FROM THE MAGAZINE
Giving With Heart
For over 30 years, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Siouxland has been making a difference for families far and wide.
“The impact is huge,” says Executive Director Christy Batien Clark. “We hear stories all the time from our families about what the house meant to them. Sometimes they only have one vehicle. One parent needs to be at home with the other kids or at their job, and the other needs to be with their sick child. It’s a strain on the family to be divided like that.”
That’s where the Ronald McDonald House comes in, providing a home away from home for families with comforts that they can’t usually find in a hospital room, like a place to sleep, food to eat, and a hot shower.
“We had a family, originally from Texas, who were in Sioux City working on a project. Their baby came super early, and they ended up staying with us a long time.”
It’s also a place for families to find a warm meal through their largest project, the Ronald McDonald Family Kitchen and Lunch program.
“We’ve been so lucky to be able to expand that out over the years,” says Christy. “It’s not just the mission that happens inside our walls. The kitchen and lunch program is how we feed all of the families, both at the hospital and here at the house.”
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Siouxland serves area hospitals and agencies with the program, including UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s, now in two locations, the Child Advocacy Center, the Child Health Specialties Clinic, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, Floyd Valley Healthcare, and Cherokee Regional Medical Center. In April, these services expanded to Sioux Center Health.
“That’s more and more pounds of food going out to help more and more families, and we’re really excited about that,” Christy shares.
But they couldn’t do it without the community’s help and generosity. That includes the annual Red Shoe Shindig, held this year on Friday, November 21st at 5:30 p.m. at the South Sioux City Marriott Riverfront.
“Think red, red, red and lots of hearts this year,” says Fundraising and Events Coordinator Sydney Palmer.
“We’re bringing in the heart of the house, the love of the house, the heart of our families, and the heart of our mission.”
“It’s an incredible amount of stress taking care of a child who is sick,” adds Christy. “I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve met someone or had a friend come up to me with tears in their eyes over how grateful they were for the services they received. We know it’s a lasting impression.”
For many, it’s bigger than the funds they raise that night.
“For me, it’s about our families,” adds Sydney. “We have such an incredible opportunity at the Red Shoe Shindig to see that impact. To feel it. To know how much the Ronald McDonald House has done for them. It’s inspiring to see our families come back year after year.”
“We can show our donors exactly what their money is going toward,” Christy explains. “Being in the room with families who have benefited helps tell our story and, in turn, helps raise more money for our mission.”
This year’s signature Red Shoe Shindig Family is Matt and Mollie Sudbeck from Wayne, Nebraska, who spent 15 days with the Ronald McDonald House when their twins Crue and Cooper were born early.
“Matt was able to work from home with his remote job while Mollie was up at the hospital. He said he felt like he drank so much of our coffee that he went out and bought us a huge can of Folgers,” laughs Christy. “It was just a blessing to be able to provide them with what they needed.”
“They were here during the winter, and their other son, Rhett, really wanted to go build a snowman outside when he was visiting,” recalls Sydney. “So, his dad, one of our employees, Tori, and Rhett all went out and built one together. It was just such a special moment to be part of.”
It’s moments like this that Christy and Sydney say make it all worth it.
“We’re changing lives,” Christy affirms. “Something as simple as a toothbrush or a piece of chocolate can mean the world. Hearing their stories, you know you’ve had an impact and that’s a feeling you never forget.”
Learn more, purchase tickets, volunteer, sponsor, or donate auction items by calling (712) 255-4084 or by visiting rmhc-siouxland.org/.
“Parents can get rundown in the process and forget to take care of themselves because they’re taking care of their child. Our job is to take all those burdens away. The Siouxland community makes our mission possible through their amazing support.”