Spring 2008 - Memorial Hospital of South Bend

COMFORT
WHEN IT’S
NEEDED MOST
“Take 5 minutes for yourself.”
It’s sage advice from someone who
sees what the families of Memorial’s
sick and injured children experience
every day. Ronald McDonald Family
Room ® Director Shelley Lesniewicz
understands that taking even a fiveminute
break can make a big difference.
“Parents spend so much time and
energy taking care of their family
that sometimes they forget to take
care of themselves,” says Lesniewicz.
“Taking just a little bit of time for
yourself ultimately allows you to be a
better parent.”
For the last five years, the Ronald
McDonald Family Room (RMFR)
at Memorial Hospital has allowed
families to do just that.
Innovative Ways of Giving Back
• For the past three years, the generous
employees of RSM McGladrey have
donated their year-end bonus checks to
the Ronald McDonald Family Room
(RMFR) in South Bend for a total of more
than $10,000.
• Some children asked guests to bring
RMFR Wish List items to their birthday
parties instead of gifts.
• Keenan Donze asked guests to bring toys
to his birthday party to be donated to the
RMFR.
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On the hospital’s third floor, just
steps away from pediatrics and the
Newborn Intensive Care Unit, a calm
oasis awaits families of Memorial’s
inpatients, offering a moment of quiet,
a coffee break, a snack or a friendly
face to talk to.
Each month the RMFR provides more
than 300 meals, and more than 6,000
families have visited the RMFR since
its inception, including more than
4,000 overnight guests.
As a respite for families, the RMFR
serves as a home away from home for
families whose seriously ill or injured
child is receiving care at Memorial;
and it’s offered free of charge thanks
to the generosity of local businesses
and individuals in our community.
• Alicia Metzger held a carnival in her
backyard and raised $250.
• A retired South Bend fireman and his wife
collected $345 in pennies.
• To serve as wedding favors, a bride and
groom made donations to the RMFR
located in the region of each wedding
guest.
You can help too! Tiny pop tabs add up to
big bucks. Collect pop tabs to support the
RMFR, while helping the environment.
Want to help the Ronald McDonald
Family Room® help those who need
it most Call 574-647-3020 or
visit www.qualityoflife.org/ronald
to learn how you can make
a difference.
“It’s the people in our community
who keep this place running,” says
Lesniewicz. “We’ve seen some
great projects come out of our
community, especially from younger
donors. It’s great for kids to see that
small things like pennies and pop
tabs can make such a huge difference.
I love that we’re getting elementary
school students excited about
giving back, and it’s a great lesson
for them to learn: that a little can go
a long way.”
Wish List
Gift Cards
(Sam’s Club ® , Wal-Mart ® , Martin’s,
Meijer ® , Target ® , etc.) Used to buy milk,
meats and other perishables
Food
Individual snacks, single-serving boxes
of cereal, canned fruit, coffee, creamer,
apple juice, etc.
Household Items
Toilet paper, dishwasher detergent,
postage stamps, copy paper, etc.
Personal Care Items
Sample sizes of deodorant, shaving
cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste,
disposable razors, etc.