Memphis Central Rotarian

Vol. 32, No. 5          Meeting No. 1473        August 4, 2006        Editor: Jean Patterson
   

Today’s meeting
11:45 a.m. Chickasaw Country Club.  Linda Miller, Ronald McDonald House.  Jay Hudson, coordinator.

        The Ronald McDonald House offers a home-away-from-home for 51 patients of St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.  Ms. Miller supervises a staff of 23 full time and part time employees and manages an annual budget of almost two million dollars.

        A member of the Memphis downtown Rotary Club, Ms. Miller has been an active volunteer in many organizations across the county.  She was a member of the Class of 1994 of Leadership Memphis and was named one of the Fifty Women Who Make a Difference by Memphis Woman magazine in 1997 and “Victim Advocate of the Decade” in 1999.

The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia.   In the early 1970's, the daughter of an Eagle's football player was diagnosed with leukemia. Her father -- like many other parents wanted to be with her as much as possible. He spent countless days and nights by her bedside at the hospital.   As a leader in the community, he was able to contact friends to raise funds to fight leukemia. But he also identified another need for funds---something that would help parents around the world.

Fred Hill knew what it was like for parents to stay at the hospital. It was uncomfortable without a room of their own with a comfortable bed, kitchen, laundry facility and toys for the kids. That's when the search began for a "home" where parents could stay while their child received treatment.

A large house was found within walking distance of the hospital. Owners from McDonald's Restaurants agreed to sponsor a Shamrock shake sale. More than $35,000 was raised to refurbish the house. In 1974, the dream became a reality. In honor of the clown that brings happiness to children and the support from restaurant owner, it was named the "Ronald McDonald House."

The idea quickly spread across the country and today, there are more than 150 Ronald McDonald Houses in the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. Each year, the number increases as the need grows.   Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Ronald McDonald House of Tennessee work together to provide a home-away-from-home for families of hospitalized children.

Eighty-five percent of Ronald McDonald Houses funding depends on continued generosity of individuals and businesses. The affiliation with Ronald McDonald House Charities and McDonald's continues to contribute about 15 percent of the cost of operating each house.

Bricks and mortar may make a "house", but Volunteers make a Ronald McDonald House "home." Every year, more than 20,000 volunteers provide tremendous support to Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide. They aid in all aspects of House operations, including fundraising, event planning, renovation, program development and services to families. Every year, Volunteers contribute nearly one million hours of time in support of the Houses.

Future meetings
08/11/06:  11:45 a.m. Chickasaw Country Club.   Laura Henson, Memphis City Schools (tentative), Laura House, coordinator.
08/18/06:  11:45 a.m. Chickasaw Country Club.  District 6800 Governor Betty Jo Dulaney, Jim Crone, coordinator.
08/26/06:  Howard Cobbs, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, Gordon Wilson, coordinator.
09/01/06:  NO MEETING.  LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

August birthdays
08/11:   Harvey Marcom (Reeves Sweeney Marcom, Inc.)
08/14:   Marty Petrusek (consultant)
08/21:   Fred Davis (University of Memphis Law School, retired)
08/23:   Rick James (Castle Retail Group)
08/25:   Jay Hudson (The Peabody Hotel)
08/26:   Ray Darby (Junior Achievement)

Club meetings in the surrounding area    
For the convenience of our members we’re providing an updated list of nearby club meetings where we can make up our misses. Please save this list for future reference.  

MONDAY  
No meetings close to the Memphis area.    
TUESDAY    
Collierville – Noon, Ridgeway Country Club
Memphis– Noon, Cook Convention Center  
Olive Branch – Noon, Olive Branch Country Club, Germantown Road    
Oxford– Noon, Oxford University Club, 300 North Lamar
WEDNESDAY    
Germantown-- Noon, Germantown Country Club, 1780 Kimbrough    
Hernando – Noon, the Magnolia Restaurant, 131 Commerce  
Holly Springs – Noon, Christopher’s Personal Care Home, 885 Highway 178E    
Memphis East – Noon, Racquet Club,  5111 Sanderlin Dr.  
Robinsonville -- 8 am, Hollywood Diner, Old Highway 61      
THURSDAY    
Bartlett/Cordova – Noon, Colonial Country Club, 2736 Countrywood Pky, Cordova      
Southaven – Noon, Boiling Point Restaurant, 55 Church Rd. (near Civic Center)    
Tunica – Noon, Women's Club Building, corner of River and School Streets  
FRIDAY  
 Senatobia –  12:15 p.m., Northwest Junior College campus, Haraway Center      

 

Club roster    
Rod Ashley 363-6000                                Jack Robinson  213-3993                                  
L.D. Beard  369-9642                                        Gary Rutherford  753-7957                    
John Bennett 853-3460 *                                           Mabel Rutherford  755-3815    
Yves Calvert 767-8776                                      Tidwell Semmes  767-5752 *    
Bert Canfield 634-2730                                          John Shepherd  850-1061  
Jim Crone  570-0125 (cell #)                        Carlton Smith  690-1203    
Leroy Dahler 362-9700                                                Henry Springer  757-9005*
Ray Darby  366-7800                                 Jack Springer  681-0025        
Fred Davis  761-9486                                              Jim Vandenburg  735-7003 *        
Jerry Daws 757-8578                                                 Lee Whipple  755-8350  
Bill Eddings 386-3182                                             Dick Wieland  322-8630
Pedro Fernandez  568-1575                                Gordon Wilson  678-4101  
DeeDee Fowler  485-1678
Henry Francis 754-3405 *                                                      
Doc Harris 662-429-4551**                          
Al Hollingsworth 767-3600          
Laura House 323-6216            
Jay Hudson  529-3632                                                                                        
Rick James  362-3492 X27            
Jeff Jones  853-8109                                                                                                    
Doyle Lemons 756-6536                            
R.E. Linkous 754-0700
David Luiken  382-3823
Harvey Marcom 761-2016
Bill Matthews  345-5650
John May 259-3631
Floyd McDaniel  327-2013  
Chris McDermott   377-1000
Tom Michael  759-2143                        
Bob Neal  685-7772
Don Palmer 662-429-1542**
Jean  Patterson 332-5586, Ext. 1295      
Chester Perry 685-0972*  
Marty Petrusek 755-5945
Andy Peters 821-4145  
Mike Robbins  363-5880
Randolph Reeves  681-0507  


* Honorary member        ** On leave of absence