I Love Reno Spring 2016

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Help Raise the River
Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB), a local
nonprofit dedicated to creating a cleaner, more
beautiful region since 1989, will be holding its
inaugural Raise the River fundraising event August
18, 2016. This unique event presented by Mark Estee Events,
pairs local food and drinks to all five senses creating a
sensory experience. Guests will enjoy an evening in KTMB’s
Sensory Garden at Idlewild Park exploring their senses at the
Taste, Touch, Sight, Smell and Sound tents. Each tent station
will offer amazing food by Mark Estee Events, local craft
drinks, and a unique sensory experience that is sure to bring
surprises. Throughout the evening, guests will be treated
to excellent live music and other fun entertainment by local
performers. Proceeds will support KTMB’s beautification
and education programs, including their efforts to protect
the Truckee River for generations to come. Tickets are on sale
now at !
By Deidre Kennelly
KTMB volunteers
also leveraged the Ronald McDonald
Family Room® , a small room of refuge
located on the fourth floor of Renown
Children’s Hospital, just outside the
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
For days, Jillian’s support network took
turns rotating from the Family Room
to her hospital bedside.
But it was one item in particular that
reminded Christy that anyone can find
themselves on the receiving end of
charity.
“One afternoon when I went to do
laundry I noticed a basket full of
knitted items with a note, ‘If there
is something here you would like,
please help yourself,’”said Christy.
“I found a beautiful brown and blue
scarf I needed as it was cold outside.
In that moment, I realized I was on
the receiving end of charity. This is a
new experience as I’m used to helping
others through my career. The ladies
in our knitting club had just knitted
1600 red hats for preemies. I now fully
understand how important the work
our community does to help those in
need.”
“This time I was one of those people,
a complete stranger in desperate need
of a warm scarf and the reassurance
that people out there care about our
family.”
In March, Jillian was transferred closer
to home to Sacramento Shriner’s,
where her family has begun to
renovate their home to accommodate
her new wheelchair. Christy and
Robert feel as though she has been
the strongest member of the family
throughout the entire ordeal, and there
is no stopping her.
“She’s already talking about getting on
a sit-ski and being the administrative
assistant to her ski coach next year.”
And while they’ve headed home to
begin the journey of adjusting to an
altered life, they have not forgotten
how the Biggest Little City, and
the supporters who fund the Reno
Ronald McDonald House®, provided
hospitality in a difficult time.
“With all my heart, I believe the House
allowed us to deal with the harsh
reality that our beautiful daughter will
use a wheelchair for the rest of her
life,”said Christy. “In our moments of
sorrow, the kindness and compassion
showed to us helped us gather strength
to move forward. I will never forget
how they helped our family face the
biggest challenge of our lives thus far.”
Ronald McDonald House Charities®
Northern Nevada is a 501(c)(3), tax-
exempt organization that seeks to
create and support programs that
directly improve the health, education
and well-being of children and
families. Each year it is tasked with
raising more than 90% of its annual
funding directly from the local Reno,
Sparks and Tahoe communities. To
learn more about how you can help
families like the Fosters, visit
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