Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Alberta, Red Deer House

On National Philanthropy Day, we wanted to take a moment to highlight Brittany Letourneau's truly heartwarming story. Brittany stayed at the House in Red Deer for only one night, but that one night had a lasting impact. At 32 weeks pregnant with her little girl (now three months old) Brittany went into preterm labour. "I had always known about RMH, however I never truly understood everything that RMH offered families," Brittany said. "I didn't know the love, the support, the ...kindness, and comfort that RMH gave." Thankfully, circumstances of her labour turned around, and Brittany and her husband only needed to stay one night away from home and their three-year-old son. "We were given a blanket, a blanket that was made with love from someone we have never met. When my son saw the blanket he had the biggest smile on his face, he cuddled right into it, and it immediately became his favourite thing," Brittany said. "This blanket was not only a superhero cape, or the roof to a fort, it was love, it was warmth, and it was comfort." Brittany returned to the House this week to share the warmth and comfort of her own experience with our families. "I knew I wanted to give back just a little bit of love and kindness that I experienced," she said. Brittany donated 40 quilts that she handmade (with some help from Mom!) for babies and toddlers. We are touched by Brittany's story and we are grateful for her donation. "I will never forget the night we stayed, the friendly smile and the warm welcome we received after a long and exhausting day. I will never forget the kindness we experienced," Brittany said. "And I will never forget how much a blanket could provide comfort and love to a child." Thank you Brittany! ❤️
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Thinking of our veterans on Remembrance Day. #LestWeForget

We can't thank our friends at ATB Financial Red Deer enough for the 10th Annual Lids 4 Kids fundraiser on October 26! Over ten years, this event has raised an astounding $32,600 for families using the Ronald McDonald House in Red Deer. Thank you for helping us keep families together. ❤️

This is three-year-old Callie McKenzie. Callie has Down Syndrome and was born with complications, leading to two separate stays at the Red Deer House. Callie's parents Cara & Scott knew about the Ronald McDonald House, and had even cooked a meal there before, but they had "no idea what RMH really was, what the staff and volunteers were doing, and the difference it could make to a family." Staying at the House meant staying near Callie and staying together. It meant easing the... anxiety for Callie's older sister, Holly, who was able to visit Callie, hold her hand, and sing to her. "We were all together and we were able to draw strength from each other," explained Mom Cara. Callie is now leading the normal, happy life of a three-year-old girl - with older sister Holly and younger sister Lacey - and the McKenzie family are grateful for the Ronald McDonald House and the role it played in their lives. "When we talk about our time in Red Deer, we don't talk about scary glass boxes, beeping monitors, IV poles and medications...our memories are dominated by our kids being kids in the playroom, kind and thoughtful staff and volunteers, and all of the generous donations that allowed our family to stay together." ❤️ We love hearing stories like Callie's and the McKenzie family. Do you have one to share?
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We were the beneficiary of this year's Fuel Good Day, where five cents from every litre of gas sold at all nine Central Alberta Co-op gas bars was donated to Ronald McDonald House. Thank you to this Co-op team for coming to cook a meal for our families, and presenting us with a cheque for $8,391.75! Last year the average length of stay for our families was 5.5 nights. With the amazing support of Co-op, and thanks to the success of Fuel Good Day, we can help eight families stay close to their sick children. 🏡❤️

'Tis the season! Please join us on November 29, 2018 for our Light Up the House event! Drop in between 6pm - 8pm to see the House lights and enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, live holiday music by country music artist Jamie Woodfin, and a holiday marketplace with onsite vendors (a portion of the proceeds will benefit the House). Monetary donations and/or Wish List items are always welcome. Please note that limited parking is available, but there is paid parking at the Red Deer Hospital parkade. Come out and support the House! We look forward to seeing you!

A huge shout out to ATCO for choosing to feature all three chapters of Ronald McDonald House Charities in Alberta in their ATCO EPIC 2018 campaign! EPIC stands for Employees Participating in Community, and we were so lucky to be on the receiving end of this annual campaign, which included two weeks of employee giving, fundraising activities, and volunteering. For just $12 a night, last year the Houses in Southern & Central Alberta were able to serve 800 families combined, and provide over 750 meals. Initiatives like ATCO's EPIC campaign allows us to better support our families, and helps us keep families together when they need it most. ❤️

Our staff at the Red Deer House looking festive yesterday dressed as Dominoes! Everyone is getting into the Halloween spirit! 🎃 Can you spot the number of pips? 😜

We are grateful to the Red Deer Rebels for helping us get the House Halloween-ready this morning! Carving pumpkins is always better with a few extra hands! But seriously, don't you think baby Benjamin stole the show?! 🎃

A shout-out to seven-year-old Ayla Lafosse, who dropped by with her birthday money yesterday! We are so grateful to our young donors like Ayla. We know it's not always easy parting with birthday money, but it makes a big difference in the lives of our Families. ❤️ Happy birthday, Ayla! 🎈 If you'd like to find out how you can be a Birthday Hero and start a birthday fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House, please visit https://bit.ly/2EMDWqo 🎁

We are in need of a variety of items at our Red Deer House! If you can help out by donating something off this list, it would be much appreciated. Last year, we served over 350 families from out-of-town, and an additional 130 families through our day use passes. This means we go through our supplies quickly and are grateful for your generosity in helping give back to our Families. Please drop off items or call the House at 403.340.2007.

You don't have to know how to curl to join us in this "Funspiel" event! We welcome curlers of all skill levels. Come out and enjoy this jam-packed, two-day curling event, including a Friday night mixer, a Saturday night dinner & dance, a raffle and a fantastic silent auction! Our 8th annual Freeze The House Charity Bonspiel is presented by Fas Gas Plus and supports an amazing cause! Take advantage of our early bird pricing until December 21st, 2018. Hurry hard and get your tickets now! To register go to https://bit.ly/2CTb91C

8th annual Freeze the House Charity Bonspiel presented by Fas Gas Plus. This jam-packed, two day curling “funspiel” is for curlers of all skill levels and includes a Friday night mixer, Saturday night gala, raffle, silent auction and a chance to meet exciting celebrity curlers!
Early Bird Pricing (Till Dec 21, 2018) Adult Division - $650 (Team of Four): Includes two days of curling, complimentary breakfast, entry to our Friday night mixer and four tickets to the Saturday nigh...t gala.
Individual Registration - $165: Includes two days of curling, complimentary breakfast, entry to our Friday night mixer and one ticket to the Saturday night gala.
Junior Division - $200 (Team of Four): Includes two days of curling and complimentary breakfast.

Regular Pricing (Dec 22, 2018 - Feb 1, 2019)
Adult Division - $750 (Team of Four): Includes two days of curling, complimentary breakfast, entry to our Friday night mixer and four tickets to the Saturday night
Individual Registration - $185: Includes two days of curling, complimentary breakfast, entry to our Friday night mixer and one ticket to the Saturday night gala.
Junior Division - $250 (Team of Four): Includes two days of curling and complimentary breakfast.
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We are so grateful for the support of country artist Jamie Woodfin who is raising $5,000 for RMHC Central Alberta! He stopped by our Red Deer House to meet with Christa and Blair, and chatted with them about what makes the House a home. Feel free to share his Facebook video and check out his #makefunmatter fundraiser. https://www.rmhccanada.ca/fundraiser/1100

Zoe is a House Hero who stayed at the House four years ago. Zoe spent most of her time in the hospital and never got the chance to physically visit the Magic Room. A couple of weeks ago Zoe was granted her WISH to be a princess and was provided an incredible experience that included a shopping spree at the Disney store.
After picking out everything she could have ever wanted Zoe and her parents decided that the rest of the shopping spree would be dedicated to making more chi...ldren smile. So on that afternoon Zoe and her mom and dad drove to the Ronald McDonald House with bags of brand new toys to donate to the Magic Room.
The staff and volunteers who greeted Zoe's family that afternoon were blown away and the impact has caused a ripple effect. Today we are #grateful and #thankful for families who have been through these difficult journeys and continue to support other families in similar experiences. #ThankYou #Thanksgiving
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We are so thankful for all our wonderful volunteers who bake for the House, your impact goes so much farther than just your baking. The amount of love and dedication you give to the families is amazing. Thank you!
#volunteer #dogood #bakersgonnabake #RMHC #yqfvolunteers #yqf #yummy

Loving the new RMHC Cookies <3

Just one night – and one blanket – made all the difference. Pam Hutnan ended up in pre-term labour due to complications in her pregnancy. She gave birth early to daughter Shay, and was sent to Ronald McDonald House due to lack of space in the hospital.
When they arrived, they were given a beautiful Pooh bear blanket. Shay, now four-years-old, still carries it with her everywhere she goes. “It’s a piece of her,” says mom Pam. Their visit at RMH is one they will never forget.
#keepingfamiliesclose #preemiebaby #quilting #homemade #quilt #powerofaquilt #iquilt #reddeer

We've been celebrating since Tuesday the launch of the awesome RMHC Cookies now available McDonald's Canada
The support is going to help hundreds of families across the province - and we thought you should hear from one of those families! #whatsyourfavouritecookie #sharesomecookie #keepingfamiliesclose

Words can not even begin to express the gratitude and appreciation I have for not only this house but all the staff there. I lived at the house for 6 weeks from the beggining of November till Dec 27 2015. My rare identical twin girls were born in edmonton at 31 weeks and we moved to red deer NICU a week after they were born until they were discharged where I resided at the house . The love and kindness I had from all the staff was to amazing and I am beyond blessed to have has them and the house there for me in that very difficult time. Thankyou to you all for everything.

We stayed here when our doctor wanted us close to the hospital during the end of my pregnancy. We stayed one night. The volunteers were amazing! They made us feel so welcome. They send us home with some amazing little things for our daughter and our son.

We stayed at the Ronald McDonald house back in January when our baby girl was in the NICU. We felt very at home, relaxed and welcomed by the wonderful staff and felt like they truly cares about how she was doing. Thank for this amazing home away from home, it was truly needed and a life saver!

This place was ABSOLUTELY amazing. My husband and I stayed here when awaiting the arrival of our precious baby girl. I had some complications and had an extended hospital stay so the opportunity for my husband to stay close by was greatly appreciated. Not only was Ronald McDonald House very welcoming and accommodating, but we were blessed with a very generous Christmas gift for our new baby. Thankyou so much for this wonderful facility and all that it offers. The Noels.

This place is heaven sent,it isn't just a house,it's a home! � I often think of our 8 week stay there, and all the volunteers,can't ever thank them enough :)

So great to have this place in Central Alberta, it was such a blessing to stay here while our twins were in the Nicu for 23 days. Thank you to everyone at RMH.

So grateful for the RMH of central Alberta! The hospitality and people are amazing and make you feel like you are at home!

Our family has been staying here for the past 2 weeks and will be here for a bit yet. Very impressed with how the staff treats everyone, makes us feel at home and has been a huge stress relief while dealing with the unexpected issues that prompted our stay here.



Couldn't ask for a better place to stay. Thank you to all those who volunteer their time to bake and to cook supper. You guys do an amazing job and our family is very thankful for your hospitality and everything you do.

My family and I are so thankful that we were able to stay here, while our son and little brother was in the NICU. The staff go out of their way to make everyone feel so welcome. Thank you so much again

I was amazed at the people and caring we received here 2 weeks we needed a home close to our baby and they defiantly made it feel like home away from home :)

I think it was definitely a home away from home and the staff is so awesome and helpful. Meals were awesome and now I have an excuse to go and buy Happy Meals and do my part in making a donation to the RMHC. Felt like a million bucks staying here and the kitchen is dreamy being that I am a chef. Absolutely Loved My Stay =) <3

I love you all SO much and can't wait to pay it forward. We will definitely be getting involved in volunteering soon:) You have no idea what a blessing you have been to my family over the past couple of weeks�

I don’t know what we’d have done without you all� This has to be the most amazing place and amazing people we have ever met. The care and compassion we’ve received is beyond measure while our little one has been in the NICU. We are blessed to have the opportunity to have such care. Everyone here is an angel on earth.

Happy that I can cook for them every time I can :)

Had an opportunity to help cook dinner at Ronald McDonald house in red deer yesterday and tour the facility .. what an incredible place for families that have children at the hospital. They have a magic room where they keep donated toys for children staying at the house. Children enter the room and use a magical key to open the room with the toys and get to pick out one toy for themselves and a one for their sibling who is at the hospital. I will definitely come back to get involved more in this house. Was also informed that they don't get enough fruit donated .