HOUSE UPDATE CELEBRATING 36 YEARS OF - RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES KNOXVILLE
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Celebrating 36 years of...
Keeping Families Close®
1705 West Clinch Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37916
knoxrmhc.org
Spring 2021
HOUSE UPDATE
“Slowly but surely” hotel rooms at a greatly medical screenings to be temporarily
would describe discounted rate to our were performed on all suspended, life has
our quite cautious families that our House prospective families, seemed quite surreal
approach to restoring would be responsible for and staff & guest as we especially miss
our House operation. paying. Arrangements temperatures were the delicious aromas
In March of 2020, all were also made for our monitored & recorded emanating from the
Ronald McDonald families to access meals daily. In addition with a kitchen when caring
Houses worldwide with no charge to them rigid disinfecting regimen folks are here making
were asked to close daily dinners for those
so we could better in residence, not to
prepare for the mention all those
unprecedented crisis talented groups of
we were facing. volunteers who come
Most importantly, and tackle the repairs
it would allow we have on our ever-
Houses the chance present “Honey-Do”
to order necessary list.
PPE supplies, train
Thankfully, we know
staff with new safety
that better days are
protocols, and allow
on the horizon and we
time to formulate
can see some light
plans for a calculated
at the end of what
re-opening, balancing at the hospital with our addressed every two
has been a very long
guidelines set forth House also absorbing hours, we felt as if we
tunnel!! And we have
by our local medical that expense. were doing everything
gotten to that point
community and the within reason to ensure
By early September, we due to a host of caring,
RMHC Global office. the health of everyone.
were given permission compassionate donors
In the meantime, to re-open which we did We have recently segued and supporters who
though, children were on a very limited basis. into the next phase of have been there for
still getting sick and With common areas such reopening, meaning we us on every step of
hurt with the need as the kitchen required are at 50% occupancy, this difficult journey,
for our services ever- to remain closed, mini- or “half-way back” to and we could never
present. fridges were installed in normalcy, while still fully express the depth
individual bedrooms and utilizing the hotel rooms of our gratitude &
A call to Drury Inn microwaves were placed as needed! appreciation for that
& Suites in West on each floor. Sanitation level of loving concern
Knoxville resulted stations were placed With our volunteer and support.
in their caring throughout the House, program also required
management offering
GOLF TOURNAMENT
While quite a number volunteers were on hand and UT Medical Center;
of our special events to personally fill bags Gold level: Tom Cochran,
were canceled last with items of the golfer’s Eric & Emily Cochran;
year due to Covid, choosing. Silver level: Broadway
we were delighted to Carpets/ Shaw Floors,
be able to host our Texas Roadhouse was Texas Roadhouse, Burger
annual golf tournament still on hand to provide Family McDonald’s, The
on September 10th a “grab ‘n’ go” meal of Hudson Co, Pilot/ Flying
their succulent bar-be-cue Citizens National
at Egwani Farms. J, Knoxville Pediatric Bank, Ted Flickinger,
A number of new since our typical buffet Associates, PYA, P.C.;
simply wasn’t feasible. Jr, McDonald’s of
safeguards were put Bronze level: Hodges, Jamestown; and
into place as the With Mother Nature also Doughty & Carson, PLLC, Patrons: Restaurant
planning committee cooperating in providing Blaine Construction Technologies, John
had participant a sun-filled day, we Corp, Team Mayfield, Sheridan, Shoffner
safety as their #1 were just shy of raising Morgan Stanley Wealth Kalthoff, MES, Inc, Keith
concern with masks $72,000, a true feat we Management, Dillard’s, Goodwin, Staybridge
and sanitizers being felt blessed to achieve Rice Buick GMC, H&L Suites, Superior Steel,
plentiful throughout the during such an uncertain Partners, Kirk & Joanne Ole Smoky Moonshine,
course. time. Huddleston, Will & Cherokee Distributing,
Becca Edwards, T&T 3 Rivers Radio Group,
For instance, having And hats off to our most Signs; Individual level:
staggered tee-times in Rich Products, and
generous sponsors as Coulter & Justus, P.C., Enterprise Print Group.
lieu of a shotgun start without their support, Martin & Company,
ensured that golfers this event could not
were socially distanced happen: Platinum level: Our 2021 golf event has been set for
and then some! Scooter Foods, Cochran Thursday, Sept 9th at Egwani Farms.
Instead of communal Family McDonald’s, East Registration information will soon be on our
beverage and snacks TN Children’s Hospital, website. Hope to see you there!
stations, masked The Martin-Brower Co,
BEAT THE WINTER CORONA VIRUS BLUES
iceless, snow-less enjoying the food, BTWB note that was
weather for that first fellowship, and lovely mailed out in January.
Friday in February. ambience of the venue.
We promise to be
Never did it occur to us While the fundraiser back bigger and better
that we’d be dealing might have been than ever next year, so
with a pandemic… canceled, one thing mark those calendars
something that makes that hasn’t been is our for February 4th, 2022
an ice storm seem fairly commitment to caring and we’ll see you at
inconsequential by for families and their Stanley’s!!!
comparison. At least ice hospitalized children.
Over the past dozen is gone in a day or two! So hats off and many
years that we’ve thanks to the scores of
hosted our signature We’ve heard from so generous patrons who
event, we typically many fans of our unique continued their support of
begin the new year event as to just how much our “non-event” as over
by petitioning Mother they missed being at $22,161.00 has been
Nature to provide Stanley’s Greenhouse, raised in response to the
TIME TO SAY GOOD-BYE
Saying good-bye is never easy, especially when
you’re saying it to a long-time & beloved RMH
employee. After a 19-year career with us, our
office manager, Mary Howard, is retiring to spend
more time with husband Randy, who recently
retired as well. We wish them all the best as
they make an abundance of happy new memories
while traveling as they take their new camper on
the road to see what adventures await!!
MCDONALD’S SUPPORT IS EVER-PRESENT
Being the first Ronald those type calls have do. Installing collection We couldn’t ask for
McDonald House long since ceased canisters, creating a a better partner to
that opened in the and we not only share Round-Up program, plus “help us” help those in
state back in 1985 a name with the donating a percentage need and are beyond
presented a bit more celebrated restaurants, of French fries and Happy grateful for their effort
of a challenge as we we also share the deep Meals sold are initiatives and interest in moving
had to educate those commitment to ensuring that offer ongoing our mission forward.
in our region about our families find a caring, revenue for us on a And hats-off to the
unique mission and compassionate, and monthly basis. wonderfully faithful
exactly how we served supportive “Home” while customers that so
families in need of their critically ill children In addition, they host generously support
a “home-away-from- specialty, seasonal the many fundraising
home”. We’ll never fundraisers such as initiatives that
forget the many calls the heart sales and McDonald’s offers for
we received for “to-go” donating a portion of our benefit.
orders for Big Macs the sales from McFlurries
from those who thought and Shamrock Shakes.
we were a take-out
service for the chain
or the inquiries from are being treated in area
parents wanting to hospitals.
invite Ronald McDonald
himself to their child’s Since we opened our
birthday parties. doors, McDonald’s has
continued to find new
All these many years ways in which to help
later, we find that support the work we
MEET OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS
We are delighted to the for-IMPACT sector. his destiny was to move he served as Sr. VP
welcome three new Blake and Courtney, his to Knoxville and join and COO. He has a
members into the fold wife of 21 years, have his family’s business of Bachelor of Science in
this year. four elementary age working with McDonald’s. Biomedical Engineering
children and when he’s He was approved as from Texas A&M and a
a franchisee in 2009 Master’s in Business
Blake Valentine is not playing soccer, he is and currently owns five Administration from
a native Knoxvillian coaching children’s soccer. restaurants in Knoxville. Rice University. He and
and UTK graduate in He and his wife Kimberly his wife Kristen and
Finance. Last year, he Joe Burger III is originally have three children. their two daughters
joined the United Way from Akron, OH. After are excited about what
Matt Schaefer joins East life holds for them in
of Greater Knoxville serving in the Air Force for TN Children’s Hospital East TN.
as Chief Financial 21 years as a healthcare as president & CEO
Officer, making the administrator, he retired from Children’s Hospital
transition from the and realized that with in New Orleans where
for-profit sector to the last name of “Burger”,
A NEW FACE AT THE HOUSE
We’d like to introduce our new Office Manager, Tori Grindstaff, who
began her career with us in mid-March. The Knoxville native now calls
Strawberry Plains home along with husband David and son Joe, where
they enjoy frequent visits from two grown sons and three sweet
grandchildren. Any leisure time is spent further spoiling her cat, exploring
various arts & crafts endeavors, and directing activities at her home
church.
A twenty-year veteran of Knox County’s Engineering and Public Works
Department, she comes to us most recently from the CAC Housing and
Energy Program where she served as their Finance Manager. When asked
how she felt about her new position, she replied, “I feel so very blessed
to have been given this extraordinary opportunity to become part of the
Ronald McDonald House family. I am beyond thankful to know I will be
able to make a difference in the lives of children and their families and to
help continue the wonderful work done here at the House.”
Focus on a Family...The Swatzells
“Lightning never strikes and Dad, Lindsey and home anxiously
the same place twice” Sam, by his side. awaiting the
is a common phrase chance to
that’s been heard As is the case with meet their new
before, often times so many people, the sibling, doctors
to reassure someone Swatzell’s had heard estimate it
that whatever difficulty about RMHs prior to their could be several
happened, it would not first stay, knew they weeks yet as
happen again. helped parents stay close Rylen needs to
to their hospitalized work on eating
Obviously, little loved ones, but really on his own and
Rylen Swatzell didn’t weren’t aware of the full not relying on
realize that being born extent of the services a feeding tube.
nearly eight weeks offered. He also needs
prematurely would to be able to
have his parents “Our first impression
of the House”, said demonstrate
staying at our House “safe sleep” from
once again, six years Lindsey, “was that it was
beautiful, so clean and a prone position
after his brother Cooper without experiencing
was born six weeks well organized, with a Fingers are crossed
sweet and helpful staff. heart rate drops. that the family will be
early.
This second visit, our car Mom and Dad’s constant home by early April
Jefferson City, the is down and we’ve had to vigil at his bedside, just in time to welcome
family’s home, can borrow one from a friend encouraging words, along spring, the Easter
be almost an hour to even get to Knoxville. with a bounty of hugs bunny, and celebrate
away depending on So knowing we are close and kisses continue to be the holiday together.
traffic, much too far to to the baby gives us such a big part of his medical
commute back & forth great ‘peace of mind’.” regimen.
when Rylen needs Mom
With three brothers at
KIND FOLKS…. CARING HEARTS the UT home football
Heroic actions Faddis, the group’s games. While the
can take many forms. president, telling us sanctions limiting
Take for instance he had a check to drop the number of fans
the members of off. Amazingly, it was a that could attend
Knoxville’s Firefighter’s check for $15,000 that the games, coupled
Association. While they rendered us speechless Knowing how with fewer games
protect property and (a true feat!). Over the deeply working played did impact
save lives on a daily last five years, they have parents depended on their bottom line, the
basis, they are heroes graciously and generously her business, Child fact that they still
to our wonderful House donated $55,000 to us, Creations Day Care managed to raise
for their philanthropic an astounding amount owner, Debbie Snyder, $2,990 and were
endeavors. raised by an equally kept the doors open willing to sacrifice part
astounding assembly of throughout the pandemic, of their week-ends
caring, community-minded adding whatever safety for our benefit, has
heroes. precautions were needed endeared them to us
to keep the children in even more so!
her charge safe & secure.
And knowing how deeply
our Ronald McDonald
Our holiday card sales House depended on
and mail-out continues to her generosity, she
be a wonderful source of graciously hosted the
For years now, the revenue for us raising an Second Annual Trike-A-
Association members astonishing $61,133 this Thon early last summer
have worked tirelessly past season. with young cyclists
to host a series of The promotion is a great making laps around their
concerts that benefit success for two reasons: outdoor track, taking
area charities, with our caring community that donations for each one
our Ronald McDonald completed. At the end Additional Key Clubs
believes in our mission such as one from
House being one of the and the generosity of of the day, Debbie was
fortunate recipients of delighted to learn she’d Powell High School
Multi-Color Corporation have supported us as
their efforts. (formerly WS Packaging, be making a donation
to our House of $8,102. well by hosting a drive
Typically, check Inc) that for years now to collect household
has donated the needed Never underestimate
presentations have “pedal-power”!! needs for us.
been made at the materials and all printing
concert venue, but costs associated with The Cocke County
with such events the card’s production. High School Club had
We simply can not Neither rain, sleet, a collection event
canceled due to the
thank them enough for snow, or pandemic could raising $701.00 for us.
pandemic, we assumed
their ongoing support keep the Bearden High
the revenue would be And thanks to the
and commitment to our School Key Club members,
canceled as well. Farragut High School
mission. under the leadership
Imagine our surprise of Ernie Roberts, from Club for donating
and delight when donating their Saturdays cleaning supplies and
we received a call in to park cars here during pop tabs to recycle.
December from Kevin
KIND FOLKS…. CARING HEARTS (CONTINUED)
Two first grade have also learned an members, their support creative efforts of the
classes at Farragut important “life lesson” at has been generous and ladies from UT. A query
Primary School, under an early age... we’re all unwavering. Actually, was once posed by
the direction of Ms. here to help each other. we’re twice blessed to Dr. Martin Luther King,
Katie Gagley and Ms. have the support of two Jr.... “Life’s most urgent
Kim Lara, had a special chapters, Alpha Kappa question is... ‘What are
Valentine collection to from UT Knoxville and also you doing for others’?”
help “share the love” And we can honestly
with our House, raising answer when it comes
an impressive $526.65. to ADPI, they are going
It just goes to show “above and beyond”
that you’re never too in their efforts to so
young to impact the beautifully support us.
lives of others in need The lovely ladies
and these remarkable of Alpha Delta Pi have Epsilon Psi from TN Tech
children are the perfect been a vital part of the in Cookeville. Last year,
example of that. They Ronald McDonald House their combined efforts
family since the first raised over $27,000 for
House opened in the us and through February
mid-1970’s. From the of this year, $10,096 is
collegians to the alumni in the bank thanks to the
THE VALUE OF IN-KIND GIFTS
In-kind gifts, which the House for holidays, Mountain Water, Waste The RMHC Global
are non-monetary helping with fund-raisers, Management, Lawn office is dedicated to
donations that can creating “welcome bags”, Butler, Glass Doctor, the quest of securing
run the gamut of donating baby quilts and and a host of others donors that could offer
donated meals, children’s pillow cases to save us untold dollars benefits to Houses
professional services, brighten a hospital room. annually as they render worldwide. As a matter
to needed household We’re equally delighted their invaluable services of fact, we’re expecting
items, are always a to have those brave souls “gratis”. a shipment of new
huge benefit to our who come to address mattress sets, courtesy
bottom line. Year in the needs on our ever- Area McDonald’s and of Tempur-Pedic, any
and out, hundreds present “Honey-do” list many of their suppliers day now. A great
of volunteers lend and assist with yardwork have also long been part night’s sleep is a gift
their time and talents and minor home repairs. of this giving initiative beyond compare as is
to us by preparing with Coca-Cola, Ecolab, the generosity of so
delicious meals and Locally, businesses such Tyson, Flavor Reddy many caring businesses
snacks for families as Common Grounds, Foods, Georgia Pacific, & that we appreciate
to enjoy, decorating Proffitt & Sons, Smoky Wexford Labs contributing beyond measure!
on a regular basis.
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