Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas has received LEED-NC (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED-NC Platinum is the highest level of sustainable building put forth by the USGBC. The 30,680-square-foot Ronald McDonald House, which opened in December 2007, is the first LEED-NC Platinum building in Austin and only the third in Texas. Not only is the green design good for the environment, but the eco-friendly features also create a healthier environment for the children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House while children are treated at area medical centers.

"This LEED Platinum Certification is significant to the Ronald McDonald House because it is a testament to this organization's commitment to provide the healthiest living environment for the children and families that stay with us," said CEO, Kent Burress. "By implementing LEED Platinum guidelines, we have created a building that best enables us to meet our mission.  Thoughtful design and conscientious construction practices have created a building that becomes a significant component in the overall healing process of our children and their families.  Our new House is not just where healing happens, it helps make healing happen."

The health promoting benefits of this green building are evident in the details such as attention to quality air and climate, expansive use of healing natural light and access to gardens and terrace spaces. The use of carefully selected building materials to create a living environment virtually free of toxins is especially beneficial for children with compromised immune systems, such as those receiving long term outpatient treatments.  This House is designed to be a strong partner with the hospitals and physicians caring for these children by ensuring that families can access the care their children need by providing an affordable and healing home-like place to stay.

From the planning stages, the House placed family health and environmental quality first. Each guest room is ventilated naturally, with no air being shared between rooms. This creates a healthier environment for children with compromised immune systems. The 10.8 kilowatt (kW) solar array - donated and funded by Green Mountain Energy Company generates enough energy to power 15 rooms in the House. The solar energy offsets more than 30,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, and significantly reduces energy costs for RMHC-ACT. The integrated solar array also makes The Austin Ronald McDonald House the first solar-powered Ronald McDonald House in the world.

The state of the art House includes 30 guest rooms, multi-use common areas, communal kitchen space, rooftop gardens and a playground and green space at the ground level. Sustainable design was used in the creation of every aspect of the house.

For more information about other sustainable principles and design elements that qualified the House for LEED Platinum certification, please visit www.rmhc-austin.org/ournewhouse.

Family Finds New Hope,
New House

Parents Doug and Luca and their son Daniel, who live about 20 miles from the Dell Children’s Hospital, experienced the improvements of Austin’s Ronald McDonald House firsthand. During their newborn son's treatment for CHARGE Syndrome, Doug and Luca were one of the first families to move into the new House. CHARGE Syndrome is a set of conditions caused by a rare genetic defect and required constant medical calibration in the first few days of Daniel’s life. The new House provided a home base for Doug and Luca where they could stay close to the hospital and advocate for their son.

Doug and Luca's story shows how the House provides a haven for families near the hospital. Even a moderate commute to the hospital from their home, just to the North of Austin, would have been a great burden.

"This new building made so many things possible for us when we were dealing with our son's treatment. The proximity to Dell Children's is such a benefit because we could be with him as much as possible, but we could also get away for a minute to relax or talk with other families for support," said Doug McLean. "There's such a sense of community at the Ronald McDonald House - everyone from staff to volunteers stays focused on the people and the purpose of this place. The green features just enhance the incredible work they do and the care they provide."

Doug speaks enthusiastically about the Ronald McDonald House and its role in providing the everyday living necessities that families often place on the back burner with a sick child. “The House has lots of amenities that take away those small burdens, allowing families to focus their energies on the child. It is there for people in need, regardless of their station in life. The House allows everyone to be there for their child.”

When asked about his son, Doug talks about CHARGE Syndrome and the need to raise awareness. Doug is enthusiastic about Daniel and wants everyone to know that “Daniel is doing great!”

With over 800 Central Texans showing their support for the Ronald McDonald House, Bandana Ball 2008 was our most successful gala to date. Organized by committee chairs Stacy and Tom Bockholt and sponsored by the Central Texas Chevy Dealers and the McDonald’s Operators of Central Texas, Bandana Ball 2008 raised over $400,000. Guests enjoyed a live and silent auction, catering by 2 Dine 4, and entertainment by the Austin original Dysfunkshun Junkshun. A very special thank you to our entire committee who helped make this a night to remember. Please visit our event sponsor and auction donor pages for a complete listing of our evening supporters. This year’s auction alone raised over $125,000 and we salute our auction donors for helping us help children heal. View photos from this year's Bandana Ball event. Mark your calendar for our 20th anniversary Bandana Ball on March 7, 2009. We hope to see you there!

If you would like information on how to sponsor a table or donate an item for our auction, please contact Missy Strittmatter at mstrittmatter@rmhc-austin.org or click here.

Thanks to our cyclists and event sponsors who helped make our 2008 RMHC 100 such a success, increasing the support for the House by over 50% from last year's event. The ride concluded with friends and family joining the riders back at the Ronald McDonald House for an after-party hosted by RMHC’s Leadership Council. Music was provided by Graham Webber. In addition, the Austin Fire Department brought a fire engine and APD Hummer for rides and family photo opportunities. Thanks to all the riders and everyone who supported them to make this event such a success. View photos from the after-party held for the RMH 100 Cyclists.

If you are interested in joining us next year as a sponsor or rider, please contact Missy Strittmatter a mstrittmatter@rmhc-austin.org.

There are many volunteers that support the House by giving their time and talent. One volunteer in particular decided to make the Ronald McDonald House the focus of her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Stephanie Chavez from Troop #251 came by the House in the summer of 2007 and expressed her desire to help the House through her Gold Award Project.

Stephanie’s goal was to provide household items such as towels, sheets, pillows and toiletry items to furnish all 30 family rooms at the new Ronald McDonald House. She began her project by contacting other Girl Scout troops throughout central Texas and telling them about the Ronald McDonald House’s need for these items. She rallied support from over 20 other troops, and within a few months had already gathered enough items to furnish all 30 rooms. Having met her goal sooner than she planned, Stephanie decided to go above and beyond and gathered all the items to outfit the entire triple kitchen and two laundry rooms.

On Saturday, December 8th 2007, Stephanie and her mother came to the House with a U-Haul trailer packed with all the donated items. Throughout the day, over 100 Girl Scouts came to unload all the items and set them up throughout the new House. By the end of the day, all 30 family rooms were outfitted with sheets, pillows, towels and toiletry items as well as cleaning supplies for the rooms’ bathrooms. In addition, the Girl Scouts had filled the kitchen with utensils, cookware and dinnerware, and the two laundry rooms were overflowing with detergent, bleach and dryer-sheets. Thanks to Stephanie and the support she rallied from the other Girl Scouts, the House was ready to open for the families.

Stephanie’s Gold Award may have been a one-time project, but her commitment to the Ronald McDonald House is a continuous gift that benefits hundreds of families that stay at the House each year. Our House volunteers give of themselves to ensure that we meet our mission of providing comfortable lodging and supportive services to the families of children receiving treatment in Austin area medical centers.

To learn more about how to become a Ronald McDonald House Volunteer, please visit our website at http://www.rmhc-austin.org/volunteer or contact Derrick Lesnau at dlesnau@rmhc-austin.org.

The construction of the new Ronald McDonald House required all the normal things that a new building does like brick, mortar and paint. The construction of the 31,000 square foot house required a lot of paint to cover all the walls: over 1,200 gallons to be specific. Benjamin Moore Paints, a national Ronald McDonald House Charities donor, contributes annually to ensure that all the Ronald McDonald Houses are kept in top condition. The national office teamed up with local Benjamin Moore Paint retailers to donate all 1,200 gallons of eco-friendly paint used in the new House. The paint was key in turning the House into a home for Central Texas families.

In addition to the paint donation, Benjamin Moore Paints holds an annual golf tournament, The Benjamin Moore Golf Tournament, now in its second year. To date, the Tournament has raised over $14,000 for the Ronald McDonald House of Austin. We look forward to a continuing partnership with Benjamin Moore Paints on future projects.

Ronald McDonald House says
Farewell to Board Member

St. David’s Neonatologist, Dr. Cindy Lynn, has served on the board of the Ronald McDonald House board since 2001.  This year sadly marks her last.  Dr. Lynn’s tenure on the board is special because it corresponds with the beginning of the planning stages for the recently completed new House at the Dell Children’s Medical Center.  Dr. Lynn recently expressed her thoughts about the past several years working with the Ronald McDonald House of Austin, the changes she helped enact, and what motivates her service to this community.

When asked about her contribution to the new House, Dr. Lynn quickly deflects credit to others, stating that the House has been fortunate to have the staff that it does.  “The Ronald McDonald House of Austin may have the best staff of any non-profit in the city.  Kent is a fabulous leader.”  She concedes that she is proud to have been part of the planning, what she refers to as the “nuts, bolts, tears and smiles” that contributed to the successful opening of the new House.

The Ronald McDonald House and Dr. Lynn both share the same motivation: the children.  She shows her dedication to the Ronald McDonald House by being one of the first people to sign up for the Bandana Ball every year and as a constant presence at all of the House fundraisers.  Dr. Lynn views her service to the House as part of her commitment to the infants that she cares for every day, saying, “It comes down to the babies.  The patients are the motivation for my job and for any service to the community I am fortunate to do.”

Before Dr. Lynn began serving on the board she served one family that still frequents her memory.  The family stayed at the House for six months while their baby was under Dr. Lynn’s care.  The baby was extremely premature, and despite being quite a warrior, didn’t make it. Dr. Lynn remembers the powerful connection between the baby and his mother.  The early life of a premature baby is spent in incubators instead of cribs.  This particular baby never left the protection of his incubator, even for the safety of his mother’s arms.  Dr. Lynn recalls that the mom had a dream of being able to lie down on a bed and hold her baby.  To fulfill this dream, the hospital set up a cot in the baby’s room one night and allowed the mother to hold the tiny baby in her arms.  It was an event that Dr. Lynn never forgot.

 
After the baby’s death, the family chose to have the memorial service in the memory garden at our previous location on 15th Street.  The role that the Ronald McDonald House played in that family’s time was something that Dr. Lynn never forgot.  When she was asked to become a member of the board, she readily agreed, seeing the Ronald McDonald House mission as a natural extension of her calling to the little children and their families.

“Parents are under a tremendous amount of stress when they have a newborn in intensive care. I see first hand how effectively the Ronald McDonald House reduces that stress level, not just by providing lodging, but also providing meals, a place to do laundry, a place to relax, and support from the staff as well as the other families.”

Dr. Lynn departs the RMHC board a better place than she left it, with the newly constructed House as evidence of her service.  “I think the building is the mark I will leave.”

"It comes down to

the babies"

New Staff Addition

The Ronald McDonald House is proud to welcome Beverly Seffel as the newest staff addition to the RMHC Austin family.  Beverly has begun work as the Director of Community Relations for the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).  The Ronald McDonald House has had a long-term goal of increasing awareness and understanding of the House in the communities surrounding of Austin and Beverly is uniquely qualified for this work.

Beverly comes to the Ronald McDonald House with 32 years at the LCRA as Manager of Community Assistance and Volunteer Services, giving her extensive knowledge of Austin and surrounding counties.  This knowledge will help her to provide information on how the communities, Ronald McDonald House Charities and the local medical centers can collaborate to support families throughout the 49 counties served by the Ronald McDonald House. 

Beverly expressed her pleasure at joining the Ronald McDonald House, saying, “I am very excited to be at the House and proud to have the honor to work for such a wonderful organization.”

Office Supplies (New items only)
Postage Stamps

Household Items (New items only)
Large Bath Towels (white)
Liquid Laundry Detergent
Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
Paper Towels
Zip-Lock Plastic Bags
Heavy Duty Trash Bags (33 gallon size)

Hygiene Items (New items only)
Deodorant (Sample Size)

Kitchen Items (New items only)
Dishwasher Detergent
Tupperware

Miscellaneous (New items only)
Grocery Store Gift Certificates
To-Go Styrofoam Containers