in
Ronald McDonald House Charities
o f C e n t r a l Pe n n s y l v a n i a
The Holcomb Boys…
Isaac, center, plays
big brother to one-year
old triplets, shown left
to right: Gabriel, Caleb
and Josiah.
FALL 2010
Issue Highlights
Save the Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Construction News . . . . . . . . . . 3
In Memory Of . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 & 5
Snapshot of 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Photo and Story by Lydia Holcomb
Ronald McDonald Family Room . 7
Our Impact
January – June 2010
We served 12,558 guests
in the Ronald McDonald
Family Room®
We served 558 night
and day guests at
Ronald McDonald House®
We were there in Hershey with
only the clothes on our back, when
our triplets were born four months
prematurely, each weighing a little
more than 1 pound and 12 inches long.
Exiting the hospital that day, when
the boys were four days old and in
such a precarious situation, was like
physically tearing my heart from my
chest and leaving it on the seventh floor
of the hospital. But moments later, my
first steps into the Ronald McDonald
House were like a balm for my breaking
heart. Walking in, we found a home
which was warm, welcoming and a
surprising respite from the stress of
the hospital.
We were absolutely shocked the
first evening when we sat down to eat
dinner, to learn that volunteer families
and organizations provided meals
every night. I literally cried into my
dinner plate that night, not only from
exhaustion, but from the immense
© 2010 McDonald’s
and overwhelming gratitude I felt
for all the Ronald McDonald House
offered and the complete and utter
blessing it was to our drained souls.
We couldn’t believe that people would
give so much to others they may
never know. We stepped foot into the
Ronald McDonald House that first
day on September 8, 2009 and with
the exception of a handful of nights,
we were blessed to call it home until
December 20.
Today, we look back at the journey
the boys have made over the past 12
months, and we know they are truly
our miracle boys! Most people who
look at them today have little idea
of their meager beginnings, as they
are now between 16 and 18 pounds. Ronald McDonald House will now
always hold a very special place in our
hearts forever, because of the kindness
shown to us during our greatest time
of need.
Volunteer Chefs
provided 232 meals
Volunteers gave 12,024
loving hours
Follow us on Facebook
and become a fan…
http://www.facebook.com/
rmh.hershey
Visit our website at:
www.rmhc-centralpa.org
Thank you for supporting us
through donation boxes at local
McDonald’s restaurants
Visit us at www.rmhc-centralpa.org
in
is a publication for the friends of
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of
Central PA. If you, or someone you know,
would like to be on our mailing list,
please contact us at (717) 533-4001,
or [email protected] For more information about these exciting events,
please visit www.rmhc-centralpa.org
October 9 12 noon – 3 p.m.
Channel 106.7 Radio Remote/
Open House “Give for Kids”
Contributing Writers:
Debra Barry, Lydia Holcomb,
Todd Layser, Deb Stegall
Ronald McDonald House®, Hershey
Silent Auction, hot dogs/soda, balloons,
Hershey Bar and Reese Characters
Tour the expanded Ronald McDonald House
Contributing Photographers:
Debra Barry, Lydia Holcomb,
Nathan Merkel, Phil Palanzo
November 7 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Distribution Services
Generously donated by
Laser Imaging Services, Inc.
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE®
EXPANSION Grand Opening
Celebration & Ribbon Cutting
Graphic Design
The Design Factory
Refreshments, tours
November 29 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Printing Services
Generously donated by
The Hershey Company
Light-A-Light Open House
Tree Lighting Ceremony 6 p.m.
Ronald McDonald House
Refreshments, tours, children’s activities
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Editor
Debra A. Barry
Board of Directors
Brenda Pettersen, President
Thomas Hinkson, Vice-President
Joseph Cottonaro, Treasurer
Stephen Brodeur, Assistant Treasurer
Daniel Kraft, Secretary
Edward Anstead
Jeanne Arnold
Carol Brame
Andrew Cheung
Jamie F. Cielewich
Maida Connor
Barbara Ostrov, M.D.
Emmett Patterson
Raymond Pettersen
Brian Roche
Ruth Siegel
William F. Simpson, Jr.
Bentley Smith
Matthew Wain
December 17 5:30 p.m.
The 9th Annual Moonlight
Gala and Silent Auction
The Hotel Hershey
Please join us and BELIEVE!
Silent Auction – Dinner
Dance to the tunes of one of the best live bands in
Central Pennsylvania, “Class Act Featuring Rita.”
Register online at www.rmhc-centralpa.org
under News and Events, Upcoming Events.
Full-Time Staff
Kathleen Denton, Executive Director
Debra Barry, Marketing/
Communications Manager
Todd Layser, House Manager
Amy Leonard, Development Manager
Part-Time Staff
Wendy McGreevy, Financial Coordinator
Colin Powell, Resident House Manager
Deb Stegall, Office Manager
Patrice Stillwell, Administrative
Assistant and Grant Coordinator
Pam Vesce, Volunteer Coordinator
Ann Mahalik, Ronald McDonald
Family Room® Coordinator
For a complete list of part-time staff, please
visit www.rmhc-centralpa.org
2
®
May proved to be a very exciting and busy month as RMHC of Central PA
coordinated three major fundraising events, netting over $130,000. The event
chairpersons were: Ray Pettersen, The 16th Annual Golf Classic; Daniel Kraft and Moses
Smucker, The 2nd Annual Lancaster County Community Auction; and Chris Lesher,
Steve Lesher and Chuck Schaal, Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community.
Visit us at www.rmhc-centralpa.org
Excitement Builds . . .
The signs of your generosity, even during these difficult economic times, are everywhere.
Thank you to our incredible donors and volunteers who have made our House expansion a reality.
Photo courtesy of Nathan Merkel
Visit us at www.rmhc-centralpa.org
3
in memory of
Donations Received
March 1, 2010 through
July 31, 2010
Caren Marie Emily Acker
Allen and Norma Jean Acker
Alexandra Faith Albrecht
Robert and Patricia Albrecht
Charlotte Brunson
Jeff and Andrea Dietz
Larry and Rhoda Fox
William and Patricia Helfrich
Michael and Linda Hoover
Richard and Sherry Humbert
Judy Hupcey and Ian Gilchrist
Mary Karpency
John and Darlene Petrone
Donald and Jennifer Reese
Steven and Donna Reese
George and Phyllis Riddle
David and Donna Schankweiler
Tom, Holly, Jessica and Katie Schmidt
Donald and Janet Walker
Helen (Schirm) Brehm
Ronald and Barbara Brehm
Daniel and Frances Walters
Donald Lee “Duke” Carter Sr.
E. C. Barnes, Inc.
Donald and Carol Barlup
Barry and Davida Bier
Ernst and Nancy Billig
BJ’s Type Mixed League
James D. Bogar, Attorney at Law
Borough of Wormleysburg
Carlisle Productions, Inc.
Castle Clean
Linda Fleming
Mark and Marsha Friedman
Judith S. Hempt
H.S. and Janis Hetrick
JMS Services, LLC
William and Dianne Kollas
Martin Lane, Jr., Darleen Fritz
and Ronald Thomas
Lebo’s Plumbing, Heating and A/C, Inc.
Adele Llewellyn
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lohin
Taylor and Toni Mitterlehner
Edward R. Norford
Paytime Harrisburg, Inc.
James and Linda Penny
Lisa, Mary Lee and Bob Rice
and Lori Dennis
Alan T. Rosenberg
RVG Management
and Development Co.
Samuel Santeusanio
Evan and Marian Semoff
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Shuman and Family
John and Debra Snoke
Audrey Sussman
Senator Patricia H. Vance
W & L Sales Co., Inc.
John and Patricia Warehime
Dean and Kim Weigel
Wilsbach Distributors, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. Barry S. Yoss
Mary Wells Cosson
Scott and Doras Morrison
Jonathan D. Fasick
Tomasina K. Ream
Jermaine A. Cruz, Jr.
Catherine Ford
Lobar Inc. Construction Services
Wellspan Health - York Hospital Pediatrics Department
George Freeburger
James and Lovonne Cooper
Ben and Donna Dale
Maida Connor and Michael Pesare
Betty Lou Griffiths
Gregg and Mary Ann Gable
Joseph and Kathleen Gormish
Wesley and Constance Kirby
Keith and Mary Jo Laslow
Robert and Judith Schoffner
Midge and Dave Somers and Family
Universal Chemicals and Coatings, Inc.
Michael H. DeFrank
Jane DeFrank
Helen M. Deibert
Anonymous
Barbara Bartholomew
Theresa H. Bleak
A. Newton Bugbee
Joyce A. Burda
Bill Carl
Helen Chlebove
Linda Troxell Covey
Eleanor M. Deibert
Dennis J. Deutsch
Mary E. Farner
Richard E. Frick
David D. Gillespie
Judith Helker
Linda A. Kappes
Roseann Kappes
Lois M. Katchur
Jean L. Kennedy
JoAnn C. Krouse
Raymond T. Laubach
Charles J. Markell
Frank and Kathleen Marth
Carol K. Martin
Thomas B. May
William B. Nothstein
Rita R. Petzuk
Rose Marie Rice
Janet I. Rigo
Margaret M. Roncolato
Bob Schaffer
Kathy L. Shupp
St. Andrew’s Young at Heart
Jayne Stevens
Frank J. Troxell
Virginia L. Valentine
Dorothy M. Vassa
Roxane C. Williams
Nancy Lee Woodring
Paul S. Woodring
Dennis Yanek
Henry and Earline Dillon
Alice M. Dillon
Cole Dragon
Lisa M. McNulty
Joyce Marie Boyer Enck
Randolph and Joyce Doster
EHS Class of 1963
Thomas and Pauletta Engleman
Millie and Jerry Hake
George and Elaine McLaughlin
John and Geraldine Shuey
St. James Presbyterian Church
Jeffrey and June Stratmeyer
4 Visit us at www.rmhc-centralpa.org
www.ronaldshousehershey.org
Paul Garrison
Joseph S. Garrison
Mindy N. Huddleston
Lancaster Nissan
Bonna Leonard
Patricia Oberholtzer
Lori Porreca
Ressler and Mateer, Inc.
Jim Sanford
Gregory Sisak
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stull
Tempcheck Mechanical Services, Inc.
United Electric Supply
Elizabeth Rose Litschi
James and Linda Litschi
Katrine Litschi
James and Linda Litschi
Rachel Hamaker
Willi and Beatrice Gyger
Frances M. Long
Helen E. Long
Mark E. Heath
Robert and Shirley Bookwalter
Steve and Tonya Bookwalter
Collins Trucking, Inc.
Dean and Sharon Conley
Ryan and Shannon Jacobs
The Kauffunger Family
Robert and Gina Lapihuska
Joseph and Donna Lescisko
Scott and Jean Lowery
L. Paul and Cecilia Schmidt
Mabel S. Scipioni
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Scipioni
Van Metre Companies
Rosemary Mack-McAuvic
Helen McAuvic
Logan Scott Heisey
Curt and Diane McCallum
Donald and Beverlie Wissner
Benjamin C. Helm, Jr.
Cheston and Anne Berlin
Naoko Garrison
Ruth M. Siegel and Mark Widome
Kathryn N. Higgins
Singleton Funeral Home, PA
Brian L. Houser
Willis and Debra D. Houser
Kail Kauffman
Johann and Heidi Kauffman
G. Edwin and Martha J. Ritter
E. Robert “Woody” Keller
Robert and Peggy Grimm
Robert W. Kline
Bud Glenn and Family
Jerry and Toni Fox
Lisa M. Martinelli
D. Scott and Frances Noel
Aerobiology
Emanuel M. “Manny” Lapp
Continued from last issue
Robert and Joan Bair
Donald and Anna Banzhof
Alicea A. Binkley
Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Breneman
John Dobosh
John and Mary Ellen Forsha
J. Christopher and Jane Horst
Frank Mayberry
Ann Mayberry
Chuck McKinney
Shelley McKinney
Charles Fry and Emily Ruth Miller
The Geissler Family
Bill, Kim, Patrick and Samantha Grinage
The Mengel Family
Ron and Donna Garber and Hilda Palmer
Douglas and Melody Rapp
Eleanor Miller
Allen and Norma Jean Acker
Helen Miller
Mark and Marie-Elaina Miller
Roy Robert Miller
Jack and Patricia Lesher
Helen D. Millheim
Dale J. Matlock
Casey E. Morris
Tina M. Visaggio
Ryan Nichols
Joseph and Mandy Sands
Johnathan Matthew Nodine
Ron and Faith Barbour
Karl and M. Carmela Boehk
Melvin and Marion Clopein
LBA Healthplans, Inc.
The McCaffrey Family
NCAS
Cara Elaine Peake
William and Pauline Seibel
Joshua Peek
Walter and Sue Deck
Nathan and Kelly Howard
Theodore and Kathy Peek
Continued on page 5
Continued on page 5
in memory of
Christopher Melendez Perry
G. Keith and Patricia Perry
Michael L. Pittenger
Mark and Phyllis Hoffman
Charles Prazenica
Julianne, Richard,
and Alison Bruetsch
Glenda L. Clemence
Patricia E. Fike
First Catholic Slovak Union
Branch 200
Josephine Greenawalt
Anthony and Nicolette McCollim
Jenny and Diane Meleason
Walter and Jennie Morda
Phil and Faye Ouellet
Joseph G. Panchik
Nicholas G. Rodites
Roger and Veronica Sanders
John and Nancy Valek
June M. Malehorn
Ted and Beverly Maugel
Terry and Barbara McDonald
Ellen J. Nagy
Richard and Dona Ott
Harriet Paules
Red Lion High School Class of 1960
George and Elaine Rodgers
Lucille M. Rutledge
Dorothy Saunders, Bonnie Bruner
and Harriet Hassler
Edward and Shirley Shiller
Jeffry and Nancy Sleeger
George and Peggy Ann Snyder
Terry and Erika Snyder
Eugene and Judith Strine
Gary and Virginia Test
Mr. and Mrs. Curvin Tyson
Peter and Linda VanGiesen
Richard and Patricia Walters
Doris Wedlock
Ray and Regina Wheeland
Isaac M. Thompson
Mark Thompson
Charles and Mary P. Prazenica
Walter and Jean Morda
Emily Kathryn Trump
Gregory A. Bretz
Mary Dodi Prazenica
Walter and Jean Morda
Ronald Valent
Irvin and Mariltn Ambrose
Brenda Kern
Donna L. Mollenhauer
Emilie M. Restagno
Lorraine and Jennie Stella
Robert and Linda Sheaffer
Louise V. Rost
John and June O’Donnoghue
Mary Ann Schaffer
Deborah A. Kohler, CPA
Isaac Smith
Frederick and Rhona Smith
Paul J. “Sonny” Smith, Jr.
Anthony and Jeanne Gurski
George and Cindy Koch
Rhynier and Adriana Minnich
Rosalie M. Zechman
Barbara K. Staley
Jerry and Julie Flood
Christine M. Test
Eldred and Sara Atkinson
Donald and Gladys Bahn
Black Wolf Rod and Gun Club, Inc.
Dawn Rutledge Burgoon
Central High School Class of 1961
Terry and Donna Copenheaver
Donald and Mary Culver
Lonnie and Betty Donahue
Emory and Cynthia Druck
Gene and Barbara Garrod
Ronald and Beverly Gearhart
Nevin and Sandra Greenplate
Rees and Susan Griffiths
Doris E. Heiland
Charles and Nancy Herr
Gerald and Rebecca Hester
Indian Rock Elementary School Staff
Joe and Mary Catherine Kirby
Richard and Elizabeth Kling
Donald and Faye Kunkel
Dale and Betty Leckrone
Richard and Sarah LeFever
Thomas and Harriet Lewis
James and Faye Loyd
Mickey L. Wagner
Patricia Wagner
Mickey Wagner, Sr.’s Birthday
Rickey and Sherry Wagner and Andrew
and Ross Wagner
Abigail G. Wall
Nick and Jennifer Nichols
April A. Shea
Nancy E. Walls
Mary Snyder
Ruth White
J. Paul and Margaret Stouffer
Ruth B. White
James and Lovonne Cooper
Wiyatt Bradley
Davidson Witkowski
Joanne Blose
FOR THE MOMS & DADS:
Gift Cards:
Local stores: JC Penney, Kmart, Kohl’s, Wal-Mart
Gasoline Cards: Sheetz, Turkey Hill
Local Restaurants: Applebee’s, Bob Evans, Friendly’s,
Isaac’s, McDonald’s
Pre-paid Phone Cards
Hand sanitizers
Laundry Detergent (HE-High Efficiency)
Dryer sheets
FOR THE CHILDREN:
Diapers, assorted sizes and baby wipes
Playstation 2 and Wii games
DVDs New Toys
FOR THE NEW PLAYROOM AND CRAFT ROOM:
Art Supplies and craft kits
FOR THE RONALD McDONALD HOUSE® AND
RONALD McDONALD FAMILY ROOM®:
Grocery store gift cards – Giant, Karns Quality Foods, Weis
Single serving food – cereal, chips, crackers, cookies,
fruit juice, microwave foods, toaster pastries, granola
bars, breakfast bars, trail mix, whole-grain snacks, dried
fruit, non-dairy coffee creamer, plastic wrap, aluminum
foil, zipper style storage bags-all sizes. (Due to health
concerns only individually packaged servings items can be
used in the Family Room)Disposable plastic food storage
containers, disinfectant spray, disinfecting wipes, paper
plates and bowls, plastic forks and spoons, paper towels,
high efficiency light bulbs. FOR THE OFFICE:
8 ½ x 11 copier paper
Postage stamps
Kodak G Series cartidge
and paper kit
Howard E. Woody
David and Pam Hovatter
To view donations made
In Tribute Of your loved one
or special event, please
visit our website at
www.rmhc-centralpa.org
Visit us at www.rmhc-centralpa.org
5
Snapshot of 2009
Ronald McDonald House® Occupancy:
Total Family Visits: 847
Percent Occupied: 95%
Number of times families turned away: 731
Volunteer Hours:
Occupied Room Nights By Department:
NICU: 2,366
Out Patient: 430
Pediatrics: 1,148
PIMC/PICU: 2,269
Eating Disorder Clinic: 293
Feeding Clinic: 399
Same Day Surgery: 50
Child Psychiatric: 31
Rehabilitation: 63
Total Occupied Room Nights: 7,049
Average length of stay: 8 Nights
Day guest Program:
Total day visits: 351
Families served: 113
House, regular volunteer hours: 8,183
House, group volunteer hours: 2,716
Family Room volunteer hours: 3,837
Total Volunteer Hours: 14,736
House Meals Prepared: 442
Guest Demographics:
45 Pennsylvania Counties
16 Other States
Ronald McDonald Family Room®
Located Within Penn State Hershey
Children’s Hospital:
Overnight Guests: 2,630
Daytime Visitors: 22,961
Total Guests and Visitors: 25,592
RMHC® OF CENTRAL PA GRANT PROGRAM:
The funds used to support the grant program are
raised by McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Central
Pennsylvania, the customers of their 87 restaurants,
special events and the RMHC U.S. Matching Grant
Program in Oak Brook, IL.
$83,858 was awarded to 19 agencies in
Central Pennsylvania.
Volunteer, Donna Dixon
Ronald McDonald Family Room
6 Visit us at www.rmhc-centralpa.org
Girl Scout Cooks
Volunteer, Stephanie Arnold
Welcome to Ann Mahalik, our new Family Room® Coordinator! Ann, who lives with her family in Middletown, was
a volunteer for a year and a half before joining the staff last month. A fond farewell to Theresa White who we are
happy to report will still remain an active volunteer. ` Best Wishes, Theresa!
Ann Mahalik extends a warm
welcome to parents, children
and visitors.
Goodbye!
Naoko Garrison has been a faithful
staff member keeping Ronald
McDonald House® sparkling clean
from top to bottom for more than
8 years. Best wishes to you on your
retirement from all the staff, guests
and volunteers.
L to R: Brothers Oliver and Anthony
pose for a photo opportunity while
visiting the Family Room with their
mother in August.
L to R: Julie and her sister, Amarillis,
receive some activity advice from
volunteer, Maxine Izzo.
THINK GREEN…
Our Magazine recycling program has
raised over $90,000 since 2004. Toss
your magazines, catalogs and glossy
paper into any of our 17 containers,
provided by Consolidated Scrap
Resources. Check out all of our
locations* at www.rmhc-centralpa.org
and help us, as well as the environment.
* Please note our Lancaster County Airport recycle container is
located next to Winkie’s and The Pilot Shop on Airport Road.
Visit us at www.rmhc-centralpa.org
7
Ronald McDonald House Charities®
of Central Pennsylvania
745 West Governor Road
Hershey, PA 17033-2304
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HERSHEY, PA
PERMIT NO. 23
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Help us comfort families like Morgan’s . . . NEW! RMHC® of Central PA is now
registered at Kohl’s and JC Penney.
The Hershey Ronald McDonald House® welcomes your
gift for the new expansion and the day-to-day
operations of the House. Visit our gift registry either in
the store or online at www.kohls.com or www.jcpenney.com.
Contact Deb Stegall at [email protected] or
(717) 533-4001, if you have any questions.
Below are instructions to help you find us in the
online registry:
www.kohls.com #1405511 Gift Registry>Visit Special Days>
Search by Registry
www.jcpenney.com Gift Registry>Special Occasion>
Find a Registry>Search by first name (Ronald) and
last name (McDonald)
Thank you for considering this special way to
support our familes.
Morgan Johnson and “Rayn”