We love hearing from families that have felt at home at our House. When we share these kudos, we want you to know that we share the gratefulness with our circle of supporters including donors & volunteers. The photos of the patient’s sister say it all.

“Thank you, @rmhcofcentraloh for creating such a fun, welcoming environment during a hard time for our family. While Sadie’s baby brother is in the NICU at @nationwidekids she has been able to enjoy the RMH with mom and dad. Thank you to anyone who donates to this organization. They have been a huge blessing to our family.” – Nancy Sponseller on Instagram

 

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A post shared by Nancy Sponseller (@nanannsponseller)

By Rick Shepherd, Communications Manager, RMHC of Central Ohio

Some may not be aware that we are required by Nationwide Children’s Hospital to have staff members, not volunteers, welcome families and family members to our Ronald McDonald Family Room in the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion. That’s why many of us who wear different hats professionally with our chapter, can often be found greeting folks to our room in the BHP.

I just wanted to share a short chat I had with the grandma of a patient being cared for here in the BHP, where I’m working today. When checking her in to our family room, she said she was from nearby Pickerington, Ohio and she’s been here to the room several times over that past several weeks, but the patient is being released and she would be headed home today…except that now, a hurricane is probably destroying her house as we speak. She further explained, with tears in her eyes, she’s the patient’s grandma from Florida and she’s actually been staying with the patient’s parent’s home in Pickerington to support them and her grandchild during this tough mental health crisis for the family. However, she actually lives in Punta Gorda, Florida where Hurricane Ian – a category 4 storm at the moment and one of the worst in a hundred years to hit the area – is currently baring down. She tells me she may not have a house to go home to now and feels fortunate to be staying with family up here a little longer, until the storm passes and she can return to assess the damage. There have been more than a few families here today in the sitting area watching The Weather Channel coverage of the storm with great concern for those they know there.

It’s a good reminder of the additional stressors, unrelated to their medical journey here, that can be playing a part in the lives of the families we’re caring for when they’re in our House or one of our family rooms. We here at RMHC of Central Ohio are also thinking of our volunteers and “extended work family” here who may be in Florida, have homes there, or who themselves have family members there as well as all of the RMHC chapters in Florida – especially along the west coast – who are facing quite a stress-test right now themselves. Here’s hoping everyone who lives in Florida is staying safe and has the best possible outcome.

COLUMBUS—Final donations have been tallied and an impressive $247,148 was raised by the Dean’s Charity Steer Show for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio.

Held August 2 at the Ohio State Fair’s Cooper Arena, the show far surpassed all expectations. “This wonderful event brings people together  to celebrate communities, agriculture, and children,” said Cathann A. Kress, vice president for agricultural administration and dean of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) who serves as host for the event. The event is focused on youth who benefit from the Ronald McDonald House, which is the sole beneficiary of the funds, as well as the 4-H youth who provide their expertise and steers for the event. 4-H is the youth development program of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences through OSU Extension.

“Every dollar we raised means families can stay together only steps away from their hospitalized child during one of the most stressful times of their lives,” said Kress. Each year, RMHC provides more than 82,000 nights of food and rest to families of seriously ill children. The charity steer show included 11 celebrity exhibitors, paired with media personalities, a 4-H member, and their steer. Everyone donated their time to raise money and compete for bragging rights in front of a large crowd of supporters.

Show winners were:

• Best Steer: Team Nationwide (Dale Minyo, Kirt Walker, and Madisyn Brandt)
• Showmanship Award: Ohio Farm Bureau Federation Team Bill and Ty’s Excellent Adventure (Ty Higgins, Bill Patterson, and Rachel O’Reilly)
• Best Dressed: Team Jumanji’s Speed-steers (Cameron Fontana, Rick Ricart, and Karissa Treadway)
• People’s Choice: Team Milk Face Majesty (Angela An, Tom Feeney, and Owen Bailey)

And the new Grand Champion award for lead fundraiser goes to Team Nationwide (Dale Minyo, Kirt Walker, and Madisyn Brandt).

Hundreds attended the Steer Show event, while even more watched as the show was streamed via Facebook Live. Following the show, there was a “sale” following the same procedures as a typical livestock sale, but without the actual transfer of livestock. Instead, all bids and sale proceeds were donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.

Families and 4-H youth who participated in the 2022 show represented the counties of Clark, Fairfield, Gallia, Geauga, Highland, Muskingum, Stark, Tuscarawas, Warren, and Wayne.

Dee Anders, chief executive officer and executive director of RMHC, said “Everyone at the Ronald McDonald House Charities would like to express our sincere gratitude for allowing us to be part of such a special day. The funds raised from this event are transformational for the charity.”

Nationwide was named a “Showman of Showman” which is bestowed upon donors of $25,000 or more. “Premiere Exhibitor” donors, who each donated $10,000 or more, include Nationwide; Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; and Telhio Credit Union; Tom and Debra Feeney, Safelite; Brian O’Mara, Belron Foundation; Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State CFAES; Ricart Automotive; and Ronald Wilheim.Money came from 379 donors with gifts ranging from $10 to $25,000.

The Dean’s Charity Steer Show is coordinated by CFAES, the Telhio Credit Union, and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, and is held in partnership with the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair. At the inaugural show in 2019, approximately $152,000 was raised. Due to COVID-19, no shows were held in 2020 and 2021.

Mark your calendars now for the 2023 Dean’s Charity Steer Show set for Tuesday, August 1, 2023.

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Many thanks to our donors who supported this event listed below

Samantha and her son Ivan have been guests at the Ronald McDonald House when Ivan was being treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. See how the House has impacted their family by clicking the image above.

Editor’s Note: We often get messages of gratitude from families that have stayed with us. Some of these include offers to pay it forward with monetary donations, in-kind donations of items, and sometimes it’s offers of professional services. This is one of those letters. Thanks to this offer, families will soon be able to have a break from the stress of the hospital thanks to these parents, owners of a mobile entertainment company.

About six years ago, we found ourselves in need as our daughter (6 months old at the time) was life flighted an hour away and spent two weeks on life support. With little to no resources we had no way to be near our daughter during this time. In stepped the Ronald McDonald House! They were a life saver in many ways. My family was able to still enjoy our daughters first Christmas together, we were fed, checked on and taken care of very well.

Now we find that our daughter (now 6 years old) is suffering from Cancer. Columbus is a three-hour drive for us, early morning and late-night appointments make this drive very stressful. Last week, again Ronald McDonald House was there for us! Whereas we try to make a donation every time we stay, it never seems enough for us. Being owners of a small family operated business finances get tight quickly for us. But, being owners of a family operated business gives us an opportunity to give back.

Should RMHC ever need help, looking for new entertainment or fundraising ideas, or just want something to do, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Weekends fill pretty fast for us, but we will do our best to have room for your outstanding organization.

Thank you for all you do, and continue to do for our family and families who find themselves in a time of need.

Duaine and Apryl Cluckey
Four of a Kind Entertainment

Beginning September 2, proceeds from beverage sleeve sales will go directly to support RMHC

COLUMBUS, OHIO — Local McDonald’s restaurants are providing another way to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio with the return of the Sleeves for Support program, featuring an exclusive Ohio State Buckeye® design. This fundraiser was developed in partnership with Coca-Cola and will generate funding for RMHC through sales of insulated beverage sleeves specifically designed to hold 30-ounce cups from McDonald’s. Sleeves will be available for purchase beginning September 2 at $6 each while supplies last.

“We’re excited to work with our partners at Coca-Cola to provide another option for our customers to support RMHC while enjoying their McDonald’s favorites,” said local McDonald’s Owner/Operator, Michael Telich. “Not only do these insulated sleeves help RMHC, they also help keep our guests’ drinks colder longer and are the perfect game day or tailgate accessory!”

In addition to Sleeves for Support, local McDonald’s restaurants give back through the Round-Up for RMHC program, where patrons can round their order up to the nearest dollar; through the Penny Per Happy Meal initiative where a portion of every Happy Meal sold benefits the Charity; and through RMHC Donation Boxes where customers can drop their spare change. Last year, $1.2 million was raised locally through these campaigns, and directly contributed to RMHC of Central Ohio, one of the largest chapters and Houses in the country.

“The Sleeves for Support campaign is one of many ways McDonald’s and its customers lend their support RMHC,” said Dee Anders, CEO & Executive Director of RMHC of Central Ohio. “McDonald’s was the founding mission partner of our charity when the first Ronald McDonald House opened 45 years ago, and the local McDonald’s team has always been an integral part of helping us fulfill our mission to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families.”

Lennon Norgard was born in Tacoma, Washington at 28 weeks weighing 2 lbs and 2 ozs with many issues including a chronic lung disease that affects newborns. Doctors at the hospital told his family that it would be best if Lennon were seen by experts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. So the parents and and grandparents found themselves with the newborn on the way to Columbus, then staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Click the image above to hear grandparents Kristin & Dane Norgard talk about the comfort they found just across the street from the hospital.

When you watch or listen to the video, you’ll learn that Kristin is a teacher back in her hometown, where the school rallied to collect pop tabs to support the House where Lennon’s family stays in Ohio. Click the image below to see the video made by students for the pop tab drive.

Emma Hasenstab wrapped up her internship with our marketing and communications department last week.

Before leaving, we asked her to write a guest blog post to our community about her experience with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. Below are her thoughts as she departs the House, promising that she will be back to support our chapter in the future. So this is not goodbye from the staff. Instead, it’s “see you later!” As she leaves, she will be taking the title of “Most Views of a Short Video on an RMHCofCentralOhio Social Media Account.” Her trivia questions to Ohio State Fair goers about Harry Styles has more than 11,000 on Tik Tok. Check it out by clicking the image below. Thanks, Emma, for all of your hard work.

@rmhcofcentraloh These Harry Style’s fans had to pick a word and sing a One Direction or Harry Style’s song with that word in it! If you would like to see Harry Style’s in concert head to the website in our bio and enter to win a pair of tickets for $20! ALL prcoeeds go to helping families stay close to their children getting care at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. You have until August 12th to enter! #keepingfamiliesclose #harrystyles #harryshouse #fyp #wordassociation #onedirection ♬ original sound – RMHCofCentralOH

By Emma Hasenstab

I started my internship with the Marketing and Communications team at RMHC of Central Ohio in March and I am wrapping it up this August. As I reflect on my time here as an intern, I am realizing that I have so many great things to share.

This internship has taught me so much about what marketing and communications looks like in the non-profit business world. There is a difference between marketing to get someone to buy an item or service and marketing something to get people to donate time and money. As a communications major and business minor, nonprofit is something that isn’t taught much in school. This internship allowed me to learn about the nonprofit world in a way I would not have been able to in college.

As an intern here I was also able to use my creativity to create content for social media and advertising. I cannot say I would have had the room to be this creative at another internship. This opportunity allowed me to step out of my comfort zone as I created content. I had to ask people to be in videos or get their pictures taken which is something I had to get used to.

This internship most importantly taught me about community in the workplace and what a relationship between co-workers should look like. They ask each other about stuff going on outside of work and are understanding of things going on in one’s personal life. The employees here have shown me what a work life balance looks like. I have never worked anywhere that my coworkers have been this caring and curious about things outside of work. I noticed that not only are these employees’ co-workers but they are also friends.

I came into this internship curious about the non-profit business world and wondering if it was something I could see myself doing after earning a degree. After this internship I can confidently say that working for a non-profit business is something I would love to do with my future. I hope to come back and work here when I finish my degree in a couple years. It is so rewarding. I left work everyday feeling like I have a purpose and woke up the next morning excited for what the day would bring. I have a friend who says, “don’t live for the weekends” and with this internship I never did.

Organizers of The Columbus Food Truck Festival are supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio by providing a cash donation for the 200 volunteers the RMHC chapter is providing for the event over this coming weekend. Even many staff members from our chapter will be on hand Saturday night to fill the last gap left in the volunteer shifts that needed filled. (Chief Marketing Officer Ryan Wilkins won’t just be helping out alongside volunteers Saturday night. The former recording artist will also be one of the entertainers on stage this weekend singing and playing guitar.) Getting this many volunteers gathered for this event at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard, Ohio is quite an achievement for RMHC of Central Ohio and its volunteer manager Meika Hilles. As one of the largest, and most fun, out-of-House events where recruiting volunteers is vital to the success of the event, Hilles was able to get just enough volunteers right down to the wire before the festival. Volunteer recruitment has been a bit tougher since trying to get back to normal numbers of volunteers after some left our roster following the height of the pandemic. That’s why Hilles is especially appreciative of all those who have committed to helping this weekend.

Click here to read the story in the Columbus Dispatch about this large gathering of food trucks in Franklin County.

Photo Courtesy: Columbus Food Truck Festival

The 2022 Dean’s Charity Steer Show, held at the Ohio State Fair on Tuesday, August 2, raised an astounding $240,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.

Media personalities, celebrity exhibitors, and 4-H youth, along with their steers, donated their time to raise money and compete for bragging rights in front of a large crowd of supporters in the Cooper Arena.

The show was hosted by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES. The president of Ohio State, Kristina M. Johnson, was also in attendance. Clark Donley, news director at Columbus Radio Group, served as emcee of the event.

The final dollar amount raised won’t be available until after all donation pages close on August 31, so if you missed the show, there’s still plenty of time to donate to the worthy cause at give.osu.edu/deanscharitysteershow.

“The Dean’s Charity Steer Show was such a special day for our community in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio,” said Dee Anders, CEO and executive director of the Columbus house. “We are humbled by the outpouring of support from all of the celebrities, media, sponsors, donors and attendees.”

Families and 4-H youth who participated in the 2022 show represented the counties of Clark, Fairfield, Gallia, Geauga, Highland, Muskingum, Stark, Tuscarawas, Warren, and Wayne.

Media personalities included Joe Boxer, host, WCOL radio; Angela An, news anchor, WBNS-10 TV; Matt Barnes, morning co-anchor, NBC-4 TV; Cameron Fontana, entertainment reporter and host, ABC 6/FOX 28/CW, Good Day Columbus; Kayla Hanley, morning radio personality, 92.3 WCOL radio; Tim Irr, news anchor, WSAZ-TV News Channel 3, Huntington, West Virginia; Ty Higgins, senior director of communications, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; and Dale Minyo, farm broadcaster, Ohio Ag Net.

Celebrity exhibitors included Troy Balderson, public servant; Matt Harper, McDonald’s owner/operator; Tom Feeney, executive chairman, Belron North America; Clark Kellogg, former Ohio State and NBA player and CBS Sports college basketball analyst; Bob Kendrick, anchor, ABC-6 News; Rick Ricart, Ricart Automotive; Jane Scott, executive director, Columbus Metropolitan Club; Ryan Smith, president, University of Rio Grande; Gene Smith, senior vice president and athletic director, Ohio State; Bill Patterson, president, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; and Kirt Walker, chief executive officer, Nationwide.

Show winners were:

1. Best Steer: Team Nationwide – The Dynamic Trio (Dale Minyo, Kirt Walker, and Madisyn Brandt of Tuscarawas County)
2. Showmanship Award: Team Bill and Ty’s Excellent Adventure (Ty Higgins, Bill Patterson, and Rachel O’Reilly of Geauga County)
3. Best Dressed: Team Jumanji’s Speed-steers – Wheelin’, Dealin’, and Steerin’ (Cameron Fontana, Rick Ricart, and Karissa Treadway of Warren County)
4. People’s Choice: Team Milk Face Majesty (Angela An, Tom Feeney, and Owen Bailey of Wayne County)

Following the show, there was a “sale” following the same procedures as a typical livestock sale, but without the actual transfer of livestock. Instead, all bids and sale proceeds were donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC).

“My deepest appreciation to everyone who made the 2022 Dean’s Charity Steer Show a success,” said Kress. “From great partners to outstanding youth, all the donors, those who honored us by watching, and all the helpers. I am overwhelmed by your support, enthusiasm, and friendship. Special thanks to Elizabeth Harsh, Bill Tom, Leslie Bumgarner, Virgil Strickler, Aaron Arnett, Dee Anders, Ryan Wilkins, Darby Jay Walton…and all the other volunteers. The success of this day would not have been possible without Lori Bowman, and Lora Vest, as well as Keith DiDonato, Cody Snyder, and Rob Frost.”

The Dean’s Charity Steer Show is coordinated by CFAES, the Telhio Credit Union, and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, and is held in partnership with the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair. At the inaugural show in 2019, approximately $152,000 was raised for RMHC.

Located across the street from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Columbus Ronald McDonald House provides not only lodging, but also meals, a place to rest, laundry facilities, an exercise room, informal gathering areas, and activities for siblings of hospitalized children. Each year, more than 82,000 nights of rest are provided to families of seriously ill children.