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Denver Heart Beats Summer 2012
News from the Ronald McDonald House - Denver and Aurora |
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Ronald McDonald Family Room | |
*****VOLUNTEERS NEEDED*****
We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers for the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/ St. Luke's Hospital in Denver!
When families walk into our Family Room, we want them to forget they're in a hospital, even though they are only steps away from the pediatric or neonatal intensive care units.
Volunteer duties include: Greeting guests, answering family questions, keeping the room clean and organized, some laundry for guests and light lifting.
The Family Room is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 9pm.
Shift times are:
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Volunteer must be able to commit to one shift a week
for at least 6 months. For more information please contact: Pam Whitaker at 303-861-1754 or pwhitaker@ronaldhouse.org |
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Dason's Home Away from Home | |
Dason received a heart transplant in 2004. That year marked the beginning of Dason's life travelling back and forth from Kansas to Denver to receive medical treatment. Even then, at three years old, Dason made a name for himself at the Ronald McDonald House. He used his big eyes, long eyelashes, and outgoing personality to win the hearts of all the volunteers and staff at RMH. That stay at RMH, at 99 days, was the first of many for Dason and his family.
Dason's latest stay at RMH was just this month. His body was rejecting the new heart, and once again he needed to stay for treatment. Although Denver isn't his home, Dason clearly feels comfortable at the Ronald McDonald House. He never fails to arrive with a smile on his face ready to greet the staff and announce his arrival. This time it was with a little dance and a high five, followed quickly by making sure he could hook up his Playstation as soon as he got to his room. He had things to do! Dason always takes his health in stride, good news or bad, treatment or check ups, he's always putting on a show to make others smile. His mother, Sabrya, is also grateful for RMH. She appreciates feeling welcomed during each stay, to a comfortable place with familiar faces and surroundings. For Dason's family, RMH will always feel like a second home. |
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Camp Magic is Fireproof | |
Wildfires wreaked havoc across Colorado this summer and one of the many casualties was Sky High Hope Camp. The High Park Fire caused us to cancel this annual camp for kids with cancer and their siblings. On July 14, which would have been the last day of camp, more than 200 people gathered at Berkeley Park Lake to celebrate the magic of camp in a special way. The theme for the Sky High Hope Camp picnic was Camp Magic is Fireproof...
Campers, counselors, parents, siblings, and friends of camp gathered to remember all the things that make camp magical. Hugs were in abundance as campers met camp friends and staff from past years. Laughter, giggles and cheering were the sounds of the day. "Hey, hey, hey...listen up, listen up", was used to gather everyone together for the day's activities. The day included food, games, boat rides, a camp scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, songs, a wish log, and painted hair or heads, and field day activities were provided by the Windsor High School Sports teams. Games and activities brought back the spirit of camp and the joy of being together. Shared memories and the promise of next year made the day's activities all worthwhile.
For more than 32 years Sky High Hope Camp has offered kids with cancer and their siblings the chance to be together, forget about cancer, and just be a kid. We are already planning for 2013 and making Camp Magic once again.
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Ronald McDonald House Night
at the Rockies Game
It was a night to remember when the Colorado Rockies played at Coors Field on July 19 and we can't thank Coca-Cola enough for making it happen!
Select families were treated to an exclusive pre-game visit to batting practice and some were seated in special "Red Seats" located just behind home plate.
In addition, one of our families, along with the President of our Board of Directors, was chosen to go on the field - and on the Big Screen - before the game, while the P.A. announcer educated fans about the Ronald McDonald House.
After the pre-game festivities, Ronald McDonald House Families, board members and other friends of the Ronald McDonald House relaxed, enjoyed dinner and took in the game from the Coca-Cola suite.
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Fore! Charity that is... | |
What does it take to excite a group of kids about the idea of philanthropy? Not much more than a morning on the golf course and a magic show with Ronald McDonald, as it turns out. The proof lies in our recent Kids Fore Charity event.
The 5th annual event, designed to educate kids about the importance of giving back in a fun environment, was once again held at Common Ground Golf Course in Aurora. Participants took part in a clinic put on by the Colorado Golf Association and were entertained by the amazing magic tricks of Ronald McDonald. The day culminated with the kids playing a mini-tournament with a twist -- the scoring was all based on philanthropic acts, rather than golf strokes.
A fabulous host of sponsors helped us to raise over $10,000 that day. Special thanks to:
Presenting Sponsor: EZ Money
Gift Sponsors: Mercury Payment Systems and EZ Pawn
Breakfast Sponsor: Comex Group |
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One Hundred Scholarships Awarded | |
Scholarship Recipients from around the region were honored for their academic success, community involvement and hard work. Ronald McDonald opened the event on July 22 at the Aurora Ronald McDonald House with magic tricks , laughs and lots of fun. Frank Sandoval and other Scholarship Committee members, welcomed the recipients, their families, friends and honored guests.
The key-note speaker for the day was State Representative Joe Miklosi, Representative Miklosi currently works for project C.U.R.E in Centennial, Colorado and earned his Master's Degree in 2004 focusing on increasing civic engagement among our youth. Joe shared inspirational thoughts and encouraged the recipients to reach for their dreams. State Representative Miklosi is currently running for the US House of Representatives for the newly redrawn 6th congressional district.
Ronald McDonald House Charities® U.S. Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to eligible graduating high school seniors who face limited access to educational and career opportunities. Scholarships are awarded by local Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver, Inc. with support from RMHC Global and our local McDonald's
Funding for the scholarship program is provided by local McDonald's Restaurants and matching funds from RMHC Global. Since its inception in 1990, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver, Inc. has awarded more than $1,500,000 to local high schools' seniors. |
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At the Ronald McDonald House, our mission is to keep families close by and safe during their time of need.
We know how stressful it can be running a home, protecting your family, and keeping track of important documents even on a normal day, being away from home only makes this more difficult.
Now there is a way for you to protect, update and access your family's information forever, from anywhere.
RedDrawer is a web based system that stores all of your important household information for security and helps protect you against theft and disasters. Keep records of all your belongings for insurance claims and your important family information, including pets in one place in the cloud that can be accessed instantly when needed and forwarded to anyone in seconds. If you need important medical information on your child or family member you can have it in seconds.
The best part is that this service only costs $39.99 a year. To learn more visit RedDrawer.com
When you sign up for this invaluable service using one of our Promo Codes RedDrawer.com will donate 50% of the subscription price during the first year of purchase and 15% of the renewal fee in years 2 and 3 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver.
Please enter one of these Promo Codes when you sign up:
Ronald McDonald House Charities - General RMCH1
- you will receive 6 months free
Ronald McDonald House - Granting RMHC2
- you will receive 3 months free
Ronald McDonald House - Scholarship RMHC3
- you will receive 3 months free
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| Upcoming Events | |
Please visit the News and Events page at www.ronaldhouse.org or call Jonna Busack at 303-832-6641 to learn more about our events. |
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Upcoming Events Hosted by Friends of the Houses | | |
August 5
Step Up for Cancer
Support Sky High Hope Camp by participating in Step Up For Cancer
August 25 Great Urban Race Participate in the Great Urban Race and support the House by donating wish list items September 22 Rock 'n' Roll Marathon See more information below October 12 PJs & Eggs
Coming soon to your favorite breakfast restaurant...DINNER! And, you can even wear your PJ's!
On October 12, 2012 (a.k.a., World Egg Day), The Colorado Egg Producers Association is hosting PJ's and Eggs...a breakfast-for-dinner event for charity. On that night, participating restaurants will serve breakfast for dinner and donate a portion of the proceeds to Ronald McDonald House of Denver. The restaurants will also be collecting new children's pajama sets for the kids at the Ronald McDonald House.
Be sure to mark your calendars for this fun event and stay tuned for a list of participating restaurants.
Support Sky High Hope Camp by
joining us at Virgilio's Pizzeria & Wine Bar for their Annual Festival. Stay tuned for more information. |
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A great big thank you to our friends at Davidsons Liquors for hosting a wine/spirits/beer tasting to benefit Ronald McDonald House of Denver. About 150 people sipped the night away at this fun event, held at the historic Highlands Ranch Mansion.
The event raised $6,000 for the Ronald McDonald House and was so successful that they plan to do it again in December. Details will be available soon. |
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It's All in the Pillow | |
Families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Denver may enjoy innovative home décor items in upcoming months. Colorado-based company It's All in the Pillow is raising money to provide patients' families with comfort and convenience during their stays at the Ronald McDonald House with its unique 3-in-1 tray pillows. The pillows appear like normal couch cushions but unzip to provide a stable tray surface for eating, drinking and working. For each pillow purchased on its website until August 15th, It's All in the Pillow will donate $10 towards pillows for the family rooms of the Denver House. Buy one for yourself and one for a friend today at www.itsallinthepillow.com! |
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Join With Other Supporters to Increase Your Impact | |
Over the years, supporters like you have selflessly and passionately given their time, talent and assets to help us serve families of children receiving medical treatment.
If you feel strongly about our charitable work and would like to join together with other supporters that share your values and ambitions, we hope you'll consider becoming a member of the Keepers of the House.
Please contact Vicki Walker at 720-382-7205 to learn more about the planned gifts we can accept or to let us know that you've included RMHC
in your estate plans.
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The Ronald McDonald
Blog is Coming! | |
This blog will provide the most up-to-date documentary of the current happenings at the Houses. Featured on the blog will be photos from events, stories of volunteers and families, and a preview of upcoming events. The hope of this blog is to foster a consistent connection with each of our RMHC supporters and provide a place for newly interested supporters to learn more about the Houses. Check out the blog at our webpage: Ronald houses.org |
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The following are the names of the 2012-2013 Scholarship Winners: Congratulations and Good Luck!
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Saba |
Aidah | |
Nohemi |
Almaraz-Quinones | |
Viridiana |
Alvarez | |
Zachary |
Anderson | |
Brittany |
Andreasen | |
Hannah |
Antholz | |
Seth |
Arvizu | |
Ruth |
Bailey | |
Erika |
Balderrama | |
Dariusz |
Baliczek | |
Rachel |
Baumgardner | |
Heather |
Brown | |
Jocelyn |
Brownson | |
Sandra |
Carrillo | |
Sanjuana |
Casillas | |
Adele |
Cass | |
Valeria |
Castaneda | |
Jenna |
Catalano | |
Stephanie |
Coley | |
Adriana |
Cordova | |
Fatima |
Estrada | |
Sandy |
Fisher | |
Reina |
Flores | |
Gabriella |
Gallegos | |
Jessica |
Galvan | |
Gissela |
Garcia-Gonzalez | |
Zion |
Gezaw | |
Deisi |
Gomez-Estrada | |
Anne |
Gostling | |
Tachelle |
Grant | |
Whitney |
Hackbarth | |
Nicholas |
Harlan | |
Sarah |
Harris | |
Humberto |
Hernandez | |
Francisco |
Holguin | |
Austin |
Hunt | |
Aaron |
Illenberger | |
Samantha |
Irving | |
Dustin |
Jenkins | |
Adriana |
Jimenez | |
Dunya |
Jimma | |
Devin |
Keener | |
Abdul-Quadri |
Kelani | |
Collin |
Kelly | |
Theresa |
Kensak | |
Alexandra |
Kirton | |
Edward |
Kusi-Mensah | |
Adriana |
Legarreta | |
Joshua |
Lorenzen | |
Carl |
Martin | |
Evelyn |
Martinez | |
Spany |
Mburunyeme | |
Armando |
Mejia-Alvarado | |
Mario |
Melendez | |
Leslie |
Mendez | |
Sandra |
Mendiola | |
Cristina |
Meraz | |
Malia |
Michel | |
Sabrina |
Montoya | |
Kenia |
Morales | |
Antonio |
Murdock | |
Tyler |
O'Daniel | |
Mercy |
Olaka | |
Kaylee |
Ortega | |
Kommon |
Ousley | |
Yaa |
Owusu | |
Jessica |
Padilla | |
Karen |
Perez | |
Timothy |
Pittman | |
Melody |
Potter | |
Alejandro |
Quintana | |
April |
Richards | |
Alexis |
Rico | |
Vivianne |
Rodriguez | |
Allie |
Rodriguez | |
Marissa |
Rodriguez Enriquez | |
Rocio |
Rojas | |
Maria |
Salas | |
Alejandro |
Salazar | |
Daniela |
Sanchez | |
Yatlahi |
Sanchez Rodriguez | |
Jessica |
Schneider | |
Stephanie |
Serrano | |
Jorge |
Solis | |
Anna |
Soltis | |
Brian |
Soukup | |
Cindy |
Sun | |
Quy |
Tat | |
Michal |
Tesfamariam | |
Daniel |
Tewolde | |
Magaly |
Urbina | |
Michelle |
Vega | |
Karen |
Velasco | |
Maite |
Villegas | |
Rukia |
Walio | |
Sierra |
Weast | |
Mitch |
Weigel | |
Donovan |
Wells | |
Taylor |
Wollert | |
Ben |
Woo Ching |
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Contact Information | | |
Pam Whitaker, Executive Director
Ronald McDonald House - Denver
(303) 861-1754 |
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Team RMHC, Denver - Run, Ride, Race for a Reason
Benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver, Inc. | |
Calling all athletes! Or anyone who wants to try!
Pick your event, plan your training and prepare for your strong finish. Now, give your heart a real work-out by joining Team RMHC and help a family in need.
Join Team RMHC, Denver for their first event
Rock and Roll Marathon, Denver - Saturday, September 22, 2012
Experience the Rock and Roll Marathon with live bands, cheerleaders and a post-race concert. Run 13.1 or 26.2 miles or a 2 Person Half- Marathon Relay (that's only 6.5 miles each!) on a flat beautiful course through 3 City Parks, LoDo, Union Station and Coors Field.
HOW TO SIGN UP:
Not sure how to start training?
Already signed up for the run? Start fundraising!
Involve your family, friends, co-workers...everyone you know! There are no minimum fundraising goals, so you set your own goal. For example, just $300 will pay for a family to stay 15 nights at the Ronald McDonald House. So, to raise $300, you could:
- Kick start your campaign with a personal donation of $25 ($25)
- Ask your spouse/family member to match your donation ($50)
- Ask five of your co-workers to donate $5 each. ($25)
- Ask your boss for a company donation. ($100)
- Ask for a Team RMHC donation in your honor, in lieu of a birthday gift this year ($40)
- Approach businesses that you frequent for a donation ($50)
- Ask someone you have previously supported for a donation ($10)
Your donations support families at the Ronald McDonald House and the Ronald McDonald Family Room. Join in our efforts to help families of seriously ill or injured children when they must be away from home to seek medical treatment for their children.
Thank you for your generosity! 100% of all donations made by Team RMHC members and their supporters go to RMHC Denver programs. |
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send friends to ronaldhouse.org/news/
