Step Into Hope, Give from the Heart by experiencing the excitement of walking the red carpet like never before all while supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois. On October 3, 2025, enjoy live entertainment, elevated music stylings, flavorful culinary offerings accented with sensational drinks during our all-new Red Shoe Gala. Come empower our community by providing a supportive place for families to stay while their child is receiving medical care.

Ronan was a prankster with a deep love for life and an even deeper love for his family. His sense of humor and endless energy brought joy to everyone around him. Whether he was teasing his sister—always with a twinkle in his eye—or dreaming of his future as a farmer, Ronan embodied the vibrant, hopeful spirit of childhood. He loved boating, farming, and the simple pleasures of being outdoors, always looking ahead to a bright future.

Get ready for an unforgettable day on the greens! The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois Annual Golf Classic is back and better than ever. Mark your calendars for Monday, July 14, 2025, and start assembling your dream team of four golfers.

Welcome to the third annual Kids & Clays Sporting Clay Tournament benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois (RMHCCI)! This exciting event promises a fun-filled day of sporting clays, event games, lunch, and a 50/50 raffle, all for a great cause.

Owner-Operator, Mikel Petro, has been in Central Illinois for 35 years and part of McDonald’s system for 28 years, and a Next Generation O/O for 15 years. Restaurants in Bloomington-Normal and surrounding communities and proud father of 4 children 2 boys and 2 younger girls. Mikel Jr, Logan, Kendyl, and Averie, of which 3 work within the family business. My hope is to one day pass on the reigns to a 3rd generation. I am blessed to be part of the RMHC family and full of pride to assist in furthering the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Ted Starkey is a Commercial Banking Officer at Carrollton Bank, located in Springfield IL. Ted works with individuals and businesses to assist them will all their banking requests, from depository to lending needs. He has been in the banking industry since 2010 after graduating from Monmouth College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Matt Tucker brings extensive experience in human resources and talent development, with a passion for empowering individuals and teams to achieve their potential. He currently leads the learning and development initiatives for his organization, driving programs that foster employee growth, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness. Prior to his current role, Matt served in human resources and people development capacities at Hanson Professional Services and Horace Mann, both based in Springfield.

Dr. Jawad Javed has transitioned from Vice Chair to Chair, replacing Mark Denzler, who served as the Chair for the past two years. Lindsay Bentivegna has transitioned from Board Director to Vice Chair, replacing Dr. Jawad Javed, who served as the Vice Chair for the past two years.

Don Forrest is a Business Development Manager with Farnsworth Group, a national professional architecture and engineering firm. He has been with the corporation for 30 years, serving primarily in the Peoria, Illinois office. Don grew up in a rural community in Central Illinois, graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in geography, and performed graduate work in American History.

Stephanie Seay is the General Manager for Heartland Coca-Cola, overseeing distribution centers in Peoria, Springfield, Quincy, Charleston, and Champaign in Central Illinois. With 21 years of extensive experience in sales operations management, Stephanie has developed expertise in business development, inventory planning, cost reductions, logistics, resource allocations, budgeting, P&L ownership, and team leadership.