Ronald McDonald House | The Season of Giving
December is a significant month for fundraising. Over 30% of annual donations occur between Thanksgiving and the new year, with the majority of those gifts happening in the final three days of the year. And why is December such a popular month for giving? Many would say it is because of the tax benefits, which are a factor. But we believe it is because the holidays bring out the giver in all of us. The holidays are the season of giving, giving love, and giving thanks. The holidays are also about faith, showing appreciation, and helping those in need.
This is why the Atlanta Ronal Mcdonald House Charities contacted me to bring awareness to many of you who want to donate to a charity this year. And get a smile on a family with a sick child. There are 368 Ronald McDonald Houses in 64 countries. These accommodate families with hospitalized children under 21 years of age (or 18 or 26, depending on the House) who are being treated at nearby hospitals and medical facilities.
Ronald McDonald House Charities programs provide comfort, care, and support for families with sick children when needed. I was invited to visit the Ronald McDonald House and the Family Room at the Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta. But as an interior designer, I wanted to do something more than take a tour of the facilities and write about it. So I offered to decorate the family room and a tree at the house with a few of my design team.
I have participated in the Atlanta Home & Lifestyle Home for the Holidays Designer showhouse, benefitting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Still, I never saw first-hand the importance of supporting the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta or the good work done by the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities.
The Ronald McDonald Family Room of Scottish Rite Hospital
Part of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Scottish Rite Hospital is a nationally ranked, freestanding, 273-bed pediatric acute care children’s hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Ronald McDonald Family Room serves caregivers and families whose children receive care on the fifth-floor oncology and hematology unit within the AFLAC Cancer and Blood Disorder Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — Scottish Rite. This private area is 450 square feet and is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends and holidays.
Since the family room was small, I felt a tree would be too large. We settled on decorating 2 nine foot garlands on the window ledge.
The Atlanta Ronald McDonald House next to Scottish Rite Hospital
The health of the child comes first.
The Houses are built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on their child’s health – not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal or where they will lay their head at night to rest.
This house was renovated in 2015, and it’s beautiful! I was so impressed with the healing tree that covers three stories.
Families are stronger when they are together. By staying at a Ronald McDonald House, parents can be more rested, which enables them to communicate better with their child’s medical team and keep up with complicated treatment plans when needed. They can also focus on their child’s health rather than grocery shopping, cleaning, or cooking meals.
Dining Area
Play Area
Bedrooms
Our Christmas Tree
I donated all the holiday decorations for our visit. Hopefully, our small decorations will put the holiday spirit in families with sick children when they visit the house. The color scheme is navy and gold, which will look nice when people start to decorate the tree with their ornaments.
Ways to Support the RMHC in Atlanta
Enter for a chance to win your choice of a 2023 BMW X3 sDr30i OR 2023 BMW 430i Coupe, OR 2023 BMW i4 eDrive40 and help families with sick kids.
The last day to purchase tickets is Wednesday, November 30, 2022.
- SECOND PRIZE: $2,000 Havertys gift certificate
- THIRD PRIZE: A gift certificate for a 1 Day BMW M School Experience, which includes a full day on a closed track at the BMW Performance Center
- FOURTH PRIZE: $500 Macy’s shopping spree
Dillard’s Southern Living Christmas Cookbook Benefitting Atlanta RMHC
Are you looking for the perfect gift?
Dillard’s is offering a special custom edition of the Southern Living Cookbook. For instance, this exclusive 288-page hardbound cookbook is filled with more than 200 recipes, great decorating ideas, and delicious recipes for only $14.00!
Cooking, entertaining, and sharing traditions with your family and friends will be a little more meaningful this holiday season.
Proceeds from the cookbook sales benefit the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities. Get yours today! Cookbooks are on sale through Christmas at any Dillard’s location, or order online!
I bet you have a Ronald McDonald House near you that can use some help this Christmas.
Tis the season of giving!
All photos were taken by ARMHC for this post.
Thank you! A family member stayed almost 75 days in the RMcD House in Charleston, SC. Their precious new born required open heart surgery at one week old. They lived four hours away, and could never have afforded staying in a hotel. It was a true blessing.
I am so happy to read about a family member who has stayed at an RMHC!
It is a wonderful gift for families to stay near their children at a hospital!
Happy Holidays!