Cookies, comfort and cleaning supplies

Spinning a web of support

Children facing a serious illness need a web of support to heal and thrive. This is especially true when a family has to travel to access care for a child, which can add a financial strain to an already stressful situation. To help reduce this burden, RMHC provides comfort, care and lodging, free of charge, to parents and guardians so they can stay close to a child receiving medical care.

Through its facilities in Pittsburgh and Morgantown, Pennsylvania, RMHC supports more than a thousand families each year. The homes offer families access to private rooms, kitchens, a dining area, laundry rooms, game rooms and other amenities. Plus, several nights a week, families are treated to home-cooked meals prepared by volunteers.

“We support RMHC because of the peace of mind it brings to families facing a crisis,” said Danielle Shearer, vice president at Howard Hanna Insurance Services. “We’re honored to play a supporting role in helping these children heal.”

“We support RMHC because of the peace of mind it brings to families facing a crisis, and we’re honored to play a supporting role in helping these children heal.”

– Danielle Shearer, Vice President, Howard Hanna Insurance Services

Local superheroes to the rescue

Howard Hanna Insurance Services has supported RMHC since 2018 in a variety of ways. They donate hot meals, toys, toiletries and items for the pantry and spend time bonding with the families staying there. Employees also support the RMHC’s annual Red Shoe Ball, an event that helps secure thousands of dollars in donations and sponsorships for the Pittsburgh and Morgantown locations. Along with sending staff members to volunteer at the event, one employee also serves on the Red Shoe Ball planning committee.

In addition, the agency consistently comes up with creative ways to support the cause. Last year, they launched a “Give 2022 a Fresh Start” program by purchasing, gathering and donating $500 worth of cleaning items for “Spick n’ Span Apartment Bags.” These bags were placed in the guest rooms between visitors to ensure families had the basics to keep their spaces clean during their stay.

Another fun example is the “Superhero Race” and raffle the agency planned in honor of National Super Hero Day (which is April 28 for those keeping track). This lively event raised awareness of the RMHC as well as more than $1,600. For these and other efforts, Howard Hanna Insurance Services received the 2022 Nationwide Agency Community Service Award, which included a gift of $2,500 that they donated to the RMHC of Pittsburgh and Morgantown.

An unwavering commitment

Howard Hanna Insurance Services continues to ramp up its support and enthusiasm in 2023. So far this year, along with making their regular donations, the agency delivered joy to children and families at the houses by organizing a cookie decorating party. They brought cookies, frosting and candy for decorating and let the kids enjoy the creativity along with the snacks. And in an inspiring act of tenderness and compassion of their own, the kids decorated cookies for the volunteers as a way to show their thanks.

“The unwavering commitment of Howard Hanna’s staff is a steady source of inspiration for all of us at RMHC,” said Eleanor Reigel, CEO of RMHC. “They show what’s possible when people come together to care for others when they need it most.”

“The unwavering commitment of Howard Hanna’s staff is a steady source of inspiration for all of us at RMHC.”

– Eleanor Reigel, CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown

Providing comfort and care

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