What Our Donors Say

Marge Gallagher

Marge Gallagher is one of our many Pillars of the House. Like our many other generous planned giving donors. Marge’s gesture of making our House a beneficiary of her retirement plan is one of those unique examples of passion transformed into action.

Having seen a public service announcement for Ronald McDonald House during the televised McDonald’s 2007 LPGA Majors tournament, Marge was clearly moved, “I could not possibly imagine being a parent and being faced with such shocking news of my child being critically ill, not knowing where to turn, where to stay or how I’d cope.” Marge says it was simply impossible not to act decisively on their behalf.

Each time I come and see the children,” Marge says, “it reminds me of how great I feel about being part of the House – about making sure this House can do as much as possible, for as many families as possible, for as long as possible.”We are so grateful for Marge’s passion and her gift to the future of our House.

Marge is also among twenty recipients of the 2009 LEAVE A LEGACY® Voices of Giving Award, recognizing those Greater Cincinnatians who have chosen to make a bequest or planned gift to their favorite charitable organization.

If you would also like to help ensure the future of Cincinnati’s Ronald McDonald House, contact Tracy Monroe, Director of Planned Giving at (513) 636-9703 or tmonroe@RMHouse.org.

Click here to hear Marge share her story.

A Volunteer’s Legacy

“It was easy. It was really painless.” These are the words of volunteer Robi McIntire in speaking of the planned gift she and her husband, Scott, have made to Ronald McDonald House. As a volunteer of nearly ten years, Robi McIntire sees first-hand how great the need is. All of this moved Robi to make a planned gift. “You see the need just by being here, anywhere in the House. You can’t even walk into the kitchen without feeling the need.” Robi also how recognizes that Ronald McDonald House is a good steward of its donated funds. “I could not, in good conscience, leave money to an organization without knowing that money would be used responsibly. I know – from watching and listening during my time at the House – that our donation will be used to make a direct impact on the families who need help. My time and my money make a difference here. And, that feels good.”

With this first-hand knowledge – and a passion for our mission - Robi and Scott decided to make a planned gift. They had purchased an insurance policy to provide for their children. But with the kids now grown, they decided to name Ronald McDonald House as the beneficiary. For Robi and Scott, the insurance policy seemed like the right thing to do. They felt comfortable making this decision now rather than later. “I know that if I had written this request into my will, my children would have honored it. They know my passion,” says Robi. “But why not do something ahead of time to let people know how I feel?”

“I strongly believe you have to give back,” Robi explains. Robi and Scott have worked very hard and have been fortunate to have healthy children. “And for that,” Robi says, “you have to give back.”

No matter where you see yourself financially, you can make a difference. By including a charitable gift to Ronald McDonald House in your will or, by naming the House as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, you can help us ensure that our House – and our hearts – remain open to care for families for generations to come. Your planned gift, even a small one, can have a big impact over time.

If you would also like to help ensure the future of Cincinnati’s Ronald McDonald House, contact Tracy Monroe, Director of Planned Giving at (513) 636-9703 or tmonroe@RMHouse.org.

Milner Family Names
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati
Beneficiary of Charitable Remainder Trust

When he discussed estate planning with his father, John Milner Jr. says he encouraged him to leave his charitable remainder trust to “an organization that our family has benefited from, that others can benefit from.” According to John, “You can walk in and within five minutes see the direct impact Ronald McDonald House has on children’s lives.”

Given the tremendous benefits Sherri and John’s family received from Ronald McDonald House, it really didn’t take much to persuade John Milner, Sr. His grandson, Reid Milner, now eleven, spent nearly the entire first year of his life in a San Jose, California hospital. Complications during pregnancy and a premature birth required heroic measures to keep Reid alive. Extensive time on a ventilator in the pediatric ICU resulted in Reid’s airway shutting down. It would take the next six years to reconstruct his airway. “We were told,” says Sherri, “he might never walk, talk, or be able to eat or even develop properly.”

Having exhausted all of their options on the west coast, it was Sherri Milner who then found Dr. Robin Cotton, director of otolaryngology at Cincinnati Children’s. “I still can’t believe I was so bold,” says Sherri. “I called him and asked, ‘Can we come?’ He said, ‘Sure.’”

In seeking assessment and treatment for Reid, the Milners were back and forth to Cincinnati Children’s countless times. Each trip required several weeks, and on one occasion even a three-month stay, as they waited for Reid’s condition to be stable enough to return home. Reid required numerous procedures in various phases in order for his airway to be repaired. During a four-year period, Reid underwent three separate tracheal reconstructions, of which only the third was successful. And, at the age of six, Reid’s tracheostomy was finally removed.

Because their travels between San Jose and Cincinnati Children’s continued over such a long period of time, the Milners had the unusual experience of staying at the original Ronald McDonald House, as well as the one that stands on Erkenbrecher today. They were able not only to experience first-hand the supportive services provided by Ronald McDonald House, but were also able to experience its growth.

Sherri and John can recall an occasion when they weren’t able to get into the House. Their other son Matthew was two at the time. John says, “One of the most stressful parts is being on the waiting list. And, not getting in is … Oh, Man!” John recalls clearly, “Staying in a hotel was not very convenient. It was a long walk to that hospital.”

Being able to stay at the House clearly made a world of difference. Sherri insists, “Without Ronald McDonald House it would have been so much more difficult.” The support received, the home-cooked meals and comfortable room, “make it much more tolerable when you’re going through an ordeal like this,” Sherri says. She also recalls that, at Ronald McDonald House, she could receive the support of her own mother as well. “My mom came to the House almost as much as we did,” Sherri says. “She spent months on end helping us.”

According to the Milners, one of the best things about their time at Ronald McDonald House Cincinnati was the opportunity to share in a community where, as John says, “Other people really get what you’re going through.” Sherri says meeting others, from so many places, undergoing the same types of procedures was invaluable. “Without Ronald McDonald House, we wouldn’t have been able to meet so many people going through the same thing,” says Sherri. And, when asked whether they still keep in touch with these families, Sherri replies, “These friendships are life-lasting.”

Today, the Milner’s are pleased to announce that their son Reid is a busy guy. Now in fifth grade, Sherri says, “He swims nearly every day and is the fastest runner in his class – he’s a great sprinter. Reid used sign language until the age of six, but he now speaks.” Looking back, Sherri says, “It’s hard to recall what our life was like then. Life is good.”

Sherri and John Milner have not only experienced the need Ronald McDonald House fills in providing families a home away from home during such trying times, but also want to ensure that an ever-expanding number of families can experience this same support. According to John, “Ronald McDonald House opens the door for families who otherwise may not get the specialized treatment their children need.”

When given the option of determining a beneficiary for his father’s charitable remainder trust, John says, “What Ronald McDonald House Cincinnati does for families makes them a much more deserving organization.”

If you would also like to help ensure the future of Cincinnati’s Ronald McDonald House, contact Tracy Monroe, Director of Planned Giving at (513) 636-9703 or tmonroe@RMHouse.org.