More Than Just a Game
January 21, 2015By Mackenzie Schuler
For anyone living in the central Ohio area, you know this weekend is a major weekend for Columbus. If you are not familiar with what is happening, let me bring you up to speed: The 2015 NHL All-Star Game is happening at Nationwide Arena! This is a huge opportunity for Columbus to show the world why we are an incredible city that is the best kept secret.
One of the best kept secrets of The 2015 NHL All-Star Game is the Legacy project. In each city that The NHL All-Star Game is held, the League works with a local charity to complete a meaningful project. For this year’s charity project, several central Ohio charitable organizations submitted a proposal for what they would like commissioned for their charity.
When we submitted our proposal, I honestly had no idea what to expect. It sounded amazing, but I could not even wrap my mind around what we were going to be doing. We were in the midst of our grand opening, which has now made us the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world. I was not sure the NHL would even choose the Columbus Ronald McDonald House for this project. However, I was proven wrong, and the Columbus Ronald McDonald House was fortunate enough to have been chosen to have our project commissioned for The 2015 NHL All-Star Game.
Columbus is an incredibly generous city that has the support of so many organizations. The NHL saw the generosity of the Columbus Blue Jackets, an organization that has proven to be a vital partner to the Columbus Ronald McDonald House time and time again. The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation have supported us by adopting rooms within the Columbus Ronald McDonald House (have you seen the Jacket Zone in our basement or The Lady Jackets’ Princess Room?!), bringing their team to the House to play games with our families, throwing an amazing princess party for our little girls, and helping with landscaping and other projects. The Columbus Blue Jackets, the Columbus Blue Jacket Foundation, and The Lady Jackets are truly helping families with seriously-ill children at the House. Without their support, we could not make a difference in the lives of these families every day. We are grateful.
While I am sworn to secrecy to not tell you about the NHL All-Star Legacy Project, I can tell you this: you are going to be blown away. Stay tuned for the unveiling on Friday, January 23rd at 9:30 a.m.
With Love from a Lady Jacket
March 12, 2014By Brett Letestu
Brett with her husband and two children
My name is Brett Letestu, but some of you may know me as “the Canadian with the Minnesotan accent.” My husband and I came to Columbus less than three years ago when he joined the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team. We now live here full-time with our sons, Caleb and Dylan.
Giving back is very important to us. Although we may move more often than the average family, we always look for ways we can contribute to each community we live in.
I first became involved with the Ronald McDonald House last winter after touring the facility with my fellow Lady Jackets. I was so impressed with the enormous amount of hard work our neighbors in Columbus did to make this sanctuary for families a reality. On a more personal level, I was thrilled to see the Blue Jackets involvement and immediately asked what I could do to help.
Shortly after that tour, I began volunteering at the house weekly. I help with everything from answering the phones, to cleaning room after a family checks out, to doing laundry and stocking shelves. In my time at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House, I’ve met some of the most amazing, inspiring people and made some true friends for life. Honestly, I never imagined my time there would impact my life as much as it has. I’m deeply humbled to be even a small part of an organization that provides so much comfort to so many in need.
Besides volunteering, the Lady Jackets also organize special projects and events to help the the Columbus Ronald McDonald House even more. During the holidays, we joined forces with the Blue Jackets Foundation to organize a Blue Jackets Favorites Basket Auction and Raffle. We gathered a variety of our husbands’ favorite things to be auctioned off, including game worn items, game consoles, golf items and their favorite candy, movies and gift cards to their favorite restaurants. The proceeds went to the charity of our choice—and of course we chose Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio!
Most recently, we’ve started designing and outfitting a “Princess Room” as part of the current expansion project. As the mother of two boys, this is particularly exciting for me—I’ll finally get to help design a room with pink, princesses and glitter! We’re also working hard to gather ideas and materials to make this room come to life. We hope to get inside the room and begin making the magic happen by beginning of May, and we’ll be sure to update you on our progress.
We’re grateful and humbled to have this opportunity to help make little girls’ dreams come true, and look forward to celebrating the room’s completion with—what else? —a Grand Opening Tea Party!
As mentioned before, working with the wonderful and dedicated employees, fellow volunteers and meeting the remarkable families that stay there has been a life changing experience for me. This unique nonprofit provides a real win-win for everyone. I’m so proud to work alongside you!