22 Dec December 2020

We’re proud to announce that we’ve been named a Top Workplace by Salt Lake Tribune for the second year in a row! In fact, this year, we were third in our category of small employers, the top non-profit organization, and specially recognized for the effective communication at RMHC.

“The Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake City serves as a home away from home for families whose children are getting treatment at area pediatric hospitals. But the charity can’t deliver on its mission without having open lines of communication. Employees “always have someone to rely on” and they always know what the “plans for the future” hold. – Salt Lake Tribune
A big thank you to all of our employees who helped to make this happen!

You can find more info about RMHC on our TOP WORKPLACE WEBSITE

We are so pleased to honor Jim Swayze as the 2020 Board Volunteer of the Year for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Intermountain Area.  Jim is the President of Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah and has decades of experience in healthcare leadership. He also serves as the Vice Chair for RMHC’s Finance Committee.

Jim has championed the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities and the pediatric patient families we serve. Jim understands RMHC’s mission and the benefits and outcomes of family-centered-care. He looked for solutions to support rural, underserved families that must travel from a broad geographic area to access specialized medical care in Salt Lake City.  He recognized the need to address the physical, emotional and economic impacts of Covid that have only compounded the challenges families face when they have a child facing a life altering or life-limiting diagnosis.

Additionally, Jim saw the need to provide skilled mental health and grief support, and practical resources and referrals to help families transition back home – often with a new normal.  He helped secure one-year pilot program funding from the Cambia Health Foundation for RMHC to fund a much-needed Behavioral Health and Palliative Care Specialist position. In addition, Jim worked closely with Intermountain Healthcare to support emergency off-site lodging for patient families during Covid-19, with a $100,000 end of year challenge.

We have navigated this unprecedented year because of leaders and champions like Jim, who have shown agility, creativity and dedication to work tirelessly on behalf of our mission and the families we serve. Thank you Jim!

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area knows the value that peace of mind can bring. Knowing that our loved ones are safe, healthy, and cared for is the cornerstone of our work. Now, we’ve partnered with FreeWill to help our RMHC family protect the things you love through an online will-writing tool. It’s an easy way to plan for your future, support the people you love, and get peace of mind — at no personal cost.

WRITE YOUR FREEWILL NOW

Thank you to EVERYONE who helped make #GivingTuesday a huge success for us. You incredibly stepped up to help us raise funds so we can provide emergency COVID-19 lodging to pediatric patient families. In fact, you raised the most money ever for us on a
#GivingTuesday.

Here is what was accomplished:

In total and with the match, RMHC was gifted over $74,000. And this money is the equivalent of providing 1 month of off-site housing to 74 families. Our hearts our full of gratitude on behalf of the families we serve.

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your incredibly generous support!

Regence BlueCross BlueShield and Intermountain Healthcare have teamed up in support of emergency lodging for pediatric patient families served by Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area.

Each dollar donated – beginning with #GivingTuesday through the end of the year will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000!

And just in case you didn’t know, you can deduct up to $300 in charitable contributions in 2020, even if you take the standard deduction. It’s one benefit of the CARES Act that was passed earlier this year.

Click Here to learn more about this challenge grant and to make your end of year donation.

Congratulations to Dr. Lloyd Tani and Sterling Poulson who were recognized as 2020 Heroes during the Utah Philanthropy Day event in November. Dr. Lloyd Tani has served as a co-chair, along with Emmie Gardner, of our Medical Advisory Committee and has advised our organization every step of the way as we have navigated identifying and implementing best practice in relation to COVID-19. Sterling Poulson was an incredible ambassador and was a key factor in transitioning RMHC’s most important fundraiser to a virtual event that was broadcast on KUTV2 which ultimately raised important dollars for our mission. Their dedication and leadership on behalf of RMHC this year has been truly inspiring and this award was well-deserved.

Happy 3rd Anniversary this month to our 2nd Floor Ronald McDonald Family Room located in Primary Children’s Hospital. This Family Room is specifically for the parents supporting their children in the Pediatric ICU, the Cardiac ICU and the Neuro Trauma Unit.

And – we are so pleased that this Family Room is able to welcome families in a controlled and safe way, just in time for its anniversary after a brief suspension due to COVID-19.

To learn more about this Family Room, you can VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

Every time you go to McDonald’s, you can ask to “Round Up” to the next dollar amount. What may feel like small change actually adds up and creates amazing support for the pediatric patient families served by Ronald McDonald House Charities. AND – by participating in “Round Up for RMHC” you support us – your local RMHC chapter. So, now and throughout the year, when you stop by McDonald’s, please ask the cashier to “Round Up for RMHC”

You may have seen some new ads from our mission partner McDonald’s recently. They have launched a national ad campaign that features RMHC as part of their commitment to us and the communities they live and work in. Thank you McDonald’s for being a wonderful mission partner to us.

WATCH VIDEO HERE

Do you have an upcoming birthday? If so, we would love to be your choice for a birthday fundraiser. Birthday fundraisers made a big difference in the lives of the families we serve. Each fundraiser helps increase awareness and support for our organization.

So if you have a birthday coming up and would like to create a Facebook Birthday Fundraiser for RMHC, CLICK HERE.

Happy Birthday!