About Sharon Smith

In her new role, Smith will head up the RMHCSD capital campaign, major gift giving, special event fundraising efforts and collateral materials development.

Prior to coming to RMHCSD, Smith served as vice president of development for the San Diego Museum of Man for three years. She brings more than 19 years of fundraising experience having raised more than $25 million in cash and in-kind contributions throughout her career. Smith has worked with an array of non-profit entities in securing major gifts and sponsorships in addition to coordinating fundraising events and has successfully worked with various foundations to obtain major grants. She lives in downtown San Diego.

About Gail Sullivan

In her new position, Sullivan, who has 20 years of financial management experience and is a certified public accountant, will oversee all financial operations for RMHCSD, including accounting, budgeting and financial planning.

Previously, Sullivan worked with companies such as Nth Generation Computing, Harbor Packaging, Inc. and Thefeld & Associates CPA’s serving in all aspects of accounting and financial management. In 2007, Sullivan was nominated for the San Diego Business Journal’s first annual CFO of the Year Award. She resides in Mira Mesa.

Located atop a six-story parking garage across from Rady Children’s Hospital, the new Ronald McDonald House has 47 bedrooms and features a new Family Care Center that is open daily to anyone with a child in an area hospital.

Annually, it will serve the needs of 20,000 families. The House offers dining services, a computer lab, arts and crafts room, children’s play room, teen center, play yard, faith room, outdoor play areas, laundry, day resting rooms and shower facilities.

About Ronald McDonald House of San Diego

Since opening its doors in 1980, San Diego’s RMHC has provided more than 140,000 nights of lodging for more than 14,000 families whose children face life-threatening illnesses and are receiving treatment at area hospitals. For more information, visit the website at www.rmhcsd.org or call 858-467-4750.

RMHC is a 501(C) (3) non-profit that receives 10 percent of its funding from local McDonald’s Restaurant owners and operators. The remaining 90 percent needed to operate the house and serve families must be raised through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations.

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Professionally, it has been our pleasure to help this organization make a difference in the community. And as individuals who have worked directly in some shape or form with this organization, it is our personal pleasure to be able to make a difference in the lives of the family members who come to The House for assistance.

I think anyone who visits the house would naturally want to get involved as a volunteer. 

Our Experience:
Pam Willmoth - On Saturday, August 15th, staff from North Island Credit Union and their family volunteered for about 3 hours to provide the main meal for the families staying at or utilizing the facilities of the new Ronald McDonald House. Our group planned the menu, shopped for the food, prepared and served the food, and cleaned up afterwards. The "Fiesta Theme" menu consisted of barbecued carne and pollo asada, refried beans, homemade Spanish rice, tortillas, salad, fruit, cookies, El Indio tortilla chips and salsa, and beverages.

The families were tremendously appreciative and so were the people at the Ronald McDonald House! This was a very positive and gratifying experience for all of us involved. In fact, many of us expressed the desire to continue volunteering regularly perhaps on a quarterly basis.

It was a great way to spend time with our North Island team mates and do something for others.

Stories That Touched Us:
Gary Bryant - A young man came up to me and said he and his mother really appreciated what we were doing and they wanted to help out so he gave me $20 and he was very insistent that I keep the $20...so I told him I would place it in the donation box up front.

Pam Wilmouth - I was so touched when Julie Doyle and I went to serve a man that came in a bit late, but then stopped by when he was finished to say, "Thank you, this is the best meal I have had all week!" It made us cry.

Jessica Rapaido-Ybarra - I recall a young lady with her two children - an older son in a wheelchair and an active, but also tired little daughter. She was trying to give both her children her undivided attention, but you can see how difficult it was for her. As she was returning to the hospital, she put her daughter on her son's lap, and tried to find a way to carry the food. Seeing her frustration, I put the food into a plastic bag to make it a little easier. She was very grateful and her expression alone made my experience even more meaningful. Volunteering helps us to realize how sometimes a simple gesture can make all the difference in another person's life. It's such a great feeling.

During the awards dinner and reception, Sandy was one of eight San Diego residents recognized as everyday heroes for their civic contributions. She received a trophy and a $1,000 grant for RMHC-SD.

"Molina Healthcare is proud to honor the San Diego champions who have gone above and beyond in their communities each day," said Lisa Rubino, president of Molina Healthcare of California. "The community selected committed individuals and organizations as their champions. Molina Healthcare is pleased to recognize and partner with them in meeting the fundamental needs of underserved people in every community. Their spirit of service, commitment and caring embodies the philosophy of our founder, and we are privileged to recognize their contributions."
Last year, House Manager Gabi Rivers received an award for her work.

Congratulations Sandy, from everyone at the Ronald McDonald House who has benefitted from your dedication, generosity and caring support!