Ronald McDonald House lights up with holiday cheer for 2024

Ronald McDonald Houses provide a home-away-from-home to families who need to travel to be with their children in the hospital, or nearby, daytime convenience for those already in town. Some of the amenities provided include family units for overnight stays, a daily home-cooked meal, and different activities to help ease the stress of whatever they’re going through, like in-house massages and spa days.

Rebekah said in addition to the services, the kindness of the staff during their stay made all the difference during their trying time.

“It’s a great cause to have in Red Deer,” she said, “and we’re so grateful for it. It’s one of those things you don’t know you need until you have it.”

Light the House has been taking place for seven years at the Red Deer location, shared Joanna Cruickshank, associate director of program, projects, and innovation for the location.

The event marks the beginning of the holiday season at RMHC houses, each of which hold their own activities for families. In Red Deer, Mr. And Mrs. Claus made an appearance and gave gifts out to the children, carolers filled the space with Christmas tunes, and crafts and cookies were out for all to enjoy, in addition to other activities.

Carolers and candy floss bring fun to families at RMHC’s Light the House event. (rdnewsNOW/Ashley Lavallee-Koenig)

“It’s certainly a time of year that’s exciting, but it also can be pretty isolating. Our families are often here under some hard times and it’s nice to be able to provide a little bit of that levity and have an event they can enjoy and really take their mind off some of the stressful things they are going through” Cruickshank said. “They can enjoy as a family without having to worry too much about putting something together.”

Red Deer’s RMHC typically operates at about 70-80 per cent capacity, she shared; by the end of Q3 this year, it hosted 1,800 overnight stays, 1,500 meals, and 350 families.

Anyone wishing to support RMHC is encouraged to check their local House’s digital wish list, which provides a list of items in need at that location. The organization also accepts monetary donations and can always use volunteers.

There is also a Santa Sacks program running right now which provides Christmas gifts to families staying over the holidays. Wish lists for Santa Sacks can be found online as well.

“We feel very loved in this community. It’s taken really good care of this organization and given us the ability to do what we do. Our families all benefit from everybody’s care and support, from the volunteers to the donations, and we really rely on those things to keep going,” said Cruickshank.

“If I had a wish for the new year, it would be to reinforce that we are always looking for those volunteers for our Home for Dinner groups, for supporting the house in those different volunteer roles. Our families are forever grateful for it and it really makes a difference in the ease of being able to do what we do in those challenging times.”

Ronald McDonald Houses were first built in 1985 and offer families a place to stay for anywhere from a few nights to a few months. RMHC has houses in Edmonton, Calgary and Medicine Hat in addition to Red Deer.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus. (rdnewsNOW/Ashley Lavallee-Koenig)

by Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

Ronald McDonald House lights up with holiday cheer for 2024

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