Sally & Rudy Ruggles

Sally & Rudy Ruggles

Sally and Rudy Ruggles truly understand the importance of philanthropy. Not only do they make a significant impact on the families of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, but also in their community.

Rudy first got involved with Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut at a signature fundraising event and was interested in learning more about the RMH mission and the critical need to build a new House. He said, “Send me a proposal and I will see what I can do to help.” This simple offer led to the first generous gift from Sally and Rudy to support the Capital Campaign in 2016. The Ruggles funded one of the four sunrooms in the House, providing families a special place of warmth to unwind
from the challenges and uncertainties that each day
brings with having a sick child at the hospital.

Sally and Rudy visited the new House and saw firsthand the impact of their generosity. Consummate philanthropists, they wanted to do more to help. They
generously continued their support for two new initiatives in 2019: the Respite Program and a new Family Registry. The Respite Program allows families to utilize the House while their child is at the hospital for a short-term procedure, checkup, treatment or a routine appointment. Families can refresh and revitalize to help prepare for the challenges ahead. The Family Registry replaced an antiquated registration system for checking in families at both Houses. This new technology has streamlined our registration process and provides additional information so that we can better connect and engage with past guest families.

This year, as the pandemic presented us with new challenges in being able to provide a safe, family-centered environment to support families, the Ruggles reached out yet again to offer their support. Sally and Rudy understood the critical need and the added expense of purchasing and providing PPE, disinfectants, masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, gowns and other items necessary to ensure the health and well-being of families and staff. Their most recent gift ensures guest families, volunteers,
and staff have daily PPE and each of the Houses remain stocked with top-quality cleaning supplies.

Both Sally and Rudy have had robust careers and an impact on their communities. Sally was the original owner of Books on the Common, Ridgefield’s independent bookstore, where she nurtured the love of books and reading with her customers. Rudy began his career as a physicist with IBM before starting a career in intelligence and national security affairs in the U.S. and abroad. He was President of the Hudson Institute. Rudy also served on the Board of Danbury Hospital where he was
recently honored for his quest to establish a state-of-the-art research program there by the naming of the new Rudy L. Ruggles Biomedical Institute. He is currently an adjunct Professor in the Genomic Medicine section of the J. Craig Venter Institute and member of the JCVI Board of Trustees.

We deeply appreciate all the ways Sally and Rudy Ruggles have supported our organization. We are forever grateful for their friendship. Thank you, Sally and Rudy!

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Every day, families face the challenge of having a child in the hospital, and your generosity helps Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts keep them together. Learn more about our programs and join our community of supporters.