The House That Love Built turns 30

It's hard to understand the beauty, the magic and the heart that permeates everything about Ronald McDonald House of Northern Alberta (RMHNA) unless you've been there.

Whether as an ill child and family relying on the home during treatment, or as a volunteer with the Home for Meals program, special event or other house programming, there's a welcoming warmth that envelopes you the moment you step through the front door.

"Kindness has a seat at our table, we always have an open door to the community," said Martin Dugas, the facility's CEO. "And we are always humbled at that kindness, from those who sponsor a meal, cook a meal or donate something from our wish list."

This year marks 40 years since the first Ronald McDonald House opened in the U.S., and the coming year will be the 30th anniversary for the Northern Alberta branch. And it's a history worth celebrating. Last year, it was recognized, from among the 338 houses around the world, with an Innovation Award and a $50,000 grant for its Family Connect program. It's a way for families to stay in touch with their home communities, and connect with other house families, the community and hospitals while in Edmonton – a sort of virtual, personal assistant to help with an often difficult, overwhelming time for sick kids and their families.

RMHNA provides a home away from home for families with sick children who need treatment in Edmonton, but it also offers the "everyday" things about home – a place to hang out and watch TV or play computer, a kitchen to cook or make a snack, and a neighbourhood to simply take a walk around.

Delaney's story

One of those children is Delaney Saunders who, three years ago, was a healthy nine-year-old girl enjoying dance classes in Marwayne, Alta., about two hours from Edmonton. An out-of-nowhere diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma – a soft tissue cancer of the foot – had spread to Delaney's lung, requiring a 53-week treatment plan of chemotherapy and, eventually, a stem cell transplant in Calgary.

"We stayed at the house in Edmonton for four weeks, Monday to Friday. Delaney's hair fell out then," said Leasa Saunders, Delaney's mom, who now comes in to the city with Delaney for long-term survivor clinics. "At the time, we got glitter tattoos to put on her shaved head, and she further decorated it with flowers and sayings such as 'stupid cancer'.

Feisty Delaney bought more tattoos to sell in the community, raising more than $5,000 for RMHNA. The now 13-year-old was recently nominated by the house for national philanthropy day. She is also determined to fundraise a total of $10,000 and earn a donor plaque on the entry wall of the building.

"I can't imagine what we would've done without the house during that month of treatment," Leasa said. "If there's ever any way to help the house, we do it. They say 'once a house family, always a house family' and it's true. We have huge support in our own community, but the staff and families we've met here – they're family too."

Connections

Unveiled this summer at the house block party, a colourful mural of animated characters honours the connections made between house families, staff, volunteers, community and corporate partners. "It took 29 years to get us here. The artwork represents places we still want to go, so we've left enough space to add characters as we reach out and make more connections," Dugas said.

What child, sick or not, doesn't want to flake out on a couch for a popcorn and movie night? Such as the house's quilt room or magic room – where children can pick any toy, game – anything their heart desires. The new theatre room has its own magic, according to Dugas. A 10-foot screen, comfy sofas and old-fashioned popcorn maker have already been the setting for several movie nights, a few dance parties, X-box play times and opportunity for music classes, recitals and Skype sessions with families in the residents' home communities.

"This room represents so many things for us and our families. Instead of shutting off, it opens us up, connects us to home and the broader community – it changes our perspective," Dugas said. "This is the room that will take us to our dream."

Corporate giving

Countless Edmonton-area businesses have stepped up to support the non-profit facility. Crave Cupcakes, for example, donated 5,000 cupcakes to the House just last year. Every month, Panago Pizza on Whyte Avenue helps out by donating 25 pizzas. Many companies also send volunteers to the house on regular Days of Caring.

Cargill organized an annual hockey tournament that last year raised more than $50,000. Ledcor, meanwhile, helps the house with its Employee Giving program, and is the first corporate group to participate in the house's lunch delivery program.

Edmonton and area McDonald's help year round through the sale of Happy Meals (10 cents from every meal goes to Ronald McDonald House charities), coin collection boxes at the cash register, and the annual McHappy Day event.

At St. Albert's four McDonald's restaurants, owners Karen and Rob Chiasson have worked with local business and government volunteers to help make McHappy Day a success each May. In both of the last two years, the St. Albert event has raised $10,000 for the Ronald McDonald House charities.

"St. Albert is a generous community, always giving to the community boxes. And our leadership team and individual stores take part in Home for Dinner at the house. It's a hands-on, great way to be involved and give back," said Karen Chiasson, now on the board at RMHNA and a 20-year veteran of working with McDonald's across Canada.

Home for meals

There are three full kitchens at RMHNA, but when a child is sick, cooking and eating can be the last thing on a parent's mind. That's why the house has a Home for Meals program (formerly Home for Dinner) with the hope of providing at least two meals every day to those staying at the house. Right now, volunteer groups, businesses and family/friend groups have made it possible to provide one free meal a day at the house, usually dinner, but sometimes breakfast, brunch or lunch too.

The house's chef Matt Mang plans, cooks and helps volunteers create meals at the house – some 450 meals to date this year – guiding folk through the shopping needs for some 50 people per meal. It takes $200 to $400, six to 10 volunteers, and four hours of time to take on a house meal, but Mang said any family or group is welcome (and needed) to sign up.

"For many, it's a chance to focus on something outside of their own life – an easy way to contribute," Mang said.

Scott Weller has volunteered at the house for more than a year, first making a yearly meal in honour of his mom, who passed away from cancer, and now as part of Ledcor's Fuel for Families, delivering a healthy bagged lunch every Friday to families at the Stollery.

"I didn't know what I was looking for until I came here and found it," Weller said. "I don't feel I'm losing four hours of my time. I invest it here, and get far more than I give."

St. Albert's Hog's Head Brewery has come on board too, working a Home for Dinner this summer and at the house's charity golf tournament. And when Hole's Greenhouses & Gardens was asked to get involved earlier this year, Jim Hole spent an afternoon creating two pop-up gardens alongside the house, planting lettuce, peas, tomatoes and zucchini that contributed to house meals all summer long.

"It's fabulous for kids to just get out in the sunshine and pick a few fresh peas," Hole said. "They do such a great job at the house, it's nice to help in a small way."

To volunteer for a home for meal, or donate items from a wish list, contact RMHNA at 780-439-5437 or see rmhnorthernalberta.org