Today, Wednesday, May 10th, McDonald's restaurants across Canada are hosting their annual fundraiser to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) program.
McHappy Day is McDonald's Canada's largest charitable fundraising event and supports Ronald McDonald House Charities. In our province alone, more than 1700 families from over 200 communities are given support when life suddenly changes.
You can help by purchasing any meal on Wednesday, May 10th from your local McDonald's restaurant. A portion of proceeds will help Canadians like the Songer-Huber family in their time of need.
One in four Canadians have either stayed at the RMHC or know someone who has
The Songer-Huber family from Moose Jaw suddenly became one of those Canadians after a medical emergency in 2022.
“In October of 2022 my oldest daughter Lylah's health declined very quickly... Her whole body started to shut down, and the children's hospital [in Saskatoon] was where she needed to be...” Lylah’s mother Dakota Songer-Huber explains. “The hospital in Saskatoon thought we would only need to be there for a few days, but that turned into almost five weeks.”
The RMHC program not only offers support for families with severe medical emergencies, but for less intense procedures as well. “This was actually our second stay at the RMHC... In June [2022], Lylah had a simple tonsillectomy surgery that went bad and we stayed at the RMHC while she recovered from that as well,” says Songer-Huber.
“I don't think a lot of people realize that you can stay there, even if your child has an important medical appointment. They don't have to be admitted to the hospital...” Songer-Huber explains. The RMHC is a resource available to all families who need financial or human support. “ Give the House a call and let them know you're travelling for your child's medical appointment and see if they have a room available if needed!”
One of the most important features of the RMHC is the support network offered by other parents who are in the same situation and understand each other's journey. “The RMHC house is such a loving and welcoming place. Everyone visits with everyone, and everyone shares their story," says Songer-Huber. Many of these new friendships extend well beyond the walls of the RMHC facilities. "We met so many people during our stay. People we still keep in contact with now actually!”
The RMHC offers over 20 programs including massages, yoga, and self-care workshops in the wellness category. Activity programs range from crafts and woodworking to pet visits and holiday-themed parties. Food programs offer staples with provided kitchens and healthy meals provided by staff up to three days of the week. Anyone without cooking experience can benefit from on-site cooking classes available to both parents and children.
Songer-Huber recalls her experience: “I utilized the meal program... three times a week.” “I also used the ‘Home for Supper’ program that the House provided. If I couldn't leave the hospital, I would just call the House and they would save me a plate of supper in the fridge. I was always able to grab a go-bag of snacks to head back to the hospital as well.”
“My daughter was admitted to the hospital for her birthday… and the RMHC gave her birthday presents and the House had a Halloween party for the kiddos…” recalls Songer-Huber. “It was such a sense of normal when our world was so uncertain.”
McHappy Day supports an organization who helps families find hope when there are no other options.
“McHappy Day is so important to families like ours. Without the support of everyone, we wouldn’t have the amazing Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon and I don't know what we would have done without it,” says Songer-Huber.
“Words can't even begin to express how thankful my family and I are for the love and generosity we experienced while staying at the RMHC,” Songer-Huber reminisces. “We are forever grateful.”
Two out of three Canadian families live outside a center that has a specialized children's hospital. If a child gets sick and requires a hospital visit, they will have to travel to one of these centers and may find it difficult to stay together as a family and manage sudden expenses. The RMHC program makes it possible for parents to stay with their children in a facility close to the hospital and for families to manage those costs not covered by our medical system.
McHappy Day is McDonald's Canada's largest charitable fundraising event and supports Ronald McDonald House Charities. In our province alone, more than 1700 families from over 200 communities are given support when life suddenly changes.
You can help by purchasing any meal on Wednesday, May 10th from your local McDonald's restaurant. A portion of proceeds will help Canadians like the Songer-Huber family in their time of need.
