Outstanding in Oakville: Bobbi McMullin

Since Bobbi McMullin’s last name begins with an “Mc,” perhaps it was her destiny to be associated with Ronald McDonald. On Saturday, June 18, she will ride in the second annual Ronald McDonald House Charities Bike Ride. This, by far, will not be the longest road she has been down.

In 2005, McMullin began her quest toward a more active and healthy lifestyle. She began training for 5K walks for charity. She has since been involved in charities such as the MS Walk, the Arnold Gobble Gobble and the Saint Louis Zoo. 

“It was just time to make a pretty major lifestyle change—I took it one pound at time,” McMullin said, “Those (5Ks) are also a way to raise money and as more weight came off I started getting more energy.”

McMullin, an Oakville resident for her entire 54 years of life, has lost a total of 97 pounds, and as a result she wanted to maintain the healthy lifestyle she had attained, all the while paying a good deed forward to others.

She learned about the Ronald McDonald house when her grandson received medical treatment at St. John’s Mercy in 2009.

“It turns your world around—one minute they are fine and the next not. Our family didn’t need to use the Ronald McDonald house, but for families who were out of town it was wonderful.”

The Ronald McDonald house only charges $5 a night per family. If families can’t afford that because of mounting medical bills, the Ronald McDonald House waives the fee. McMullin said that during her grandson’s seven-day stay he received excellent treatment and the staff was wonderful.  

McMullin saw an ad in the paper last year for the inaugural race and starting training on her own for it. Due to bad knees she walks, and she also cycles on local trails. She has finished more than 10 5Ks overall and after last year’s Ronald McDonald, she knew as soon as she crossed the finish line that she would do it again. 

“It was that great of an experience. This year my goal was to raise $250 and I raised over $500 for the charity,” she said.

The RMHC Ride has five race options (all races start and end at Forest Park): a 6-mile Fun Ride with Ronald McDonald for families; a 32-mile Fitness Challenge; a 62-mile Metric Century; a 100-mile Century; and, the newest route, the Century Fondo—a timed century ride complete with rally stops and prizes.

Those completing their rides will receive an RMHC finisher’s medal; awards for largest fundraisers also will be given. Food and drinks will be available all day, along with a bike shop, fitness village, massage tent and kid’s area with fun activities.

 In the future McMullin wants to train for the MS 150 in Columbia.

“You just have to find charities that appeal to you,” she said. “I think everybody can volunteer in some way, this just happens to be my venue.”

For more information, visit www.rmhcridestl.com or call 314-932-4146.