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02 Jul Heart the Houses

Posted at 21:05h in by

Welcome

Avaleigh Wilson is less than a year old, but she has already defied more odds than most people face in a lifetime. Her story starts with parents, Aundrea and Josh, who were doing everything they could to keep from becoming pregnant again. They had already suffered the pain of a child not surviving a premature birth. Silas, born at 22 weeks and 6 days, came into this world in 2020 only to leave it while being held by his grief-stricken mother.
At first, it seemed history was doomed to repeat itself. At 24 weeks, Aundrea felt a sudden pain and understood that she and her unborn child needed immediate medical attention. Living in West Plains, they had to come to Springfield to find a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to give their daughter a fighting chance. After her mother was med-flighted to Cox South Hospital, Avaleigh made her entrance into the world, weighing only 1 lb 7 oz and measuring 12 inches long. Her fight was only getting started.
Avaleigh’s early days were fraught with life-threatening challenges. She endured a stage 2 brain bleed, vision problems, and severe lung complications. The Wilsons’ world revolved around their daughter’s fight for survival.
The Ronald McDonald House was a lifeline that allowed Aundrea and Josh to focus on Avaleigh’s fight without the burden of worrying about where to stay. Staying in motels or hotels would have been financially overwhelming, especially during a period already mired in uncertainty. A nurse mentioned the Ronald McDonald House as a possibility for what would turn out to be home for 111 days.

“The Ronald McDonald House becomes home,” said Josh Wilson.

“It might not feel like it when you first walk through the doors—scared and stressed and reeling from the dramatic, unexpected turn your life has taken—but having a place that is entirely yours, where others can worry about things like food and laundry for you, empowering you to focus on your child, is absolutely everything.”

Aundrea and Josh got to know the staff and formed connections with fellow residents that went beyond the shared struggle of having a child in the NICU. The House provided them with a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. A place where they could recover from the stresses of Avaleigh’s struggle.
Despite the challenges they faced, the Wilsons found ways to give back, from preparing meals to helping set up the Christmas display. They celebrated numerous holidays and milestones at the House, from Thanksgiving and Christmas to New Year’s and even Silas’s birthday, and were joined by others, including hospital staff, to reinforce that they were not alone in sorrow or celebration. It was these moments that made the House not just a place to stay but a place to heal.
The Wilsons were told they would be fortunate if Avaleigh survived two weeks. However, their little warrior defied the odds, and the House gave them the support they needed to be with her every step of the way.
As the Wilsons reflect on their journey, they want to share their story with the world and inspire people to support and donate to the Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House was their refuge in the storm, a place where they found comfort, strength, and unwavering support.
Ronald McDonald House Charities provides a lifeline for families in their darkest hours, a beacon of hope that ensures they are never alone on their journey. The Wilson family’s journey is a testament to the profound impact your support can have on families in need. “Heart the Houses”, and together, we can make a difference in the lives of families like the Wilsons, helping them find strength, hope, and home when they need it most.

When You “Heart the Houses”, You Help Families Like the Wilsons Stay Close.

When our generous supporters “Heart the Houses” and Adopt a Room, they make the Ronald McDonald Houses possible for the Wilson family and thousands of other area families.

During a typical year, more than 800 families find a community of comfort and hope at our two Ronald McDonald Houses in Springfield. By Adopting a Room for 2024 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

  • Heart the Houses Impact

How to Heart the Houses

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

This Year's Donors

Heart the Houses Donors

Presenting Sponsor – American Glass

Ronald McDonald House near Cox South

Family Room:
Living Room:
Playroom: Citizens Memorial Hospital – One Month; A Gift in Memory of Lucille B Brown – Two Months; Bob & Debbie Williams – One Month
Kitchen:
Dining Room #1:
Dining Room #2:
Family Living Center: Colene Moore – Two Months
Office for Volunteers & Staff:
Family Care Managers’ Quarters:
Main Entryway:
Laundry Room #1: Brian & Stevie Coleman, in honor of Morgan, Beckett & Amelia Spoor – One Year
Laundry Room #2:
Bedroom 101:
Bedroom 102: Paula Adams – One Year
Bedroom 103:
Bedroom 104:
Bedroom 105:
Bedroom 201:
Bedroom 202:
Bedroom 203:
Bedroom 204:
Bedroom 205:
Bedroom 206: Brent & Emily Kembell – One Quarter; Bonnie Atteberry – One Quarter
Bedroom 207:
Bedroom 208:
Bedroom 209: A Special Guardian Angel – One Year

Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids

Living Room:
Kitchen:
Dining Room:
Playroom:
Family Care Managers’ Quarters:
Office for Volunteers & Staff:
Main Entryway: Stuart & Christy Scott – One Year
Gathering Room:
Laundry Center:
Computer Nook:
Family Locker Room: Robert & Barbara Kipfer – One Quarter
Bedroom 101: Frank & Karin Driscoll, in memory of Christopher Driscoll – One Month; Monte & Kara Maska – One Month; Pete Sumners & Melissa Bilyeu, in memory of E.B. & Sammie Sumners and Johnny Bilyeu – One Month
Bedroom 102:
Bedroom 103:
Bedroom 104:
Bedroom 105:
Bedroom 106: Jeff & Autumn Hembree – One Year
Bedroom 107: Mercy Regional Facilities – One Year
Bedroom 108:
Bedroom 109: Louis & Caroline Griesemer, in honor of the Mercy NICU Nurses – One Year
Bedroom 110:

Supporting Contributors

ADsmith Marketing & Advertising
Frank & Patti Harris
Mark Ringenberg

Contributors

Lester C. Bouzek
Kathi Brandell
Belva Brewer
Tim & Donna Brown
Nathan, Kim & Brock Brownfield
Julie Clark, in memory of Jeanne M. Engle
Suzanne Clark
Pamela Drake
Susan Foster
Velma Ann Fotorny, in memory of the England Grandchildren
Pat & Fran Gorman
Michael & Neva Hill
Robert Hood
Bob Houston, in memory Laveta & LuAnn Houston		 Thomas & Penny Hubbard
Rick & Sandy Mueller, in honor of Bethany Mueller
JoAnn Patyk
Lynn Pekoe
Ruth Schaumburg, in memory of Mike Erickson
Verl & Nina Strong
Lamont & Darlene Swanson
Joe & Ann Swink
Frederico Vieira
Dr. Mai Vo
Cecil & Katherine Wormington, in honor of Connor Smith
Avaleigh Wilson is less than a year old, but she has already defied more odds than most people face in a lifetime. Her story starts with parents, Aundrea and Josh, who were doing everything they could to keep from becoming pregnant again. They had already suffered the pain of a child not surviving a premature birth. Silas, born at 22 weeks and 6 days, came into this world in 2020 only to leave it while being held by his grief-stricken mother.
At first, it seemed history was doomed to repeat itself. At 24 weeks, Aundrea felt a sudden pain and understood that she and her unborn child needed immediate medical attention. Living in West Plains, they had to come to Springfield to find a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to give their daughter a fighting chance. After her mother was med-flighted to Cox South Hospital, Avaleigh made her entrance into the world, weighing only 1 lb 7 oz and measuring 12 inches long. Her fight was only getting started.
Avaleigh’s early days were fraught with life-threatening challenges. She endured a stage 2 brain bleed, vision problems, and severe lung complications. The Wilsons’ world revolved around their daughter’s fight for survival.
The Ronald McDonald House was a lifeline that allowed Aundrea and Josh to focus on Avaleigh’s fight without the burden of worrying about where to stay. Staying in motels or hotels would have been financially overwhelming, especially during a period already mired in uncertainty. A nurse mentioned the Ronald McDonald House as a possibility for what would turn out to be home for 111 days.

“The Ronald McDonald House becomes home,” said Josh Wilson.

“It might not feel like it when you first walk through the doors—scared and stressed and reeling from the dramatic, unexpected turn your life has taken—but having a place that is entirely yours, where others can worry about things like food and laundry for you, empowering you to focus on your child, is absolutely everything.”

Aundrea and Josh got to know the staff and formed connections with fellow residents that went beyond the shared struggle of having a child in the NICU. The House provided them with a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. A place where they could recover from the stresses of Avaleigh’s struggle.
Despite the challenges they faced, the Wilsons found ways to give back, from preparing meals to helping set up the Christmas display. They celebrated numerous holidays and milestones at the House, from Thanksgiving and Christmas to New Year’s and even Silas’s birthday, and were joined by others, including hospital staff, to reinforce that they were not alone in sorrow or celebration. It was these moments that made the House not just a place to stay but a place to heal.
The Wilsons were told they would be fortunate if Avaleigh survived two weeks. However, their little warrior defied the odds, and the House gave them the support they needed to be with her every step of the way.
As the Wilsons reflect on their journey, they want to share their story with the world and inspire people to support and donate to the Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House was their refuge in the storm, a place where they found comfort, strength, and unwavering support.
Ronald McDonald House Charities provides a lifeline for families in their darkest hours, a beacon of hope that ensures they are never alone on their journey. The Wilson family’s journey is a testament to the profound impact your support can have on families in need. “Heart the Houses”, and together, we can make a difference in the lives of families like the Wilsons, helping them find strength, hope, and home when they need it most.

When You “Heart the Houses”, You Help Families Like the Wilsons Stay Close.

When our generous supporters “Heart the Houses” and Adopt a Room, they make the Ronald McDonald Houses possible for the Wilson family and thousands of other area families.

During a typical year, more than 800 families find a community of comfort and hope at our two Ronald McDonald Houses in Springfield. By Adopting a Room for 2024 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

  • Heart the Houses Impact

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

Presenting Sponsor – American Glass

Ronald McDonald House near Cox South

Family Room:
Living Room:
Playroom: Citizens Memorial Hospital – One Month; A Gift in Memory of Lucille B Brown – Two Months; Bob & Debbie Williams – One Month
Kitchen:
Dining Room #1:
Dining Room #2:
Family Living Center: Colene Moore – Two Months
Office for Volunteers & Staff:
Family Care Managers’ Quarters:
Main Entryway:
Laundry Room #1: Brian & Stevie Coleman, in honor of Morgan, Beckett & Amelia Spoor – One Year
Laundry Room #2:
Bedroom 101:
Bedroom 102: Paula Adams – One Year
Bedroom 103:
Bedroom 104:
Bedroom 105:
Bedroom 201:
Bedroom 202:
Bedroom 203:
Bedroom 204:
Bedroom 205:
Bedroom 206: Brent & Emily Kembell – One Quarter; Bonnie Atteberry – One Quarter
Bedroom 207:
Bedroom 208:
Bedroom 209: A Special Guardian Angel – One Year

Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids

Living Room:
Kitchen:
Dining Room:
Playroom:
Family Care Managers’ Quarters:
Office for Volunteers & Staff:
Main Entryway: Stuart & Christy Scott – One Year
Gathering Room:
Laundry Center:
Computer Nook:
Family Locker Room: Robert & Barbara Kipfer – One Quarter
Bedroom 101: Frank & Karin Driscoll, in memory of Christopher Driscoll – One Month; Monte & Kara Maska – One Month; Pete Sumners & Melissa Bilyeu, in memory of E.B. & Sammie Sumners and Johnny Bilyeu – One Month
Bedroom 102:
Bedroom 103:
Bedroom 104:
Bedroom 105:
Bedroom 106: Jeff & Autumn Hembree – One Year
Bedroom 107: Mercy Regional Facilities – One Year
Bedroom 108:
Bedroom 109: Louis & Caroline Griesemer, in honor of the Mercy NICU Nurses – One Year
Bedroom 110:

Supporting Contributors

ADsmith Marketing & Advertising
Frank & Patti Harris
Mark Ringenberg

Contributors

Lester C. Bouzek
Kathi Brandell
Belva Brewer
Tim & Donna Brown
Nathan, Kim & Brock Brownfield
Julie Clark, in memory of Jeanne M. Engle
Suzanne Clark
Pamela Drake
Susan Foster
Velma Ann Fotorny, in memory of the England Grandchildren
Pat & Fran Gorman
Michael & Neva Hill
Robert Hood
Bob Houston, in memory Laveta & LuAnn Houston		 Thomas & Penny Hubbard
Rick & Sandy Mueller, in honor of Bethany Mueller
JoAnn Patyk
Lynn Pekoe
Ruth Schaumburg, in memory of Mike Erickson
Verl & Nina Strong
Lamont & Darlene Swanson
Joe & Ann Swink
Frederico Vieira
Dr. Mai Vo
Cecil & Katherine Wormington, in honor of Connor Smith
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