 There is something very comforting about turkey dinner. The aromas, the heartiness, the all day anticipation as your home becomes a haven of sweet smells. And when some of Edmonton's self professed "Foodies" meet in the Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta kitchen to make a turkey dinner for the House families, yummy things are guaranteed to happen...
This event was all about the FOOD... big, huge, local turkeys from ACME Meat Market, Green Bean and Tomato Salad featuring green beans and grape tomatoes from Blush Lane Organic Market, mashed spuds (these had been donated to the House and were not local but needed to be used... We are all about LOCAL but we are not about WASTE...) and all the fixins...
"I would love to take all of these House kids home with me!"
~Debra Ward, regarding her interactions with the little Superheroes of the House  There was much camaraderie in the kitchen as hands and hearts prepared dinner, the discussion ranging from local politics to local trends, to a common appreciation for the keen sense of community fostered by the people of Edmonton. It is certainly no secret that Edmonton boasts a richness of community as no other city, but nowhere is this sense of community more prevalent than in the "#yegfood" Community.
All one has to do is search the #yegfood hashtag on twitter to be connected with one of the richest and most passionate communities in Edmonton. And the kitchen at Ronald McDonald House was no exception.
"It's always wonderful being invited into Ronald McDonald House by Local4Local4Local. Thank you SO much for including us!
~ACME Meat Market, Adapted from Twitter  The team of Local Food Enthusiasts was led by the gracious and fun owners of ACME Meat Market, Corey and Amanda Meyer (www.acmemeatmarket.ca). Lending even more to the experience, Corey and Amanda brought their two boys to help out, whom they lovingly refer to as their "Mini Meats". The Meyers were joined by the food appreciations of Nicholas Thickett (nthickett.wordpress.com) and Debra Ward (edmontonambassador.wordpress.com). What a great group of Edmonton's finest!
PS. Why YES... that may just be the world's largest potato masher in Corey's hands!
 Dinnertime arrived and the family style dining room was FULL... Clearly the smell of turkey roasting all day called to the masses! (And the House has lots of 'out patient' families right now, which makes a big difference in dinner attendance). The turkey was devoured, with just enough left for the next day's soup initiatives (more to follow later in the post!), the salad was gone down to the last green bean, and there was very little of all meal components left over. (Can there BE a better compliment to the kitchen??!!)
The House families were able to decompress over a hearty home cooked meal, and our "Foodie" guests were able to enjoy a meal with our families, furthering their knowledge of and exposure to the culture and miracles of RMHNA.
"Check out Local4Local4Local for an experience that will change your life. Words can't describe the feeling...
~Nicholas Thickett, Adapted from Twitter  As we enjoyed each other's company in the kitchen, we were joined by some of the House Heroes: our group met a 'Warrior Mom' from Newfoundland whose daughter is fighting congenital heart disease. Their family has been using the services of RMHNA since 2006 (pre-expansion, when we served only 16 families as compared to our present 32, AND there was no 'Home for Dinner' program). She expressed her heart felt gratitude at our Edmonton Community showing such care for the families at RMHNA through dinner; in her world, it allows her an excuse to leave her daughter's bedside for an hour or two, and forces her to care for her own health with a nutritious home cooked dinner. Another 'Warrior Mom' came and was introduced; her little guy is also fighting a congenital heart disorder and the last few weeks have been extremely harrowing. She, also, shared just how appreciated the program is, and thanked Local4Local4Local for its frequent contribution. Last but certainly not least, we were joined often by the sweet little 22 month old Sophia. She LOVED to hang out with us in the kitchen. LOVED to see what was cookin' in the big pots, LOVED to come and bless us with her blue eyed, beautiful little smiling face, and we LOVED to have her near. She stole not only the show... but our hearts. She is waiting the arrival of her new baby brother, who also is arriving into the world with a congenital heart defect. And she is a RAY OF SUNSHINE for her family in the most difficult times of waiting. At the end of the evening we received this thank you note from our little friend; suffice it to say that this will be a permanent treasure in the Local4Local4Local library.
Approximately 35% of the families who visit Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta have a child in cardiac care...  The next day saw Local4Local4Local in the kitchen again ~ this time the mission was SOUP! There is a new program being "cooked up" at RMHNA which promises to extend the donations of the community that supports the 'Home for Dinner' program as Local4Local4Local does. In its beginning stages, this program, affectionately known as 'Soup Group' thus far, takes leftovers from the Home for Dinner Program and turns them into comforting and hearty soups which can then be delivered to the House families as they spend time with their child in care at Stollery Hospital. The outcome? More meals served to House families, less cost to House families that would normally purchase lunch from the hospital cafeteria, likely better food quality for those same families, and better use of donated resources with less waste!WIN! WIN! WIN!
Local4Local4Local is looking forward to having an ongoing role in this program; it will be perfect for our businesses who can financially only afford one dinner service for the year, but have the desire to be more invested and involved (average cost of soup supplies is $20-$30 due to the use of leftovers). It will also be a great fit for our larger corporate partners who desire a team buiding volunteer opportunity during work hours.
Warmest thanks to L4L4L Member Linda Patterson of Timeless Edge Photography (www.timelessedge.com) and friend of L4L4L, Annette Hedley, for their help in preparing the two soups. We were able to create a homemade turkey noodle soup from our leftovers the previous day AND a chili bean soup. Cargill in Spruce Grove is also a very big supporter of RMHNA (they do a monthly Home for Dinner corporately AND offer their employees the choice to make donations automatically from their paycheques) and they had cooked a BIG batch of chili recently. We were THRILLED to be able to extend their dinner kindness into lunch kindness for House families.
 The most wonderful part of 'Soup Group'? The families are given notice of soup availability and selection the day before and can ORDER lunch to their room at the Stollery / Mazankowski hospitals... and we deliver it right to them! Not only do we deliver lunch... we deliver smiles, hugs, and messages of comfort to our hospital bound little House Heroes and their families. Honestly? Doesn't get any better than THAT...
Almost 300 meals (based on three meals per day) per year are covered by the 'Home for Dinner' (& breakfast & lunch) program. Our mission as an organization is to help the House see 3 meals per day times 365 days per year COVERED.  After lunch delivery, it was time for a TEA PARTY! It just so happened that Erin Isfeld, News Anchor for Edmonton's CTV News came to the House to have a Tea Party with our little 'Superheroes'. Erin will be emceeing this Saturday's Storybook Ball with CISN Radio Personality, Chris Scheetz. Erin dropped by not only for tea, but also to film a spot for the news to promote the Family Friendly Fundraiser Gala: Storybook Ball. How CUTE are all of these little House Heroes, all in super costumes, enjoying a laugh with the gracious Erin Isfeld? TOO CUTE, that's how cute!
Thank you to the time and talent of L4L4L Member Linda Patterson of Timeless Edge Photography who stepped outside of 'soup duty' to capture some sweet, sweet images of the tea party...
 With our first PUBLIC event, the 'Mixed Up Mixer' successfully under our belts just a few days ago, why not hold our first event just for the Families that we serve at Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta less than a week later! Keep that momentum going! And so it is that this Monday, February 25, 2013 will find a group of local Edmonton and area food enthusiasts in the kitchen at Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta for Local4Local4Local's "FOODIES IN FEBRUARY"! Led by the amazing Corey and Amanda Meyer of ACME Meat Market ( www.acmemeatmarket.ca) and joined by a smattering of our Twitter followers who answered our callout on Twitter this past week, a few Edmontonians with a passion for LOCAL FOOD will gather to prepare and provide a locally sourced meal to the Families of RMHNA and network and have a ton of fun together while doing it! The familes of Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta will be dining on a locally sourced turkey dinner with all the trimmings... and the menu has been selected with care. Not only is turkey dinner hearty, healthy, and comforting... it is SOUPABLE! There is a new program being "cooked up" at RMHNA which promises to extend the donations of the community that supports the 'Home for Dinner' program as Local4Local4Local does. In its beginning stages, this program, affectionately known as 'Soup Group' thus far, takes leftovers from the Home for Dinner Program and turns them into comforting and hearty soups which can then be delivered to the House families as they spend time with their child in care at Stollery Hospital. The outcome? More meals served to House families, less cost to House families that would normally purchase lunch from the hospital cafeteria, likely better food quality for those same families, and better use of donated resources with less waste! WIN! WIN! WIN!
This is definitely a program that Local4Local4Local will be embracing, and offers up more opportunity for involvement for our On Board Businesses, prospective partners and the community at large! The event will culminate BACK in the RMHNA kitchens on Tuesday morning where L4L4L friends and volunteers will assemble turkey sandwiches and make turkey noodle soup to be served to House families that day. And we are THRILLED to be a part of it! SOUP by its very nature is warm and comforting. It is our vision that Local4Local4Local can be a source of warmth, comfort, and FUN through our 'Foodies in February' event ~ all while contributing to our local food economy!
 What a FANTASTIC way to increase awareness of both our Local4Local4Local organization as well as the Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta that our organization supports! Last Thursday afternoon saw a group of fantastic business people from Edmonton and surrounding areas come together for a 'Mixed Up Mixer' at Edmonton's lovely Petroleum Club. The Local4Local4Local organization desired to offer guests a unique and intentional networking function, and from the feedback received after the event, they hit their mark.
The event was ambassadored by a group of local business people whose role was threefold: open their circles through invitation to the event, greetings and farewells to guests onsite, and ensuring that the event itself was inclusive.
"Tonight was an exceptionally heartfelt evening of #supportlocal #yeg with some amazing people."
~Catherine Finlayson, Exciton Technologies, from Twitter  Guests attending the event had to answer three questions:
1. What is your product or service?
2. What does your business or career need right now?
3. What do you hope to come away from after this event?
By each guest intentionally sharing what their business requires at present, connections and collaborations could be made much more easily. It also seemed to create a level 'playing field', recognizing that no matter where your business rates on any 'success scale', there is always a need that can be filled towards reaching a future goal.
As well, around the room were a series of 5 survey questions, each with its own QR Code, and guests were encouraged to answer. The questions ranged
from naming a local business that 'WOW'd' you recently with its product or service (Cafe Tiramisu, Hotel MacDonald, and AMA were among the named) to rating how much the guests rely upon referrals in their business, to asking for input on how to respond to negative comments or feedback posted about your business on social media. It was interesting to hear the conversations that ensued surrounding these surveys as guests responded. The guests will be provided with a breakdown of the data collected as a follow up to the event, as an added value 'bonus' for attending.
"Incredibly honoured to be part of this amazing and unselfish group"
~Jim Mueller, McCallum Printing, from Twitter  Local4Local4Local Founder, Kristi Hammond, shared the mission and vision of the Organization, and invited the businesses in attendance to join the organization. The guests were pleasantly surprised to hear that the financial and time commitments to be a part of Local4Local4Local are extremely manageable, even for independent small business. As well, Jen Panteluk, Business Development Officer for Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta shared some of the mission and vision of the House that L4L4L supports. Guests learned that the House relies on the kindness of community for 90% of its $2.4 million annual budget. They also heard how meaningful and appreciated the support given by L4L4L to the House's 'Home for Dinner' Program is, and how the organization has helped bolster the program.
"We love what Local4Local4Local does to support the House!"
~Jen Panteluk, Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta, Adapted from Twitter  Last but certainly not least, the event ws sponsored by some of Edmonton & Area's finest businesses and friends of Local4Local4Local. HUGE shouts out to Edmonton Petroleum Club for hosting our event AND sponsoring the amazing Signature Cocktails at the event. The cocktails were original creations by the talented Tarquin Melnyck, Bar & Promotions Consultant and 2012 Top 3 Finalist Canada Angostura Cocktail Challenge, and they were WONDERFUL! The light and fruity 'Alstromeria' was a fan favourite and promises to make its way to more Local4Local4Local events! Wine and 'bubbly' was graciously sponsored by Sasha McCauley, agent for Authentic Wine and Spirits, a 'Business 2 Business' liquor company catering to restaurants and clubs in Edmonton and area. The event was captured in photos by the talented Linda Patterson of Timeless Edge Photography, specializing in event and corporate photography. And Somerville Wine Room on 124th Street was kind to grant all businesses who joined the Local4Local4Local Organization at the event with a dining gift card for their lovely restaurant.
The success of this event relied on so many: Ambassadors, Local4LocalLocal Business Members, Sponsors, and Guests. Our heartfelt gratitude to all who played a role.
"What next?" you may ask? Watch for more Local4Local4Local events in future! We are PROUD to be offering some additional public events through the year, such as The Mixed Up Mixer, to promote and support our organization's mission and vision... but we are also PROUD to be offering some events in the kitchens of Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta to further engage our VERY 'rich' Edmonton community, and provide further fun, food, and fellowship for the families that we diligently serve at Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta. Stay Tuned!
 Today was a day for PERSPECTIVE... I founded this Local4Local4Local Organization because I desired to 'be of great service' to the families of Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta. In the 18 months that our organization has been of service in the House, I have met plenty of PERSPECTIVE. I am a Mom... I have two amazing kiddos who have teensy weensy medical issues. I come home from each and every experience at Ronald McDonald House GRATEFUL for that very fact. I hug them closer, hold them tighter, and generally utter many thanks under my breath for their health.
HEALTH is an obscure word to the family circles of Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta. This is the invisible ghost with which our little House Heroes and their families spar. It is the most coveted outcome of all families to cross the threshold of the House. And it is the least readily used adjective to describe our Kids in Care at the House. It is something that those of us who are blessed to HAVE take very for granted.
Today I took my daughter to the doctor. Her symptoms: unaturally large lymph glands, tonsils swollen almost closed, and a low grade fever. As a result, she needed her first blood test to eliminate Mono from the equation...
She did not take this news well. At all. Nor did I. She clung to me in the laboratory, crying and clinging in fear. I clung equally, feeling regret for having to put a 7 year old girl through the fear of what was to come.
AND THEN...
I remembered all of the little Heroes that I have come to know ~ and YES ~ love ~ in my personal time of service at RMHNA. I thought of all of the 'pokes' that our little Heroes endure, day in, and day out. And I began to tell my little Missy of the story of little 'J'... a three year old little Hero whom she and I have BOTH gotten to know due to his extended stay at RMHNA. I told of the fact that her day was to have one small poke, from one small needle; I told of the fact that little 'J's days hold numerous pokes, prods, and other uncomfortable procedures. Every Day.
And she began to be soothed. I would imagine she pictured our little friend, 'J'... getting poke upon poke... whatever that looked like in her subjective reality. And she calmed.
I, on the other hand, became MORE afraid. I FELT a small piece of the HUGE fear that our House Moms feel every day ~ EVERY DAY ~ as they watch their little peeps get poked and prodded in the name of Health. My heart grew heavy at the thought that my wee, small, moments of fear and sadness are but a pebble in the ocean of what our House Warrior Moms must feel.
And I gained that pearl of wisdom called PERSPECTIVE.
Tonight I celebrate the Warrior Moms of RMHNA. Some of those mamas hold their 'healthy' children dear this night, fearful of the return of illness. Others hold their little peeps closely, furtively wishing and praying for that elusive HEALTH. Still others mourn their little ones lost... hopefully finding peace and comfort in memory.
I find myself renewed. Renewed to LOVE my children thoroughly... Renewed to be of good service in my moments of service in association with Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta... Renewed to lead this organization of service more thoroughly, along with our incredible team of Advisors, and RENEWED to embrace and serve our Warrior Moms of RMHNA who have given me much PERSPECTIVE today.
 This is Baby E. We had the huge pleasure of participating in our Local4Local4Local Tour and Mixer at the Ronald McDonald House on August 3rd while this beautiful child played, cood, laughed, and ate her dinner right beside us in the common family area at the house. Her mother remarked early in the evening how 'well' she was, in comparison to how 'unwell' she had been before cardiac surgery. Where once she used to lay listless, she now was active, happy, and able. AND ~ quite frankly ~ so stinkin' CUTE! Her blue eyes shone with wisdom beyond her wee years (months!!), her smile came all the way from her toes, and her sweet little voice was like music. 100% engaging!
That was August 3rd.
Today is August 19th, and she is now an angel among us. She, along with the support of her family, friends, and the RMHNA community fought ~ hard ~ for her recovery and for her life.
And now her family must seek comfort and peace. When all they really want is their baby girl back, healthy and strong. Which seems so unjust ~ and is.
The beautiful part of life is that the story does not end here: Baby E's legacy will live on. "But she was an infant" you might say. "She couldn't yet speak, how could she leave a legacy?" you might also ask.
It's quite simple, really: she lived, she loved, she was loved and cherished, and I suspect that her struggles and her tenacity taught much to each of those whose lives she touched. She was placed in the lives and hearts of her family for a reason. And while she was with them, she was a source of much love, joy, and inspiration, I am sure.
Baby E, we will honor your short life and your memory by being of good service to other families like yours who have little heroes with big needs, and are part of the RMHNA community.
Rest now...
The lovely and talented Linda Patterson of Timeless Edge Photography is one of the Local4Local4Loca member businesses and was kind enough to lend her talents to our tour and mixer on August 3rd. She managed to capture not only our event, but also the essence of WHY Local4Local4Local exists: the families and children of the house. One of her photographs is actually being used in our organization's marketing materials, so that is where we will start: 
Meet Madeline and Elysa...
Hailing from Lloydminster, Alberta, Madeline's family is staying at Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta through the full summer of 2011 while their oldest child, 10-year-old Hunter, receives treatment and tests for his Autism at the Stollery Hospital. Hunter, who absolutely loves the computers and selection of books at the House, has been making some great progress with his treatment program. His mother, Aimee, had been worried that her children would have a miserable summer, having to patiently visit the hospital for several hours each day. On the contrary, Hunter and his younger siblings, Madeline, age 5, and Zachary, age 10, have thoroughly enjoyed their stay at the House, meeting many new friends and looking forward to the crafts and activities each day. When their father, Jeremy, has been able to
join them on weekends, the family has shared some wonderful times partaking in Edmonton events and attractions with tickets generously donated to the House. The parents have expressed their appreciation for Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta: the family-friendly activities, sense of community, and opportunity to build friendships with other families have turned what they feared would be their worst summer into one of their best.
Elysa is the beautiful lady enclosing Madeline in an embrace. She is the teacher for the house, and she is incredible ~ a true 'spark plug'. She teaches all of the young residents of the house through the year ~ kindergarten to grade 12! In summer time her focus turnes to recreation and crafts for the children and families at the house. On our tour day, she had led a nature walk, taught a nature craft, and was leading the families in the painting and design of a huge mural that evening as our large group toured through. Thus the sweet little green hands in the photo. This mural was a community effort of the house families ~ parents and children alike ~ and will be auctioned off by the house at a future fundraising event...
More Mural Photos  Our group was toured through the entire house. Here they are in the basement that houses the teen games room, a fitness area, and recreation area... The house is so big that a tour takes close to an hour!
The Local4Local4Local Mixer  Once Jen and I had opened the evening, our group was asked to introduce themselves:
Their names, their business, and why they chose to be a part of Local4Local4Local. There were a few tears as introductions were made, as the group really grasped firsthand the needs and struggles of the families we will serve. Having a few of the families present while we met certainly added to this: as we met, and spoke, and conversed... so did they... while drawing up medicines, caring for medical needs, and drawing up liquid feeds for some of the residents who are fed via gastric tube. A very close look at the reality of the house's families.
We all gathered in the kitchen afterward and enjoyed some amazing food, prepared by Allium Foodworks, Personal Chef Elaine Wilson, who is also one of the Local4Local4Local businesses. The conversation and camaraderie was equally as good as the food. And so it was that our tour and mixer was a huge success to the launch of the Local4Local4Local organization.
Our blog will be a source of story, inspiration, and hopefully comfort as it grows. Visit often for stories from the Local4Local4Local businesses as they provide service and support for the families of the house each month. We welcome guest blogs and comments, as well, from parents ~ past and present ~ who have experienced the comfort and community of The Ronald McDonald™ House Northern Alberta. To contribute, please fill out a contact form.
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