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AlohaFrom Our House to Yours Volume VI, Issue 1, May 2006 Newsletter of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Hawaii Grand Re-Opening of Ronald McDonald House–Judd Hillside On March 14, under a gentle Manoa “Duke” Aiona proclaiming March 14, 2006 drizzle, government, community and foun- as “Ronald McDonald House Charities of dation representatives gathered together Hawaii Day.” The Director of the State with RMHC board members, staff, and Department of Health, Dr. Chiyome Fukino, families at the Judd Hillside Ronald was on hand to read the proclamation. McDonald House to help celebrate its The City & County’s Debbie Morikawa grand re- read a warm message of congratulations opening from Mayor Mufi Hannemann that also Wish List following praised the “generous donors from the Gift Certificates a nearly community, both in the private sector and Wal-Mart eight- government.” Blockbuster month Another highlight of the event was the RMHC Board President Costco renovation Dr. Daniel Robie welcomed remarks delivered by Joani Morris, a Maui K-Mart and con- and thanked all of the mom who was one of the very first guests Sam’s Club distinguished guests. struction to stay at the House back in 1987. She Longs Drugs Safeway project. The event captivated the audience with her personal story (see Movie passes drew more than 100 page 3 for more about the Morris family). Gasoline gift cards invited guests and Now that the Judd included representa- Hillside House has reopened, Household Items tives from many of families from all over are Laundry detergent Fabric softener the companies that again residing there when Dishwashing detergent worked on the reno- they must fly to Oahu for Automatic dishwasher detergent vations. treatment of a child’s seri- Large cooking pots and frying pans The program ous illness. The House has Assorted bakeware included the reading resumed its role as a “home- Flatware sets of a proclamation away-from-home,” allowing Electric can opener(s) signed by Governor families to stay together Paper towels/paper napkins Sue Entz, the first Hawaii Paper plates/plastic forks & spoons Linda Lingle and Lt. when they need each other Ronald McDonald House Governor James most. president, returned for the Paper bowls grand re-opening of the Toilet paper (individually wrapped) Judd Hillside House nearly Batteries (AAA, AA, C) 19 years after she helped Zip lock bags establish it. Aluminum foil Plastic food storage containers Food Items Spam Canned corned beef Canned tuna Canned soups Miscellaneous canned goods Shoyu Flour Cooking oil Individually wrapped snacks Rice Saimin Frozen dinners/meals Everyone stayed dry under the large tent set up on the newly 1987 RMH guest Joani Morris expanded front lawn. came from Maui for the event. Board of A Message from our Executive Director Directors Aloha! As you may know, RMHC has taken some major strides recent- ly. A $3.7 million capital campaign has brought a magnificent face-lift to Dr. Daniel Robie, our original Ronald McDonald House on Judd Hillside and allowed us to President purchase another Manoa home to be our second permanent House. We owe a great deal of gratitude to the foundations, businesses, and govern- Brian Takeda, 1st Vice-President ment programs that paid for the bulk of the expenses. Details and photos can be found elsewhere in this newsletter. Bruce Yanagihara, But you don’t have to be a large institutional funder to make a dif- 2nd Vice-President ference. As we put the finishing touches on this major project, we now Jerri Chong must clearly focus on serving the anxious families with seriously ill chil- Terri Cano, dren that will continue to stream to RMHC for assistance. This is where you too can have a Secretary direct and positive effect on those in need. All that is required is the desire to help because Paul Takayesu, there are many ways available. Treasurer For instance, many caring people lead such busy lives that their choice of support is with a direct cash donation to the organization. It’s just most convenient, and they are comfortable Dr. Jay Cambra, with the public trust that RMHC has built over the years. They know that we are careful custo- Past President dians of such gifts, making sure that each dollar is spent wisely and without waste. Many Hawaii businesses also are committed to giving back to the community and find RMHC an appropriate Kimo Cano recipient of their corporate donations. Some companies also offer to match the charitable Frankie Chung donations of their employees (check with your HR Department). Robert Isonaga Other people want to lend their professional expertise to the mix, stepping forward with Mi Kosasa a personal skill that furthers RMHC’s work. Businesses may provide in-kind services, if Patti Milburn appropriate. Jeanine Ogawa Other opportunities include volunteering and donating items on our Wish List. For a Dennis Okazaki complete list of all the ways you may be able to help, visit us at www.ronaldhousehawaii.org. Melanie Okazaki What really counts is that you have it in your heart to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families. When that is established, you can be confident that there is a Diane Pang way of supporting RMHC that is right in your comfort zone. You can also be confident that your Donna Ribellia-Abreu contribution will have a direct and positive effect on very real people facing very real and diffi- Ken Silva cult obstacles that they had no part in creating and could not possibly have anticipated. That is why your support, on whatever level, is so meaningful and so much appreciated. Please clip and mail to RMHC, P.O. Box 61777, Honolulu, Hawaii 96839-1777 Yes, I have it in my heart to help the families. Enclosed is my gift to Hawaii’s RMHC. 9 $250 9 $150 9 $100 9 My check/payment is enclosed 9 $75 9 $50 9 Other - $_______ Please Charge my: 9 Visa 9 MasterCard 9 American Express Please Print Name____________________________________ Card Number ______________________________ Address__________________________________ Expiration Date ____________________________ City ____________________________________ Name on Card______________________________ State ________ Zip Code __________________ Your Signature ____________________________ 9 Skip my acknowledgement and save the funds for your programs. I know my gift is appreciated and being utilized well. My cancelled check/credit card statement will serve as a receipt (all gifts of $250 or more will be sent a written receipt in compliance with current tax requirements). 2 Ronald McDonald House’s first Hawaii babies now nearing19- ye a r s-old In late March, Hawaii’s prepared a meal and readied the House for people need- original Ronald McDonald ing them. It was because they cared.” House on Judd Hillside Aside from some temporary effects of his hospital- Road in Honolulu observed ization, Maverick thrived after returning home to Maui. its 19th birthday. Soon Two years after Maverick was born, Joani and Dad after, Maui’s Maverick Michael welcomed their second child, Marissa, a healthy Morris celebrated his 19th baby girl. “Our two kids really get along well, said Joani. birthday as well. But the “They’re great friends.” two have more in common And now, as Joani shared in her letter, Maverick is than just birthdays. When readying himself for college. “He’s been accepted by Maverick was born prema- two colleges and has to turely, and with complica- decide.” tions, his mom Joani Looking toward the became one of the first future, the 5’10” Eagle Maverick Morris, after recovering guests to stay at the Scout has an interest and a House. Recently, Joani knack for computers and is wrote to us, as many former guests do, letting us know augmenting that by learn- how the former patient is doing. In Maverick’s case, the ing Japanese. Joani said news couldn’t be better. Here is what Joani wrote: that when he’s not study- ing, Maverick loves to boo- Aloha All, gie-board big waves. Eighteen years ago Maverick and I came from It sounds very much Maui — he was a preemie — and we both suffered from like a young man on the a rare infection. I was the first to stay in my room at brink of a bright and excit- ing future—his journey that time — brand new pretty sheets — everyone was so Maverick today as a senior in along the way helped by a high school kind — so wonderful!! caring community. His is So it is with a happy heart I write to you to let you but one such story. know how Maverick is doing. Earlier this year Nothing is so exciting for us, than to hear from Maverick achieved Eagle Scout status with the Boy families that have stayed at our Ronald McDonald House Scouts. He is a high school senior preparing for col- because it means that the “House That Love Built” has lege somewhere on the mainland. He is a computer stayed in their hearts—just as they have stayed in the geek, interested in software design. hearts of all of us involved with RMHC. God bless you all. When contacted, Joani told us that she vividly Joani Morris is a very, very busy woman. In addition to remembers her two-week stay back in 1987. “I remem- helping raise two teenagers ber being surprised at how long families needed to be with husband Michael, she is a Maui County Lifeguard away from home after having a premature baby,” she and an active, dedicated said. “We were lucky because Maverick was well-devel- volunteer. Pictured right, oped and big for a preemie, but others were required to Joani was volunteer leader on an anti-invasive species spend many weeks, if not months, in Honolulu waiting for project inside Haleakala their babies to grow strong enough to go home.

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