Spending time at a hospital during the holiday season…
“It’s kind of sucky, I’m not going to lie.”
Crystal Lovell has stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Grand Rapids 6-8 times while her 10-year-old daughter is at the hospital, but never before at Christmas.
“It does make things difficult, knowing you have a child in the hospital, and you have other family you have to try to split your time with and you have a little ‘mom guilt’ because you can’t spend all day every day at the hospital.”
Time and money are limited so shopping for and wrapping holiday gifts can get overlooked.
This season Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan worked with 18 companies setting up toy drives and collecting donations from individuals so parents staying in the house could choose gift items for their families for the holidays, have them wrapped, enjoy a festive tree, treats and cheer.
“We didn’t really have a lot of money to be spending on gifts this year so being able to have that experience like you’re still going through and picking out your child’s gifts doesn’t make you feel as shameful or embarrassed that you can’t afford those things.”
President and CEO Ellen Carpenter says anyone wanting to help throughout the year can donate items for birthday celebrations and holidays, check a list of needed household items on the website or volunteer time to help the families.
“Our goal always is to take away all of their worries so all they have to do is focus on the health of their child.”
For more, visit Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan.
