FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

KEEPING FAMILIES CLOSERMHCSODAK.ORG

Spring 2018

825 S Lake AveSioux Falls, SD 57104

Save the Date!March 17th Spring Fever Shopping Market

April 12th Annual Kentucky Derby Raffle

June 8th Sioux Falls Bubble Parade

June 29th Rapid City Bubble Parade

September 28th Kilts For Kids

December 13th 35th Year Celebration

Sioux Falls Convention CenterDoor proceeds benefit RMHC SoDak! We’ll see you there between 10AM and 4PM! ($5 admission; first 50 guests through the door receive a swag bag!)

Minnehaha Country Club, 5:30 PMTo purchase a ticket for your chance to win a trip for six to the 2018 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, contact Jessica at jarend@rmhcsodak.org. Drawing will take place at 7PM, and your raffle ticket purchase is your event entrance ticket!

Old Storybook Park, Rapid City SDCalling all friends in the Rapid City area! Meet us at Old Storybook Park as we honor Kuper with this memorial walk! We’ll meet at 10:45 and start walking at 11 AM. Interested in sponsoring the event? For full details, call Shannon at (605) 336-6398 ext. 6

Terrace Park WestMeet us at Terrace Park West at 10:45 AM for a fun walk (starting at 11) and exciting activities…Don’t forget to bring your own bubbles!

Hilton Garden Inn, Downtown Sioux FallsCelebrate with us as our Men in Kilts gather after an exciting fundraising drive! We’ll enjoy food, beverages, and a new show by Deuces Wild! Have a guy that would make a great fundraiser and look even better in a kilt? Or, does your business wish to sponsor the event (and receive tickets to the event which has sold out the last 2 years?)? Call Jessica at (605) 336-6398 ext. 5

Did you know RMHC South Dakota turns 35 this year!? That’s right, the charity first opened its doors in South Dakota in 1983! Stay tuned for exciting celebration details, which will take place in December, 2018!

Save the Date!March 17th Spring Fever Shopping Market

April 12th Annual Kentucky Derby Raffle

June 8th Sioux Falls Bubble Parade

June 29th Rapid City Bubble Parade

September 28th Kilts For Kids

December 13th 35th Year Celebration

Sioux Falls Convention CenterDoor proceeds benefit RMHC SoDak! We’ll see you there between 10AM and 4PM! ($5 admission; first 50 guests through the door receive a swag bag!)

Minnehaha Country Club, 5:30 PMTo purchase a ticket for your chance to win a trip for six to the 2018 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, contact Jessica at jarend@rmhcsodak.org. Drawing will take place at 7PM, and your raffle ticket purchase is your event entrance ticket!

Old Storybook Park, Rapid City SDCalling all friends in the Rapid City area! Meet us at Old Storybook Park as we honor Kuper with this memorial walk! We’ll meet at 10:45 and start walking at 11 AM. Interested in sponsoring the event? For full details, call Shannon at (605) 336-6398 ext. 6

Terrace Park WestMeet us at Terrace Park West at 10:45 AM for a fun walk (starting at 11) and exciting activities…Don’t forget to bring your own bubbles!

Hilton Garden Inn, Downtown Sioux FallsCelebrate with us as our Men in Kilts gather after an exciting fundraising drive! We’ll enjoy food, beverages, and a new show by Deuces Wild! Have a guy that would make a great fundraiser and look even better in a kilt? Or, does your business wish to sponsor the event (and receive tickets to the event which has sold out the last 2 years?)? Call Jessica at (605) 336-6398 ext. 5

Did you know RMHC South Dakota turns 35 this year!? That’s right, the charity first opened its doors in South Dakota in 1983! Stay tuned for exciting celebration details, which will take place in December, 2018!

Reunions with families at the Ronald McDonald House are very special to us. Often, families who have spent weeks waiting for their child to heal and grow will return with pop tabs for our Pop-Tab pandemonium, food items for the pantry or cook a meal for current families staying with us. It is always a special time of cele-bration & remembering their time of chal-lenge and healing.

One such reunion took place this past fall when Miriam Voderberg and her son Brandon returned to visit us. Miriam and her husband Peter stayed with us as they began the process of adopting their special needs child from LifeScape. They journeyed from Ohio to meet their child whom they had only come to know through photographs, but seeing the sparkle of curiosity in his eyes began the journey of adopt-ing Brandon. Brandon was 3 years old with Cerebral Palsy, and the transition would be an extensive process.

Peter and Miriam stayed with us at RMHC as they began the process of familiarizing themselves with their future son. As the days went on, the Ronald McDonald House became home base for them so they could stay close to LifeScape and respond to any special needs that would arise. During their stay, the Voderbergs would realize the Ronald McDonald House was the first place they would live as family.

“This trip back to RMHC was to immerse Brandon in his past—he sees the Ronald McDonald House as mom-my and daddy’s place” commented Miriam. “At that time, you had people that donated ham sandwiches, potato salad and watermelon. Brandon consumed it, and for an entire week we had that potato salad! To this day, he begs for potato salad!” Peter and Miriam feel fortunate that they are a part of Brandon’s world, and now, with his two young sisters and his brother, Brandon can joyfully know he now has a family to call his own. At the Ronald McDonald House, we’ve been honored to share in their adoption journey and wish them many happy memories as a family.

Save The Date

For more information on these events please contact us at:

(605) 336-6398

Always great to see kids grow up! Nate Bull Bear and his family stayed with us in 2007 when he was three years old and battling leukemia. It is a joy to see him 10 years later, a young man full of life!

& MEMORIALSHONORS Restore and Renovate

It’s hard to believe that the Ronald McDonald Houses in South Da-kota ever age. The houses have been and continue to be a home for thousands of children and their families throughout South Da-kota and across state lines. But, with all those feet coming in and out every day, during sunny, rainy, snowy and icy seasons, wear and tear is bound to happen. Our house near Avera is already TEN years old, and our house by Sanford—nearing NINE! So, what happens to a house this size, its bedrooms, common areas and hallways in that amount of time? The carpet gets stained and worn down, hard floors become thick with salt (even after daily

mopping!), lamps, lighting & fixtures, clocks and other room necessities go on the fritz, washers & dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, stoves, and microwaves all begin to go on a downward spiral, despite our best efforts of appli-ance revival! Toilets and bathtubs become chipped, towels & washcloths are much less soft, and the paint on the walls need TLC (or let’s be honest, a complete re-paint!)! Imagine everything that happens in your own home and multiply it by 1,000. That’s right, MORE THAN 1,000 GUEST FAMILIES stay with us to be close to their hospitalized child every year.

So, it’s time we get every bedroom back on track. It’s time to make all spaces in our houses, both private bedrooms and common living areas healthy, comfortable places once again. If these walls could talk, they would tell you so many stories. Stories of love and devotion, stories of moms and dads shedding tears, full of joy and dreaming of healthy kids. These walls have seen more than one could imagine. They may be a bit dinged up, but we can fix that with your help. What can be rejuvenated and replaced can happen with your help. We would be honored if you would join us in restoring and renovating our homes, so that these spaces can continue to be a place of rest and reprieve, where the walls can keep holding the stories of the incredible families we serve.

Would you be willing to make a gift towards house restoration? Please put R&R on the memo line of your donation which can be mailed in the enclosed enve-lope. We can’t wait to show you what we’ve done to revive our houses! We thank you for your generosity as we begin this large task..

In Memory of Violet Aman Myron & Anita Rau

In Memory of Mother and Grand-motherJoel Asher

In Memory of Fred BlockAnna Nackerud

In Memory of Jaxon BoomsmaWalter & Carol Ellefson

In Memory of Harold BoslerBerdyne Bosler

In Memory of Valerie BrodkorbAlissa Crandall

In Memory of Landon BueberKaylor 4-H Club

In Memory of Juniper DenHerderDebra DenHerder

In Memory of Gregg DeSmithAnna Nackerud

In Memory of Gordon & Mariam EisenbeiszDavid & Judith Eisenbeisz

In memory of Zach GlasemanShari Bowden

In Memory of Andrew GorterLarry & Judith Kobriger

In Memory of Nancy GunnerAndrea Gunner

In Memory of Alfreda HalasHoward & Susan Bernstein

In Memory of Joanne HempelRobert Hempel

In Memory of Dale HoffmanLarry & Judith Kobriger

In Memory of Gladys HolmDean & Kimberly Shemon

In Memory of Ruth HolstenJ & B Rental Properties

In Memory of Sheryl HonomichlPat Hoffman

In Memory of Geraldine HouchinHarlan & June Halverson

In Memory of Doris HoyneConstance Pederson

In Memory of Jennifer NelsonWesley & Nicole Nelson

In Memory of Joyce KaskieDarrell & Rita Buller

In Memory of Ian KeisackerRob & Nicole Keisacker

In Memory of Leo John KemnitzDoris Kemnitz

In Memory of Spud KingfisherBradford & Elizabeth Smith

In Memory of Art & Irene KleinDavid & Barbara Klein

In Memory of Holly KoobJohn KoobPreston & Rebecca KranzWilliam & Cheryl BernardTerry & Sandi JaspersAndrew & Kory McKayDouglas & Mary FastWilliam & Sharon MalcomAlan & Suzanne BisgroveLaurie NelsonJames & Marlys ErieJames CoughlinBarb Fjeldheim

In Memory of Clayton KotabJill Frei

In Memory of Mary Lou KrellLarry & Judith Kobriger

In Memory of Elsie KruseCarolyn Korthals

In Memory of Verna LaLondeDavid & Cynthia Beyer

In Memory of Marilyn LeinerWayne Leiner

In Memory of Murial LindahlNeiland & Bonita Nelson

In Memory of Alvin LuepkeDean & Kimberly Shemon

In Memory of Zev LunaLewis & Renee Weinberg

In Memory of Ambur LundeLloyd & Mary Lunde

In Memory of Sondra MatthiesenPhil Sonstegard

In Memory of Gloria McCarthyPatricia Lynott

In Memory of Paul & Angie MendelDean & Rita VonHoltum

In Memory of Landon & Emma MillerDarla Gilb

In Memory of Ronald MillerEva Miller

In Memory of Janice MuellenbergDavid & Paula Lorenz

In Memory of Melvin MurraRobert & Nancy Arend

In Memory of Larry NiebuhrElaine Niebuhr

In Memory of Jaedyn OlneyYvonne Bindert

In Memory of Eric OlsonRobert & Nancy ArendNeal & Kathleen Olson

In Memory of Melvin PaulsenJoAnn Paulsen

In Memory of Jake PfeiflePeggy Parsons

In Memory of Mike PhillipiDaniel & Sandra Rinehart

In Memory of Truman PinsDan & Katie Fritz

In Memory of Olivera PohleRedzep & Zuhra Muratovic

In Memory of Marc QuadeLana Wiedrich

In Memory of Janice RamsleyGordon & Norma Knudson

In Memory of Marilyn RinehartBrian & Susan Bast

In Memory of Elsie SchaunamanRosemary Duch

In Memory of Dick & Melba SchulteScott & Mary Kenner

In Memory of Aaron ScofieldGordon & Norma Knudson

In Memory of Ezra SeppanenNathan & Wanda Seppanen

In Memory of Richard SorumPhil Sonstegard

In Memory of Bonnie StevensRachel Stevens

In Memory of Austin TitusKathy Titus

In Memory of Helen TurnerBrian & Susan Bast

In Memory of Marlin TushaLorraine Tusha

In Memory of Lisa Tusha-NilsenLorraine Tusha

In Memory of Norma UptonNeiland & Bonita Nelson

In Memory of Bill VehleShirley Vehle

In Memory of Dick VonHoltumDean & Rita VonHoltum

In Memory of Mary WaltersDaniel & Sandra Rinehart

In Memory of Michael WichtendahlAngela Wichtendahl

In Memory of Ed WollschlagerNeiland & Bonita Nelson

In Memory of Roy WollschlagerNeiland & Bonita Nelson

Elvira Larson FundVirginia Dettman Charitable Fund

In Honor of Conner & Carson AlbrechtJoel & Jane Albrecht

In Honor of Jace AveraJessica Croff

In Honor of Miles BeacomSioux Falls Catholic Schools

In Honor of Joe & JJ Beadle FamilyRobert & Judith Beadle

In Honor of Aaron, Julie & Simon BergerAnthony & Joan Czmowski

In Honor of BobCarol Ellefson

In Honor of Brooks BolerGlen & Connie BolerNathan & Dana Boler

In Honor of Mason & Wyatt BolkemaLinda Gritter

In Honor of Peter & Sara BouzaJoe & Rhonda Bouza

In Honor of Charlotte BrooksKevin & Barb KavanaughSandy Houghton

In Honor of Garth BrooksGeorgia Bedwell

In Honor of Buldhaupt ChildrenDonald Buldhaupt

In Honor of Norm & Lora Burleson WEM, Inc.

In Honor of Jameson CampbellMatt & Kayla CampbellDavid & Mary WoodsIn Honor of Lexi & Lauren DuffyLisa Duffy

In Honor of Emily EvansDaniel & Roxanne Evans

In Honor of Dillon FieldsNancy Fields

In Honor of Owen FinerMatt & Kayla Campbell

In Honor of Trevor HallMichael & Janis Gordon

In Honor of Mary HelmkeDan & Janet Shinkle

In Honor of Marla HendersonWayne & Sharon Akland

In Honor of Chloe & Jade HermansDale & Brianna Hermans

In Honor of Barbara HortenBeverly Thoreson

In Honor of Johnson Peterson Auxiliary MembersJohnson Peterson Auxiliary – Unit 179

In Honor of Lacey JuttelstadPamela Juttelstad

In Honor of Marcella KamlitzArnold & Sally Siefken

In Honor of Jackson KazmersakRick & Janet Anderson

In Honor of James Benton KecklerAlicia Sierra

In Honor of Kids for ChristDarlene Deknikker

In Honor of Mikala LarsenWayne & Sharon Akland

In Honor of Harlan Michael LeddyMike & Jolean Leddy

In Honor of Taylor MickelsonRex & Larrae Taylor

In Honor of Carson MyrumScott & Sheila Myrum

In Honor of Kevin NelsonWayne & Sharon Akland

In Honor of her Great NephewJanet Noble

In Honor of Oliver OsbornAdam & Kathryn Kunkel

In Honor of Finn PagnottaShari Pagnotta

In Honor of Pastor Elizabeth PagnottaBeverly Thoreson

In Honor of Carol PistulkaDiane Merrigan

In Honor of Dale & Karol PorterPatrick & Sandra Oleson

In Honor of Joy QualleyRon Qualley

In Honor of Chad, Kayla & Petron RatermanRapid City Drove #33

In Honor of Zaviar & Royston RohlikValerie Roskens-Tews

In Honor of Myles SchnoorMatt Schnoor

In Honor of Robert Paul Richard SimonClinton & Cathy Simon

In Honor of Brian SomersetDonna Cornelius

In Honor of Justin & Laurie TentingerCourtney Hill

In Honor of Brady ThompsonMac & Terisa Thompson

In Honor of Corey & Steve ThompsonElmer & Bertha Cohlman

In Honor of Judy TravisWayne & Sharon Akland

In Honor of Ruth VojtaHoward & Susan Bernstein

In Honor of Ellody WaldErnest & Victoria Bantam

In Honor of Beckett WortmanLorraine Tusha It’s hard to imagine that the Ronald McDonald

House has had a presence in South Dakota

for almost 35 years, but we are coming up

on that remarkable date in December of 2018!

Stay tuned for information about our $35

towards $35,000 for 35 years—

a little can add to a lot, which in turn helps us

Keep Families Close!

Thank you foryour support!