Last week I hand the privilege to tour the Ronald McDonald House B.C & Yukon, and as promised I am here to share my inspiring experience in a two part blog post.

Today I will be sharing  a bit about my tour experiences and a lot about the organization.   Including the #HomeForDinner  initiative,  an amazing community fundraising for Ronald McDonald House B.C & Yukon.  The second post will be a recap of a #HomeForDinner event that I will be helping to coordinate with my amazing village of #StevestonMothers .

So without further adieu lets talk about the amazing establishment that is Ronald McDonald House B.C & Yukon

Ronald McDonald House B.C & Yukon.Ronald McDonald House BC  is located at 4567 Heather Street (at BC Women’s and Children’s Hospital), Vancouver.  This facility is a place for families to stay while their children are being cared and treated for life-threatening illnesses.

Families  come from communities outside of Vancouver, throughout BC and Yukon, often forced to leave their jobs to care for their sick son or daughter. The thought of paying for a hotel  and meals (especially in the heightened Vancouver market), all while covering the cost of medical bills, can be extremely overwhelming when you’re unexpectedly faced with every parents’ worst fear.

RMH Fun Facts:

• Ronald McDonald House B.C & Yukon opened their doors in 1983 in a 14 room house in Shaughnessy a 5 minute drive from the hospital.  In 2014 they opened the new 73 bedroom facility just 575 steps from the hospital, hosting 2,000 families each year and is  almost always at capacity.
• While a portion of our annual funding comes from accommodation revenue along with contributions McDonald’s.   A large portion of the House’s funding comes from the generosity of the community, individuals and corporations through donations and community fundraising initiatives.
•   It costs $125 a day to house a family at RMH BC, families are asked to pay $12 a day if they can afford to do so.
• There are 368 Ronald McDonald houses Worldwide, and they are all run as their own independent charity.
• The new facility incorporates the most current building systems including a  superior ventilation system that helps provide for a safe environment for all children including those with compromised immune systems.
• Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon partners with Save-On-Foods to provide a pantry program for families. Each week, Save-On-Foods delivers a donation of food, beverages, and household products to help stock the pantries  for families experiencing hardship.
• There are regular volunteers cooking and baking to help provide meals and food for families staying in the house.  While I was touring there was a women cooking chill for 100.

More than just a house:

More than just a place to stay, RMH BC is a place for families to heal better, together.

• A slide for kids from the second to the first floor.
• Accommodation for the entire family in spacious private guestrooms, each with their own bathroom
• Four professionally equipped kitchens and two dining rooms.
• Welcoming indoor and outdoor lounge areas which encourage families to meet others in similar situations.
• Great play spaces including a LEGO lounge and Magic Room.
• Arts & Crafts Studio, where young artists can express themselves.
• Teen Lounge.  An adult-free zone where our guests who are too young to vote can hang out with friends and siblings.
• Indoor fitness center, helping parents to stay active during their stay.

Volunteering at Ronald McDonald House!

Home For Dinner:

#HomeforDinner is a third party fundraising initiative benefiting the families of RMH BC.  Simply get you village involved and celebrate the tradition of sharing a meal with those you love!  Instead of bringing a bottle of wine your guests can contribute something even more meaningful:  A donation that will ensure that families can continue to share everyday moments like eating a home-cooked meal together when it really matters most.

Please help us make sure that every family can enjoy a home cooked meal together this holiday season.  If you are interested in supporting our #HomeforDinner event you can Donate HERE

To learn more about the house and how you can help,  check out: @RMHBC.  To learn more about on the Home For Dinner campaign and to start planning your dinner, visit:  website:https://rmhbc.ca/home-for-dinner/

Thank you for supporting, and spreading the word.

Shannon XOXO