This is the House
Where families meet
To continue their lives,
To eat and sleep,
To find their strengths
And dry their tears,
To look forward with hope
To the better years.
This is the House
That becomes their Home.
This is the House
That love built
Greetings Friends and Family~
If you know me well enough, you know that I love helping out worthy organizations, so once again I am fundraising for an amazing cause- Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children's! They are Pulling for the House to raise funds for the 4 Houses and Family Room within the Chicagoland area. To find out more about what Ronald McDonald House does- please watch the short video on the left side of this page. Trust me- it's a great representation of what a gift Ronald McDonald House gives families each and every day!
As you may know, I took the job of House Director in December of '07 to help families in medical crisis. My original House on Deming was a place to eat, sleep, relax, do laundry, share common stories and take a break from the long days at the hospital. We were able to offer these services through our 21 guest bedrooms, multiple kitchens, five living rooms, laundry facilities and several play areas. This past June, I had the privledge of helping to open the world's largest House in downtown Streeterville. We are able to help 75 families a night in both our new House and 9 bedrooms within the hosptial. Both of these Houses operated on a $10 per night donation per family, but no family is ever turned away if they are unable to donate and the actual operating cost for one night is over $50.00. Now, as the Volunteer Services Director, we welcome close to 600 volunteers each and every month to help operate our House!
The House exists because sick children need more than good medical attention. They need the emotional support and understanding of their parents and siblings. Families, in turn, need a place where they can draw additional strength and find stability when their children are seriously ill.
Since starting this position, I have met families that I have already known through other organizations that I have helped, and met new families that will stay in my heart forever.
**I am able to see the need for this house every day when, after a long day anxiously waiting to find out if their child will make it through a surgery, a Mom sits down at the kitchen table and is able to unwind with a cup of coffee, or a home-cooked meal provided by one of our volunteers.
**When I am here late at night, I see Dad's comming "home" to the house, often already having been to their 9-5 job, traveling back to the hospital, and then to our House, sit down in our recliners to watch the Cubs play, if only for a minute to take their minds off of their current situations.
**And, more and more as the economy bottoms out, we waive the $10 a night donation so that families can use that money for gas, or medical bills, or utilities back at their own homes.
Our House is truly a "home-away-from home" for families. As I type this, I can hear children playing in the yard, a volunteer playing the Beatles on the piano, and can smell someone grilling on the patio :) The only difference is, the families here are going through one of the toughest times that hopefully you and I will never have to face.I am asking you to make a donation, perhaps $10 to offset the cost of a "Night"? You will be able to make an immediate impact on the families I see on a regular basis.
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.
Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too or join my team!
Take care!
Anne