AUSTIN, Texas – For most of us, last Tuesday was just a typical day. For the families at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas, though, the day was far from typical. Thirty families were staying with us from homes throughout Central Texas while their children were receiving medical treatment in an Austin area medical center. As long as those families are staying at the Ronald McDonald House they consider us home, but curiosity made me wonder where home is for these families when they are not with us.
On that hot Tuesday in July we were caring for families from Lockhart, Giddings Seguin, San Marcos, Kingsland, Copperas Cove, Lubbock, Blanco, Brownwood, Longview, Rockdale, Lott, Kingsbury, Live Oak and Bangs, Texas. We also had families from outside of Texas whose homes are in New Orleans, North Carolina, Virginia, and even one from Central America.
That Tuesday, we had military families from Waco, Killeen and San Antonio. Austin’s Ronald McDonald House provides care for a significant number of military families. Two weeks earlier we were providing a “home away from base” for three families from Fort Hood. All of those dads were deployed to different units, yet they all had come in from Iraq due to complications with the birth of their children. One brand new dad got to stay only two weeks before he shipped back out. The other two got to stay a little bit longer, but now they too are back in Iraq.
While these military families were staying at Austin’s Ronald McDonald House they bonded and formed a support network for each other. Even though these new moms do not have their husbands with them in the difficult months ahead, they now have each other to lean on and support through some tough times. I am inspired by the difference staying at the Ronald McDonald House made in the lives of these military families – and with all of the families that stay with us.
Families reach out to Austin’s Ronald McDonald House from communities throughout Central Texas and beyond when they are in Austin seeking the outstanding care found in our medical facilities. They come here for a wide range of reasons, including premature birth, cancer, cardiac distress, surgery, and injuries from accidents. We ask families staying at the Ronald McDonald House to pay $10.00 a night, but we never turn anyone away based upon their ability to pay. Even $10 can become a burden when coupled with medical bills and other expenses, especially for the families who stay with us for many months. We are able to do this thanks to the support of all the communities these families call home.
Even though our Ronald McDonald House is located near the medical centers in Austin, in reality it is a part of every community we serve. Over the years friends and neighbors all across central Texas have helped create and support this Ronald McDonald House as a way to be certain that families in their communities will always have a home away from home in Austin.
I guess when all is said and done, that Tuesday does actually represent a typical day at Austin’s Ronald McDonald House. Every day we open our doors to families with critically ill children who just need a place to feel safe and cared for when they are far from home.
If you would like to learn more about Austin’s Ronald McDonald House, if you are interested in volunteering, or if you would like to make a much appreciated contribution or find a list of needed items, visit the RMHC Austin website at www.rmhc-austin.org. If your school, business, or organization is interested in a presentation about RMHC Austin’s programs and services, contact Beverly Seffel at bseffel@rmhc-austin.org or 512-628-5972.
