Ronald McDonald House of Indiana is doing spectacular things for Indiana families during a difficult time in their lives. I served dinner there as a part of the Young Professionals Board and was able to actually meet and serve the several families staying at the House. It was helpful to actually speak with those that we are serving. The most impressive part to me was that the families actually thanked us as they were leaving the dining room! In the middle of their struggle they recognized that others were helping them. It was so touching and made me want to go back again and again.
My husband and I stayed at the Ronald McDonald house two different times in 2008 while our son was undergoing surgery for a heart defect. We were given a room right away each time because of our particular circumstance. It provided us a way to sleep, and take shower but still be close to our son if needed which was very comforting to us. There were plenty of meals provided at both the Limestone and Riley location that helped make our stay in the hospital a little better. What a wonderful place to help families through the simple things while going through a difficult time.
On October 25, 1996 my 7 month old son, William, was diagnosed with Infant acute lymphocytic leukemia (Infant ALL) with a 19% cure rate. My wife and I took William to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis for what would end up being 2 years and 3 months of treatment. At the time Will was diagnosed, we had no real idea what services the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana (RMH) provided. Two weeks into Will's treatment he ended up in ICU and we found ourselves in need of a place to stay that was as close to the hospital as possible. The RMH provided us, and provides thousand of families, with a safe place to stay while their child is receiving medical care. Having the RMH eliminates the stressors of “Where are we going to stay?”, “What are we going to eat?”, “How are we going to pay for those items?,” and “How can I get a break to rest?”. The RMH allowed us to focus our emotional and physical resources on our son and his care.
Unfortunately, Will passed away on January 7, 1999. Since then I have found that being a volunteer/board member of the RMH is my best way to remember Will and help other families whose children need to receive critical medical care.
The Ronald McDonald House of Indiana provides families with a welcoming, home-like setting to stay while their children are receiving critical care from our local hospitals! By providing the comforts of home to the families of these sick children, the Ronald McDonald House is an important piece to the treatment and road to recovery process. During meal times when I've helped serve extra special meals, the families enjoy the opportunity to relax, gain strength from their meal, and find a communal sense of belonging while interacting with other families at the house.
This is a wonderful organization. The best thing about RMH of Indiana is that everything I have seen them do and every planning meeting I have been involved in is focus around those they are serving. The staff and volunteers here understand the needs of the families they serve, but are constantly working to better understand ways to improve. This is a great organization to be apart of and one that makes a difference in families llives.
I have been a volunteer with Ronald McDonald House of Indiana for nearly 4 years. I specifically spend time at the location inside Riley Children's Hospital. As a volunteer I have had the opportunity to see the impact RMHI has on families who stay there during their child's hospitalization. The physical and emotional toll experienced by these families is visible as they wander into the house just looking for a quick respite - a meal, place to sleep, chance to do laundry, or just escape. They are always so thankful and even in their distress they show their appreciation.
The House transcends the idea of a physical place but rather a gathering place for other families with similar situations to share their stories and gain strength from their experiences. I believe in the House and this why I continue to come back as a volunteer. Personally I have had the chance to share warm conversations with several people during their stay and it's always nice to engage them on a personal level to perhaps get there mind off their child's troubles.
The Ronald McDonald House of Indiana is a great non-profit organization that sets forth exactly what it vies to do in its mission statement. As a previous intern, I got to see first-hand exactly what the House does and how important they are to the community. They are a home away from home for families with critically-ill children but they also go beyond that. The staff and volunteers all care about each individual that comes into the House and I know they do their jobs with pride. Furthermore, the events they hold to raise money and awareness for the House are top-notch (golf & poker tournaments, fundraising dinners, auctions) and are such events that include local celebrities and a loyal following of sponsors. Put it all together and it's easy to see why the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana is such an important non-profit to have around.
The Ronald McDonald House provides critical support to ill children and their families. The Indianapolis location plays an integral part in offering itself as a base for these children and their families to focus on their medical treatments and overall well-being. Providing family support as well as to the patient is critical in addressing the needs of the family being affected. The Ronald McDonald House Indianapolis staff, board members, and volunteers care deeply about the mission of the house, and care deeply about the children and families that this wonderful organization serves. Unfortunately medical tragedies can strike any family at any time, and just the simple fact that this resource exists to help many people throught these difficult times is amazing. I have never known the staff, board members, and volunteers to be anything but dedicated, passionate, caring and committed. This same spirit of committment to serving these deserving children and their families in Indianapolis will undoubtedly continue to carry on into the future, and I look forward to seeing what wonderful things come next!
As a member of the Young Professionals Board, I have had the opportunity to have an active role at the house. I have enjoyed community out reach events, and serving dinners to the wonderful families staying at the house. It is a privilege to be a volunteer at the house.
Being new to volunteering and nonprofits, the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana was and continues to be a great place to give my time. I came to the RMHI by being a multimedia/graphic design intern. My first day here I had a warm welcome by the staff and volunteers. To everyone here I was not just an intern; I was already a part of the Ronald McDonald House family. Helping out and giving my time in such a friendly environment allows me to enjoy myself feel great about all the effort I have put in at the end of each day as I walk through its doors.
As a volunteer and former house guest I have nothing but respect for this wonderful organization. As a guets the tsaff always seemed to know what to to do or say. Or even when to back off. For me, walking into the house during the day was a means of escape from the bedside "chaos." It was free of patients and hospital staff. No monitors or alarms. It allowed my mind to clear briefly.
As a volunteer I try to use my experience as a house guest to assit the current guest. Help them in any way I can. I try to make sure I keep the place clean, shelves stocked, and smile on my face. Always trying to make thier visit as pleasant as possible.
The Ronald McDonald House truly is a home-away-from-home for so many families each year. I've had three personal experiences with family friends finding comfort and strength through their stay at the House.
When I was in high school, a very good friend of mine was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her leg. She fought so hard for so long, all with her family by her side. They were staying at the Ronald McDonald House until she was released from the hospital.
A year later, my friend developed leukemia and was back in Indianapolis for treatment, again with her family close by. For the second time, her family found hope through their stay at the House.
In my friend's honor, I decided to become a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, to be able to give back to a cause that helped her and her family so much in their time of need.
I am now the Communications and Marketing intern at the House, and I am truly getting to see the odds and ends of how much effort it takes to keep the House running, allowing so many families to be served each day.
There are so many amazing volunteers at the House, and that's one of my favorite parts of my job. I am able to volunteer for such a great cause, and have fun with my new team of staff as well. I've been able to meet a few families currently living at the House, and share in community meals, also coordinated by volunteers.
I just know, in my friend's time of need, the House was a safe haven for her family to turn to. I pray that with the help of volunteers and donors the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana can continue keeping families together when they need each other most.