SW Missouri News

Members of the Freeman Auxiliary, an organization related to Freeman Health System, have contributed a $10,000 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States. The donation was handed over by Freeman Auxiliary President Kay Glendenning to Executive Director Lori Jones during a presentation on Tuesday morning.

Freeman Auxiliary raises money annually through the Freeman Gift Gallery and other events to support various programs, notably Ronald McDonald House Charities in the Joplin area. The funds raised aid in fulfilling the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Jim Rhea, a member of the Freeman Auxiliary board, highlighted that the Auxiliary’s activities also enhance patient experiences at Freeman Health System. He noted that volunteering allows members to assist families, including those of children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). “One of our functions is to go down to the nursery and see the newborns and the families of the newborns as we deliver things or help people get to the right location. So as a volunteer, you have the opportunity to meet and greet a lot of people and in the case of Ronald McDonald House, the families of the children who are in the NICU," said Rhea.

Rhea praised Ronald McDonald House, describing it as important for the community, providing services to both local residents and those from other locations. “It provides services not just for Joplin residents but for people from far, far away who are traveling here. Ronald McDonald House is here, without questions, to help those families whether they’re from Joplin, or Ohio, or New York, or California,” he stated.

Freeman Auxiliary has supported Ronald McDonald House since 1995, when then Auxiliary President Dorothy Storm pledged to bring the charity to Southwest Missouri as a supportive space for pediatric patients and their families.

Lori Jones expressed appreciation for the continued support, noting that it reflects the longstanding relationship between Freeman Auxiliary and Ronald McDonald House. “Freeman Health System has been a founding partner since the house was originally built, so for almost 30 years those Auxiliary members have been volunteering over at the hospital, in the gift shops and all throughout the hospital and the funds they raise help up do what we do here at the Ronald McDonald House,” said Jones.

Jones emphasized that the donations are vital for the operation of Ronald McDonald House, which operates continuously throughout the year. “We are 100-percent community funded, so those donations help us serve these families meals and help keep the lights on,” she explained.

Representatives from Freeman Health System Auxiliary and Administration joined in presenting the donation to support the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities in the region.