Throughout the month of June, our thoughts revolve around dads in recognition of Father’s Day. At Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States, we support fathers of all kinds — first-time dads, dads of 5+ kids, adoptive dads, step-dads, and even granddads. The fathers who come in our doors inspire us with their strength, optimism, resiliency, and the comforting presence they are for their families.
In the Words of an RMHC Dad
Ben and Angela stayed with us for almost five weeks in 2022 while their son Ezra grew strong in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
“[The House] was a true blessing for my wife and me as our little guy battled,” shared Ben. “But one of the best kept secrets is the Family Room just one floor up from NICU at at Mercy Hospital.”
Life doesn’t stop when you have a sick child; Ben still needed to check-in remotely with his work, update their family members, and manage day-to-day tasks hours away from home. The Ronald McDonald Family Room provided him a space to handle those things just one floor away from Ezra’s hospital room.
“Running upstairs for a cup of coffee, a quick call, a quiet place to eat with no alarms or phone calls — it was a quiet respite from what is the chaos of NICU. It also gave my wife some time with our little guy alone. She got to bond and rock with him and I got a break. Then we would swap…she’d get to decompress upstairs while I was in the room with him.”
Every family has a unique set of needs when they come through our doors. Our goal is to be prepared to meet them all. With the help of incredible volunteers and generous supporters throughout our community, we are able to support dads like Ben through the difficult journey of having a seriously ill child.
“Like all things Ronald McDonald House, [the Family Room is] staffed by some of the kindest, most big-hearted people that you’ll ever meet. We cannot thank the Family Room and Ronald McDonald House enough for everything!”
This Father’s Day, we encourage you to join us in celebrating the incredible dads that stay with us by donating toward room sponsorships. We ask that families contribute just $10 per night, but if that is not possible, their stay is sponsored by people like you, looking for a way to support families in need. Another way to provide comfort and care is by donating items from our Father’s Day Wish List. Your gift can help lighten the load for someone’s father today.