Non Profit Volunteer/ Board Member of the Week:
Name: Bob Monday
Title: Board Chair
Nonprofit organization: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin, Inc.
Nonprofit Address: 8948 Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa, WI 53226
Website: www.rmhcmilwaukee.org
Mission of the organization: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin is dedicated to easing the burden of families whose lives have been disrupted as a result of their child’s illness or injury. We provide a home-away-from-home and caring outreach initiatives.
How did you become a board member? For years I had admired the work of my friend, Dr. James Casper who is the Medical Director, Hematology/Oncology at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. I wanted to support his mission of helping sick children. Through my volunteer work at the Ronald McDonald House, I am able to help the families of these children. I co-chaired the Annual Black Tie Gala for three years and from then on I became progressively more involved in the mission and work of the Ronald McDonald House.
How long have you been on the board? "I have been on the Board for six years, I joined in 2004."
How would you encourage others to get on the board? "My recommendation would be to join our Friends of the Ronald McDonald House group. The “Friends” are ambassadors for our organization who help support the House by providing event support, partnership development, solicitation support and program support."
What is your role on the board? "Currently, I am Chairman of the Board and my role is to energize the Board to become more active in using their talents to further the mission of the Ronald McDonald House."
Why do you volunteer? "For me, it is a form of gratitude…when you feel your life has been filled with so many blessings and good fortunes, you want to pay it forward."
How can business people/the community help your organization? "I would encourage them to become more aware of the role that Ronald McDonald House plays in the community…it truly fills a need for families who count on us for a place to rest and rejuvenate their bodies and spirits after a long day at the hospital with their critically ill or injured child. They are exhausted from the fear, upheaval and financial worries that now consume their days. We anticipate an expansion in the near future. We could really use the business community’s help in raising awareness and funds for this critical need for families of ill children. It is often misunderstood that the Ronald McDonald House is fully funded by McDonald’s. While we share their name and they are a very generous corporate partner, donations through their restaurant donation box program and other McDonald’s promotions fund about 20 percent of our annual operating costs. The mainstay of our support comes from individuals, corporations and foundations that choose the Ronald McDonald House as their charity of choice."
Best volunteering memory "I am a firm believer in volunteering and giving back. Another one of my volunteer activities is teaching Introduction to Business at the high school level. I thought it was important to educate the students on the important role our military plays in allowing us to live our life as we know it. These Marines, many of whom are barely older than the students themselves, were putting their lives in danger while we are able to live in peace and freedom. I had my high school students start writing to the Marines. my students asked the Marines what they could do for them, if there was anything they could do to help them. Their answer: don’t worry about us – take care of our families. In conjunction with the Milwaukee Bucks, the students decided to get all the families together on the same night and treat them to a Bucks game! With much donated time, energy, and resources they were able to video tape messages from the families to send to their loved ones serving their country. The students also created a huge banner to hang in the stands at the Bucks game with a message to the Marines. A surprise message from the Marines to their families who they knew would all be gathered at the Bradley Center played on the Jumbotron! The Bucks and the opposing team all filed off the court and into the stands to sign the huge banner that would be sent overseas! The fans stood and applauded. We all learned first hand that night how important it is to see a need and act on it…that is the true spirit of volunteerism! It is a feeling like no other!”
Nonprofit People
Dr. Peter Lake, medical director of Rogers Memorial Hospital in Oconomowoc, will be the honorary chair of the Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation’s 15th annual golf outing. Lake is also the medical director of Child and Adolescent Services in Oconomowoc at The Child and Adolescent Center, a specialized treatment facility for children with severe mental illness. "Dr. Lake is a natural choice for this honor," said Marion Heinz, executive director of the Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation, "His commitment to the hospital, the foundation, and children is a gift. We are so grateful for his leadership and dedication.” The 15th Annual Rogers Memorial Hospital Golf Outing will be held Monday, July 12, at the Legend at Brandybrook golf course in Waukesha. Proceeds from the 2009 outing exceeded $65,000. One-hundred percent of the funds raised support children in treatment at Rogers Memorial. For more information about the Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation and the 15th annual golf outing, visit the foundation’s website or call 262-646-1343.
