Dear Friends,

Last week Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa, Inc. announced that Paige Moore will join us as our next Executive Director.

As my retirement is on the horizon, I’ve reflected on my 25 years at the Ronald McDonald House. I am deeply proud of what we as a collective board and staff team have accomplished. A few of our most notable accomplishments have been:

-In 2011 we opened the Ronald McDonald Family Room inside MercyOne Hospital on the Pediatric Floor.

-In 2017 through the Hubbell Extreme Build, built our current House on UnityPoint campus

in just 11 days. Taking us from a 12-bedroom House to 18 bedrooms.

-In 2020, we built our second Ronald McDonald House inside MercyOne Hospital. At the time of the opening, we had 14 bedrooms. One year later, due to the need, we expanded this location to 17 bedrooms.

As a leadership team and entire organization, time and time again, we faced the need for change head on, and embraced the opportunity to transform ourselves from the inside out. Over the years we have made so many positive impacts in the lives of many families throughout the state. This has been possible through the generosity of volunteers, donors and community partners. To whom I am forever grateful.

It has been such a pleasure to work with the 13 bosses I have had over the 25 years and to the many dedicated board of directors that have shared their time, talent and treasure. I would say the RMH is one of the luckiest nonprofits, more times than not when a board member terms off, their dedication and commitment does not stop. I heard we are like the Hotel California, “You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.” Of course, anyone can leave, however in our case, they don’t.

And now, it’s time for our next big change. It’s time for me to step back, and for the team in partnership with Paige – to take the RMHCCI’s work to new heights.

To say this is a bittersweet moment feels trite. But it’s true. Being a part of this incredible organization has been the honor of a lifetime, and a true leadership adventure. I will miss the people, the work, and the opportunity to be in service to all of the families that have stayed at our Ronald McDonald House.

I am also excited. Excited for RMHCCI to experience the dynamism of new leadership, vision, and energy that I know Paige will bring. And excited for myself as I begin a new chapter in life.

For all those reasons, this is a beginning as much as it is an end. And I’m deeply grateful for it all.



With much gratitude,

Brenda

In February 2024 Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa (RMHCCI) Executive Director Brenda Miller announced her retirement after 25 years with RMHCCI. The RMHCCI Executive Committee announced In March 2024 the beginning of an Executive Director search to identify the next leader of the RMHCCI organization. After an extensive search process led by members of the RMHCCI Executive Committee, we are pleased to announce that Paige Moore has been selected as our new Executive Director, beginning June 17, 2024.

The Executive Committee received dozens of applications from candidates across the state of Iowa for the Executive Director position. Over the past three months, the committee conducted a rigorous and thorough process of reviewing these applications and holding multiple stages of interviews with numerous well-qualified candidates. RMHCCI engaged MRA &Associates, national HR firm specializing in Non-Profits, to help conduct candidate pre-screening and feedback during various stages of this process.

With significant consideration given to the skills, experiences and expertise needed to successfully guide RMHCCI in its next phase of growth, the Executive Committee has selected Paige Moore to serve in this important leadership role. Paige’s current position as Health Strategy Director at Wellmark - and nearly fifteen-year history of working in the healthcare sector have distinguished her as a recognized leader in cultivating partnerships and policy advocacy. Paige’s expertise, leadership skills, commitment to excellence, and experience with RMHCCI partners and funders make her an exceptional individual for the

role of Executive Director. We are confident that under her leadership, the organization’s success and impact in achieving its mission and vision will continue to flourish. Paige has served on the RMHCCI Board for several years and knows our organization well.

Please join us in welcoming Paige as our new RMHCCI Executive Director. You can also send your congratulations to Paige by posting on our social media pages - links below!

After being hospitalized for chronic migraines, Grace McCunn wanted to give back,

and has done that in a BIG way. To date, her annual race has raised over $173,000 for

Blank Children's Hospital, and we are honored to be a part of it this year!

A Kids Fun Run will take place at 7:30AM, followed by a Walk/Run 5K at 8:00AM.

Sign up with the link below and help the children and families of

RMHC of Central Iowa and Blank Children's Hospital!

Pictured: Dr. McCoy, Paige Moore, Sue Zylstra, Terry Nielsen, Matt McCoy, & Jason Cromer

We are so grateful for a recent donation of $6,000 made by Sue Zylstra in memory of her late husband, Marty Zylstra. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa holds a special place in the Zylstra’s hearts, and we will forever hold them in ours.

Marty and Sue Zylstra belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Marty was the Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Iowa for 14 years until the time of his death, while Sue served as Treasurer of the International Association of Rebekah Assemblies – the female branch of the Order. As a part of this, Sue traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada attending annual meetings. In 2018, she attended a session in Ohio where she learned about their involvement with RMHC of Columbus.

With Marty being the Grand Treasurer in Iowa, she approached him about the possibility of a donation of twenty to twenty-five thousand dollars for the new RMH going in at MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines. After members of the MercyOne Foundation and MercyOne Children’s Hospital attended the annual Grand Lodge session and presented the story of RMH and how it serves families in need, not only did the Grand Lodge of Iowa donate the twenty-five thousand, they donated one hundred fifty thousand dollars.

The kitchen along with a sleeping room inside the MercyOne House are named Grand Lodge of Iowa. Marty was so proud of this donation.

On November 8^th, 2023, Marty went into cardiac arrest and was on a ventilator for twelve days when God said it was time to call him home. Sue says, “There was nothing more fitting when Marty died than to have his memorials be directed to the Ronald McDonald House at MercyOne. On behalf of myself, my family, and friends, I am so honored to present to the Ronald McDonald House at MercyOne a check for $6,000. Marty truly loved the Order and what it stood for.”