(file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Buy a burger, help a family at McHappy Day

May 6, 2019 | 3:30 PM

Hungry patrons dropping by McDonald’s this week will help lend a hand to families of sick children in Saskatchewan.

On May 8, McHappy Day will see $1 from every Big Mac, Happy Meal or hot McCafé beverage bought at locations in the province will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House (RMHC) in Saskatoon.

The location, which opened in 1985, has become a home away from home for thousands of families each year, allowing parents to stay close to their children while they receive treatment in hospital.

RMHC CEO Tammy Forrester said McDonald’s supports a large chunk of the home’s operating budget. The house offers a wide range of support for families, be it meals through a breakfast program or simply a comfortable place to relax during treatment.

For families who find themeless in an unexpected situation where their child has fallen ill, the Ronald McDonald House can be a vital resource, with Forrester saying some stay for week and months, noting one family just checked out who was there for over 200 days.

“The Ronald McDonald house really provides them support at $10 a night for the families to stay here and have a place they can call home when they can’t travel back and forth to their home,” she said. “To be able to say you have a place to stay that feels like a home that is about two blocks away from the hospital, they can walk over there daily, they know all their needs are taken care of and they can really just focus on the healing of their child.”

Not only does the home provide financial stability, but the emotional support and connection with the other families in the home can also help bring peace of mind. Thirty-four families are able to stay at the house.

“They see each other at the hospital and around the dining room table. The connections to those families are really important for each other,” Forrester added. “I think there is an emotional connection and relief that happens here at the house to provide some hope and healing to the families.”

CJNB, Q98 and 93.3 The Rock personalities will be on location at McDonald’s throughout the day.

cjnbnews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

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