[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 135 (Friday, August 12, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





  CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN 
                                COLORADO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 12, 2022

  Mr. LAMBORN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Ronald 
McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado (RMHCSC) for 35 years of 
providing a safe, comfortable, and caring place for families of 
critically ill children from around the nation receiving treatment in 
Southern Colorado.
  The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado has a unique 
history, from when it was first conceptualized, funded, built, and 
opened to serve families in need. A local pediatrician, Dr. Don 
Genrich, believed that families in the Pikes Peak region would greatly 
benefit from a Ronald McDonald House (RMH), so he recruited a small 
start-up team to help him make the dream a reality. Nancy Parker 
Brummett, a local business executive, and Steve Bigari, a U.S. Army 
soldier stationed at Fort Carson, joined forces with Dr. Genrich and 
began their work. The team was highly motivated to lead this effort and 
intimately familiar with the grace-filled mission and the warm welcome 
a Ronald McDonald House offers to families in need. The Bigari's infant 
daughter Sara had already endured several life-saving surgeries at 
Children's Hospital in Denver, and another RMH had lovingly hosted the 
family.
  The trio began sharing the vision and raising funds. By the grace of 
God and the generosity of community philanthropists, the first Ronald 
McDonald House of Southern Colorado opened at 311 N. Logan Street in 
Colorado Springs. Significant donors included McDonald's restaurants, 
the Junior League, Memorial Hospital, and countless other generous 
families and businesses.
  On February 14, 1987, they opened the ``House that Love Built.'' 
Their mission was simple: keep families and their critically ill 
children close to each other and provide the support and resources they 
most need. Significantly, Steve's then three-year-old daughter, Sara, 
cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony. It was a joyous occasion for 
the entire Pikes Peak region.
  Since then, Ronald McDonald Charities of Southern Colorado has 
provided Christ-like hope, grace, hospitality, and comfort to every 
family member who has walked through its doors. RMHCSC has been a home 
for more than 11,500 families in the first 35 years of its existence.
  In 2008, RMHCSC opened the first Ronald McDonald Family Room with 
UCHealth at Memorial Hospital Central. Then, St. Francis Medical Center 
opened a second Family Room location in their facility. Soon after, 
Children's Hospital opened up a third Family Room, which provides a 
caring space within each hospital for parents, just footsteps away from 
their child. The charity's cornerstone programs are vital in meeting 
the needs of critically ill children and their families.
  On August 19, 2019, RMHCSC opened the doors to their new location at 
4223 Royal Pine Drive, within walking distance from the new Children's 
Hospital in Colorado Springs. The 20-bedroom facility was made possible 
by corporate donations, grants, and thoughtful gifts from private 
donors. The new facility nearly doubles the number of rooms available 
for families. Under the direction of Executive Director Beth Alessio, 
who has led the charity for the last 20 years, RMHCSC has positioned 
itself to serve families in need for decades to come.
  Current President of the Board, Sara (Bigari) Cornell--a source of 
heart and compassion behind it all--is living, breathing proof that an 
organization like RMHCSC truly makes a difference. Throughout her 38 
years, Sara has endured over 40 lifesaving surgeries. Ronald McDonald 
House was there for her family so that they could focus their love and 
attention on their child when it was most critical.
  The doors to the Ronald McDonald House of Southern Colorado have been 
open to those in need for 35 years. I commend the effort of Dr. 
Genrich, Nancy Parker Brummett, Steve Bigari, Sara (Bigari) Cornell, 
Beth Alessio, and all of the past and current leaders, board members, 
staff members, donors, and volunteers. Their work has made the ``House 
that Love Built'' a massive success.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in Congress join me in 
congratulating the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado 
for their tireless, godly work making Southern Colorado a better place 
for children and families to live.

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