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Happy summer! Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts has
plenty of news from this spring — see below for details.
WE LAUNCHED A NEW WEBSITE!
Visit www.rmhc-ctma.org to check out the new layout and information on the charity. We welcome your feedback, so please let us know what you think!
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WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT!
Meet Laura Phillips Ward — a wife, mother, entrepreneur, and now President of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. Laura has been intimately involved with the chapter for nearly 10 years, and is thrilled to be leading her fellow Board members to help children in need. Learn more about her background, philosophies and service by clicking here.
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WE GRANTED SCHOLARSHIPS
A total of $50,000 was awarded to 22 high school seniors throughout the area. Applications were due on February 15, and a Judging Committee selected students based on their academic achievement, service and leadership roles, recommendation letters, personal essays and financial need. Winners hail from towns including Manchester, Holyoke, New London and Springfield, and received either the RMHC/HACER Scholarship, available for students of Hispanic descent, or the RMHC Scholars Scholarship, available for any student regardless of race or ethnicity. To learn more, visit www.rmhc-ctma.org/what-we-do/scholarships.
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RMHC Board member Marina Ghadimian (left) accepts an award of appreciation from SARAH, Inc. based in Guilford. RMHC granted the organization’s KIDSTEPS program $25,000 to purchase equipment that will assist caregivers of children with disabilities. |
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RMHC Board member Kathy Spero (right) presents a check for $22,000 to High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc. based in Old Lyme. The funds were used to upgrade a family lounge at the riding center, which serves children with disabilities. |
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RMHC Vice President Pattie McKnight (right) presents a check for $24,500 to the Foundation of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce. The grant will help fund the 2011 city-wide Science Fair. |
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RMHC President Laura Phillips Ward appeared on WFSB-TV’s "Better Connecticut" program and WTIC-AM's "Mornings with Ray Dunaway" show. Check out the interviews: Better Connecticut and Mornings with Ray Dunway. |
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RECENT GRANT RECIPIENTS
RMHC of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts is proud to support local non-profits that benefit children, and recently granted $97,220 to seven deserving organizations.
- Connecticut Institute for the Blind, Hartford - $10,270 to fund assistive devices for a resource center serving children with disabilities
- Foundation of Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce - $24,500 to fund materials for a city-wide science fair of students K-12
- The Gray House, Springfield - $12,000 to purchase supplies for a neighborhood center serving educationally and financially challenged students
- Homework House, Holyoke - $10,000 for equipment used by a unique one-on-one tutoring program for at-risk youth
- Horns for Kids, Hamden - $15,000 for music instruments to be used by children across Connecticut, particularly in lower-income areas
- Riverfront Children's Center, Groton - $9,842 to provide fencing for an ADA playplace at an early education center for children of low-income homes
- Waterbury Hospital - $15,608 to purchase two pediatric crib stretchers for the emergency department
Our next deadline for grant applications is September 1.
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HOUSE UPDATES
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts is proud to support the local Ronald McDonald Houses in New Haven, Conn., and Springfield, Mass., through grants, quarterly donations and continuous collaboration.
The Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut has provided a home away from home for children being treated for life threatening illnesses for 25 years. Thanks to our donors, the House continues to allow families to stay together during this time and brings hope to all who walk through our doors. Please join staff, volunteers and families for celebration events taking place this year on the 25th of each month: Wine & Cheese in June, 5:00-7:00 p.m.; Backyard BBQ in July, 2:00-5:00 p.m.; Family Fun in August, 3:00-5:00 p.m.; Airfest at Tweed Airport in September, time TBD; and Wine & Cheese in October, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Cathy Bignolas at cbignolas@rmh-ct.org or call 203-777-5683. To learn more, visit www.rmh-ct.org.
The Ronald McDonald House of Springfield, Mass., has had a very busy spring. The House is in a historical district and has clapboard siding that must be painted every few years. Thanks to a generous grant, the exterior is currently undergoing repair and repainting. It has been several years since the last paint job and the House will look terrific when complete. Many thanks go to the Edward J. Brennan Jr. Family Foundation for the grant that helped make this project possible, Benjamin Moore & Co. for the much-appreciated donation of paint, and to the wonderful community for their continued support! To learn more, visit www.ronmcdhouse.com.
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