Annual-Report-2014-Compressed

Our Community,
Your Home
Ronald McDonald House® Northern Alberta
2013 Annual Report

Since our doors opened in 1985, we have remained focused on serving our mission of
keeping families of sick children together. When a child is seriously ill or injured, the
entire family is in crisis and suffers. Our commitment to deliver family-centered and
holistic support programs brings hope and comfort to our families and helps them
recover faster.
We continue to expand our impact and understand the critical need to serve even
more families in our growing communities. As we evaluate expansion plans we will
remain focused on providing superior service to our families.
In everything we do, we rely on the help and generosity of our communities. We
collaborate with our ever-growing network of Ronald McDonald Houses across the
globe, with our hospitals and our communities across Alberta and Canada. Ours
is the House that love built and there is always an open door for the kindness of
the community. We are amazed and humbled to witness that kindness manifested
through our families. Whether it is a prepared meal, a special event, a warm quilt or
a craft, the impact is truly far-reaching.
Our doors are always open and we welcome you!
7726 107 Street NW
Edmonton, AB | T6E 4K3
(p) 780-439-5437
(f) 780-433-6201
rmhnorthernalberta.org
Martin Dugas
CEO
Sandra Marocco
Board President

WHO WE ARE
RMHNA VALUES
MISSION STATEMENT
To provide a temporary ‘Home away from
Home’ for families with seriously ill or injured
children seeking treatment in Edmonton and
Northern Alberta.
VISION STATEMENT
To provide the best care possible for all
families with children requiring medical
treatment in Edmonton and Northern Alberta.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sandra Marocco, President
Edmonton Journal
Greg McNeill, Past President
ATCO Electric
Neil Ramsay, Treasurer
Ramsay Neil Prof Corp
Martin Dugas, CEO
Ronald McDonald House®
Northern Alberta
John Underhill, Director
Owner, McDonald’s Restaurants
Tony Melnychuk, Director
ATCO Electric
Ravi Bhargava, Director
University of Alberta Hospital
Kim Lane, Director
Owner, McDonald’s Restaurants
Ronda Nedelec, Director
Zag Creative Group
Bill Predinchuk, Director
Royal Bank of Canada
Les Hodgins, Director
McDonald’s Restaurants Canada Ltd
Tim James, Director
Clark Builders

WHO WE SERVE
WHERE OUR FAMILIES ARE FROM
British Columbia — 11.8%
Manitoba — 1.8 %
Maritimes, ON, NT, Yukon,
NU, International — 5.3%
Northern Alberta — 39.8%
Saskatchewan — 17.6%
Southern Alberta — 23.9%
WELCOME HOME
‘Welcome’ feels great, all on its own,
but it feels so much better when
followed by ‘home.’
‘Welcome’ is nice but ‘home’ plants
the seed,with things that we want
and things that we need.
Brodie Aikman
RMHNA dad
GORGICHUK FAMILY
The Gorgichuk family arrived at Ronald McDonald House ® Northern Alberta in early July 2013.
Parents Terry and Carmen, along with older brothers Kian and Noah, came to support 12-year-old
Conor as he underwent kidney transplant surgery. On July 17, Conor received a healthy new kidney
to replace his two unhealthy kidneys. His father Terry was Conor’s living donor. With two members
of the Gorgichuk family receiving major surgery in one day, you can imagine what a stressful time
it was.
Both surgeries were a success. Within 12 hours post surgery, Conor’s high creatinine levels
returned within normal range. Terry was discharged from hospital about a week after surgery and
Conor followed a short time later, after reactions to his medications were sorted. He says that these
days felt very hopeless.
825 FAMILIES STAYED
AT RMHNA IN 2013
Though he is still – and will always be – dependent on medications to regain and maintain his
health, Conor is enjoying a new lease on life. He is literally tasting true flavours of foods for the first
time. Before surgery, he had little to no appetite as food tasted metallic; now Conor is enjoying food
from a new perspective.
REASON FOR STAY
Conor is an avid soccer player and can hardly wait to play again. When asked what brings him hope
since his surgery, Conor replied that having had his whole family with him through the surgery
process and afterwards kept his hope alive and made a huge difference.
Cardiology — 37.3%
Neonatal — 12.5%
Oncology — 10.5%
Transplant — 10.1%
Neurosurgery — 8%
Gastro Intestinal — 6.9%
Other — 14.7%
Conor and his family embody our mission at Ronald McDonald House® Charities:
giving sick kids what they need the most; their families.
Conor Gorgichuk and his father Terry
Check out more family stories at rmhna.ca/familystories

CONGO FAMILY
As you watch 4-year-old Sara Congo play with
her big sister, Hailey, you would never have a
clue that she has fought for her life.
Joel and Karey Congo were living in Salmon
Arm, BC, while they were expecting their
second daughter. At their 19 week ultrasound,
the radiologist couldn’t see the heart well
enough. A second ultrasound showed Ebstein’s
anomaly, a condition where the 4 th chamber of
the heart forms very low and does not pump
blood effectively to
the right side of the
body and lungs.
Sara & Joel Congo
They arrived in
Edmonton one
month prior to their
baby’s due date.
Doctors decided to
deliver the baby by
cesarean section to
avoid possible heart
failure. Sara was
born January 16,
2009, five weeks early at 5 pounds 3 ounces.
The Congos were told about Ronald McDonald
House® Northern Alberta (RMHNA) as an
option for future visits to the doctors. At
the time, RMHNA was undergoing a major
expansion.On September 1, the family arrived
back in Edmonton for Sara’s second surgery.
This time, RMHNA was ready to welcome the
Congos. Karey said that until they met the
House, they had never really enjoyed Edmonton.
The opportunities from community donors gave
the Congos a chance to experience Edmonton
as a family. The tickets to the waterpark, the
rodeo, Oilers and Rush
games, and Fort Edmonton
Park gave them family
time with a change of
scenery.
Thankfulness isn’t the right word,
”
it’s
more than that. We are grateful.
-Karey Congo
Sara Congo
The House was a refuge for the Congos. They
loved making meals and the comfort provided
when groups came to prepare Home for Dinner
meals. It also helped connect them to other
House families.
It made a difference in their family life that as
Sara was critically ill, big sister Hailey’s needs
for friendship, community and support were also
met. There was always a friend for Hailey to play
with and something to do at RMHNA.
On November 23, Sara’s doctor came into her
hospital room and the family was told that there
was a heart for Sara.
“It was like the whole ward lit up. Prior to our
meeting, the nurses all knew that Sara’s heart was
available, but couldn’t share the news with us.
After the meeting happened they were downright
giddy, and it all made sense,” remembers Karey.
Open to read the full story
The Congos
arrived at
the Stollery
in the early
morning to
Congo Christmas Card
learn that
the surgery
had been a success. The family was home three
weeks post-transplant, just in time to celebrate
a quiet and restful Christmas together. It was a
relief to be home. They were anxious to enjoy
family togetherness.
Sara comes back to Edmonton for appointments
and procedures every few months. The family
misses their community of friends at RMHNA,
but are embracing their new life in Entwistle, AB.
“We are thankful most that God brought us
through it all,” said Karey. “And we are thankful
for RMHNA, the Stollery and all of the doctors
and nurses for their care. Thankfulness isn’t the
right word, it’s more than that. We are grateful.”

PEACE REGION
BRIDGING THE GAP
Dale Bond was introduced to Ronald McDonald House® Northern
Alberta (RMHNA) when she stayed at the House with her family.
Dale’s 11-month-old daughter, Kamryn, was running a fever and
having trouble breathing. Though receiving treatment for asthma
and RSV, Kamryn’s condition worsened and she was transported
to Edmonton from Grande Prairie, critically ill and put on life
support. Kamryn underwent a quadruple amputation.
I learned the value of what the House offers
and I want to share that knowledge with others
”
to get them involved and make a difference.
-Dale Bond
Her two brothers shuttled back and forth with other family
members. Then they arrived at RMHNA. It provided an
environment where the boys could learn and play while their
parents enjoyed the company of other parents. The positive
experience led to Dale’s involvement with the House. Dale works
for RMHNA as the Manager of Development in Grande Prairie. We
want to ensure Peace Region families are connected with RMHNA
and connected with support systems at home. Dale keeps us
connected to our past and present House families in Peace Region
and also creates strong partnerships in the community.
GRANDE PRAIRIE
2013 EVENTS
Charity Golf Classic
RMHNA held the first Grande Prairie Charity
Golf Classic on June 24 at the Grande Prairie
Golf and Country Club. Over $ 50,000 was raised
by 140 golfers.
Shoot for the House
Primetime Hunting and Fishing and Windsor
Ford proudly presented the first Shoot for the
House on September 8 at the Wapiti Shooters
Club in Grande Prairie. Supporters enjoyed a
day of skeet shooting while supporting RMHNA,
including live and silent auctions, raising
over $ 20,000.
Second Annual Hoedown
Hoedown for the House is an opportunity for
RMHNA to say a heartfelt thank you to the
supporters in the Peace Region who make it
possible for the House to provide comfort,
support and compassion to so many families.
Presented by CatWauk Compression Ltd,
Hoedown for the House raised $ 45,000 in 2013.
ONCE A HOUSE FAMILY,
ALWAYS A HOUSE FAMILY.
In 2013, RMHNA launched ‘Home
for Dinner away from the House.’
We hosted two delicious meals in
the Peace Region and reconnected
with more than 220 people that
once stayed with us. This program
is another opportunity for us to
connect with our families as we
strive to play a continuing role of
support in their journey.
The Bond Family

ACHIEVEMENTS OF 2013
GLOBAL CONFERENCE, INNOVATION AWARD AND FAMILY CONNECT
At RMHNA we are always
seeking ways to make life a little
easier for our families
with new programs and
services. To help families access
our activities and services,
stay in touch with their home
communities and find some
normalcy on a daily basis,
we are creating the Family
Connect program. As soon as
families arrive at the House
they can access Family Connect.
The program functions
like a personal assistant,
helping families engage and
connect with other families,
the community, volunteers,
hospitals, RMHNA staff and
resources. For their stay Family
Connect will help families
gather experiences and creative
projects to share with family
and friends back home and keep
them up-to-date about activities
and programs
offered at
RMHNA. This
year during
the Ronald
McDonald House® Charities
biennial international
conference in Chicago, RMHNA
received an RMHC Innovation
Award and a $ 50,000 grant for
Family Connect to begin the
design and implementation
of the
program.
BLOCK PARTY
On August 11, we hosted our
first block party and marked the
beginning of a new way to thank
the community. Families staying
in the House joined past families
and members of the community
for a great day of sun, music,
games and food. Mr. Mechanical
Bull, an RMHNA dad, donated
a mechanical bull, horizontal
bungee and other games for the
day. Cargill supplied hot dogs
and hamburgers; McDonald’s ®
provided all the fixings. Salads
were donated by Save-On-
Foods and Coca-Cola provided
drinks for ice cream floats.
Edmonton Fire brought two
trucks for attendees to explore
and also helped with clean-up.
Throughout the day volunteers
were taking groups of people
through the House. Over 100
people were introduced to
RMHNA for the first time at the
block party.
#RMHNARAK
2013 marks the one year anniversary of using Twitter to engage
the community with the House. One of the major accomplishments
this year was #RMHNARAK. The hashtag began to trend during
Season of Giving’s Random Act of Kindness day. Over 345 acts of
kindness were seen by almost 600,000 viewers.
House Hero, Joel,
at Block Party 2013

CONTRIBUTION SNAPSHOT
MCDONALD’S ® HIGHLIGHT
McDonald’s remains committed to the founding vision of Ronald McDonald House® Northern Alberta
(RMHNA) as a ‘community house’ and shows it in a number of ways. Whether it’s providing a coffee
truck at an RMHNA event, allowing the House in-store promotion or coming in to make a Home
for Dinner, McDonald’s corporate and owner/operators of Northern Alberta show their
devotion to RMHNA. Below are a few of the highlights of 2013:
Home for Dinners — 6
Rooms Sponsored — 4
Room Contributions — 4.8%
RMHC — 7.2%
McDonald’s® — 11%
Community Events — 19.5%
Signature Events — 9.1%
Grande Prairie — 6.3%
Capital Campaign — 2.2%
Gift in Kind — 19.2%
Other — 20.7%
Events Sponsored — 6
Monthly Contributions — $ 1000
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
REVENUE
OPERATING FUND CAPITAL FUND 2013 2012
Donations $
1,265,379 $
57,000 $
1,322,379 $
1,511,087
Fundraising 1,012,481 0 1,012,481 757,631
Unrealized gain on investments 301,687 0 301,687 0
Investment income 193,753 0 193,753 150,501
Realized gain on investment 141,670 0 141,670 216,128
Facility rental 129,408 0 129,408 123,888
Grants 68,969 0 68,969 63,608
Other 10,410 0 10,410 13,084
3,123,757 57,000 3,180,757 2,835,927
EXPENSES
Operations 1,118,593 0 1,118,593 1,032,178
Fundraising 606,417 0 606,417 501,116
Administrative 577,377 0 577,377 474,957
Amortization of property and equipment 0 431,350 431,350 470,367
Investment management fees 27,001 0 27,001 23,998
Unrealized loss on investment 0 0 0 9,101
2,329,388 431,350 2,760,738 2,511,717
REVENUE OVER (UNDER) EXPENSES
$
794,369 $
(374,350) $
420,019 $
324,210
The summary financial information presented here is from the Ronald McDonald House® Northern Alberta audited
by financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013.
I am pleased with the 2013 financial outcomes and believe RMHNA is well positioned to continue its mission
to provide a temporary Home away from Home for families with critically ill or injured children seeking
treatment in Edmonton.
Neil Ramsay — Treasurer

PROGRAMS
In the classroom
EDUCATION
Normalcy and routine are important for patients
and siblings staying at Ronald McDonald House®
Northern Alberta (RMHNA). The House offers
Grade 1 through 12 schooling to make sure
children keep up academically while building
friendships and confidence during their time at
WHETHER FOR JUST A FEW DAYS
OR SEVERAL MONTHS, OVER 50
STUDENTS USED THE EDUCATION
PROGRAM AT RMHNA
the House. In 2013, over 50 students were able to take advantage of this program. Some attended just
for a few days, and others for several months. This is an increase from the 33 students in 2013.
RECREATION
The recreation program has seen significant growth in 2013. Families were able to
attend field trips every Friday afternoon. Between the House van and a partnership
with Stock Transportation, families did not have to worry about transportation for
these outings.
Evening recreation coordinators were added to
the RMHNA family. The part-time coordinators
make sure that activities are available for the
families in the evening, whether it be bingo,
crafts or another outing in the community.
In the community

PROGRAMS
MEALS SERVED AT RMHNA MEAL BREAKDOWN FOR 2013
497
287
40
125
Continental Breakfast — 156
Hospital Lunch Delivery — 22
2010
2011
2012
2013
Home for Dinner — 319
MEAL PROGRAMS
Continental Breakfast
On Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays, families can expect
fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal and
milk ready for them. This year
alone RMHNA was able to
provide over 14,000 individual
breakfasts to families getting
ready for the day.
Hospital Lunch Delivery
Breaking new ground in
RMHNA programming, was
the development of the hospital
lunch delivery program. Starting
in October 2013, staff and
volunteer groups are coming
together and making healthy
bagged lunches for families at
the Stollery Hospital.
Home for Dinner
We strive to create an
atmosphere that feels like
home. Home for Dinner gives
the families staying at RMHNA
a home cooked meal when
they come back from a long
day at the hospital. In 2013 this
program grew by 10%.
Our new outdoor kitchen
welcomes in the kindness of the
community with every barbeque.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
When the community gets involved with Ronald McDonald
House® Northern Alberta through the organizing of an event,
baking cookies with the kids or mowing the lawn outside the
House, they are doing much more than just raising funds or
donating their time; they are having long-lasting impact
on the House and the families we serve.
IN 2013, COMMUNITY GROUPS PUT ON
75 EVENTS IN SUPPORT OF RMHNA
THANKS TO VOLUNTEER
BAKERS, THE SMELL
OF BAKING FLOATED
THROUGH THE HOUSE
150 DAYS IN 2013
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers help maintain a comforting and caring environment
where families can truly feel supported and focus on the wellbeing
of their children. Many programs and services only run
through the generous efforts of volunteers. Whether you want
to volunteer as a group or an individual, there is an opportunity
for you to help make the lives of sick kids and their families a
little easier. We need volunteers for:
Home for Dinners
Front Office
Special Events
Recreation Activities
Baking
Laundry and Kitchen
VOLUNTEER HOURS IN 2013 WERE EQUAL
TO 14.5 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
RED SHOE SOCIETY
The Red Shoe Society is a
group of young professionals
who support Ronald
McDonald House® Northern
Alberta (RMHNA) in two
distinct ways: through Red
Shoe Crawls and through
monthly Home for Dinners.
14
HOME FOR
DINNERS
2
RED SHOE
CRAWLS

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT
Ronald McDonald House® Northern Alberta (RMHNA) is supported by various students in many
schools across Northern Alberta. We are proud to have so many student partners. RMHNA have
many programming options to use in your school and adjusts each program specifically to your
school’s community pillars.
Forest Green School
RMHNA is proud of the partnership we have
with Forest Green School. Forest Green’s Kids
Helping Kids program has its students collecting
pull tabs for the entire year and then bringing
them to the House in June. Their students
are developing leadership qualities as well as
supporting a cause in their community. Share the
Warmth has become an important way that the
students at Forest Green celebrate kindness and
generosity in December. Staff at the school like
to participate in the Home for Dinner program as
it provides a hot dinner for the families staying
at the House. Forest Green School’s connection
with RMHNA shows their students that their
actions have a positive impact on families
experiencing a challenging time in their lives.
S. Bruce Smith School
In addition to visiting RMHNA on numerous
occasions, this 2013 holiday season, S. Bruce
Smith School ran a kindness campaign in support
of the House. During the month of December
the Grade 9 leadership class spearheaded the
collection of thousands of items for Ronald
McDonald House® Northern Alberta. The total
collection of items was valued at over $ 10,000.
After hearing all the things these
families go through it was impossible
”
not to want to help.
-Madison, Student at S. Bruce Smith School
Danielle Lowe at ReGift Card launch.
DANIELLE LOWE
At 18-years-old, Danielle Lowe is a talented local musician and supporter of RMNHA. Danielle
was introduced to the House in 2011. Danielle promoted the ReGift Card Program, a program that
Danielle created, at her concerts. She encouraged her fans to donate their new or partially used gift
cards to the House. The gift cards are given to families and used to purchase items needed
at the House.
Danielle also used her musical talent to help raise money for the House. In 2013, Danielle
wrote a song titled, “Your Home,” inspired by families at the House. The song is for sale on
iTunes and all proceeds are being donated to RMHNA.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
EDMONTON FIRE
One of the many supporters of RMHNA that deserves
recognition is the Edmonton Fire Department. They put
up our holiday lights, cook Home for Dinners, give the
kids tours of the fire stations and sometimes surprise
House families with special send-offs when they get to
go home. We can’t forget to mention the baking our Fire
Girls come and do with the kids! If you would like to
read about their baking adventures visit rmhna.ca/blog.
We always come to bake after our 14 hour
night shift. Often we are tired from a long,
busy and rough shift, but once we walk
through the doors, that is gone…completely.
The families are incredibly open, honest
and true; there is so much kindness, courage
and strength here that any fatigue or stress
we are holding onto is quickly washed
”
away. To us, this is rejuvenating.
-Caryn Halstead & Allison Secord
Caryn Halstead & Allison Secord,
Fire Girls
Experiencing that genuine act of kindness was an
unexpected gift I will treasure for a lifetime. Our
community continues to make a real and long
lasting impact on sick families. Those firefighters
and Tiernan’s reaction warmed my heart on
”
the
coldest of cold Edmonton November days.
-Sandra Marocco, RMHNA Board President
Edmonton Fire gave House Hero Tiernan
a special send off as he and his family
headed back home.

CORPORATE ENGAGEMENT
Cenovus sponsors the magic
room that has brought smiles
to over 3,000 children.
Syncrude Welcome Bags
greet every new family.
EMPLOYEE GIVING
Employee giving remains one
of the most effective means of
financial support. Employees
across Alberta have donated
a recurring amount off their
paycheques in support of
Ronald McDonald House®
Northern Alberta. Whether
the amount be $ 5 or $ 100, the
recurring factor of employee
giving provides stability for
RMHNA which allows for us
to more effectively plan
donor dollars.
CARGILL
Cargill, with an employee giving
rate of 92% has become a vital
partner for Ronald McDonald
House® Northern Alberta.
In addition to their financial
contribution, Cargill organizes
an annual hockey tournament,
Score! for the House, that
brought in over $ 50,000 in 2013.
When asked, they always come
through with food donations
for House events and always
look forward to their monthly
Home for Dinner, providing an
incredible sense of relief for our
families.
ALL CORPORATE PARTNERS GIVE IN THEIR OWN
WAY. IN 2013, CRAVE CUPCAKES DONATED
5,000 CUPCAKES.
DAYS OF CARING
Ronald McDonald House®
Northern Alberta has
the capacity to invite the
community in to help families
in a variety of ways. Many
corporate partners choose to
help through Days of Caring.
Days of Caring involve
companies bringing in their
staff to volunteer as a group.
Some groups spend the day
cooking, while others clean or
help with other odd jobs. In
2013, Ronald McDonald House®
Northern Alberta had over 20
Days of Caring.
LEDCOR
Scott Weller, an employee of
Ledcor, became a champion
for the House in 2013. Between
regularly delivering toys and
gift cards for the Magic Room,
bringing friends and family
in to help with a seasonal
campaign, regular financial
donations, and organizing an
annual extended family lunch
preparation and donation for
our families, he brings much joy,
kindness, and many new friends
to our House. In 2013, he also
connected us further with his
employer, Ledcor. As a result,
Ledcor was the first corporate
organization to participate in
our lunch delivery program,
and has also become a financial
supporter of RMHNA through
the company’s Employee
Giving program.
Every month Panago donates
25 pizzas for dinner.