by Adam Simpson | Jun 14, 2023 | Community Support, News
Napoleon children raised over $3,000 for local charities. Including $1,100 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio and buckets of aluminum pull tabs.
A group of neighborhood kids in Napoleon, Ohio, organized a lemonade stand on Saturday, June 10, with the goal of raising money for charitable organizations. The event was a huge success, raising an impressive $3,100. The children, including Lane Myers, Kellan Myers, Harper Myers, Chloe Brink, Lucy Brink, Emma Groll, Addi Good, Claire Good, and Kinsley Durham, worked tirelessly and received overwhelming support from the Napoleon community.
The group received a large amount of support from the community, including the Napoleon Police Department.
The lemonade stand became a lively and compassionate gathering place. The funds raised will be distributed among three organizations close to the children’s hearts: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio, The American Heart Association, and The National Alopecia Areata Foundation.
The group also received support from the Napoleon Fire and Rescue Department.
Lane Myers, born with a double inlet left ventricle, served as a symbol of courage and resilience. Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provided support during his medical journey, was one of the beneficiaries of the funds raised. Kellan Myers also contributed by collecting pop tabs. Addi Good, who bravely faces alopecia, inspired many with her positive attitude.
The group raised funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio, the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, and the American Heart Association.
The event’s success was made possible by the generosity and support of the community. People and businesses from Napoleon and beyond contributed financially and offered words of encouragement to the young philanthropists. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provided funds for the necessary supplies, amplifying the impact of the children’s efforts.
by Adam Simpson | Jun 2, 2023 | Community Support, News
(from left to right) Wendy Bejaige, Laura Edgell, and Olivia Edgell
Fifteen million Americans have a food allergy, a serious medical condition. The disease is becoming more common, with 1 in 13 children affected. But a local community leader is doing her part in educating and collecting donations for allergy-friendly foods at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Northwest Ohio.
At four months old, Olivia Edgell suffered an allergy attack, including her eyes swelling shut and her inability to breathe. Olivia’s mom, Laura Edgell, said, “I remember that first year being so terrifying. I had no idea how to deal with all the allergies and the severe reactions. I just knew I had to figure it out. And keep my little girl protected.” That’s precisely what she has done, but in the process, she has also supported families staying at RMHC of Northwest Ohio by starting an allergy-friendly donation drive.
The Edgell family began collecting allergy-friendly donations three years ago. “I was volunteering at RMHC, making lunch for the families staying there. When I received a tour of the House, I realized the pantry did not have many quick snack/food options that were allergy-friendly brands,” says Laura Edgell. The donation drive begins in the second week of May, for Allergy Awareness Week, and lasts all of May, Allergy Awareness Month.
After the Edgell family’s first year of doing a donation drive, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio created an allergy-friendly portion of its pantry. Something Laura Edgell is proud of. “Our mission is to fill that allergy-friendly pantry yearly. And to give those families a few safe options while they stay there….and a little peace of mind,” says Laura Edgell. This year, Laura says they received over 50 boxes of donations in the first three days of the donation drive.
The Edgell family estimated that they received over 50 boxes of donations in the first three days of their campaign.
The Edgell family’s support to the community and Ronald McDonald House Charities is a breath of fresh air.
“It’s refreshing to have Laura and Olivia part of our community. Laura has made a lasting impact in the food sensitivity world and increased awareness and donations for something that is greatly needed,” says Wendy Bejaige, Director of Operations for RMHC of NW Ohio. “Our families don’t always tell us all of their needs. They may not tell us about food sensitivity and make accommodations on their own. Having food allergy-friendly items makes RMHC more inclusive and sensitive to their needs.”
Olivia Edgell is now a healthy, strong seven-year-old who loves to give back. “We are going to help so many families,” says Olivia. Her favorite allergen-friendly snacks include chocolate, cookies, and brownie from the popular Enjoy Life brand.
Olivia Edgell with all of the allergy-friendly donations supporting families at RMHC of Northwest Ohio.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio always needs pantry items to support families during their stay. Items needed can be found via our wish list or Amazon list at rmhctoledo.org/get-involved. For more information on pantry needs, please get in touch with Wendy Bejaige, Director of Operations, via email at wendy@rmhctoledo.org.
by Adam Simpson | May 31, 2023 | Community Support, News
Throughout the 2022-23 athletic season, fans of the Bowling Green State University Falcons and University of Toledo Rockets collected aluminum pull tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio. RMHC uses aluminum pull tabs to offset the cost of the food pantry for families staying at RMHC.
Bowling Green State University fans donated tabs throughout the football, basketball, volleyball, and hockey seasons at the Doyt L. Perry Stadium, Stroh Center, and Slater Family Ice Arena.
University of Toledo fans donated tabs throughout the football, basketball, and volleyball seasons at the Glass Bowl and John F. Savage Arena.
“Northwest Ohio is an extraordinary community that passionately supports children and families. The Bowling Green State University and University of Toledo students, fans, and supporters have made a profound impact on the mission of RMHC, enriching the lives of children and families in remarkable ways.”
– Chad Bringman, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio
“Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio provides a great service to our communities and their families in the moment of greatest need. I have family members who benefited directly from these services during moments of great crises,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation Derek van der Merwe. “It is an honor to partner with RMHC to not only generate awareness and understanding of this program but also to assist in generating revenue.”
– Derek van der Merwe, Director of Athletics and Recreation, Bowling Green State University
“Ronald McDonald House Charities provides a great service to the Northwest Ohio community and their families. We are happy to lock arms as Team Toledo and support our community members in need.”
– Bryan Blair, Vice President and Director of Athletics, University of Toledo
“BGSU Athletics is proud to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio and support the mission to create, find, and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. This past year our fan base jumped in with both feet by donating their tabs at all of our venues. We even had fans bring bags of tabs from home to help support this amazing cause. We are honored to be part of the tab partnership with RMHC of Northwest Ohio and look forward to supporting this cause for many more years to come”.
– David Anderson, General Manager, Falcon Sports Properties
“UT Athletics is honored to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio, an amazing organization that supports so many families in our community each year. We look forward to continuing to share RMHC’s powerful story to Rocket Nation for many years to come!”.
– Rob Rice, General Manager, Rocket Sports Properties
by Adam Simpson | Nov 7, 2022 | Community Support, News
Toledo, OHIO — Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio is teaming up with Toledo Basketball for their annual Teddy Bear Toss! Come out to Savage Arena in December for the Rockets’ annual teddy bear toss. Bring your family, friends, teddy bears and stuffed animals, at half-time throw them onto the court.
All teddy bears and stuffed animals will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio. As families check-in to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio they are greeted with a check-in bag. These teddy bears and stuffed animals will be given to families checking-in to the House or to families with children staying.
Tickets are $12 per ticket and with every ticket sold, $5 will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio. Tickets for the Toledo Basketball games can be purchased by clicking HERE.
- Toledo Men’s Basketball vs. Canisus on Saturday, December 10 at 2:00PM
- Toledo Women’s Basketball vs. Dayton on Sunday, December 11 at 2:00PM
For more information, contact Adam Simpson at adam@rmhctoledo.org.
by Adam Simpson | Dec 22, 2021 | Community Support, News
Local Restaurants Donate $219,202.78 in 2021 to Ronald McDonald House® Charities of Northwest Ohio
Toledo, OH—McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Toledo continue to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio (RMHC) by funding programs, serving as board members, volunteering, and inspiring the involvement of McDonald’s suppliers and employees. It is with this commitment that they will be presenting RMHC with a check for more than $219,202.78, representing the total amount of funds raised throughout the entire Northwest Ohio region in 2021.
“We truly appreciate the consistent financial support from our local McDonald’s restaurants and their customers,” said to Chad Bringman, RMHC Northwest Ohio Executive Director. “These donations help us provide helpful services and make a difference in the lives of families.”
McDonald’s local Owner/Operators donate portions of sale proceeds from Happy Meals®, fries and special promotions, including sales of the classic Shamrock Shake, and encourage customers to support RMHC by donating the change from their McDonald’s purchases. Customers can put change in RMHC Donation Boxes in restaurants or Round Up for RMHC— rounding their total up to the nearest dollar, no matter how they pay. What might seem like a small act of good to customers has a lasting imprint on an organization that offers families stability in the midst of unthinkable circumstances.
“Our McDonald’s customers truly care about their community,” said Matt MacKenzie, a McDonald’s Owner/Operator based in Toledo. “We appreciate their giving spirits, which help to make this donation to RMHC of Northwest Ohio possible.”
To learn more about RMHC of Northwest Ohio and how you can help support the families in your community, visit https://rmhctoledo.org.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio was opened in 1982 as the 44th facility in the United States. The Toledo House offers services to over 500 families every year, providing bright community spaces, daily home-cooked meals, and a fully-stocked kitchen – as well as a network of support through interactions with other families, staff, and volunteers. There are 28 bedrooms with the private bathrooms in the current house located across the street from Toledo Children’s Hospital.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio is committed to enriching the lives of children by providing comfort, care, and support to families by providing children access to quality healthcare.
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