What does a school of third and fourth-grade students, a team of college hockey players, and a grandfather who enjoys golf have in common? Read this issue of Feel Good Friday News to find out.

A “Bright” Idea Brings Comfort to Families

When you walk into Brooke Intermediate South School in Wellsburg, West Virginia during the holidays, you will find the hallways lined with colorful paper bulbs. Each one was excitedly purchased by the students and school community to help families at the Ronald McDonald House. Fifteen years ago, two teachers, Mrs. Jackson and Ms. Hudok came up with an idea for a service project. 

Instead of having a holiday gift exchange among the students, the students could use that money to purchase a $1 paper bulb The bulbs would then be displayed in the school and the money would be donated to a local Charity. The idea was so well-received that it is now a yearly tradition known as Light the Hall-i-days.  Benefitting the families at RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown, the goal is to sell enough bulbs to wrap around the entire school.

As soon as the first bulbs go up for the season, which students love to help hang, the fundraiser picks up steam. According to Mrs. Jackson, students bring in bags of change proudly telling her that they are using their own money. The parents are just as supportive of the special project. “When they hear what the Ronald McDonald House does, they are all in,” added Mrs. Jackson. Bringing the fundraiser to a close each season, Principal Scott Donohew shares the total raised during the school’s Christmas concert, lighting up the faces of everyone involved.

A Hockey Night Scores Big for Families

Their passion is hockey and on a special night each year, the players of the Robert Morris Men’s D1 Club Ice Hockey Team use their love for the sport to help others in their community. This year they chose to support the families at RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown.

With a sellout crowd at the RMU Island Sports Center on a January night, this hockey game fundraiser had it all. Beginning with the National Anthem sung by Pittsburgh Penguins singer, Jeff Jimerson,

the event continued with a ceremonial puck drop with Pittsburgh Penguin Evgeni Malkin; Dr. Michelle Patrick, President of Robert Morris University; and Eleanor Reigel, Chief Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown. Keeping on theme, each special guest and the players even donned custom jerseys for the game with a strong nod to Ronald McDonald! Capping the night was a decisive victory for RMU! Helping the team with the event which also included raffle baskets, drawings, and prizes were the parents and RMU community. Raising enough money to cover more than 100 nights of stay for families traveling for their medical care, the event was an exciting way to celebrate the mission of the Charity. Believing in the mission of the Ronald McDonald House and the impact that it makes on families, the team was thrilled to show its support for the Charity on this incredible night.

A Grandfather Gives Back

Knowing how much the Ronald McDonald House meant to his family when his granddaughter, Kaylin, was born, Jim Greslick wanted to help other families who also needed this “home-away-from-home.”  Flown to Pittsburgh from a hospital nearly two hours away at just a few days old, Kaylin needed surgery for a congenital heart defect. It would be the first of two stays for her parents, Shannon and Tom, at Ronald McDonald House Pittsburgh. Kaylin also had another heart surgery at 13 weeks old.

“They were very appreciative of staying there,” said Jim. “To have a place to stay and food to eat next to the hospital took a large burden off their shoulders.”

As someone who enjoys golfing, Jim had an idea to support the Ronald McDonald House by hosting a golf tournament. Asking the members of the Knights of Columbus in his community of Houtzdale, Pennsylvania to help him, he easily had their backing. They also had the support of local businesses that donated prizes for the event. With 120 golfers participating, the first Knights for Kids Golf Tournament was held. The tournament will continue yearly with a mission to support children in need. “It’s all done for the kids,” said Jim. And as for the little girl who inspired her grandfather to start this endeavor, she is now 18 months old and doing wonderfully.

There are many ways the community supports RMHC’s mission. In 2022, groups and individuals, like the ones in this newsletter, raised over $60,000. Through the Projects of Passion program (P.O.P.) people shared their time, talent, and, most of all, their passion to help others.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown

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