Love Notes - Fall 2020

Winston-Salem
LOVE NOTES
2 | Chuck’s Corner
3 | Chalk the Walk
4 | Send Love
Insert | A New Normal
HOUSE UPDATE
Our House has changed
drastically in response to
COVID-19.
Below are some of the
modifications we have made
to keep our families healthy
and safe.
• All volunteer activities have
been cancelled, including
meal volunteers. Help
support our meal program:
rmhws.org/covid-meals.
• Guest population limited to
only parents/legal guardians.
• Limited on-site staff presence
through flexible schedules
and remote work.
• Rigorous disinfecting
regimens, four times a day.
• Daily temperature checks,
mask requirements, ents, and
screening procedures.
2,058 MILES TO A CURE
Something was terribly wrong with 11-year-old Samantha Harper. From an early
age, eating caused her severe pain. Oftentimes, she could not eat at all. Doctors
had no explanation. They say a worried mom is better than the FBI, and Gidget
was no exception. She researched and pushed for
more testing, and after years of appointments,
specialists, and multiple opinions, Samantha was
diagnosed with Superior Mesenteric Artery
Syndrome (SMAS). Samantha’s digestive tract
was constricted by arteries - thus preventing food
from passing through. Treatment near her
Arizona home was not available, and Samantha
was surviving by using a feeding tube. Gidget
connected virtually to a mother of a teenager with
SMAS who’d been successfully treated by
specialists at Brenner Children’s Hospital and had
stayed at our Ronald McDonald House. Gidget
had found a path to hope and a possible cure for
Samantha, and it was 2,058 miles from home!
The Harpers found a “home-away-from-home,” and
so much more at our House. Although Samantha
underwent major surgery, she remembers the
kindness of our two- and four-legged volunteers, the
support of other families, and family BINGO nights!
These families, and all our families, lean on each
other for support, companionship, and recreation.
The Harpers took nightly walks around the
neighborhood and enjoyed group dinners in our
dining room. They made lasting friendships and
remain close to other RMHWS families.
Samantha’s first round of surgeries and therapies were pre COVID-19. Recently,
she and her mom returned for a second surgery and they’ve adapted to our “new
normal,” absent of programs, multi-family dining events, and volunteer support.
As so many generous supporters have reached out to help with
meals and supplies, the Harpers report that we haven’t
missed a beat! We are still their home-base for care
and support and love, even in these difficult and
uncharted times. Thanks to your love and support,
families can seek out the care their children need
and find “home” at the “House that love built,”
even in a
global crisis.
Our new RMHWS masks
Inscription Samantha put
on a gift to Dr. John Petty
who performed her
life-changing surgery.

CHUCK’S CORNER
First and foremost, I hope this edition of our newsletter finds you and your family safe and healthy! We offer our
thoughts and condolences to all the families in our community who have lost a loved one to COVID-19 or other
causes and have been forced to mourn from a distance. To all the families with a loved one who had to have a
medical procedure without a family member at their side due to strict visitor policies, we are praying for you. We
hope you will take solace in knowing that your generosity helps our families avoid the pain of isolation on top of
the pain that comes from caring for a sick child. While our community hospitals initially restricted all visitors for
adult patients, caregivers were and are allowed for pediatric and neonatal patients. Our Ronald McDonald House
is here for all families caring for a child experiencing a medical emergency. We are beginning to again care for
families whose children are having previously delayed elective surgeries or follow-up visits.
I have gotten used to sanitizing my hands every time I walk in the door and washing them for at least 20 seconds
after touching or using common surfaces. I have gotten used to wearing my RMHWS-logoed face mask every
time I am out of my office in the House and out in public. I have gotten used to participating in a Zoom call at
least once per day.
What I will never be used to is the silence.
I miss the sound of a group touring through the House – when I knew which staff member was giving the tour
based on the story being told. I miss the sounds and smells generated by the Meals-from-the-Heart volunteers
preparing dinners. I miss our Welcome Center Volunteers directing families where to go to check-in or check-out.
Most of all, I miss the very loud commotion of families, volunteers, and staff members gathered tightly around our
Victory Bell, ringing it loudly and whooping it up for pictures and videos to celebrate a family going home with
their child after a long journey!
Stay safe and stay healthy! We look forward to the day when you, our volunteers and donors, are here inside the
House again to give us a great reason to ring our Victory Bell!
Chuck Kraft
Executive Director

A NEW NORMAL
We have received over $200,000 in monetary and in-kind support to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
These resources help to offset meal and workplace readiness costs. | Names reflect supporters from March 15 – June 30.
Martha Agnew
Alight Solutions
Jeff & Joana Andrews
Martha Apple
Jeanie Baird
Bayada Home Health Care
Beacon Foundation
Bethania AME Zion Church
BlueCross BlueShield
Bobby Boy Bake Shop
Bobo's Deli
Bojangle's
Bonefish Grill
Gail Bowen
Mason Bowles
Bowman Gray Stadium Ladies Auxiliary
Mike & Penny Bradshaw
Branches of Gold Catering
Frances Brenner
Donna Bridges
Lisa Washburn Cadmus
Cagney's Cloverdale
California Fresh Catering
Camino Bakery
Thomas & Nancy Cannon
Roger & Sarah Caroway
Carter Fund
Feet & Fellowship
Centenary UMC Hands
Chick-Fil-A Thruway
Chopstix
Ceonica Clark
Clemmons UMC
Clinical Ink
Costco
Cracker Barrel
Chester & Susan David
Davie Civitans
Michael & Jillian Davis
Domino's Pizza
Kristen Doub
East Coast Wings + Grill
Tony & Cathy Ebert
Elevation Church
Stephanie Fahrenholtz
Five Loaves Catering
Forsyth County UW − COVID-19 Fund
Debbie Frahm
Frida's Mexican Kitchen & Cantina
Goody's Grill
Grecian Corner
Greensboro Cooking 4
Paul & Jennifer Grosswald
Karen Hairston
Spencer Harrell
Rob Harris
Kevin & Sandra High
Shelley Holden
Sheena Hopkins
Imprints Cares
Jason's Deli
Jimmy John's
K&W
KFC
Jaclyn King
Patty Kopaskie
Kowloon Restaurant
Krispy Kreme
Tom & Megan Lawson
Le Family
Penny Ledbetter
Colleen Lewis
Little Caesar's
Little Richard's
Living Waters Baptist Church
Shannon Matthews
Mayflower Restaurant
Sarah McCollum
McDonald's − ACC Co-op
McDonald's − Blue Ridge QSC
Mike & Teresa McHugh
Harry & Betty McNear
Rebecca McNeely
Medical Center Guild
Midtown Café
Caroline Mitchell
Mothershed Family
Mrs. Pumpkin’s
Mt. Tabor UMC − Koinonoia Class
Carrie Nunley
Olive Tree Restaurant
Papa John's Pizza
Teresa Paul
Sara Pesek
Piedmont Federal
Beth Ann Polivka
Real Q
RJ Reynolds High − RMHWS Club
RMHC
RMHC − NC
Valentia Roa
Salem Kitchen
Sam's Club
Jerry & Marge Silber
Karen Sisel
Slappy's Chicken
Elisa Smith
Southfork Church of Christ
Temple Emanuel
The Bridge Church International
The Porch Kitchen & Cantina
Terri Toler
Triad Baptist Church
Truist Bank
Village Tavern
Walmart
WFBH Resident Spouse Association
Wake Forest University APO
Rebecca Britt Walton
Lisa Washburn
Winston-Salem Foundation
Wyss Family
Young Cardinal Café
Zito! Pizzeria + Grill
Find out how you can support our families:
www.rmhws.org/covid-19

ANNUAL FRIENDS EVENTS:
Mark your calendars for events orchestrated by the Friends of the Ronald McDonald House.
We’ll be celebrating in new, exciting, and safe ways!
Keep up with our plans by visiting www.rmhws.org/events
11 TH ANNUAL
OCTOBER 17 TH
423 CONSTRUCTION:
Check out our before-and-after photos of the soon-to-be Community Meditative Garden adjacent to the Ronald
McDonald House! An inclusive playground for our families, and expanded parking are also coming!
Completion for the project is scheduled for early fall. Keep up with our progress at www.rmhws.org/new-spaces.

MISSION
The Ronald McDonald House of
Winston-Salem, Inc. provides a
“home-away-from-home” in our
House and Family Rooms for
families with children receiving
medical care in our community.
2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Erika Mielke – President
Emily Smith – Secretary
Meredith Masten – Treasurer
Rob Wall
Karen Gainey
Roni Wyss
T-SHIRT TUESDAYS
Sport your shirt anytime! Our "official” Wear Day has multiplied into Three
Tuesdays! T-Shirt Tuesday #1 was celebrated on June 30 th .
Mark your calendars for the next two!
SEPTEMBER 15 TH
HOW TO CELEBRATE:
• Snap a selfie or group pic of you and
your friends sporting your shirts
• Send it to Friends@rmhws.org
• Check our social media for pictures!
DECEMBER 1 ST
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Sheila A. Beattie
Penny Blake
Curtis Bland
Montrale D. Boykin
D.J. Britt
Freddine Crabtree
Tremonteo Crawford
Justin Gomez
James Hardison
Andrea Jenkins
Daphne Marlowe
Penny Mothershed
Cathy Pace
Kristen Quinn
Robert Smith
Kathryn Spanos
Jaleema Nanton Speaks
Elizabeth Spires
Brian Steen
Ron Sutphin, Jr.
Steve Vallos
Trent Wall
ORDER: WWW.RMHWS.ORG/SPORT-A-SHIRT
Share your pics by using #tshirttuesdays
and tag @RMHWinstonSalem
2020 ADVISORY COUNCIL
Silvia Rodriguez – Chair
Bruce Brown
Kelly Brozzetti Cronin
Mark Caudill
John Dalena
Laura Dezarn
Mike Gwyn
Shannon Hanson
Shelley Holden
Leigh Anne Joyce
Christopher Leak
Scott Lewis
Rebecca McNeely
Angie Murphrey
Katie Pepper
Matt Petronzio
Jane Potter
Michael Schiftan
Alisa Starbuck
Julianna Strickland
You are invited to draw or write
encouraging messages on our sidewalk to
thank our community helpers and inspire
our RMHWS families!
Come on by!
STAFF
Chuck Kraft
Executive Director
Mindy Bloom
Development Director
Jolyn Roberts
Family Room Manager
Danielle Brown
Guest Services Manager
Kate Grimmett
Department Services
Manager
Abbey Gajewski
Family Room Coordinator
Beulah Evans
Housekeeper
Evette Clemons
Weekend Manager
Karla Lewis
Weekend Manager
Kathi Grenough
House Operations Director
Rob Lemons
Volunteer Services Director
Heather Rompel
Family Support
Services Manager
Sarah Thompson
Development Manager
Casey Crossan
Family Room Coordinator
Emily Barnes
Night Manager
Wilma Dobson
Housekeeper
Kaila Hires
Weekend Manager
Kim Barron
Weekend Manager
YEARS OF SERVING FAMILIES!
We’ve marked the Brenner Family Room birthdays for the past 17 years with
families, fun, and food! This year, we celebrated our 18 th differently.
Held in our House because of COVID-19 event restrictions, we celebrated with
a socially distant Facebook Live celebration that included fun and games.

Winston-Salem
419 S. Hawthorne Road | Winston-Salem, NC 27103
(336) 723-0228 | www.rmhws.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage
PAID
Winston-Salem, NC
Permit No. 91
Email a picture of your good wishes for
our families and we’ll post it in the House!
Send your notes to:
Sarah Thompson, Development Manager
SarahT@rmhws.org
WISH LIST
• DONATE MONEY
$10 helps to cover a night’s stay.
www.rmhws.org/donate
• DONATE SUPPLIES
Donate at the click of a button.
bit.ly/RMHWSwishlist
• DONATE MEALS OR GIFT CARDS
Local restaurants and grocery stores.
www.rmhws.org/covid-19
• DONATE FOOD
Family-style meals (frozen) and
non-perishable, sealed food items.
www.rmhws.org/covid-19
• Paper towels
• Clorox wipes
• 13-gallon trash bags
• Laundry detergent
• Coffee creamer and sugar
Sharon A. • Ben and Caitlin B. • Virginia Baldree • Stacie Beshears
Corey Bowling • Wanda Bradshaw • April Carson • Tammy Childress
Mary Godfrey Childress • Jill Davis • Maggie Hupcey • Anna Jones
Angie Joyce • Sarah Kaiser • Sherry Kimel • Emily L. • Jill Lake
Ashley Matthews • Lisa Naczki Miller • Leanna Morrison • David O.
Cindy Olsen • Virginia Parks • Timothy Plemmons • Jane Pueschel
Sandi Salisbury • Debra O. Wall • Ann Wood
CONNECT WITH US
@RMHWINSTONSALEM