Needed
Taste the Flavors of South America
Each fall, the House has a fundraising wine tasting event, called Taste featuring wines from around the world. This year, we are enjoying the wines of Chile and Argentina. The  Taste Gala , now in its 12th year, is our largest fundraiser, hosting over 400 guests and raising over $200,000 in support of our mission.

Details are still to be determined but if you would like to help, the event is on Friday, November 1 and will be held at the Biltwell Event Center at 950 S. White River Parkway W. Drive, from 6 - 10 p.m. We will need help in the afternoon with set up and during the event itself and tear down.

Help needed with keeping the pantry shelves in the basement organized
We are looking for two additional volunteers to help keep one pantry shelf organized. This would take about 2-6 hours a month and you can determine your schedule. This is a great opportunity to do before or after your regular shift.

Van Drivers : If you are interested in learning more about helping to 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.

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
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:

  • Background Checks - Thanks everyone for your help in collecting emails from families requesting a room so we can send them the link for their background check. Remember, if a caller has any questions about the background checks, just have them speak to the Manager on Duty.
  • Meals - We are in need of groups to provide lunch at Riley, dinner at Limestone or to make freezer meals to serve on nights we don't have a scheduled dinner group. Those who are interested should visit our website at rmhccin.org or contact Marci Corbin, Program Manager, at mcorbin@rmhccin.org or at 317-267-0605, ext. 210.
  • Donations - As a reminder any items on the round table in the basement at Limestone across from the cardboard recycle bin is free for the taking. If you have any church groups or charities that you support and they can use any of the items on the table, feel free to take them. The round table is marked DONATIONS, and if you have any questions contact Patti Cooper at pcooper@rmhccin.org.

We also want to welcome two new volunteer handymen to Limestone!  Rod Taylor serves as a Guest Services Volunteer at Riley every other Sunday but also comes over to Limestone to help with handyman tasks. Greg Ferguson is new to the House and can be seen volunteering every other Wednesday. We appreciate everything they’re doing to keep the House running smoothly!
Look Who Was Caught Rolling Out
The Red Carpet
David Lawson , Riley RMH Lead Manager, would like to recognize Guest Services Volunteer, Colleen Madden.

David wrote: "When Colleen comes in, she wants to keep busy! Not a front line kind of person, you can often find her dusting high places and and wiping behind this and that. Today she saw a dirty fridge and decided she was going to tackle it. She got rid of all the outdated food, wiped all the shelving and put everything back. Looks brand new on the inside and out! Thanks Colleen for all you do! "

Michelle Gleason , Manager on Duty, and Guest Services Volunteer, Emily Duhn would like to recognize Steve Schilling and Michael Laurendine , Guest Services Volunteers at Limestone.

Michelle wrote: "Steve was a true volunteer rock star tonight. We were short handed and he went above and beyond with everything he did tonight. I could not have done it without him."

Emily wrote: "I know with Steve and Michael on the shift before us, that everything will be left in ship shape when we come in. There will be a smooth transition for my shift!"

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 Car wash pass.
Updated Volunteer Schedule
Please view the updated volunteer schedule at the link below.
MISSION MOMENT
"Our lives were flipped upside down when I gave birth and unexpectedly had to have our baby life-lined to Riley. The RMH made such an amazing difference to us.The expenses of this event were hard to grasp and we are so thankful for this place and helping make it easier. Riley saved our baby and you helped save our sanity. We couldn't thank you enough."

God bless you all!
Miranda Miller
Please join us in celebrating the following birthdays:
8/4 Emma Stout
8/8 Laurie Eagan
8/9 Jennifer Cannady
8/12 Michelle Rogers
8/13 Josh Baranski
8/14 Matthias Neidenburger
8/15 Alicia Schulhof
8/17 Debbie Mobley
8/24 Steve Luedeman
8/24 Yuval Sharon
8/26 Rega Kowalski
8/26 Jim O'Connor
8/28 Morgan Piasecki
Upcoming Events
Visit our website or watch for details in future editions of this newsletter for these upcoming events.
New Volunteer Orientation
Tuesday, August 20
Tuesday, September 17
Wednesday, October 30

Volunteer Celebration
Friday, September 13
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.)

Steff Mabe (Not available Tues. mornings)
(317) 374-2529

Marge Vogel
marge.vogel@sbcglobal.net
Riley
Anita Butts (Evenings)
Laurie Eagan (Weekdays, 12-3 p.m.)
(317) 691-3757
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