For children fighting serious illness, Ronald McDonald House Charities-St. Louis offers a home away from home for the families. There are three houses located in St. Louis, and each one has a homey, loving environment.
I had the opportunity to chat with Dan Harbaugh, RMHCSTL's Executive Director. He's been with the organization for twenty years. He went in-depth about what they've achieved so far and where they would like to go from here. Check it out!
1. Tell me a little about yourself and your role at Ronald McDonald House Charities-St. Louis.
Born and raised in St Louis—lived here all my life---played soccer with Mike Goedeker in college and my brother played with Steve in college, and brother Ron and family live in our neighborhood/parish (typical STL J). Went to Vianney HS, Meramec CC and UMSL---never ever thought I would end up in the not-for-profit world, but did an internship at Big Brothers/Sisters while in college and they hired me right out of college as a caseworker. Ended up working there for 10 years, first 5 as a caseworker, and as they allowed me to take on more and more responsibility in PR and Fundraising---became the Associate ED there after 5 years, and after 8 years was named the Executive Director. Spent about a year and a half there as the ED, then left to come over here.
Have been here for 20 years now. Have overseen the building of a second RMH in STL, an apartment complex for long term families, a third house out in West Co. and we have also opened 3 RMH family rooms inside the hospitals over the last 8 years. Married and have 2 children---a daughter who is 21 and a son who is 16. Very involved in my parish church and on the board of St. John Vianney HS, Eagle Bank, and BBB not-for-profit advisory committee.
Central West End Ronald McDonald House on West Pine Blvd.
2. What are some goals RMHC-St. Louis would like to achieve this year?
Our goals for this year are to develop a new long range plan for the organization and to start paying off the debt we took on last year via a 1.7 million dollar rehab of our original RMH in the Central West End.
3. Why do you feel your mission is important?
Our mission is critical to families of seriously ill children. It is important to keep the family close during a difficult time and not have to worry about things such as where they will stay when they travel to STL seeking medical attention for their children. Studies have shown that a child heals at a quicker rate when they know mom and dad are near and are being taken care of. Our family rooms inside the hospitals provide a respite and “oasis” for families to relax, re-charge, and comfort during a difficult time.
The Cohn Family, April 2014
4. What are some different programs that you have?
Our programs consist of our 3 houses that provide 59 families with a home away from home, an 8 unit apartment complex for “long term” families, our 3 family rooms that provide comfort to about 80 families each day, and then last year we partnered with the Eye Care Charity of the Midwest to provide them with a mobile eye care unit that travels throughout the STL region providing on site eye screenings and eyeglasses for kids free of charge.
5. Who is eligible for your services?
For the RMH---you have to live 50 miles are greater away from STL. Family rooms are open to anyone who has a child in the Childrens unit; Eyecare to kids in schools.
Mercy Children's Hospital RM Family Room
6. What are some upcoming events RMHC-St. Louis is holding?
Our biggest annual event is our golf tournament and dinner auction on June 1st and 2nd---this is our largest annual fundraiser. Then our Sporting Clays Dinner Auction and Shoot is August 22nd and 23rd.
7. What’s the best way for people to get involved?
The best way to get involved is to call us at (314)-773-1100 and we can direct you to the person overseeing whatever area you want to help out, be it an event, volunteering, holding a fundraiser, or cooking dinner at the house. Or go out to our website and you can look at all the different areas of opportunity for involvement.
Ronald McDonald House's Annual Golf Tournament
8. How can the public donate?
The public can donate online, send in contributions to any of our 3 houses, or they can drop off donations at any one of the 3 houses or family rooms.
9. Anything else you’d like us to know?
It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the President of this organization. Each day as I have coffee or lunch with the families staying here (my office is in the Park Ave RMH), the families go on and on about how much they love and appreciate the great folks of St. Louis who make these Homes possible. They talk about the wonderful people who bring in dinner each night and how great the food is, they talk about getting to go to a Cards, Rams, or Blues game or the Fox with donated tickets and how much fun they had and how it took their minds off of their “challenges.” They say over and over “we could not nor would not have made it through this without the comfort and care of the RMH. Please tell all the wonderful folks who support the RMH how much we appreciate their generosity.”
West County Ronald McDonald House is the newest addition.
I want to thank Dan for answering my questions. You can connect with Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis via Facebook and Twitter, or by going to their website.
Take a Look at Ronald McDonald House of St. Louis by Liz Carroll