Ann Petrie has been President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Eastern Wisconsin for eight years. However, her relationship with RMHC began 27 years ago. Ann stayed at our House when her eldest daughter, Victoria, was just six months old. Victoria was born with multiple congenital heart defects and needed medical treatment at Children’s Hospital. Fast-forward about 15 years,…
As we reflect on what we are thankful for this week, the first thing that comes to mind is the team of over 550 volunteers who are the backbone of our House. We are so grateful for their compassion and support of our mission, year after year. Two examples of this everlasting support are Hospitality Volunteers Mary Harker and Carolyn…
As a legacy Board Director, Jeff Steren is very familiar with Watertown Plank Road. His parents Rose and Sol Steren were integral to the fruition and completion of our Ronald McDonald House®. It started with an idea which came shortly after the first House opened in 1974. Jeff’s father, who was a McDonald’s owner and operator on the South side…
Over the past 35 years, our House has been more than a place for families to stay while their children receive medical treatment at local hospitals. It has allowed guests like Amanda Upton to build relationships and a community of support that extends past these walls. Here she shares what RMHC has meant to her and her family: In September…
Recently, I found myself questioning my value working at the House. I am a Hospitality Volunteer and felt like, due to some back constraints, I wasn’t contributing as much as I have in the past. I worried I was letting my team down by not being able to clean multiple kitchens, or do multiple vacuuming of rooms, but was only…
Joe Muench is best known for his culinary career as a leading chef in Southeast Wisconsin for the past 25 years. A graduate of the MATC Culinary Arts program, Joe worked his way from short order cook to Chef and Owner of Black Shoe Hospitality (BSH) with partner Dan Sidner. BSH is comprised of Maxie’s, Blue’s Egg and Story Hill…
Ann Phillips was a Children’s Reference Librarian for 18 years with the Wauwatosa Public Library before joining the volunteer team at RMHC. With her heart set on becoming a Master Gardener, she decided to retire early and train with the UW-Extension program and became a certified Master Gardener in 2001. Since the Secret Garden first opened its gates in 2002,…
Susan D. has been a volunteer at RMHC since 2015. She used to be a hospitality volunteer, and now focuses on projects for the House. We had the pleasure of interviewing Susan about her time and experience as a volunteer. This is what she had to say: How did you become a volunteer at the House? What interested you in…
This note was left by RMHC guest Jake L. and his family: Coming from California, we had to leave family and friends and the comfort of our own home. Coming to RMHC, we made friends that we now consider family and found a new home. A priceless experience in the scariest time in our life. RMHC let us relax at…
This note was written by RMHC guest Wanda: Thank you for providing a place of serenity and peace in a time of turmoil. Your staff has been kind and thoughtful in all things. You found a stranger and took her in. God bless you in all you do.
