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t m c » p u l s e | d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4 39 Monday-Friday 6:30am-6:00pm 5010 Caroline St. 713-521-1234 LEARNING WHILE PICKING UP S.T.E.A .M. (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS & MATH) Come check us out and see why our children and families are happy Accepting ages 6 weeks to 6 years. Serving the medical center and downtown area Only childcare center in Houston to incorporate S.T.E.A.M. Attentive and qualified staff. Inviting classrooms where children have fun learning and exploring. Engaging curriculum tailored to each child's development. T he holidays are a stressful time of year no matter the situation. Battling the lines at shopping malls for the perfect presents is an experience many would like to forget. However, for the kids and families who call Ronald McDonald House Houston home, shop- ping for holiday presents is as simple as walking downstairs. Each year, RMH Houston volun- teers and staff members open the doors to the Santa Store at the beginning of December. The Houston community plays a huge role in the success of Santa Store since all of the items kids and their parents can "purchase" are donated. "Many families staying with us are struggling to find the time and resources to make it to the mall for presents, so it's incredibly important for us to bring the holidays inside our House," said Matt Woodard, Director of Operations at RMH Houston. "We rely heavily on the support of the Houston community that is always so giving during the holiday season to fill our Santa Store with presents for all ages." Shopping for Holiday Gifts without Leaving the House at Ronald McDonald House Houston Many families staying with us are struggling to find the time and resources to make it to the mall for presents, so it's incredibly important for us to bring the holidays inside our house. — MaTT wOOdaRd director of operations at ronald mcdonald house houston The staff at RMH Houston has even created a mailbox for children to drop their letters to Santa in. From there, the "elves" (or volunteers) will better know what toys and gifts the families prefer. "When a child is critically ill, we aim to take the pressure off of the parents as much as possible by providing things like warm meals, a bed to sleep in, and a supportive and safe community to live at," said Leslie Bourne, Executive Director at RMH Houston. "The Santa Store is our way of taking the stress of the holidays away from the parents and turning it into a huge joy for everyone at the House." The Santa Store will open its doors on December 8 to the families and children who call RMH Houston home. Kids will be able to shop for their par- ents and siblings, and the parents will be able to shop for their kids—all at no cost and without leaving the House. RMH Houston will accept Santa Store donations through December 7. — Danielle Dunn, Ronald McDonald House Houston Luxury Apartment Locator Specializing in the Medical Center Margaret Harrison Realty Star Group (713) 303-8283 Margaret@realtystargroup.com THE BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE MOOD & ANXIETY DISORDERS PROGRAM IS RECRUITING RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS If you are between the ages of 18 and 65, and have been diagnosed with any of the following: -Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) -Bipolar Disorder -Any other mood/anxiety disorder Please contact us at our confidential number or email: (credit: ronald mcdonald house houston)