| THE COLONY NEWS | OCTOBER 2024 | 17
By Kimberly Evans
The Ronald McDonald House of the Inland Empire gives
families a "home away from home," while their children receive
medical treatment at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital
and other nearby hospitals, no matter what their ability is to pay.
Rosaline's Story: As a newborn,
Rosaline Cooper was diagnosed
with Hypoplastic Left Heart
Syndrome and dextrocardia,
meaning that her heart was on the
right side of her chest. Rosaline's
family first stayed at the Inland
Empire Ronald McDonald House in
2006 just days after she was born.
Against the odds, on Dec. 7, 2023, Rosaline underwent a life-
changing heart transplant – a 17-hour procedure! Complications
further extended her procedure. Throughout this surgery and
throughout Rosaline's 18- year journey, she and her family always
knew they had a safe and welcoming place to stay at the Inland
Empire Ronald McDonald House. (Excerpt from RMHC, Circle of
Healing, IERMH Monthly Supporter, pamphlet.)
The Colony at California Oaks Homeowners Association and
St. Martha's Catholic Church have partnered together and donated
19,548 pull-tabs as of Sept. 1, 2024 toward this effort, as well as tens
of thousands of tabs over the years. The pull-tabs are aluminum
tops from cans of soda and other beverages, which are recycled to
pay for the day-to-day operations of the Ronald McDonald House.
Your donations make a difference! Please bring your pull-tab
contributions to Kimberly Evans in the HOA Office, M-F from 8:30
am to 5 pm. Special thanks to John & Marty Tighe who collect for
St. Martha's Catholic Church and to the Founders of the Ronald
McDonald House Pull-Tabs Collection at The Colony, Marge and
Dick Miller. Tell a neighbor about this charitable opportunity, as
your support keeps families together!
