In This Issue:
 
September 
September 2, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.,
Volunteer Information Session for Teens. Sign up here.

September 16, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.,
Volunteer Information Session for Adults. Sign up here
 
October 
October 21, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.,
Volunteer Information Session for Adults. Sign up here.

November 
November 4, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.,
Volunteer Information Session for Teens. Sign up here.

November 18, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.,
Volunteer Information Session for Adults. Sign up here.

GET GOING WITH TEAM RMH
Team RMH is a three-month-long, comprehensive training program that prepares runners and walkers to participate in the Big Sur Half Marathon on Sunday, November 16, 2014 in Monterey, CA.

The program is geared toward runners and walkers of all levels.
Participants train in a supportive team environment, have fun, and work toward meeting endurance goals while raising money to help families at Ronald McDonald House at Stanford.

Training begins NOW,  Sign up today!

We've Broken Ground!

Last month, Ronald McDonald House at Stanford broke ground on its 52,000-square-foot expansion and renovation project that will provide expanded housing, accommodations, and supportive programming to a greater number of families of critically ill children being treated at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. Click to view photo galleries of our celebratory events, Block Party and Groundbreaking.
Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes with the Kanzaki family at Block Party
Immediately preceding the groundbreaking, we invited our supportive community to celebrate with us by hosting Block Party. Scores of families participated in many kid-and-family-fun activities such as face painting, a mini-spa, and a selfie station with Ronald McDonald and Golden State Warrior forward Harrison Barnes, who is a great supporter of the House and a champion for our cause.

Upon completion, our House at Stanford will become the largest of the 337 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide, with 123 guest rooms. The expansion is located immediately adjacent to the existing House and will more than double the size of our current facility. Together, the expansion and existing structure will operate as one campus and offer space for complimentary and enhanced programming. In addition to more private guest rooms, the expanded campus will also include communal kitchen and dining areas, a classroom and age-specific activity rooms, a library, a fitness and rehabilitation center, and a healing garden and retreat. 

 

If you've traveled Sand Hill Road any time recently, you have likely noticed that heavy construction equipment has moved in and work has begun. Right now, crews are busy excavating the area that will become the underground garage.

 

At this time, the construction project is expected to be completed in late 2015. Be sure to check out our Hope is Growing capital campaign website www.hopeisgrowing.org for the latest construction news and updates.
INTRODUCING AMAZON SMILE
You Shop. Amazon Gives.

Did you know you can support Ronald McDonald House at Stanford every time you shop with Amazon? It's free and easy to do.

Simply begin shopping at smile.amazon.com, select Ronald McDonald House at Stanford as your charitable organization and Amazon will donate .5% of your eligible purchases to support programs and services that benefit families staying at the House.
Happy Wheels Hospitality Cart

Bringing the Comfort and Care of Ronald McDonald House at Stanford to families and children at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford.
Ronald McDonald House at Stanford offers many programs designed to create a sense of normalcy for families. Happy Wheels is a new and innovative program that brings comfort and care to children and families at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford.

The Happy Wheels hospitality cart, generously sponsored by Susan Ford Dorsey in honor of her mother Gigi, serves families with children who are patients at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. Families at the hospital, including siblings, often wait long hours or even days without being able to leave the hospital or even their child's bedside. Happy Wheels volunteers move throughout the hospital and offer items such as toiletries, drinks, snacks, books, and age-appropriate activities and toys to patients, siblings, and their caregivers.

Earlier this year, Ronald McDonald House at Stanford partnered with award-winning global design consultants Smart Design to redesign the original Happy Wheels cart. The new cart, which was redesigned to be more accessible, appealing, and easily navigable for our volunteers, has been a tremendous success at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford.

Since its inception, Happy Wheels has served more than 17,000 families at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, and demand for the service continues to grow. To help us meet this demand and serve even more families, we are recruiting new Happy Wheels volunteers. If you're interested, please contact Monica Makela, volunteer services manager, at 650.470.6028, or email mmakela@ronaldhouse.net.

The success of Happy Wheels has captured the interest of other Ronald McDonald Houses all over the country and plans are underway to create and share the new cart designs so more children and families around the globe can receive this special level of comfort and care while in the hospital.

Click here to watch Smart Design's short video documenting the transformation of our cart from design concept to delivery.
Volunteer Milestone - Mary Esther Candee
Celebrating 15 years
15-year veteran House volunteer
Mary Esther Candee

Mary Esther Candee recently celebrated 15 years as a dedicated volunteer at Ronald McDonald House at Stanford, but in truth, her involvement with the House stretches back to the early 1980s. Back then, Mary Esther was a prominent member of Palo Alto's Soroptomist Club, an active philanthropic and volunteer organization. At that time, the club decided to donate a much-needed piece of medical equipment to the NICU at what is now Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. While on a tour of the hospital Mary Esther was deeply touched by how well the hospital cared for critically ill children. This encounter led Mary Esther and her sister to stop by for an open house at the then 24-room Ronald McDonald House at Stanford.

 

"During the tour, I was truly impressed with the fact that while the hospital took great care of sick children, the House took great care of the families," recalls Mary Esther. At that moment, she knew she wanted to help the families and children staying at the House in whatever way she could and began making regular donations. Her intent was to become a volunteer at the House upon retirement. Read more

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To learn more about becoming a volunteer please visit www.rmhstanford.org/volunteer


at Ronald McDonald House at Stanford
The Happy Wheels hospitality cart in action
There are many ways, large and small, to get involved with Ronald McDonald House at Stanford. We welcome you to join our House community of support by contributing in whatever way you can. Here are some available opportunities to help families staying at the House feel at home.

 

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS 

At Ronald McDonald House at Stanford, volunteers are crucial to the creation of a home-away-from-home and welcoming community for families of children with life-threatening illnesses. 

 

Current volunteer opportunities (click the title for more information or to sign up):

 

Families staying at the House often do not have the time or resources for self-care that others often take for granted. We are looking for licensed volunteers who can provide the following services and help our families take a much-needed stress break:
  • Massage Therapists
  • Spa Treatments
  • Hairdressers
Great for Groups! Our House's "Meals for Munchkins" program ensures that lunch and dinner are provided to families 3-5 days out of any given week. Gather your friends, group members, or coworkers and make a meal for our families. They'll appreciate it!

Happy Wheels Hospitality Cart
Happy Wheels is designed to bring the comfort and care of Ronald McDonald House at Stanford to families with children who are patients at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. We are recruiting new volunteers to help staff the cart during rounds at the hospital. To learn more, please contact Monica Makela, volunteer services manager at 650.470.6028 or email mmakela@ronaldhouse.net.

Bilingual Spanish/English speaking candidates for all volunteer opportunities are given priority in the application process. The minimum age for volunteering in the House is 16 years of age.

 

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SPECIAL DONATIONS
At the House, families rely upon the generosity of individuals, organizations, and businesses in our community for many day-to-day items. Right now, with a new school year upon us, we are in special need of school backpacks for elementary aged boys and girls.

If you have any questions or would like any more information about donating to our House programs, please email Erica Lee, program coordinator, or call 650.470.6011.
Our Mission:
Ronald McDonald House at Stanford creates a home-away-from-home and supportive community for families of children with life-threatening illnesses receiving specialized treatment at local hospitals.
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