16 Aug August 2017

Visitors from Hoogle Zoo

Animals are such agreeable friends ―
they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.

George Eliot

Utah’s Hogle Zoo has been inviting children and their families to experience different parts of the world through animal interactions for nearly 90 years, with the motto ‘Nurturing respect and appreciation for the natural world’. It is our great privilege to partner with the Zoo’s outreach program to bring glimpses of our exotic Earth home with exciting, educational animal visits to both the House and the Family Room on a monthly basis. Ollie, our therapy dog, takes a break away from the action when other feathered and many-legged (or no-legged) visitors drop in, but the creatures are a big draw for RMHC’s guests – parents, children, and siblings love to get up close and personal with critters from around the world.

For each visit, teams of two to four zookeepers bring between five and ten animals of different types for guest families to observe and sometimes touch. The zookeepers interact with the children, teaching them about the animals’ exotic origins and habits and the proper ways to handle and care for them. These wonderful volunteers are always willing to talk about their critters and answer questions for ours! (Er…) Regular animal visitor favorites are a bunny, a variety of snakes, and a large bird (usually a beautiful owl), and we’ve also seen several spiders and insects – including a relatively friendly palm-length Madagascar cockroach. If you’re at the House on the second Tuesday or the Family Room on the last Tuesday of each month, keep an eye (or ear) open for creatures that belong in a zoo and then come and get acquainted!

Third-Party Donors

There are so many different ways that our community supports RMHC and we could not keep our doors open without that support. Some of our community partners show their support by hosting a fundraiser in their offices, in their neighborhoods or within their own families. We are so grateful to all of our 2017 community partners who have or will be hosting fundraiser for us. One of our wonderful partners is David Weekly Homes. In the month of April, David Weekly Homes made a $5 donation for every visitor that stopped by any of its model homes or showcase homes. They raised over $1,300 for RMHC!!! Thank you David Weekly Homes for your support and love you showed RMHC and the families we serve.

We love our intermountain community and all they do to support RMHC and the families we serve. If you are interested in hosting your own event, or you would like to get more involved, please email Stephanie@rmhslc.org or call 801-363-4663.

Cornerstones of Love – Grand Giver Program

When difficulties arise in the life of a child, focus often narrows to the things that matter most: things like home and family. The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities^® of the Intermountain Area (RMHC) is to surround families with the support they need to be near and care for their seriously ill or injured children – such as providing a place to call home while their child receives life-saving medical treatment at a local hospital and staying together as a family.

It is through the support of our generous community that we are able to help families hold on to precious time together.  Our Cornerstones of Love Grand Giver Program is comprised of a special group of individuals who make a personal annual direct gift of $1,000 or greater to ensure that the doors of the Ronald McDonald House remain open to all who need our services, now and in the future. Grand Givers are undoubtedly the cornerstone of love for thousands of families each year; coming together with a shared vision and determination to better our community. As a Grand Giver to RMHC you are the foundation of our work – you provide the profound, immediate support that makes our day-to-day programming possible and directly impacts families in need.

To view a brochure that includes giving levels and benefits of being a Cornerstones of Love Grand Giver, please click HERE.  Donations can be made in one lump sum or through monthly, quarterly or bi-annual installments, as well as an annual reoccurring gift. Your contribution will help to ease daily burdens and empower families of hospitalized children with meaningful experiences and quality time together.

We hope that you will consider becoming a Grand Giver and joining us for fine wine and great cuisine at an exclusive Cornerstones of Love Grand Givers Toast and Appreciation Dinner on October 26^th at La Caille. The entire evening will be underwritten, allowing us to provide the highest quality evening for our guests while ensuring your donation goes directly to support the families served by Ronald McDonald House Charities.

If you have any questions about the Cornerstones of Love Grand Giver Program, the Appreciation Dinner, or Ronald McDonald House Charities, please contact Chief Development Officer, Vickie Moschetti at 801-363-4663 or vickie@rmhslc.org.