The Family Room

I am walking down the hallway, away from the office and toward the family room. This is where the connection of housing wings is made, and where normally I could sit and chat with families to spark a much needed giggle or smile on their face. It is 8:15 in the morning, and as I get closer to the family room, honestly, I am wondering, “Where the heck is everyone?” But then I remind myself of something very important. That is, the Ronald McDonald House strives to provide families stress-free living conveniently close to their child staying in the hospital. What is my point?

Let me take this moment to pause and introduce myself.  My name is Sammy and I am the new Marketing Intern here at the Ronald McDonald House. There are still many things that I hope to learn in regards to how the House functions and the impact placed on families staying here. I have been interning here for three weeks now, and am beginning to realize even more what a tremendously positive difference Ronald McDonald House Charities is able to make for families with children in the hospital. Even more important, the House provides children in the hospital with the security and hope that stems from knowing their family is staying so close. The House is able to do this by providing a “home away from home” for its guests to better connect them with their children.

So, now we head back to the family room. In my house, this is the place that normally sees the most chaos and activity—exactly the opposite of what I am observing right now. Sitting here for a moment, it is obvious that the family room would be empty during the day, as families are visiting the children. So while it is rather quiet in the family room, and I have no new families to get to know, I realize something that is rather moving. An empty living room in the House means children in the hospital are receiving a ray of hope as their families visit, providing them with a smile on their face and the comfort that they are not alone in whatever battle they have to conquer.

Ronald McDonald House Charities strongly emphasizes family, allowing mother and son, father and daughter, sister and brother to remain in the strong connection that we as humans need during hard times. Though medical treatment is crucial, it seems that one equally important aspect pushes children even further towards conquering their battle, and this is love. The House allows families to constantly give love to their children without bearing the extra burdens of needing a place to stay, driving way too far each day to see their child, grocery shopping with the distraction of their child’s fight, and so on. Families themselves are provided with much love in knowing that their daily needs are taken care of while they focus on the health of their child. Love for family seems to be the driving force that has allowed Ronald McDonald House Charities to make such an impact over the years.

Families here at the House are provided with more than just a “hotel room” during their stay. In fact, Ronald McDonald House Charities strives to make families feel as comfortable as possible outside of their own home. The focus should be on the children getting better, and the House makes this easier for families to do by providing every essential they would find in their own home as conveniently as possible. The House is able to relieve families of many of the burdens that should be set aside when their child is in the hospital. This further allows families to place more attention towards their child getting better and receiving the proper treatment. You probably already had an understanding of what Ronald McDonald House Charities does, but I wanted to remind you just how impacting the House is for many families.

I have just one last thought before I leave and head back to the office. I would like to draw the attention back to the family room, which I realize is still empty as I sit here. Before I began interning here, I pictured a more hotel-like atmosphere existing within the walls of the building. To my delight, the Ronald McDonald House is much more, and the sight of this large family room made all the difference. The family room, fully furnished and decorated with a touch of love, is the perfect reminder of just how important families are here. For what it all boils down to is this: the children and providing love. Ronald McDonald House Charities brings so much love to children by placing their families so close in a new “home away from home”.