We are TEAM RMHCSW! 

Welcome to Team RMHCSW page! Jonathan and I made 3 commitments. 1. Raise collectively a minimum of $2000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest to benefit families in need. 2. Surpass our minimum goal of $2000.  3. Run Bank of America Chicago Marathon for RMHC of the SW. 

On October 7, 2018, we will run Chicago Marathon.  Please join us in our fundraising efforts to not only meet our goals but to help keep families close during a child's illness or injury.  Please help us reach our goal by October 1, 2018.  Every dollar counts.  

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest keeps families close during their child’s serious illness or injury. We provide families with the stability and resources needed, so they can help their children become happy and healthy. We are the warm shelter in the storm. We are here to help, whether their problems involve staying nearby to support a hospitalized child, affording to stay together in an unfamiliar city while a child is undergoing treatment, or even to receiving basic medical care in a vulnerable or rural community. The House serves as a "home-away-from-home" for families of critically ill children who are receiving medical treatment in local hospitals. More than 400 families are served by the Ronald McDonald House each year.

Ronald McDonald Family Rooms

Ronald McDonald Family Rooms are an extension of the Ronald McDonald House program. They are located at Covenant Children’s Hospital and University Medical Center in Lubbock and Medical Center Hospital in Odessa and provide a personal respite right inside the hospital for families of children undergoing medical treatment. Ronald McDonald Family Rooms provide a place to snack, rest, reflect or even freshen up with a shower. They are staffed by amazing volunteers and caring RMHC of the Southwest team members who are there to provide information, guidance and support. Any family who has a child registered in the hospital is welcome without charge.

   

About Jonathan and Manny:

Jonathan and I met after the Firecracker Run hosted by West Texas Running Club in 2014.  We ran a few races prior and we always ended up at the finish line about the same time.  Going into the monthly races, I would look around to spot my “competition”.  Same for Jonathan. 

Johnathan is the CFO for the Texas Tech Athletics department.  He is married to Danna Botros and has two boys, Kannan & Lincoln. 

I (Manny) am the Director of Finance for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest.  I’m married to Christina Ramirez and we have two children, Emma Rose and Christian. 

Soon after the Firecracker run, Jonathan and I began doing our weekly and weekend runs together and a brotherhood was created.  Because of Jonathan, I found interest in long distance running and long distance running to me is more than 3 miles.  Jonathan and I have been a part of multiple half marathons.  Jonathan has a few marathons under his belt.  Two of our favorite moments throughout our running have been during Jonathan’s marathon trainings – one time was before I was a fan of long distance running.  Jonathan was towards the end training for the Marine Corps Marathon in 2016 and he had a 16 mile run. We mapped his course, a projected timeframe and location for mile 10.  At mile 10, I joined to run his last 6 miles. From then on, joining Jonathan towards the end of his long runs became strategic planning on our part but at the same time, it was something we both enjoyed.  Our second favorite moment was when Jonathan was training for the Houston Marathon in 2017. He had a 20 mile run and we started at 4:00 am.  We parked our vehicles at Lakeridge Country Club and strategically planned our route to finish at the Pancake House.  How did we get to our vehicles? Our wives and children were waiting for us at the Pancake House. That was the best idea ever!  Not only have Jonathan and I become great friends, our families have built a long-lasting friendship. Christina and Danna will be joining and supporting us in Chicago.

Our love and passion for running bleeds over to the West Texas Running Club where we are both Board of Directors, President and Vice President.  We promote distance running as an aid to physical fitness and longevity and if need be, an alternative “Positive Addiction.”  We help unite runners of every level of ability and interest to participate in our monthly races but most importantly, to promote friendship and camaraderie among the running community.  We are also Co-Race Directors for one of our biggest races, Red Raider Road Race. On October 2018 will mark the 3^rd year as race directors.

Why RMHC?

Jonathan and I absolutely love everything RMHC stands for.  Almost 12 years ago, on 11/24/06, RMHC was there for my family.  It was unexpected circumstance.  My sister gave birth to her twin boys, Alex and Patrick a month early.  The Ronald McDonald House was a safe haven for my sister and brother in law while the twins were in PICU for a month.  My family and I visited my sister at the Ronald McDonald House and knew she was in great hands.  The staff was loving, caring and genuinely showed concern for my sister and brother in law.  12 years later, I’m employed by RMHC and running a marathon for RMHC with one of my best friends.   Every day, I’m thankful and honored to be a part of such a great charity.  I strive to help the families that stay at the Ronald McDonald House the way they helped us 12 years ago.