02 Dec Heart the Houses
Earlier this year, the Cohen family of Rolla, Missouri was preparing to grow. Noah and Judith, along with their daughters Liana (age 6) and Zoie (age 5), were all set to welcome a baby brother in June. While life in the midst of a global pandemic wasn’t exactly normal, Judith’s pregnancy was going according to plan.
All was going smoothly until Judith experienced complications around the 5-month mark, when she was diagnosed with complete placenta previa. After some time on bedrest, the condition became more serious. Then, on May 24, 2020 at 3:10 am, Jase was delivered by emergency C-section (almost six weeks early) and flown by helicopter to Springfield.
Early in Jase’s NICU stay, Noah researched the Ronald McDonald House. Immediately, upon stepping into the House, the Cohens were relieved to feel like they were in a “home-away-from-home”. Even with the pandemic’s challenging impact on House operations, the Cohens were so impressed with the Ronald McDonald House team. “We can’t say enough good things about the staff. They made things a lot easier on us.” And as a business owner, Noah was pleased to be able to set up a temporary office and work remotely from the Ronald McDonald House. After spending time daily with Jase in the NICU for touch-times, feedings and bath time, Noah and Judith looked forward to coming back to the House every day. With his parents close, Jase made great progress in the NICU and went home 31 days later. Big sisters Liana and Zoie were thrilled to welcome Jase home on June 24, 2020!
“I did a bit of research and found that if parents can be with their NICU baby, it helps them go home sooner. Living in Rolla, which is two hours away, would’ve made it very difficult to come down every single day. Thanks to Ronald McDonald House, we were able to be there for 95% of his touch-times. Our whole life was centered around being there every three hours for feedings and giving him baths. I think he went home sooner because of that.”
– Noah Cohen
When you Heart the Houses, You Help Families Like the Cohens Stay Close.
When our generous supporters “Heart the Houses” and Adopt a Room, they make the Ronald McDonald Houses possible for the Cohen family and thousands of other area families. Every night our families find a community of comfort and hope at our two Ronald McDonald Houses in Springfield. By Adopting a Room for 2021 in one or both of our Houses, you are keeping families of sick children close to each other and near the care and resources they need.
The Heart the Houses Campaign is Presented By
How to Heart the Houses
The “Adopt A Room” Program is a great way for you, your company or organization to Heart the Houses. With your gift, you will become a Ronald McDonald House Annual Room Sponsor and your name will be displayed on a special plaque near or within the room. Simply click here to donate online to our Heart the House campaign. You can also call 417-875-3505 to make a donation over the phone.
Below, you can find out more information about adoptable rooms at both the Ronald McDonald House Near Cox South and the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids.
Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids Room Layout
Ronald McDonald House Near Cox South Room Layout
Heart the Houses Donors
Ronald McDonald House near Cox South
| Family Room: | Aaron Day, American Glass & Aluminum, Inc – One Year |
| Living Room: | |
| Playroom: | |
| Playroom: | |
| Kitchen: | Corwin Dodge Ram Fiat – 6 Months Daniel & Jessica Hutcheson, in honor of Jack Connolly – One Quarter |
| Dining Room #1: | A Special Guardian Angel, in memory of John W. (Jack) Henry – One Year |
| Dining Room #2: | A Special Guardian Angel, in memory of John W. (Jack) Henry – One Year |
| Family Living Center: | |
| Office for Volunteers & Staff: | James & Marcine Corlew – One Year |
| Family Care Managers’ Quarters: | Dr. Roy & Terri Libel – 5 Months Donna Powers – 5 Months |
| Main Entryway: | Carl Ledgerwood, in memory of Gene & Corky Ledgerwood Jeffrey & Melinda Fielder, in memory of Alexander |
| Laundry Room #1: | Larry & Eileen Meinsen – One Month Dr. Nancy O’Reilly, Lauren P. O’Reilly, Leigh A. Fisher & Ragan K. Thomson O’Reilly – One Quarter |
| Laundry Room #2: | The Dover Family – Dustin, Tera, Aubree, Lyla & Kinsley – One Year |
| Bedroom 101: | Room 101 Christmas Miracle Memorial Fund, in memory of Nurse Michele Byers Donors: Kristy Barton, Marilyn Barton, Anna Barton, Khushbu Shukla, Megan Christian, Laura Cerny – One Quarter Amy Grubaugh – One Month Mark & Angie Patrick – One Month |
| Bedroom 102: | Bonnie Atteberry – One Month Ken & Tracy Coleman, in memory of Richard Coleman – One Month Brett & Amy Sexton – One Month Robert & Suzanne Israel, in memory of Jack W. Israel, Ed Israel, & Little Eddie Israel – One Quarter Ryan Blumenstock, in honor of McDonald’s Manager, Erin Ogle – One Quarter Ryan Blumenstock, in honor of McDonald’s Manager, Lisa Hernandez – One Quarter |
| Bedroom 103: | Ryan Blumenstock, in honor of McDonald’s Manager, Tori Flood – One Quarter Ryan Blumenstock, in honor of McDonald’s Manager, Deanie Gray – One Quarter Ryan Blumenstock, in honor of McDonald’s Manager, Sara Burnham – One Quarter Robert & Suzanne Israel, in memory of Ralph & Dulcie Israel and Paul & Lois Campbell – One Quarter |
| Bedroom 104: | Noah & Judith Cohen Family – One Year |
| Bedroom 105: | A Special Guardian Angel – One Year |
| Bedroom 201: | A Special Guardian Angel – One Year |
| Bedroom 202: | A Special Guardian Angel – One Year |
| Bedroom 203: | A Special Guardian Angel – One Year |
| Bedroom 204: | A Special Guardian Angel – One Year |
| Bedroom 205: | Ronnie & Donna Ward, in honor of Lilly & Lucy Newberry – One Year |
| Bedroom 206: | A Special Guardian Angel – One Year |
| Bedroom 207: | Gayden & Catherine Wilkins, in honor of their grandchildren – Nathan, Jacob, Samuel & Madeline – One Year |
| Bedroom 208: | Scott & Melissa Roush, in memory of Shelby Dawn Roush |
| Bedroom 209: | Daniel & Jessica Hutcheson, in honor of Jack Connolly – One Year |
Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids
| Living Room: | |
| Kitchen: | Corwin Dodge Ram Fiat – Six Months Bruce Hays – One Month |
| Dining Room: | A Special Guardian Angel, in memory of John W. (Jack) Henry – One Year |
| Playroom: | |
| Family Care Managers’ Quarters: | A Special Guardian Angel, in memory of John W. (Jack) Henry – One Year |
| Office for Volunteers & Staff: | Dr. Stuart & Christy Scott – One Year |
| Main Entryway: | David & Stacey O’Reilly – One Year |
| Gathering Room: | Bill & Dawn Hennessey – One Month James & Marcone Corlew – 9 months |
| Laundry Center: | |
| Computer Nook: | |
| Family Locker Room: | Bruce Hays – One Month |
| Bedroom 101: | |
| Bedroom 102: | Bonnie Atteberry – One Month Sandra (Cookie) Witt – One Month |
| Bedroom 103: | The Hembree Family – One Year |
| Bedroom 104: | Gayden & Catherine Wilkins, in honor of their grandchildren – Nathan, Jacob, Samuel & Madeline – One Year |
| Bedroom 105: | Ronnie & Donna Ward, in honor of Lilly & Lucy Newberry – One Year |
| Bedroom 106: | |
| Bedroom 107: | |
| Bedroom 108: | |
| Bedroom 109: | |
| Bedroom 110: |
Supporting Contributors
| Scott & Cindy Balisle | Bea-Land, LLC (designated for Cox House) |
| Fred & Sharon Beaman (designated for Cox House) | Roy A. Cash, in honor of Zoey Jean La Nore |
| Bob & Brenda Cirtin | Julie Clark |
| Diana Cowan | Don & Mary Cupps, in honor of J. Beverley Barnes |
| Gale Edwards | Susan Foster, in honor of Elaine Foster (designated for Mercy House) |
| Tracy & Melissa Hall | Bob & Laveta Houston, in memory of Tressia LuAnn Houston |
| Phil & Valarie Hutchens | Tom & Staci Jensen in honor of their clients |
| Kappa Kappa Iota – Alpha Conclave | Robert & Barbara Kipfer |
| Kevin & Gina Little | Virginia Mais |
| Mark Mason, in honor of Jack Connolly | Irma McCaskill, in memory of David Farnum |
| Kelley & Nancy McKenzie | Brent Miller |
| Richard & Dava Miller (designated for Cox House) | Bruce & Patti Moore |
| Rick & Sandy Mueller, in honor of Bethany Mueller | Mindy Munoz |
| Adil & Vicki Na’ayem | John Nipper |
| Our Lady of the Ozarks Catholic Church | Mark Ringenberg |
| Brad & Kelly Risby | David Sanford – Sanford, Lea & Associates |
| Tracy & Michelle Sloan | Very & Nina Strong |
| Darlene & Lamont Swanson | Tommy & Pat Taylor |
| Jim Traver & Mary Jo Augustine | Mark & Suzanne Vert |
| Dr. Mai Vo | Brandon & Hillary West |
| Bob & Debbie Williams | Carl A. Wilson |
| Richard & Melinda Wilt |
Contributors
| Bob & Carolyn Bumberry (designated for Mercy House) | Belva Brewer |
| Velma Ann Fotorny | Pamela Gautreaux |
| Larry Grinstead | Ron & Donna Jenkins, in honor of Gary & Lynne Ludlam and Family |
| Pat & Joy Kelly, in memory of Bennett Drew Stevens | Dave & Cathy Ketterman |
| Greg & Sharon Landolt | Jo McAlister, in memory of Porky, Bo & Gary McAlister |
| Gary & Sara McCrackin, in honor of Jacob McCrackin | Brad & Serena McGinley |
| Mary Lou Rough | Kyle Sargent |
| Brad & Julie Squires | Jim & Ginny Westwick |
| Cecil & Katherine Wormington, in honor of Connor Smith |