Team RMHC: Helping families of seriously-ill children one mile at a time
October 21, 2015Last year, Shannon Thomas’ cousin had premature twin boys, Cale and Cole, born in Marietta, Ohio. The twins were healthy in size for being born premature. However, they had multiple complications and were rushed to Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. Cale and Cole stayed in the NICU for close to two months.
Start line of the 2015 Columbus Marathon
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio became a huge blessing for Shannon’s cousin during an extremely difficult and stressful time. It allowed them to stay close to their babies, rest in a comfortable bed and enjoy delicious, homemade food.
Shannon was so moved when she heard about the option to run for Team RMHC, Ronald McDonald House’s charity running team, stating:
“The decision to join Team RMHC was a no brainer. I completed my first marathon in May for my own personal goals, but this one is for the twins!”
Team RMHC is filled with runners motivated by similar stories. They have each been touched by the love and care that flows from the Ronald McDonald House. Emily Smith and her family stayed at the House while her brother, Will recovered from a tragic car accident. Emily even completed training for her first marathon on a RMHC treadmill in the Columbus Crew SC exercise room! Parker Sinclair has volunteered at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House with the Red Shoe Society and joined Team RMHC with his wife, Elizabeth. Ken Grape’s grandson was born prematurely. The House saved his grandson’s parents a two-hour drive while he spent 7 weeks in the NICU. The stories of Team RMHC runners are what drives each runner, what motivates them to stomp out another mile, what encourages them to finish the fight! Thirty runners completed the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon or Half Marathon to celebrate and cherish the stories that connected them to RMHC of Central Ohio.
30 runners.
13.1 or 26.2 miles completed.
$19,512 raised.
195 nights of rest provided for RMHC families.
Ready to make a difference in your own life and in the lives of RMHC families? Join Team RMHC for our spring season!
Stories of Change
September 16, 2015
Mackenzie with Summer, one of the many children who inspire her at RMHC of Central Ohio
By Mackenzie Schuler
I love the fall. I think one of the biggest reasons I love it is because I love watching the The Ohio State University Buckeyes (I’m sorry to my family in Iowa—I still love Iowa and my roots, just not when Ohio State plays them!) College football has a lot of amazing stories that take place both on and off the field. The stories I love are the ones where these football teams take these incredibly bright and resilient children who are battling childhood illnesses and adopt them as an honorary member of their team. AJ McCarron of Alabama befriended Starla Chapman. Nebraska Cornhuskers had Jack Hoffman score an amazing touchdown. The Ohio State University Buckeyes consider Jacob Jarvis a member of the team. These are just a few examples, but these stories pull at your heart strings and unite the community to support these amazing kids!
These inspirational sports stories remind me of some of the incredible stories I have had the honor and privilege to meet here at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House. Every family I have met and every family that stays at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House has an incredible story to share. That’s why we are looking for past or current families who have stayed at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House to share your story.
Beginning October 13th, we will begin a campaign on CD102.5 in partnership with McDonald’s and Ohio Center for Broadcasting called Stories of Change, where Columbus Ronald McDonald House stories are shared—family stories, volunteer stories, donor stories, etc. We would love to have you have a conversation between your family about your experience the Ronald McDonald House (we have questions to help you get the conversation going, no worries!) by recording an audio file. You can record the audio file on your phone—click here for directions. If you are coming to the Columbus Ronald McDonald House before October 1st and would like to record your story, please contact Mackenzie Schuler. By recording your story, you are helping share the importance of the Columbus Ronald McDonald House—your story helps create hope and inspire others to share their stories of change because of the Columbus Ronald McDonald House.
Footprints on Our Hearts
March 5, 2014By Delyse Twitty
Delyse sitting outside of the Columbus Ronald McDonald House
I truly believe that I’m one of the luckiest people in the world to be able to have my dream job. I’d often heard the saying, “Find something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”, but I wasn’t sure that it was actually possible. In December I discovered that it was not only possible, but that the saying was 100% true.
My name is Delyse Twitty and I am a Family Services Manager at the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio. Words can’t even begin to describe the love that I have for my job. I always knew that I wanted to work at a nonprofit, and the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio was always my first choice. The reality of this amazing organization is even greater than I ever dreamed that it could be. The staff and volunteers are beyond wonderful, but it’s the families here that change your life. Every family that stays here has their own story, their own unique set of circumstances and they each leave their own special set of footprints on your heart. I treasure the time that I get to spend privately with each family and I cherish every moment that I work here.
I can honestly say that I wake up every day and feel completely blessed that I get to work around such great people. Every day here is an eye opening, heartwarming reminder that I’ve found my place in this world. I get to spend my days with the best staff, volunteers and families imaginable, and for that I am forever thankful. The Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio has truly changed my life.