2019 Annual Report

KEEPING FAMILIES CLOSE ®
KEEPING FAMILIES CLOSE ®
2019 Gratitude Report
Charleston
3

We believe in the
HEALING POWER OF FAMILY
2

KEEPINGFamilies CLOSE ®
Every family that relied on Ronald McDonald House Charities of
Charleston in 2019 has their own story. And although the details
of each family story are unique, there is always one common
element - hope. That came from you. Your kindness gives our
families hope - for a positive recovery, for seeing their child
smile, for taking their child home.
We are inspired by the strength of our guest families and
grateful for the endless amount of love and support given to
them by you, our volunteers, and our team. You may not get to
meet every family, but know that they feel the impact of your
support. We see it in the smiles of a child playing with Gardy
after a long day at the hospital, and in the way parents go from
strangers to friends who swap baby pictures and catch up over
dinner at the House. Your support provides not only the
physical space to families; but also, the emotional support
that is so critical during a medical crisis.
Our focus is always on maintaining this core mission of support
to children and families when it’s most important. At the same
time, we’re always looking for ways to enhance these services
and meet the needs of even more families who are dealing with
the unthinkable.
Thank you for making 2019 another great year. As we continue
to implement our multi-year strategic plan, I cannot wait to see
what we can accomplish in this decade, with your help.
Kenneth Bate
Chairman
OUR
Mission
Kathy ‘kp’ Papadimitriou
Chief Executive Offi cer
The mission of Ronald McDonald
House Charities of Charleston is to
create compassionate environments
and programs that provide families
the best chance of success in
caring for their child with
complex medical needs.
Because of you, our donors, RMHC Charleston saved families with children
at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital approximately
$3 , 500,000
in the value* of out-of-pocket expenses, lodging, and meals last year.
Value based on current Federal Per Diem reimbursement standards for Charleston, SC in 2019
3

OurPROGRAMS
Ronald McDonald House ®
RMHC Charleston is a safe haven for 32 resident families every night, nurturing the entire
family in addition to the critically ill child. Our House provides the comforts of home –
including comfortable beds, warm meals, living areas, kitchen and laundry facilities, and
Gardy, our four-legged friend.
In 2019, there were 929 family stays.*
*40 of the stays were through an Airbnb Pilot Program.
BabyBLOOMS (Bond-Learn-Observe-Organize-Monitor-Support)
BabyBLOOMS offers support and resources designed to strengthen and assist families as they
move from the hospital to home. Through weekly learning and activity sessions, BabyBLOOMS
seeks to enhance the parenting experience using evidence based practices, while creating an
opportunity to enrich bonding, infant care, and development.
In 2019, 431 family members participated.
Day Pass Program
Not all families need overnight accommodations, but they may need a place to rest and regain
strength while their child receives care. In an effort to serve more families in need, families
on our waiting list or who live locally, but still too far to commute back and forth, can enjoy a
shower, a home-cooked meal, or a smile from Gardy, all just steps from MUSC Shawn Jenkins
Children’s Hospital.
In 2019, 304 day passes were used.
Gardy, The House Dog
Gardy, our 6 year old mini labradoodle, works and lives here at the House. He is on-call 24
hours a day, spreading love and comfort to our families when they need it most. Dubbed our
‘Guardian Angel’, Gardy is named after Brett Gardner, a player with the N.Y. Yankees, who
graciously sponsored him with his wife Jessica.
Gardy’s other close friends include: The Animal Medical Center of Mount Pleasant, Susan’s VIP
Grooming, and Royal Canin USA, who have all donated their services and products.
Red Shoe Society
A group of young professionals working together for good. The
Red Shoe Society (RSS) serves as a philanthropic arm of RMHC
Charleston. The RSS seeks to engage, empower, and inspire
young professionals to participate in philanthropic and leadership
endeavors while building awareness for our organization.
As stewards of RMHC Charleston, RSS members work together
to raise money, donate their time, and provide needed volunteer
efforts to benefi t the House.
In 2019, RSS members raised over $11,500 through their
annual dues, social events, and annual fundraiser!
2019 RSS Board Members:
Sarah Burbridge - President
Ryan Espy - Vice President
Amber Nyberg - Secretary
Allie Darby
Emily Fleming
Amie McInerney
Laura Taylor
Margaret Todd Truluck
Thomas Szymanski
4

KEEPING FAMILIES CLOSE ®
Junior Board
In an effort to promote leadership, community
awareness, and philanthropy in our local youth, RMHC
Charleston formed the Junior Board in 2007. The Junior
Board is designed for junior and senior high school
students who learn fi rsthand the different forms
philanthropy can take by participating in meaningful
service and fundraising activities.
Scholarships are awarded for leadership, creativity,
and service.
2019-2020 Scholarship Winners:
$1,000 Leadership scholarship –
Emma Stockton
$750 Visionary scholarship –
Hope Lanier
$500 Pacesetter scholarship –
Bryan Lassoe
Honorable Mention -
Laura Glanville
GLOBAL RONALD McDONALD
HOUSE PROGRAM IMPACT
Research shows that a Ronald McDonald House program, which is a core program of Ronald McDonald House
Charities ® , helps families worldwide stay close to their children while receiving hospital care, increasing the
caregivers’ ability to spend more time with their child, interact with their clinical care team, and participate in
medical care decisions. It also allows siblings and other family members to be present and engaged.
Why do families stay at a Ronald McDonald House?
Children whose families stay at a Ronald McDonald House tend to be the sickest, have
traveled the furthest distances for care and spend the longest time in the hospital. The
Houses allow families to access the best medical care for their child and being nearby
helps children heal and cope better together. 1
Positive Overall Hospital Experience Studies show that families who stayed at a Ronald
McDonald House reported a more positive overall hospital experience than families who
did not. 2
Better Perceived Quality of Life Researchers found that children and their parents, who stayed
at a Ronald McDonald House, had a better perceived quality of life than expected for
children with chronic diseases. 3
Proximity to Hospitals The proximity of Ronald McDonald House programs to hospitals provides important benefi ts
for children and their caregivers, such as improved psychological well-being and better perceptions of their child’s
recovery. 4
1. Lantz et al., Journal of Health Organization and Management (2015)
2. Franck et al., Medical Care Research and Review (2015)
3. Sanchez et al., Archivos Argentinos de Pediatría (2014)
4. Franck et al., Families, Systems, & Health (2013)
5

TheMAHAFFEY FAMILYStory
Last year, on New Year’s Eve, I
was transferred from Coastal
Carolina Hospital in Hardeeville,
SC to MUSC Children’s Hospital
in Charleston, SC because I had
a small rupture in my placenta. I
was 32 weeks pregnant and had
no idea what to expect next. I
spent New Year’s Day just praying
that doctors would send me home
even if it was on bed rest. But at
the end of the day, right after my
husband was already home (we
live 2 hours away), the doctor told
me they needed to take me in for
an emergency C-Section. At only
32 weeks I was so scared. Luckily
all went well. My baby girl,
Olivia, was healthy, but very
tiny and needed to stay in the
hospital. I was scared, stressed,
and emotional all at the same
time. I had no idea what I was
going to do, and where I was
going to stay. Someone at the
hospital mentioned Ronald
McDonald House Charities of
Charleston. I wasn’t familiar with
it so my husband called and they
put us on a waiting list. We didn’t
know what to expect but we got
the call 2 days later saying a room
had opened up. RMHC Charleston
is literally right across the street
from the hospital.
“The House was a
ray of light during
those first rough
days... and it really
makes a big
difference knowing
you can be closer
to your children.”
–Fabianna Mahaffey
The House was a ray of light
during those fi rst rough days. The
room had 2 beds, which
was perfect because
my mother-in-law stayed with
me. There was even a Hospital
grade pump in the room! It was
so convenient. Everyone was so
nice and welcoming, and always
asking us if we were OK or if we
needed anything. All the meals
were brought to the House by
different volunteers, and the
families were given all the
necessities they needed.
It is so comforting knowing that
organizations like RMHC Charleston
exist to help all of us with little
ones in the hospital, and it really
makes a big difference knowing
you can be closer to your children.
I will be eternally thankful to
everyone at RMHC Charleston for
all the help, the love, the words
that gave me strength to keep
going, and for a place to stay and
food when I needed it the most.
6

KEEPING FAMILIES OurImpact CLOSE ®
2019: OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS
NUMBER OF
PEOPLE SERVED
LONGEST
STAY
5,153
238 6,816
AVERAGE STAY
PER FAMILY
nights
12
nights
miles
GREATEST
DISTANCE TRAVELED
(VLADIVOSTOK, RUSSIA)
10,798
NUMBER OF FAMILY NIGHTS
OF LODGING
929
NUMBER OF
FAMILY STAYS
744
NUMBER OF FAMILIES’
REQUESTS TURNED AWAY
GUEST ROOM USAGE BY DIAGNOSIS
Heart
33%
Premature 15%
TOP 10 SC COUNTIES SERVED
1. Horry
2. Beaufort
3. Greenville
4. Florence
5. Spartanburg
6. Georgetown
7. Richland
8. Berkeley
9. Anderson
10. Orangeburg
Other
28%
Cancer 11%
Respiratory 7%
Neurology 6%
93%
from SC
7

VOLUNTEERImpact
The volunteers who help our families, whether it’s answering phone calls, organizing closets, making
lunches, assisting at a special event, or providing meals for our families, are simply invaluable. Nearly
4,500 generous, kindhearted volunteers gave their time and talents last year to care for our families
and most importantly, to give them hope.
VOLUNTEER view
“I recently retired
and wanted to give
back. Because I
personally experienced
the loss of a
child and a NICU
stay for another,
volunteering at the
House holds a
special meaning to me. RMHC Charleston
provides a safe haven for parents experiencing
the worst days of their life by providing food,
shelter, and support. I have also met so many
wonderful staff.
I have volunteered to bake, to be part of a
group providing meals, assembled On-the-
Go Meal Kits, collected Wish List items from
my neighbors, and even was fortunate enough
to be Santa’s helper on Christmas Day. I
cherish each moment I spend supporting
RMHC Charleston, and believe that it is truly
the ‘The House that Love Built ® ’!”
14,689
NUMBER OF
VOLUNTEER HOURS
$373,541
EXPENSES SAVED
4,404
NUMBER OF
VOLUNTEERS
3,161
NUMBER OF MEALS
PREPARED BY VOLUNTEERS
- Pat Good - House Volunteer
RMHC Charleston volunteers helped save the House
$373,541.27
in expenses in 2019 through their time, talent, and effort.*
But, the truly invaluable outcome was their caring
accomplishments for the families in need.
*Based off Independent Sector Value of Volunteer Time of $25.4 Per Hour.
8

DONORImpact
4,832
NUMBER OF
DONORS
100%
RMHC CHARLESTON
BOARD MEMBERS
GIVE BACK
2,959
NEW DONORS
85%
INDIVIDUAL
DONORS
KEEPING FAMILIES CLOSE ®
Our Community
Hosting a Facebook fundraiser, gathering friends for
a wish list drive, collecting pop tabs, or organizing a
fi shing tournament are just a few examples of how
our amazing community helps our families. Their
thoughtfulness and time,
and of course the funds
they raise, make a difference.
Their efforts not
only inspire others to get
involved, help and give
back, but also expand
the hope that’s provided
to our families focusing
on their sick children.
DONOR view
9
“As a pediatric anesthesiologist at MUSC, I see on a daily basis the strain that having
a child in the hospital, whether for a night or several months, can put on families.
From taking Gardy on walks when I fi rst moved to Charleston, to monthly dinners
prepared by a group from the hospital, I’ve greatly enjoyed donating to Ronald
McDonald House Charities of Charleston to help fulfi ll their mission to keep
families close and allow them to focus on what’s most important.”
- Christopher Heine M.D.
A huge thank you
to our in-kind donors who contribute wish list items,
cook meals for our families, and offer supplies and
services to the House! In 2019, these gifts totaled:
$386,072

FINANCIALImpact
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston is an independent IRS designated 501(c)(3) and
is tasked with raising its own funds each year. Individual donors, corporate partners, foundations,
and grants, along with multiple special events, enable the House to operate efficiently and
effectively with annual revenues of $3,190,746 in 2019.
Program Funds
$184,499
10%
Company &
Organization
Contributions
$149,517 | 8%
3rd Party
Fundraising
$150,016
8%
Individual
Contributions
$428,485
24%
Grants
$125,759
7%
In-Kind Contributions
$386,072 | 21%
McDonald’s
$52,334 | 3%
Signature
Events, Net
$319,761 | 18%
SOURCES OF
REVENUE
Total Revenue: $3,190,746
Operations*: $1,796,443
Capital Campaign: $1,394,303
*Used for chart percentages
Total Net Assets: $8,279,318
Program Expenses
$1,486,521 | 81%
EXPENDITURES
Total Expenses: $2,149,364
Operations*: $1,818,416
Capital Campaign: $330,948
*Used for chart percentages
RMHC Charleston receives $0
in federal or state grants.
100% of the donations stay in our
community and to support
the families we serve.
Administration
$154,757 | 9%
House
$1,445,037 | 79%
Family Room
$25,920 | 1%
BabyBLOOMS
$15,564 | 1%
Fundraising
$177,138 | 10%
10

OurPARTNERS
Business
Partner Spotlight:
Charlestowne
Hotels
“Since its founding 40 years ago,
hospitality has always been the
cornerstone of Charlestowne
Hotels’ core values. Charlestowne
has always made care
for guests and for employees its
highest priorities. Supporting
Ronald McDonald House
Charities of Charleston is a
natural fit for the Lowcountry-based
hotel management
company. The warmth, care, and
generosity the staff of RMHC
Charleston show their guests
are exactly what the team at
Charlestowne seek to provide
their hotel guests on a daily
basis. The Charlestowne Hotels
team couldn’t be more excited
to partner with RMHC
Charleston and support this
phenomenal organization.”
– Chris Harvey -
Operations Manager
McDonald’s, Our Mission Partner
One of our largest supporters
is the Low Country McDonald’s
owner/operators who have
generously helped thousands
of families since we opened
our doors 36 years ago. Their
support happens in many ways
including hosting restaurant
campaigns, serving on our Board
of Directors and committees,
donating and preparing meals
for our families, and sponsoring
special events.
In 2019, McDonald’s unveiled
Round-Up for RMHC where
patrons can support families
with sick children by choosing
to round up their total at the
counter or drive-thru.
In 2019
customers at our local
McDonald’s restaurants
contributed over
$50,000
in store fundraisers,
Round-Up for RMHC, and
RMHC Donation Box Programs.
11

We are grateful to our corporate
Business Partners who continue to make
a difference through their generosity.
AAP
Adams Outdoor Advertising
Anchor Sign
Charlestowne Hotels
Children’s Cancer Cooperative
Crews Chevrolet
Crews Subaru of Charleston
Kiawah Development Partners, LLC
McDonald’s - Charleston
MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital
Phillips Industrial Services
Select Health of South Carolina
State Farm - Troy Herndon
Board of Directors
Officers of the Board and
Executive Committee
Ken Bate | Chairman
Tom Butz | Vice Chairman
Brett Lashley | Secretary
Ellen Cole, CPA | Treasurer
Patti Hart, CPN, NE-BC, MSN, RN |
Medical Representative
Bob Horne | McDonald’s
Owner/Operator Representative
Alvin Williams | Personnel
Members at Large
Jim Booth
Johnny Bouvette
Robert Crews
Mark Elam, J.D.
Amy Hauser, BSN, MBA, MHA,
RN, NEA-BC
Barbara Kraemer
Bill Lacey
Chris Matthews, CPA, CGMA
Felicia Preston, J.D.
Lisa Quadrini, CFP ®
Mary B. Ramsay, J.D.
Greg Taylor
Courtnay Thompson
Chris Valdes, J.D.
Conrad Williams, M.D.
Honorary Board Members
Horace Curry, Jr.
Charles P. Darby, Jr., MD
Emory S. Main
Bert Hefke, Chairman Emeritus
Bill Walsh
81 Gadsden St. Charleston SC 29401
RMHCharleston.org | (843) 723-7957
@RMHCCharleston | #KeepingFamiliesClose
2