Heart of the House January Newsletter

Heart of the House

January 2024

A Note from the CEO

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year!

January is when many of us make resolutions and set goals for the new year. A lot of those resolutions revolve around food: eating healthier, cooking at home instead of eating out, eating less junk food. For families with a hospitalized child, eating nutritious meals on a regular schedule can be a challenge. Between the cost of food in the Texas Medical Center and the reluctance to leave their child's bedside, many caregivers simply skip their own meals.

Our ongoing goal is to provide at least one hot meal each day for our families across all of our locations. By providing nourishment we can help caregivers remain focused on their sick child. If you are interested in helping us achieve this goal, you can donate to JoyFULL Eats or contact our Food Operations Manager, Bettina Leuschen.

Looking back on 2023, I am humbled by the outpouring of support, both from donors and volunteers. Because of these gifts, we were able to provide families shelter, food, transportation, education, activities, social services and so much more.

We are looking forward to a wonderful 2024 filled with compassion, generosity and healing, and we hope that you will join us!

Thank you,

Cristina Vetrano

Chief Executive Officer

House Happenings

Special Moments from 2023

H.E.B. Meals are Twice as Nice

In 2023, H.E.B. generously matched every dollar donated to our JoyFULL Eats meal program, up to $50,000. We are pleased to report that we made the match, and the impact to our families was immediate.

RMH Houston uses the matching funds to stock our hospital locations with a variety of H.E.B Meal Simple entrees. For families staying at our Houses inside Texas Children's Hospital, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, and M.D. Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital, having access to a convenient, nutritious and free meal is one less thing to worry about. If you'd like to donate H.E.B. gift cards, click below and direct the gift to JoyfullEats@rmhhouston.org

Send an HEB Gift Card

We asked, You Delivered!

The Santa Shop is a magical space that opens inside of Ronald McDonald House Houston every holiday season. The room is stacked high with toys, dolls, games, activities and other items for preemies through teens. RMH Houston parents and caregivers can select gifts for their family members at absolutely no cost. In addition to the main location at Holcombe House, there are also pop-up shops at Texas Children's Hospital and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. Our Santa Shops alleviate the emotional and financial stress that families experience when they must stay with us through the holidays. Many parents worry that they won't have the time or money to give their kids any gifts, others find themselves in an unexpected medical emergency and are far from their homes and support networks. This year we provided gifts for over 250 families! We want to extend a very special thank you to everyone who donated toys, conducted toy drives, shopped our wishlists, and donated proceeds of their sales to our holiday needs. Your generosity made a lot of wishes come true!

Making Meals and Memories

What would you cook if you had to feed 70 families?

Just ask the volunteer teams from companies like Southwest, Main Street Capital, or EDF Renewables, just to name a few. These teams of volunteers regularly come to our community kitchen with all the ingredients needed to make amazing meals for our families.

If cooking for 70 families feels a bit intimidating, you can always have food delivered from area shops and restaurants. Our JoyFULL Eats volunteers will help your team set up and serve. To make the evening even more memorable, many groups combine the meal with a family activity in our great room. Our goal is to provide at least one meal per day at each of our locations. If your group, organization or company is interested in preparing, serving, or providing a meal for families at Ronald McDonald House Houston, click here for more information.

Meet the Kurka Family

Amber and Daniel Kurka and their son Liam came to Texas Children's Hospital from Alaska. Learn more about their medical journey, and how Ronald McDonald House Houston became their home away from home.

Your Donation Helps Families Like the Kurkas

Volunteer Spotlight - Holiday Hijinks

RMH Houston volunteers got into the holiday spirit in December! They carried out their duties dressed as elves, reindeer and Christmas trees, bringing smiles to everyone's faces. Here are just some of the holiday duties they handled around the house:

Front Reception Desk
Unboxing deliveries
Sorting toys
Addressing holiday cards
Wrapping presents
JoyFULL Eats meal helper

Our volunteers keep the House running smoothly throughout the year, and we truly appreciate all of their hard work.

Do you want to experience the satisfaction and joy of donating your time and talent to families and children in need? Click below for more information.

Yes! I want to get involved in 2024!

Moments of Joy

December was full of memory-making opportunities for the families at Ronald McDonald House Houston. From decorating giant gingerbread figures, to wreath-making, meeting Santa, celebrating with the Houston Rockets and judging the tree contest, our families had a lot of activities to celebrate the season and take their minds off their medical issues.

Dates to Remember

January 1

New Years Day

We ring in the New Year and look forward to another year of supporting families who are caring for a sick child.

January 14

Chevron Houston Marathon

Come cheer on the team with us at the Hoopla Station! We will be set up on the course around Mile 6. Email marathon@rmhhouston.org for details

January 15

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 28

Family Haircuts

Free haircuts will be provided at Holcombe House by Have Shears Will Travel.