The Garza Family from San Benito, Texas
Photography by JFR-Photography.com
5 Core Programs
7 RMHC Accomplishments
8 House Statistics
10 Life at RMHC South FloridaFamily Stories
11 RMHC 2015 Financials
12 Volunteer Program
14 Signature Charity Events
16 Donors in Action
17 Operation Build: “Labor of Love” project
18 Grants
19 Our Impact: Scholarships
20 Our friends, Our donors
Dear Donors, Friends, Supporters & Volunteers:
RMHC was founded on the idea that there is strength in numbers. Families find strength from each other, from RMHC staff and from volunteers. And thanks to all of you, more families will find strength so their children can be strong enough to heal.
In South Florida, RMHC has been committed to serving the community and visitors for more than 33 years, having helped more than 28,000 families in Miami-Dade and Broward houses to date. Ronald McDonald House Charities® of South Florida is committed to seeing children and their families thrive.
And because of our community’s support of RMHC of South Florida, a well-rested mother can be at her son’s bedside to make informed decisions with his medical team; an older brother can help distract his sick sister with fun and play; a worried father can relax while telling his child a bedtime story. When a child must be hospitalized, it is moments like these that bring relief from the pain and reduce family stress. RMHC helps keep families close—for serious moments and commonplace experiences—when they have a sick child.
RMHC is known for its houses; helping alleviate some of that anxiety by providing lodging meals and comfort to families when their child is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease or illness. But our organization does so much more than that within our community by also providing scholarships to deserving students as they pursue their educational goals and, this year, 21 students received financial assistance that will help them achieve their dreams.
Through our 2015 Annual Report, we aim to showcase all of the hard-working contributors to RMHC, as well as the remarkable people that benefit from it, like the Simpson and Rubirosa families.
As we support children and their families, we cherish the support that our community gives to us. From our dedicated staff and the local business community, to our amazing volunteers and our medical community – all have devoted time and resources to improve and change children’s lives.
On behalf of the entire RMHC family, we thank you for your passion and commitment to children and ask for your continued support as we strive to respond to the pressing needs of children and families.
Sincerely,
R E F L E C T I O N S O N 2 0 1 5
Soraya Rivera-MoyaExecutive Director
Alex RodriguezPresident
Ronald McDonald House:
The Ronald McDonald House offers families a place to call home
while their child is receiving critical medical treatment in area
hospitals. For 32 years, our Ronald McDonald Houses have
provided a “home-away-from-home” for 28,000 pediatric families
in need of comfort and care during a challenging time. Annually,
more than 500 families come through our doors, looking for a
warm place to rest their head and find solace. In South Florida, we
have two houses: one in Ft. Lauderdale on the grounds of Broward
Health and Chris Evert Children’s Hospital and one in Miami on the
grounds of Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
Scholarships:
RMHC offers graduating high school seniors a road to success with
Ronald McDonald House Charities scholarships. Since the mid-
1990s, our chapter has awarded these scholarships to deserving
Hispanic and African-American students through our two programs,
HACER® and Future Achievers. We also award one outstanding
student the scholarship regardless of race, color, creed, religion,
gender, disability or national origin. In 2015, we awarded $42,000
in scholarships to 21 hardworking students.
Grants:
Three times a year, RMHC funds other non-profit organizations
committed to improving the lives of children in four South Florida’s
counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, and Palm Beach. Funds
for the grants are generated solely from canister collections in
McDonald’s restaurants, Walgreens stores throughout South Florida
and matching funds received from Global RMHC. In 2015, nearly
$280,000 was awarded to more than 17 non-profit organizations
throughout South Florida.
w w w . R M H C S o u t h F l o r i d a . o r g1 - 8 7 7 - R M H C - 7 3 5 ( 7 6 4 - 2 7 3 5 )
Ronald Mc Donald House of Miami 1145 NW 14th Terrace, Miami, FL 33136
Ronald Mc Donald House of Fort Lauderdale15 SE 15th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Executive DirectorSoraya [email protected]
Director of House OperationsFlora [email protected]
Volunteer Program &Special Events Coordinator Veronica [email protected]
Development ManagerKatiuska [email protected]
Ronald McDonald House Miami
House ManagerVanessa [email protected]
Assistant House ManagerJorge Jimenez [email protected]
Ronald McDonald HouseFort Lauderdale
Assistant House ManagerSara Hand [email protected]
Administrative AssistantAyisha [email protected]
Relief Managers /Weekend ManagersOsvaldo Perez, Ariel RodriguezShanna Olawale, Gicelle GuardiaDonna Walker, Luis Somoza
W H AT W E D OOur Mission Is Carried Out Through Three Core Programs
54Trinity from Belle Glade, Florida
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This is the house
where families meet
to continue their lives,
to eat and sleep,
to find their strenghs,
and dry their tears,
to look forward with hope
to better years.
This is the house
that becomes their home.
This is the house
that love built.
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F A M I LY S T O R I E S R M H C F I N A N C I A L S 2 0 1 5Rubirosa Family Stor y
Three years ago my son, Hugo Rubirosa, was a hero on the wrestling mat. A junior at Jacksonville High School, he was one of the top 152-pound wrestlers in the area. A superb natural athlete, Hugo won most of his matches by pin and did it with a flair that made watching his bout alone worth the price of admission. But a freak injury put a sudden end to his march to a state championship. Hugo became paralyzed doing what he loved most, during a high school wrestling match in January of 2012. Due in large part to his wonderfully positive attitude and his physical strength, he has made incredible progress since that fateful day. Because of his physical and emotional strength combined with his drive to overcome the odds, Hugo has become a hero to those with similar disabilities, and an inspiration to many others, including myself. My family has stayed at multiple Ronald McDonald houses over the course of the last four years of doctor visits and therapy sessions but feel a special bond to the Ronald McDonald House in Fort Lauderdale. This incredible place was where we called home while Hugo boldly assisted doctors in South Florida in an effort to try to find a cure for paralysis. Ronald McDonald House has been my family’s home away from home, and we can’t thank you enough for providing us with meals, entertainment, security, comfort, and an incredible amount of support day in and day out. We are forever grateful to RMHC for helping to provide not only Hugo, but our family with support and care through this difficult journey.
- Maria and Hugo Rubirosa
67
Simpson Family Stor y
I remember it like it was yesterday. It was during an ultrasound that the doctor informed me that my baby would be born with Spina Bifida. So many emotions and questions filled my mind. And in midst of this overwhelming moment, the Holtz Children’s Hospital referred me to Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida, and all I knew was that they would provide us with a safe place to stay. Even though I was hurt and shocked, I did not worry as I knew that God always has a plan and RMHC would provide the safe haven I needed to get through it all. Once I had the baby, RMHC welcomed me with open arms. They gave me a card and balloons upon arrival, which will always be a special memory for me. Feeling that type of love and support from complete strangers upon meeting and during some of the most difficult days of my life meant everything. Staying at RMHC helped me to have access to my baby at all times, 24/7. My family was able to visit us and we appreciated the food that was donated daily from the amazing volunteers within the South Florida community. I realized then how appreciative I was to now be a part of the RMHC family, who truly made our lives easier during the hardest of times. The RMHC staff was the most helpful, working out all the details surrounding my family’s stay at RMHC and being there to share in my most happy and saddest of times. The support I received is invaluable and will forever be appreciated.
- Jordyn Simpson
of pop tabs. Overall, RMHC collected more than 10,000 pounds of
tabs from 46 participating schools, generating more than $5,000
in funds to support RMHC. Ronald McDonald visited the winning
school to present them with a grand prize and special recognition
for their continued support.
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Each year, RMHC of South Florida partners with local schools
in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties to
help raise money for the charity and also learn the importance
of recycling. This year, elementary schools from all over South
Florida were invited to join in on the annual Tab-a-Thon Contest
where the pop tabs collected at the end of the contest get turned
into a recycling center for a monetary compensation. For the
second year in a row, Quiet Waters Elementary School in
Deerfield Beach took the first-place prize collecting 210 pounds
TWELVE GOOD MEN LUNCHEON
More than 300 people attended the 23rd
annual Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)
of South Florida Twelve Good Men luncheon held at
Jungle Island. At this event, RMHC of South Florida honors leading men with a history
of outstanding community involvement, civic service, and involvement in one or more
of South Florida’s charity organizations. Honorees are first nominated by former 12
Good Men award recipients and then the event committee members select their 12
finalists. This year’s event raised about $60,000 to benefit children and families
staying at the House That Love Built®”.
For the second year in a row, McDonald’s restaurants of South Florida and its customers joined efforts to support RMHC during the “Hearts for the House” campaign. During the month of February, customers purchased $1, $3 and $5 paper hearts which were displayed in the lobby of every restaurant. These gracious donations raised more than $121,000 for RMHC of South Florida. A huge thank you to McDonald’s employees and customers for making a difference!
During a two week period, Walgreens created the campaign “Family Fundraising Drive” to benefit RMHC of South Florida. Employees asked customers to donate $1, $3 or $5 dollars and during this campaign more than $95,000 was raised. The enthusiasm and dedication of Walgreens employees made this a successful campaign, and we truly thank Walgreens and everyone involved in this amazing effort for the continued support!
RMHC of South Florida welcomed the South Florida
community to help spread the love last holiday season with
the 12th Annual Home for the Holidays event planned to
be held on December 5, 2015. The annual event features
a lighting ceremony where each light represents a one
night stay for a family in need. This year’s Home for the
Holidays was to be hosted by Shyann Malone, Channel
10 news anchor. Each year, the event is open to the local
South Florida community, and this year, we were excited
to welcome the community to enjoy house tours, a raffle
and silent auction, live entertainment featuring DJ Shi-B (a
former RMHC house guest), culinary delights from South
Florida’s favorite restaurants, kid activities, gift vendors
and a visit from Ronald McDonald himself. Unfortunately,
this year’s event was cancelled due to unforeseen weather
conditions. That said, the event still raised more than
$25,000 for the charity.
Last summer, Operation Build, a renovation TV show featured Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida in a 4-part mini-series that aired on August 22, 2015. The series entitled “Creating a Home Away From Home, Labor of Love Makeover” centered on the renovation journey of the Fort Lauderdale house while also highlighting four different stories of families with seriously ill children who have found solace in staying at the Ronald McDonald House during difficult times.
Over the course of the makeover process, the team of roughly 30 crew members and volunteers focused efforts first on adding modern touches to the kitchen and dining area, with hopes to provide the RMHC families with a comfortable area to come home to after long, stressful days at the hospital. The full renovation resulted in more storage space, modernization of the guest rooms, new flooring and updating of the house’s technology.
Additionally, the series also focused on four families and their touching stories of how the House has played a pivotal role in their child’s recovery process. Featured families shared personal first-hand experiences with RMHC which all exemplify the importance of how much this “Labor of Love” makeover means to the South Florida community.
HISTORY CHANNEL’S OPERATION BUILD TV PARTNERS WITH RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF SOUTH FLORIDA FOR “LABOR OF LOVE” MAKEOVER
“To be given the opportunity to receive such a
special gift from Operation Build is priceless,” said Soraya Rivera-Moya, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida. “We have enjoyed being a part of this process and reveled in watching the production crew members, TV hosts and volunteers dedicated passion as they volunteer time and effort to help makeover our Fort Lauderdale house for all of our RMHC families. This has truly been a labor of love and we are forever grateful.”
“This is a project that is very special for all of us here at Insight Television Productions,” said Lysa Liemer, Executive Producer of Operation Build. “For all the hard work we do around the country, this is a particularly exceptional opportunity for us to be part of; to be able to work on something so close to home and embark upon a project right here in our own backyard that is so close to our hearts is invaluable.”
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D O N O R S I N A C T I O N
Fisherama Tournament
Miami Auto Show
Ladies Fish Off Tournament McDonald’s Corporation
Tropical Financial Credit UnionDillard’s
Yelp
EZ Corporation
G R A N T S
RMHC has donated more than $4.8 million to differentSouth Florida children’s organizations, including nearly
$245,000 in 2015.
Caridad Center$25,000
Crystal Academy Primary School$30,000
En Familia$17,400
Girl Scout Council of Tropical South Florida$5,000
God’s Little Acres $10,000
Good Hope Equestrian Training Center$10,000
Grandma’s Place$25,000
Kids in Distress$10,000
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
$25,000
Palm Beach County Sports Commission$20,000
Place of Hope, Inc.$22,300
University of Miami Pediatric Mobile Unit$25,000
YMCA of the Treasure Coast$10,540
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Students across the country work hard to earn top marks, dreaming
of the college they’ll attend and the education they’ll receive.
Unfortunately, many of these students won’t be able to afford it.
We want these students to reach their full potential. To help them
accomplish this, and as part of our unwavering dedication to
South Florida’s youth, RMHC has annually provided college
scholarships to high school seniors within our community who
have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership and
community involvement.
Since the mid-1990s, RMHC has awarded these scholarships
to both Hispanic (HACER) and African-American (Future
Achievers) students in South Florida seeking higher education.
S C H O L A R S H I P S
In 2015, RMHC awarded 21 South Florida high school seniors
who have each demonstrated excellent academic achievement
and community involvement a $2,000 scholarship to be
utilized towards their college tuition. These outstanding recipients
were honored at a scholarship ceremony.
Through the organization’s two minority scholarship programs,
HACER and Future Achievers, RMHC awarded 10 students
from the South Florida Hispanic community and 9 students from
the South Florida African American community with scholarships
that will help them achieve their dreams. An additional exceptional
high school student was selected to receive the Scholar Award
regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, disability or
national origin.
HELPING STUDENTS AFFORD THE EDUCATION OF THEIR DREAMS
1 9
Hispanic American Commitment to Educational
Resources (HACER) was established nationally in
1985 by a McDonald’s franchisee named Richard
Castro to address the low rate of college matriculation
by Hispanic high school students.
ABOUT HAC ER
ABOUT FUTURE AC HIEVER SSince 1986, Future Achievers and its predecessor scholarship
program, Black History Makers of Tomorrow, have awarded
more than 7,500 African-American students with more than
$3 million dollars nationwide. The program began as a
way to make education a priority and to support the future of
young, African-American professionals within the community.
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Grandma’s Place Inc.
Crystal Academy
Good Hope Equestrian Training Center
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Paul and Marylou Adams
Mikkie Belvedere
Besnard & Associates Insurance
Broward Health
Thomas J. Canzano
Patricia Carter
Dorothy and Paul Cassidy
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Cochran
Coldwell Banker
Concannon Wealth Management
Concannon, Miller & Co., P.C.
James Crongeyer
Doris Cynamon
Dania Beach Scrap Metals & Recycling, Inc.
Daszkal Bolton LLP
Mr. Jesus Del Rio
Dreyfuss Family
EMC 2 CorporationJon Van Brackle
Mrs. and Mr. Nancy Engels
Spencer Errickson
Buzz Fleischman
Fortin, Leavy, Skiles, Inc.
Franklin Templeton Investments, Inc.
Future Energy Solutions
Karen Galloway
Georgia Pacific
Richard and Jane Packer Gerber
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Hadvab
Maurice and Jean Hawa
Ms. Helga Garces
The Household of Kenneth HokeKenneth Hoke
Bill and Donna Hudson Bill and Donna Hudson
Isle Casino Pompano
Jack R. Loving, P.A.
Jagarnauth FamilyVivian Jesus
Junior League of Greater Fort LauderdaleMrs. Linda Chappell
Kidz Korner
Kirwan & Spellacy, PARich Kraemer
Lauderdale BMW
Rhonda Leon
Ms. Peggy McCoy
Antonio F. Mendoza
Messengers of the Peace, Inc.Ms. Maria Rosa Lopez Munoz
National Jets
Mr. and Mrs. Morton Notarius, M.D.
Oakland Park KiwanisDennis Buchta
Martha Plut
Carolyn and David Price
Subhash and Vasanti Puranik
Rich and Denise Restaino
Rio Vista Management Group, Inc
Ron Jon Surf Shop
Angie and Joseph Ryan
Renee and Connor Salley
Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Schinder
Mr. Joseph Sciortino
The Household of Anthony SeguinoAnthony Seguino
Karen Sheehan
Shred Monkey Corp.
Burt Silverstein
Ms. Lorraine Simkowitz
Mr. and Mrs. Steven Smyczynski
Southern Gear & Machine, Inc.
Mrs. Elizabeth Suero
Matthew D. Sullivan
Sun Sentinel
The Berenguer GroupThe Martin Brower Company
The W. Bradford Ingalls Charitable Foundation Trust
The Weilers
The Women’s ClubMrs. Ann LaPointe P
Rebecca Tiger
Turano Florida Bun, LLC
Turner Construction Company
Jackie and John VerburgVillage LandlordsBonnie Eichholtz
Village Landlords Fort LauderdaleMr. Bob Obenland
Nick VillarailSandra Hurtado
Amanda and Gary VillarsMarilyn Villars
Parker Warren Wartsila
Mrs. and Mr. Judith Zisook
TOTAL RECEIVED: $62,690.00
It costs approximately $90 a night to house a family at
the Ronald McDonald House. Families are only asked
to pay $20 a night donation to stay at the House. The
contributors and donors to this program ensure the
ongoing operations of the Ronald McDonald houses.
Monica and Rolando from Guayaquil, Ecuador
Donate today to support our families.Go online at www.rmhcsouthflorida.org
2 0 2 1
Active Network
Mr. Robert Alders
Alpha Delta Pi Gamma Delta Chapter
Diane Alvarez
Jennifer and Brad Ashlin
Christina Avila
Besnard and Associates Insurance
Puja Bhatia
Patricia Bohn
BRV Construction Services Inc.
Calusa Elementary School
Camino Del Matrimonio, inc
Challenger Elementary
Chapman PartnershipDaniel Vincent
Chrissy Cakes
Claude Pepper Elementary
Coconut Creek High School
Coldwell BankerCheryl Emanuel
Coldwell Banker Redidental Real Estate CaresMs. Cheryl Emanuel
Rosangela Conitzer
Mr. Larry Connor
Mr. and Mrs. J Douglas Cooper
Coral Cove Elementary
Dante B. Fassell Elementary School
James and Marilyn Davidheiser
Mark DresnickMark and Linda Dresnick
Driftwood Elementary Chris Dunham
Edward A. & Catherine L. Lozick Foundation EZCORP Foundation
Jonathan Fields, Mr.
FIJI WaterKathleen Fleischman
First United Methodist Church
Fisharama
Fleming & Fleming
FORESTERSJohn Curran
Mr. and Mrs. William Freund
Gap Foundation Gift Matching Program
Gator Iron & Metal Corp
John and Laurie Gayes
Gibraltar Private Bank &TrustJay Pelham
Phyllis and Murray Greenberg
Ahlbum Group
Mr. and Mrs. Rich Hadvab
Mr. John Hardin
Peter Heim, Mr.
Mr. and Mrs. Guillermo Helbig
Hellinger & Penabad Charitable Foundation Ms. Tiffany D Hendricks
Ms. Bridget Regina Higgins
Dr. Tyrone Hill
Hollywood Central
Mr. David Hover
Miguel Inda-Romero
Investor SolutionsRob Gordon
Ms. Cheryl Jackman
Mr. Mike Jean-Pierre
Jungle Island Gene Ann King
Mr. Dave Klawitter
Malcolm Kolpak
Ladies Fish - Off Tournament
Lakeshore Enterprises
Nicole Lamanda-Hernandez
Le Petit Papillon Montessori School
Legal Solutions Group, Inc.Marty E.
Mr. James Leo
The Levitan Family
The Lichtenfeld FamilyCarol and Bob Lichtenfeld
Ann Lieff
Lion Country Safari
Mrs. Cynthia E Lopez
Yeimilyn Lorenzo & Heather Otero-Taffur
Shirley and Robert Lyons
Mr. David MacEachern
Cindy Macomber
Margate Elementary
Mary Marits
Sally Markam
Lexi Masciarella
MAST Academy
Ms. Debbie Maxwell
Mr. Michael Mendes
Miami Childrens FoundationNse Essiet
Miami MarlinsAlfredo Mesa
Jennifer Monaco, Ms.
Nob Hill Elementary
Stephens S. Nuell, esq
Kenneth O’Farrell
Glenda Oliver
Omega PSI PHI Fraternity ETA NU Chapter
Ms. Ingrid Osorio
Pablo Sandoval Family Foundation
Mr. Eric A Peterson
Quiet Waters Elementary Catherine Massard Ribetti, Ms. Riverside Elementary
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Robbins
Mr. Nicholas Romanelli
Ron John Surf Shop
Ryder Systems, Inc.
SFMA - Smith & KnibbsAndrea Knibbs
Ms Shelley D. Shultis
Shutts and Bowen,LLP
Ms. Julie Simon
Joy Smith
South Florida Auto Dealers Associationz
Southern Gear & Machine Inc.Allan Arch
Scott and Diane Sprague
Faye Steiner
Terra Group
The Anne Samuels Estate Foundation
The Color Run, LLC
Mr. Darrel Thomas
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Thornton
Mr. Kristian Toimil
TRUIST Comprehensive Distribution
Iliana Ulfe
UNICEF @ FIU
United Way of Broward County Walgreens Co.
Waters Edge Elementary
Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign
Mr. Richard Werber
Westminster Academy
Mr. Thomas Whitman
Sheffield and Pod Janna Wolk
Wonderful Giving
YourCause,LLC
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Angelica and Gianella from Lima, Peru2 0 2 1
Alex RodriguezPresident
Ricky WadeVice President
Pete MenendezTreasurer
Rosangela DeMelloSecretary
Dan AshlinExcutive committee member
Trustees
Brad AshlinMcDonald’s
Joan BaucomMcDonald’s
Mike CastilloMc2 Advertising
Leslie PantínPantín/Beber Silverstein Group
Eric PetersonPeterson Bernard
Yoyi RodriquezMcDonald’s
Brent UpchurchMcDonald’s
Roy RipakWalgreens
Mark WatsonMcDonald’s
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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K’Jei and Kishna from US Virgin Islands
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