by Adam Simpson | Mar 16, 2023 | Board Spotlight, News
How did you become involved with RMHC of NW Ohio?
I have been aware and involved with Ronald McDonald House Charities for quite some times as my father has been involved in some capacity throughout his career. I wanted to join the the board to get my foot in the door with RMHC.
As a new board member for RMHC of NW Ohio, what do you hope to contribute or accomplish?
As a new board member, my goal is to help grow awareness of what RMHC is, the services they provide, and what they stand for. I have had very close friends of mine utilize RMHC and I have personally seen the impact that RMHC has.
How would you encourage someone to get involved with RMHC of NW Ohio?
I encourage people to get involved with RMHC through Round-Up. With my ten-store organization, we have the opportunity to support Ronald McDonald House Charities in many different ways, but our customers can make a difference by Rounding-Up their orders. My stores also collect aluminum pull tabs and bring them to RMHC, this helps support the pantry.
What do you love about RMHC of NW Ohio?
There are many great things about Ronald McDonald House Charities. The overall mission of helping families and providing children access to quality healthcare is something that stands out to me. Additionally, I love seeing the work that employees and volunteers put in to make sure that families are taken care of.
What does RMHC of NW Ohio mean to you?
RMHC means a lot to me as an owner/operator and board member. Although I do not have kids on my own, I have seen first-hand the impact RMHC brings to the Northwest Ohio community.
About Matt Rivello:
Matthew currently resides in Archbold, Ohio where he graduated High School in 2006. Directly out of Highschool Matthew began working a summer job and quickly shifted his career path to working with his father, a McDonald’s Owner Operator as a crew person in 2007. Matthew, throughout the years transitioned into management and then area supervision for his families three store organization.
While continuing his career, Matthew entered the McDonald’s Next Gen program to begin the process to become a McDonald’s Owner/Operator. In 2017, the Rivello McDonald’s organization acquired five more restaurants, increasing their total to eight. With the additions in stores, the organizations’ structure increased. Matthew held the position of Director of Operations until he was approved to become a Next Gen Owner/Operator in 2018.
Currently the Rivello McDonald’s organization has 10 locations with two of those being in Toledo, Ohio. Matthew currently owns three out of the ten restaurants. Matthew is very connected to the communities where his restaurants are located especially in his hometown of Archbold. In 2019, Matthew was awarded by the Archbold Chamber of Commerce, The Spirit of Archbold Award “4 Under 40” award.
In his spare time, Matthew enjoys time with his family, friends and dog Koda. Matthew, an avid sports fan cheers for the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia 76ers. During the warm months, Matthew enjoys playing golf and riding his SxS off road vehicle.
by Adam Simpson | Feb 23, 2023 | Board Spotlight, News
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio is thrilled to welcome four new members to its Board of Directors in 2023. As we welcome these new members, we asked each board member a few questions to get to know them. Check out our Q&A with Ashley Yoakam.
How did you become involved with RMHC of NW Ohio?
I became involved after hearing a story from a family who stayed at RMHC during a ProMedica Impact and Inspire event. At that event, they also spoke about the Red Shoe Society, how they cooked at RMHC, etc. I was hooked ever since and love cooking for families at the House, attending events, and helping in any way I can.
As a new board member for RMHC of NW Ohio, what do you hope to contribute or accomplish?
I hope to help with events more – a recent passion of mine is events and planning! I would like to remain on the marketing and development committees as well! Additionally, I hope to help spread the word about RMHC even more – I feel like sometimes personal social media posts help connect and help others realize what McDonald’s and RMHC have to offer!
How would you encourage someone to get involved with RMHC of NW Ohio?
The easiest way to get involved is by volunteering. I want to make it a goal of mine to set up a monthly schedule where the Board of Directors or House Committees volunteer to cook. Additionally, I love encouraging others to learn more about the RMHC relationship with McDonald’s. Round-Up for RMHC is a huge initiative, if we continue to share and educate others on its importance, it will prove to be a great asset to RMHC.
What do you love about RMHC of NW Ohio?
I love the mission of RMHC and what they offer to families in need. I am thankful we have never had to utilize the House in that capacity, but I know families who have, and how much the House relieved stress and supported them.
What does RMHC of NW Ohio mean to you?
RMHC of NW Ohio means helping families stay with their kiddo(s) who are ill without the financial burden of finding a hotel and nutritious food. We all know when we are under stress our health and eating habits can decline. RMHC of NW Ohio offers amazing meals daily with health options at their fingertips.
About Ashley Yoakam:
While not a Toledo native, Ashley has made her home here in the Glass City. Ashley, born and raised in Marblehead, Ohio, graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Professional Sales from the University of Toledo in 2011.
Directly out of college, Ashley began her career as the Marketing Director of the Charles E. Boyk Law Offices, LLC, where she previously held positions as the receptionist and marketing assistant. She then transitioned out of her marketing role into sales when she started at Mail It Corporation in 2013. While at Mail It Corporation, she grew a love for local non-profit organizations. Always finding the most effective, yet cost savings route to help promote the various non-profits.
With her love of non-profit work, she then started her career at the Toledo Public Schools Foundation in 2019 as the Program & Grants Coordinator. In 2022, Ashley was promoted to Executive Director, overseeing all fundraising efforts in addition to her previous role.
Ashley resides in Toledo with her husband Joshua and their daughter, Harper. Ashley enjoys tending to her flowers and garden in her spare time, taking family walks through the neighborhood, and visiting local playgrounds with their daughter and new puppy Ranger.
by Adam Simpson | Dec 28, 2022 | Board Spotlight, News
Larry Schaffer Bio
Larry has served as a local funeral director for over 30 years and is currently the manager of our Oregon Chapel. He is graduate of Defiance College and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (1981). He and his family regularly attend Christ United Methodist and St. Ignatius Catholic Churches. Larry has served as past president of the Maumee Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Oregon Community Family Coalition, Eastern YMCA Board, Treasurer of the James Hancock Senior Center, past Vice President of the Board of Directors of Luther Home of Mercy, Williston, past Chair of the Promedica Bay Park Foundation Board.
Larry is currently on the Board of Trustees for ProMedica Bay Park Hospital and is on the hospital’s Business Council, President of Good Grief Northwest Ohio, President Elect of the Little Sisters of the Poor Board and a current board member of Eastern Maumee Bay CC. Larry is responsible for our memorial design team and his unique ability to custom design family memorials can be seen in many local cemeteries. He and his wife, Jane, are Oregon residents and have three children, Rachael, Lauren, and Jacob.
Larry Schaffer Reflection
How I feel about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio is beyond words…
To be part of an organization that keeps families close to their children, that is very much in need of having their loved ones close by or even allowing the loved ones to take a quick break for themselves but always knowing they still are very close in proximity of their loved one is indescribable. Never having to use RMHC personally, I can not even imagine the stress the family goes through, wanting to stay very close to the patient and worry about leaving the bedside, let alone the worry caused by the situation itself. The House allows the family to take a break even if it is only for an hour or so, just to let the family regroup and refresh.
So many positive and good stories come from the families about the House. It makes you feel good that in some small way, being a board member makes you feel that you personally had a hand in helping them. I was raised with the attitude you always help others, even if you do something small, you have left that person in a better place than before you helped them. That is why I became involved with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio. To give back to others.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio truly makes a difference. Thank you to everyone who supports the House.
by Adam Simpson | Dec 19, 2022 | Board Spotlight, News
Mark Fox Bio
Mark Fox is the Director of the Office of Technology Transfer and Services (OTTS) at Bowling Green State University.
BGSU is a public university dedicated to creating public good and strives to advance its impact through engagement by participating in private and public partnerships that support research and creative activities and enhance the vitality of the BGSU community. The mission of OTTS is to promote commercialization of technologies arising from BGSU research and services.
OTTS is a single point of entry for licensing BGSU technologies and to engage with BGSU for research and technical services, collaborative partnerships, and other engagement opportunities.
Mark Fox Q & A
What does Ronald McDonald House Charities mean to you?
Ronald McDonald House Charities means a home-away-from-home for families while their child receives treatment at a local hospital.
Why did you get involved with RMHC?
I got involved at RMHC when I was invited by a friend to help prepare Diner on the House, and that was all it took. It is such a great feeling to help families feel at home, even when they can’t be.
What are you most proud of as a board member of RMHC?
I’m proud of serving in a variety of as leadership roles over the years, including Chair of the Red Shoe Society, Chair of the Annual Giving Committee, and Secretary of the Board of Directors.
Are there any certain projects or campaigns you participated in that stand out to you? And why?
My involvement with the initial phases of bringing the Care Mobile to Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan stands out to me the most, because it will bring us one step closer to our vision of a world where all children have access to medical care.
Any final thoughts on RMHC?
RMHC is more than just a home-away-from-home, it is also support programs that improve the health and well-being of children and their families.
by Adam Simpson | Dec 14, 2022 | Board Spotlight, News
Matt Simpson Bio
Matt Simpson currently serves as Past President of the Board of Directors for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio. Matt began his journey with RMHC as a House volunteer in 2010, at the “old” House. He joined the Board of Directors in 2012 and continued to serve in his volunteer role, with a devotion to the families that stay at the House.
Matt has served several roles over the years including Chair of the Marketing Committee, serving on the New House Construction Committee, Vice President and as of January 2020, Board Chair.
Matt has worked for Durocher’s/La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries since 1986 and is the company’s Sales and Marketing Director.
In 2010, La-Z-Boy Incorporated became the official furniture provider of Ronald McDonald House Charities. Over the past eleven years, La-Z-Boy has donated over 10,000 pieces of furniture to RMHC homes. Matt worked with La-Z-Boy to fill the new House with beautiful La-Z-Boy Furniture.
Matt and his wife Rhonda live in Sylvania Township where they raised three boys. Volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House has become a mission of Simpsonation and as a family, they have regularly served meals and have even started to teach their grandchildren the joys of serving others. Matt and Rhonda created one of the RMHC of Northwest Ohio’s most entertaining events of the year “Cork and Pork”.
Matt Simpson Q & A
What does Ronald McDonald House Charities mean to you?
Family! My family has always volunteered together as a family, for the families that are staying at the House.
Why did you get involved with RMHC?
I’ve worked for La-Z-Boy since 1986. In 2008, La-Z-Boy became the official furniture provider for Ronald McDonald House Charities. I’ve always felt at La-Z-Boy we provide families comfort in their home and at RMHC we provide comfort in their home-away-from-home. This made an easy decision for me to start volunteering at the House. I started by volunteering one night a week, then joined several committees, then the Board of Directors.
What are you most proud of as a board member of RMHC?
In 2019, La-Z-Boy of Toledo was recognized by La-Z-Boy’s corporate as their Ronald McDonald House Charities Partner of the Year. This award is given to the company’s organization that most represents La-Z-Boy’s commitment to RMHC Charities. I’m also proud of my time as Board Chairman. My tenure as Board Chair was during the COVID-19 pandemic. We had to cancel ALL our fundraising events and make several tough decisions to keep the families at the House safe.
Are there any certain projects or campaigns you participated in that stand out to you? And why?
During my time on the Board of Directors, we built and moved into the new House. This process was a lot of work, but the outcome was amazing. So many people put their blood, sweat and tears into this project and it shows.
I’m also extremely proud of the work my wife Rhonda and I did with the Cork and Pork fundraising event. This event started with less than 50 people and grew to over 250. This event wouldn’t be possible without the help from the late Nick Mancy. What a GREAT friend of the House.
Any final thoughts on RMHC?
RMHC of Northwest Ohio is heading in a GREAT direction. An awesome and committed Board of Directors, a caring Executive Director with a vision for the future of the organization, a staff and volunteers molded with the same thoughtfulness and compassion towards the families we all serve.
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