16 Jul One Year Later
United Resilience, Resolve and Results
2020 was a year of change—expected and unexpected.
This July we are celebrating an important milestone in our history: the one-year anniversary of the merger to unify programs and services in our region. After 18 months of planning, we became Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Inc. (RMHC NEO) on July 1, 2020.
We knew 2020 was going to bring change since we were deep into the merger planning, but we did NOT expect all the changes and challenges to come with COVID. Our shared experience and expertise, however, has made us stronger in addressing these unexpected challenges.
The stories, photos and memories shared in the 2020 Impact Report reflect our united resilience and resolve. Our gratitude for the part our supporters played, and continue to play, cannot be overstated.
The newly-merged RMHC Chapter successfully combines the talent, resources and community support of four chapters to fulfill one mission: to enhance the healthcare experience for families and children through comfort, care and supportive services.
The new organizational structure creates many efficiencies and streamlines relationships, including with our founding mission partner McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Northeast Ohio. Our shared experience and expertise better position us to manage and expand programs in response to needs of families and children in the region. It also made us stronger in addressing the unexpected challenges of 2020.
The pandemic arrived in 2020, changing all our lives and halting many experiences we previously took for granted. But childhood illness and injury did not stop. The need for families to be together and supported during the most stressful times of their lives did not stop And we did not stop, thanks in no small part to your generous support.
Faced with the challenges of serving families safely, we pivoted. We revised, re-purposed, re-invented and re-imagined our services. You were there every step of the way. You donated money to our meal program to help us provide what volunteer groups could not. You supported our fundraising event transitions from in-person to virtual, or modified and masked. Staff learned new roles to provide essential services that individual volunteers could not. When our hospital-based programs had to shut their doors, we delivered snacks, activities and encouragement to the units…for patients, families and health care staff.
As we move through 2021 and phases of re-opening and welcoming back volunteers, groups, and guest families, we are optimistic, inspired and stronger together.
Please watch this special message from Craig Wilson, CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Inc.
Your gift today helps us support families of ill and injured children each and every day.