02 Jul Heart the Houses
Life in the Copley family household in Plato, Missouri is busy. Justin, a high school principal, and Heather, a kindergarten teacher, are the proud parents of Cash (age 11), Myles (age 9), Kipp (age 6), Scout (age 4) and Dax (age 2). With five active kids and two working parents, some days might even feel a little chaotic. Sept 15, 2020 felt like one such day. After a long day at school, Justin was driving the bus for the school volleyball team and Heather was chauffeuring all five kids home from football practice. On the highway, headed home, the Copley family van was hit, head on.
The crash was severe; the injuries were serious and frightening. Not stable enough for a helicopter flight, Cash was taken by ambulance to Fort Leonard Wood. Heather and the other four kids were taken by ambulance to Texas County Memorial Hospital. After Cash was stabilized and Kipp was admitted, each boy was flown by helicopter to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Heather was treated for a Broken Foot; Myles, Scout and Dax were released from the hospital with mild/moderate injuries. At Mercy in Springfield, Kipp was treated for a Traumatic Brain Injury, a Broken Bone and Severe Whiplash. He continues to work through TBI recovery today.
Initially, Cash suffered a Collapsed Lung, which expanded close to normal within 24 hours. Then, he made it through a critical abdominal and intestinal surgery. With these positive outcomes also came injuries that will impact Cash’s life forever. He suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and a complete Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) at his Thoracic (T3 and T4) Vertebrae. He had a spinal fusion from vertebrae T2 to T5. Additionally, he had a Major Injury to his Small and Large Intestines. After completing two rounds of inpatient care for intensive therapies, Cash was excited to return to school five months later. They are proud to say, “You’ll be hard pressed to find a kid as motivated and optimistic as Cash.”
Upon checking into the Ronald McDonald House, Justin and Heather immediately felt like members of the Ronald McDonald House family. They never had to think about dinner, laundry, or other everyday needs. The staff delivered wonderful meals each evening, graciously donated by generous organizations and people. Justin and Heather felt “the staff put their lives on hold for a minute to be with us, to check on us, to support us, to make us laugh, to cry with us, to be quiet with us, to feed us, to educate us, to learn with us, to sit with us, to build with us… and for that, we are so thankful.”
Looking back, the Copleys are quick to recognize each miracle throughout their story. The Ronald McDonald House was one such blessing. In a time that was unstable, chaotic and scary, Justin and Heather “found peace, grace and selflessness—it was a breath of fresh air! It came at the most perfect time. While Cash was in critical condition and Kipp was under care, we were granted a gift of safe harbor and home for 22 nights. It gave us a private and quiet place to cry, laugh, love and recharge.”
“The Ronald McDonald House provided so much more than a place to sleep. Daily, we did our best to thank the gracious, loving and accommodating staff. It was clearly understood they were not looking for thanks. It was evident on Day 1 just as it was on Day 22, the Ronald McDonald House was there to provide the safe harbor of hope for us as an entire family.”
– Justin Copley
When you Heart the Houses, You Help Families Like the Copleys Stay Close.
When our generous supporters “Heart the Houses” and Adopt a Room, they make the Ronald McDonald Houses possible for the Copley 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 2022 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
Presenting Sponsor – American National Insurance
Ronald McDonald House near Cox South
| Family Room: | Peter & Marissa Connolly, Michael & Doris Connolly, and Jessica Hutcheson, in memory of Norah & Finn Connolly – Six Months Corwin Dodge Ram Fiat – Six Months |
| Living Room: | |
| Playroom: | Mark & Debbie Brueggemann – One Quarter Marla Floyd, in memory of Betty W. Floyd – One Month |
| Kitchen: | Aaron Day, American Glass & Aluminum, Inc. – One Year |
| 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: | Gayden & Catherine Wilkins, in memory of John N. Fillyaw – One Year |
| Family Care Managers’ Quarters: | Carl Ledgerwood, in memory of Neal (Gene) & Norma Lee Ledgerwood – One Month |
| Main Entryway: | A Special Guardian Angel, in memory of Joy – One Year |
| Laundry Room #1: | Larry & Eileen Meinsen – One Quarter |
| Laundry Room #2: | |
| Bedroom 101: | 2nd Annual Room 101 Christmas Miracle Memorial Fund, in memory of Nurse Michele Byers – One Month –Contributors: Anna Barton, Kristy Barton, Marilyn Barton, Valerie Stanton Robert & Suzanne Israel, in memory of Ralph & Dulcie Israel and Paul & Lois Campbell – One Quarter Dennis Budd – One Quarter Amy Grubaugh – One Month |
| Bedroom 102: | Ken & Tracy Coleman, in memory of Richard Coleman – One Month Cy & Tricia Murray, in honor of the Transeau Family – One Quarter Robert & Suzanne Israel, in memory of Jack W. Israel, Ed Israel & Little Eddie Israel – One Quarter Bonnie Atteberry – One Month Mark & Sandy Pinkerton, in memory of Matthew Sloan Pinkerton – One Month Robert Cohen – One Quarter |
| Bedroom 103: | Dustin & Tera Dover – One Year |
| Bedroom 104: | Brad & Kelly Risby – 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: | Garden & Catherine Wilkins, in honor of their grandchildren – Nathan, Jacob, Samuel, Madeline & Madison – One Year |
| Bedroom 208: | The Roush & Trantham Families, in memory of Shelby Dawn Roush – One Year |
| Bedroom 209: | Mark & Angie Patrick – One Year |
Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids
| Living Room: | |
| Kitchen: | Corwin Dodge Ram Fiat – Six Months |
| Dining Room: | A Special Guardian Angel, in memory of John W. (Jack) Henry – One Year |
| Playroom: | Trailiner Corp. – One Year |
| Family Care Managers’ Quarters: | A Special Guardian Angel, in memory of John W. (Jack) Henry – One Year |
| Office for Volunteers & Staff: | Donna Powers – One Year |
| Main Entryway: | Dr. Stuart & Christy Scott – One Year |
| Gathering Room: | Bob & Debbie Williams – Two Months |
| Laundry Center: | |
| Computer Nook: | |
| Family Locker Room: | |
| Bedroom 101: | Bill & Andi Wise, in honor of Eliana, Austin & Elijah Wise – One Month Bonnie Atteberry – One Month Pete Sumners & Melissa Bilyeu, in memory of E.B. & Sammie Sumners and Johnny Bilyeu – One Month Frank & Karin Driscoll, in memory of Christopher Driscoll – One Month Sandra (Cookie) Witt – One Month Missouri State University Student Dietetic Association – One Month |
| Bedroom 102: | Jeff & Autumn Hembree – One Year |
| Bedroom 103: | David & Stacey O’Reilly – One Year |
| Bedroom 104: | Gayden & Catherine Wilkins, in honor of their grandchildren – Nathan, Jacob, Samuel, Madeline & Madison – 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
| A Special Guardian Angel | Julie Clark |
| Diana Cowan, in memory of Norma Cowan | Don & Mary Cupps, in memory of J. Beverley Barnes |
| Gale & Becky Edwards | Art & Becky Farris |
| James & Becky Gordon | Harold & Terri Hoffer |
| Robert & Barbara Kipfer | Antionette Lambert, in memory of Daniel Kinnaird |
| Kevin & Gina Little | Irma McCaskill, in memory of David Farnum |
| Bob & Laveta Houston, in memory of Tressia LuAnn Houston | Phil & Valarie Hutchens Family Fund |
| Susan Jenkins | Roy A. Cash, in honor of Zoey & Eli LaNore |
| Virginia Mais | Kelley & Nancy McKenzie |
| Penny Morrison | Rick & Sandy Mueller, in honor of Bethany Mueller |
| Ivan & Mindy Muñoz | Adil & Vicki Na’ayem, in honor of the RMHC Staff |
| Ron Shy, in honor of Davis Taylor & Garriott Taylor | Ron Shy, in honor of David Taylor & Garriott Taylor |
| Verl & Nina Strong | Darlene & Lamont Swanson |
| Tommy & Pat Taylor | Mai Vo |
| David & Donna Williams | Carl A. Wilson |
Contributors
| A Special Guardian Angel | Don E. Baker Insurance Agency |
| Belva Brewer | Bob & Carolyn Bumberry |
| Sandy Emberton | Velma Ann Fotorny, in memory of the England Grandchildren |
| Kathy Gerretsen | Pat & Fran Gorman |
| Ron & Donna Jenkins, in honor of the Gary & Lynne Ludlam Family | Gary & Dale Keltz, in memory of Daniel Kinnard |
| Jo McAlister, in memory of Porky, Bo & Gary McAlister | Gary & Sara McCrackin, in honor of Jacob McCrackin |
| Brad & Serena McGinley | Bruce & Patti Moore |
| Glenaris Sisco | Brad & Julie Squires |
| Richard & Celinda Wilt |