September 2002      

Dear Friend:

I am writing to ask you to join us in providing a safe and comfortable home away from home for seriously ill children and their families. Each year, hundreds of children suffering from serious illnesses receive critical medical care at Valley hospitals. These young patients and their families from the four counties of South Texas, other Texas counties, other U.S. states and Mexico often tum to the Ronald McDonald House of the Rio Grande Valley as "A Home Away From Home" when their own home is many miles away. As we can all appreciate, when you have a child being treated in intensive care, the elements of distance, travel and time are critical.

You have an opportunity in the Valley to support these precious children and their families by forming a partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Rio Grande Valley during the 2002 Annual Giving Campaign. Your contribution will help provide temporary, affordable housing at the Ronald McDonald House for families whose children are receiving medical treatment at Valley hospitals.

Since the House's doors opened on March 2, 1998, hundreds of people have stayed during their time of need. This could not be possible without valuable volunteer help and essential financial support received from individuals, community groups and business friends like you. Together we cannot make someone's child better, but we can lift a family's worry and expense of finding a place to stay near their ill child, ease their emotional strain and financial concerns and keep them together during difficult times by providing a House of hope.

Please use the printable annual giving membership form. Please be generous. As one father said recently, with tears flowing, "All this is for us? How could we possibly thank everyone?" The Ronald McDonald House of the Rio Grande Valley is a gift of infinite value to parents and children who while facing great medical and emotional challenges simply need a place to call home....to eat a meal, to sleep, to laugh, to cry Please become apart of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Rio Grande Valley's family of friends and also of all of the families whose children need you.

Sincerely,

Jeff Kellogg

Cameron County Annual Giving Campaign for
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Rio Grande Valley

WWW.RMHCRGV.ORG