McDonald House gets new director
BY MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer
Sunday, December 09, 2012
12/09/12 at 4:57 AM
When the Ronald McDonald House was being built, Jean Ann Hankins was on the Junior League task force committee charged with training the volunteers who would be helping at the house.
Now, 22 years later, she is the organization's new executive director.
"It's just been incredible. You just never know where you'll end up," Hankins said. "I just feel that all the training I've received over the last 20 years, it was meant for me to take this job. ... I couldn't believe it when I got this. You just can't make this stuff up."
Hankins is replacing Glenda Love, who is retiring after serving 22 years as the director. Love will continue through the end of the year to assist in the transition period.
Hankins said that as she takes over her new role she plans to continue to share "the mission and the vision of the house."
"That's to strengthen it as much as we can so we can be at 100 percent capacity and can add on to this beautiful place and just be a really solid resource for the families that are in need of our services," she said.
Prior to joining the Ronald McDonald House, Hankins served as vice president of advancement and director of development at Bishop Kelley High School. Before that she was director of institutional development at Holland Hall.
"As we move forward, funding for any 501(c)(3) is very important, so my charge from the board is fundraising, strengthening the house with corporate donors and individuals so we can support all the families that come through," Hankins said.
It was her fundraising background that attracted the agency's board.
"We are so thankful to have found someone such as Jean Ann to lead our organization," said Karen Rose, board president. "She brings a new perspective to the Ronald McDonald House and shows the same enthusiasm and passion that made Glenda so successful for all these years. We look forward to working with her as we grow and best serve the community."
The Ronald McDonald House has 24 bedrooms with private baths, each able to accommodate four family members.
The organization serves families who live 25 miles away or farther who have a seriously ill or injured child receiving medical assistance at any Tulsa hospital. Families must be referred by a social worker at one of the hospitals.
The house, 6102 S. Hudson Ave., originally had 12 bedrooms, but capacity was doubled in 2002.
About 500 families stay in the house each year, and the lengths of stay range from a couple of nights to a couple of months.
Mike Averill 918-581-8489
mike.averill@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Jean Ann Hankins: She wants the house to be "a really solid resource" for families.
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