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A publication of Ronald McDonald House Charities®

of Central New York..

away from home

Save the date!

Grace and Gary Staiger, of Binghamton, N.Y., welcomed triplets, Michael, Matthew and Joseph, on Nov. 11, 2012, at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse. They were born at Crouse due to the high risk of Grace’s pregnancy and the care the babies would need when born. After the babies were born, a social worker at Crouse informed the Staigers about the CNY Ronald McDonald House®. They began staying at the House on Nov. 15. The family stayed with us until New Year’s Eve, when the babies had gained sufficient weight and increased lung development, so that they could be released back to UHS Wilson Medical Center to continue their care. The Staigers recently brought the triplets home and are enjoying life with their three new additions!

This fall, we celebrated our 30th anniversary in style as 360 guests attended our annual Homecoming Party at the SRC Arena and Events Center at Onondaga Community College on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. The McDonald’s Operators Association of Central New York and Northern Pennsylvania was honored at the event for its support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY since the very beginning. For the award presentation, Emcee Matt Mulcahy, of CNY Central, was joined by Beth Trunfio, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY, Board President Chris Geiger of CNY Central, and former guests of the CNY Ronald McDonald House, Lindsey Larkin and Victoria Tillinghast. Victoria’s mother, Sandra, gave a heartwarming speech to thank the honored guests on behalf of all the families who have stayed at the CNY Ronald McDonald House.

The event grossed more than $94,000 to support the ongoing operations of the CNY Ronald McDonald House. The attendees bid on nearly 200 silent auction items donated by local individuals and businesses, and Bernie Brzostek of Brzostek’s Auction Services Inc. led the live auction.

A special thanks to our event sponsors: KPMG LLP; Neonatal Associates of CNY, JGB Enterprises Inc., Constellation Energy Group Inc., Crouse Hospital, and GEICO.

1100 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 | cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org

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Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central New York1100 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13210P: 315.476.1027 | F: 315.476.5022 | cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org

ViSit CNYRoNAlDMCDoNAlDHouSe.oRg to SigN up foR ouR New e-NewSletteR

N o n - p ro f i torganizationuS postage

Syracuse, NYpermit No. 999

paid

2013 Board of DirectorsChris geiger, presidentleola Rodgers, 1st Vice presidentAaron D. Hugo, 2nd Vice presidentpatrick D. leitgeb, treasurerKathleen Kotz, SecretarySteven gross, MDJustin HummelDouglas K. lattnerYvonne Annese loReMike MadiganMaureen e. ManeyHon. Anthony J. parisHenry pearlMark RenquinJonathan V. Riddell, MDMatt SchiroColleen M. SchmidtBrian Sickora

Staff MembersBeth M. trunfio, executive DirectorJennifer Saraceni leitgeb, Development DirectorJoe walsh, Business Managerlee wilder, House program ManagerBrian Hayes, Special event CoordinatorKaren Hynes, Administrative office AssistantAnne Dashnaw, Housekeeper

save the dateKim’s walk of Hope Saturday, May 4, 2013Rockport, Mass.

Racing for Ronald McDonald HouseSaturday, June 8, 2013oswego Speedwayoswego, N.Y.

Christmas in July July 2013

New York State trap Shoot eventfriday, July 12, 2013Cicero, N.Y.

Artie’s party at Syracuse Nationalsfriday, July 19 – Sunday, July 21, 2013New York State fairgroundsevent to benefit RMHC of CNY

10th Annual RMHC of CNY invitationalthursday, September 12, 2013turning Stone Resort and CasinoVerona, N.Y.

12th Annual Homecoming partySaturday, November 16, 2013location: tBD

empire State MarathonSunday, october 20, 2013Syracuse, N.Y.

Notre Dame football game ticket RaffleRaffle tickets will be sold in August and SeptemberNotre Dame vs. Navy game is on Saturday, November 2, 2013

for more information about upcoming events, visit www.cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.

for ticket, advertising and sponsorship information on any of the above events, contact Brian Hayes at 315.476.1027 or eventCoordinator@cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.

5th Annual Bella Casa Celebrity fashion Show

thursday, May 2, 2013Holiday innliverpool, N.Y.

ouR HeARtSAlwAYS

HAVe RooMfoR MoRe.

Community SupportThe Groton American Legion has supported the CNY Ronald McDonald House for many years. The organization collects hundreds of dollars in wish list items throughout the year and delivers them to our House. We are very thankful for the group’s continued commitment to Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY.

It was a very special day when the staff at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) invited Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY to join them at their holiday celebration before winter break. The celebration included a craft fair, along with hors d’oeuvres, sweet treats and more. They also presented our organization with boxes of gifts and wish list items that they had collected throughout the semester for our guest families.

At the event, Dr. Cornelius B. Murphy, Jr., president of SUNY-ESF, spoke about our organization’s mission and the persistence required to build such an amazing new facility. Dr. Murphy then presented us with the collected gifts and an additional check to support the families at the new House.

This was a great holiday surprise for us and we are very thankful for the continued support from SUNY-ESF.

Cheri and Don Varn of Baldwinsville have been making regular trips to the CNY Ronald McDonald House for more than 30 years. They provide much-needed support for our guest families by delivering baked goods and wish list items to the House.

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Staiger Family Finds Comfort at the New CNY Ronald McDonald House

30th Anniversary Celebration and Annual

Homecoming Party

Dear Friends,

The new CNY Ronald McDonald House has officially become a home. Since opening our doors a few months ago, we have already exceeded the capacity of the old House, and been able to serve even more families. With full handicap accessibility, we have been able to accommodate a greater variety of needs, such as women with high-risk pregnancies and children receiving outpatient treatments. We are grateful to be able to serve so many families at our new House, including the Staiger family, who are on our cover.

It took many hearts to make this home and we are thankful for everyone that has shown their commitment to the CNY Ronald McDonald House throughout our capital project, and since the organization’s inception. The reality of a new House, along with the ability to have served more than 17,000 families over the past 30 years, would never have been possible without the involvement from so many individuals, community members, businesses and organizations. It is your dedication that has helped to keep so many families together during such difficult times.

With a larger home and more families to serve each day, your continued support is more important than ever. It is our hope that the community and our donors will continue to help Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY provide a place for families to find respite, and a sense of home and comfort when they are going through the unimaginable.

As always, thank you for your help in keeping families exactly where they belong…together.

letterfrom the director

Remember our Donation Boxes Whether you’re driving through or dining in, please remember our charitable donation boxes at your local McDonald’s. Your spare change directly supports the children and families of Ronald McDonald House Charities. The donation boxes are one of the largest fundraisers each year for our local organization.

Many thanks to all the individuals and groups who dedicate their time and talents to raising money for “The House That Love Built®.”

Beth TrunfioExecutive Director

Thank Youthank you to all the individuals and groups who continue to dedicate their time and talents to raising money for “the House that love Built.”

Colonial inn, Covington, pa. – Breakfast with Santa $353.00

empire State Marathon – the empire flyer Run $813.09

georgetown fire Department, georgetown, N.Y. – Motorcycle Ride $490.00

Jennifer and Rory gilhooley – lemonade, cookie and brownie sale stand $35.00

Megan golden – Bake sale $65.00

Joyce Arms – partners’ Ride in memory of James Arms $425.00

Menter, Rudin & trivelpiece, p.C. – wear Jeans on friday $125.00

National Association of educational procurement, upstate NY Region – Basket raffle at regional conference $1,000.00

paul V. Moore High School – teachers assistants’ scarf sale $125.00

SuNY College of environmental Science and forestry, Quality of worklife Committee – employee fundraiser $310.00

trexx Nightclub – “Home is where the Heart is” variety show organized by Robert wilmot $525.00

walt’s Hobby Shop – 25th Annual Billy leader Memorial Race $2,850.00

Donations made from Sept. 1, 2012 through Feb. 1, 2013

External fundraisers, both big and small, are a tremendous source of support for the CNY Ronald McDonald House every year, and they can be very easy to hold. Thinking of supporting the CNY Ronald McDonald House by holding a dress down day at work, setting up a bake sale in your neighborhood with the kids, or going on a bowling outing with your co-workers? Visit our website and fill out a Host Application form and we will help you get started on your own event.

Kids Helping Kids Wellwood Middle School in Fayetteville recently collected hundreds of individually wrapped snacks for our guest families. They also took the time to handwrite special “get well” notes for families staying at the House with ill children. The students and staff of Wellwood Middle School have chosen Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY as their charity of choice for the 2012-2013 school year. They will be holding fundraising and volunteer activities for us throughout the year and their goal is to raise $5,000 for the CNY Ronald McDonald House!

Adeline and Zachary Costanza (top right), along with their mom, stopped by the new House for a quick tour and to deliver some delicious treats. The brownies and cookies were enjoyed by all!

For $20 a night, we continue to provide a place for families to lay their heads at night and warm, home-cooked meals, a fully stocked kitchen, free parking and all of the comforts of a typical home. Your continued support makes this all possible and keeps more families together during these trying times.

To learn more about our new House and to show your support by donating items from our wish list or making a monetary contribution, visit www.cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.

The first family to check into the new House was 3-year-old Louis-Lensky Augustin and his father, Lou Augustin, from Haiti. With the Augustins and many other families that have stayed with us, we have already exceeded the capacity of our old House, and been able to serve even more in need.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY has recently been named the new beneficiary of the proceeds from “Artie’s Party” at the 2013 Syracuse Nationals. The three-day classic car and truck expo will be held at the New York State Fairgrounds Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21. While thousands of classic car and truck enthusiasts move about the NYS Fairgrounds, a team of pinstripe and airbrush artists will create one-of-a-kind, hand-painted items in the Horticulture Building. This Syracuse Nationals tradition is known as “Artie’s Party,” where assorted items ranging from cars to guitars are uniquely customized and auctioned off to the highest bidder. All proceeds from this year’s auction panel jams will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY. Stay tuned for more information!

At the end of the summer, we held a raffle for two tickets and a parking pass to the University of Notre Dame vs. Michigan football game in South Bend, Ind., on Sept. 22, 2012. The raffle raised $1,650.

The winner of the raffle was David Stedman of Chadwicks, N.Y. David’s parents stayed at the CNY Ronald McDonald House 20 years ago while David’s brother underwent heart surgery at a local hospital. Be on the lookout for more information this fall, when we hold another raffle for tickets to the Navy football game at Notre Dame on Nov. 2.

This year’s Baldwinsville Big Chill featured a variety of winter events including a Polar Bear Plunge. The event was a huge success, raising $8,500 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY. A big thank you to the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce and the committee of volunteers involved with the Chamber, the Village of Baldwinsville, Village of Baldwinsville Fire Department, the Greater Baldwinsville Ambulance Corps, the New York State Trooper dive team and the many local businesses that help to make this event safe and fun for the whole family. Thank you to the Baldwinsville community for embracing the Big Chill event and for supporting the CNY Ronald McDonald House. Another big thank you to the Big Chill major event sponsors: CNY Central, Lamar Advertising, Tops Friendly Markets, Pathfinder Bank, Empower Federal Credit Union, Noble’s Tire City, and La Tresse Salon & Spa.

Our First Family

We Are Joining Artie’s Party!

Notre Dame Raffle

Baldwinsville Big Chill Another Success!

Leave a LegacyFor more than 30 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY has helped thousands of children and families gain access to the health care they need. And, we couldn’t do it without you. With your continued help, we can change children’s lives for years to come.

With just a little planning and a big heart, you can arrange a charitable plan that brings hope and help to sick children and their families. For more information about making a Planned Gift to Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY, please call Jennifer Leitgeb, at 315.476.1027.

We Appreciate Your Continued Support

The CNY Ronald McDonald House Is Raising The Dough Volunteer Curt Czarniak arrives at the CNY Ronald McDonald House every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. to bake a variety of breads for our guest families. Curt is newly retired and enjoys making artisan bread from scratch. Every Wednesday by 9 a.m., the House is filled with the wonderful smells of homemade bread. Curt and his bread-making talents have been a wonderful addition to our new home.

Dining at The New House

Delicious dinners have been in full swing at the new CNY Ronald McDonald

House. Not only do we have amazing restaurants in our community that

donate dinners each month, but there are local organizations that also help

provide homemade meals for our guest families. The Syracuse University Student

Association recently prepared a great dinner that included chicken, vegetables

and homemade desserts. To make or donate a meal, contact Lee Wilder at

lwilder@cnyronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.

Guest Family Returns for a Visit Former guest Jordan Pike and her daughter, Payton, recently stopped in for lunch at the CNY Ronald McDonald House. Jordan was taking her daughter to a follow-up appointment and wanted to see our new House. She was very surprised to see how beautiful and comfortable the new House is!