When the Saxtons’ 4-year-old son fell from the riding mower his dad was driving and suffered life-threatening injuries, the Bangor, Wisconsin, boy had to be taken to UW-Hospital in Madison for treatment. His parents are thankful that they and their two other sons were able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House while he underwent five surgeries.
During Melissa Wilbanks' talk at the Waunakee Rotary Club’s Sept. 3 meeting, she showed a video of the family sharing their experience with Ronald McDonald House and how much it has meant to their family. They continue to return to Madison when their son needs additional physical therapy.
Melissa presented the Ronald McDonald House’s history, along with how it impacts not only families who make it their temporary home during their children’s hospital stays, but the many volunteers.
Ronald McDonald House was the brainchild of a Philadelphia Eagles player and pediatric oncologist Audrey Evans. In 1974, when that player’s child was in the hospital, he noticed other children’s families sleeping on the hospital floor and eating out of vending machines.
Dr. Evans believed that when a child is ill, the entire family has to heal.
McDonald’s then began donating proceeds from Shamrock Shakes and the Philadelphia Eagles donated with other sponsors to begin the Ronald McDonald House.
The Madison house serves a large area of Wisconsin and a portion of Illinois with 31 guest rooms. All meals are provided, laundry is free, therapy dogs visit and there is a fitness room.
A smaller, condo version is available near SSM Health’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Volunteers provide all meals, including lunches to deliver at the hospitals.
Melissa said the Madison house is full nearly every night, and last year, it served more than 2,000 families; it has already served more this year.
With the demand growing, partnerships with local hotels have helped to house families when there is overflow.
The Carr Family McDonald’s in Waunakee has helped out with donations and providing volunteer teams to cook meals, Melisssa said, and as both live in Waunakee, she’s enjoyed getting to know the family.
Others can get involved with the Ronald McDonald House, too. In addition to cooking meals for the families, volunteers are needed to pack comfort kits, raise funds through collecting pop tabs or hosting events.
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Other news:
Vouchers and posters for Wauktoberfest were available at the meeting. Hard to believe it is coming up next weekend already, Sept. 11 - 13.
Food for Kidz shifts are still available. Mick Holm said they’re on track to pack 5 million meals.
Rotary Lights begins Nov. 22 and with Thanksgiving a bit earlier, will have more days and more opportunities to greet. President Bill Kennedy encouraged members to take a shift, saying he would like to see half of the shifts filled. Other community organizations can take shifts and Rotary will donate funds to them.
Coming Up
Sept. 11-13: Wauktoberfest.
Sept. 18: WNC Harvest of Hope Gala with barbecue brisket, live blues and dancing.
Sept. 23: Chamber Golf Classic
Oct. 11: Food for Kidz
Nov. 22-Jan. 1: Rotary Lights
Greeters: Sept. 10, Kylie West and Judith Stucki; Sept. 17, Alex Welk and ???, Sept. 24, David Rupp and ???.
To sign up to greet or to find out when you are greeting, visit:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/
