How to help Ronald McDonald House keep families together in times of need

Families turn to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest when the unthinkable happens: A child is injured or ill and needs access to medical services, often in the hospital and far away from home.  

While the child gets the life-saving care they need, parents and siblings often have few comforts and resources on hand – especially when the trip is urgent or unplanned.

“We’re a home away from home,” said Emily Andrews, Program Manager for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest.

They provide temporary lodging and social and emotional support, at no charge, for families of children receiving medical services in the area.

“Lodging is easy,” she said, thanks to a recent expansion that gives them about twice as many rooms for up to 56 families who need a “comfortable, clean and safe environment.”

Every aspect of lodging is taken care of, from meals and snacks in the eight full-size, fully stocked kitchens to toiletries, cleaning and even laundry.

That newly expanded lodging has been a game-changer for families in need, opening a welcoming door to allow families to stay close to the hospital and their loved ones. But to keep the facilities open and available, Ronald McDonald House needs the support of the community this Giving Tuesday and beyond. Their goal is to fully fund a $3 million capital campaign by the end of 2022, covering the cost of the expanded accommodations and renovation of the original facilities.

“Most families have less than 24 hours to pack up and travel to the areas of treatment,” said Debbie Andrews, President of the Board of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest. “It is difficult to understand a grim diagnosis or difficult recovery from an injury, taking a toll on the child’s mental, emotional and physical health. When our families come to stay with us, however, and see the toys, living room and play areas, the fear is often lessened. We have a unique opportunity to ‘make lemonade out of lemons’ when we welcome families through our doors.”

Giving families a place to rest – for free – while they navigate the stress of a medical crisis is an honor. And while that’s what most people know about the services Ronald McDonald House offers, it’s only the beginning.

“We get to get creative about what the comfort and support aspect looks like,” said Emily Andrews.

“Put yourself in the family’s shoes” is the motto the staff and volunteers lean on when planning how to serve guests better. “What would be ‘comfort and support’ to me?”

That looks different for every family and every child. About 57% of families have a premature infant or newborn with complications, another 13% are receiving oncology treatment, and 30% are there due to trauma or another illness. The new campus includes amenities for the whole family and set for an extended stay, like fitness equipment,  toys and entertainment services, laundry machines that automatically dispense soap and more. Families also have access to transportation.

“We’re always finding ways to go a bit above and beyond,” said Emily Andrews.

And, added Debbie Andrews, “by providing basic necessities and the luxury of play, we help support the best environment and opportunity for a child and family to cope as they seek wellness and healing.”

Right now, the Ronald McDonald House gets up to five referrals a day. Some families need a place to stay overnight, while others might end up staying a year. Most families stay almost a month and live 124 miles away, on average.

Thanks to the new North Ronald McDonald House in Spokane, which opened in March 2020 across the street from the original facility, families have yet to be turned away due to capacity. When the original house was full, families faced tough choices like returning home hours away from the hospital, sleeping in a car or staying in costly hotel rooms. Previously, they had to turn away about 14 families daily.

“To be able to relieve that burden instantly instead of waiting on the unknown, it’s been really nice,” Emily Andrews said.

But the expansion isn’t paid off, and they need the community’s help to reach their goal of about $3 million, which includes renovation of the original facility.

“With the holiday season upon us, with families in crisis, we would ask [for the community] to help us serve those families by providing the essential care, amenities and lodging they need,” said Debbie Andrews.

Beyond donating directly on Giving Tuesday (or any day), Emily Andrews said there are plenty of ways to help. Kids can organize a pop tab drive, and sports teams or clubs often help out with donation drives, for example. Telling personal stories or sharing social media posts also go a long way, she said.

“We want to continue saying ‘yes,’” said Emily Andrews. “Whether from word of mouth or supporting us financially, you can help.”

Learn more about how you can help families in need: https://rmhcinlandnw.org/capital-campaign/. Your gift keeps families together and strong so they can focus on what matters most —their children. Give the gift of family this Giving Tuesday.

Members of the editorial and news staff of Paste BN Network were not involved in the creation of this content.