How Can I Help?
The Ronald McDonald House enabled us to stay with Zack around the clock. I would stay (notice I didn't say sleep) on a cot in the hospital at night and when Chris came in the morning, I was able to walk across the street to the Ronald McDonald House to shower and sleep for a while.
For families with kids in the hospital for critical care, this is an invaluable resource, especially for those who are there for weeks or months.
The Ronald McDonald House in Austin has some immediate and basic needs. For instance, while food is brought in for lunch and dinner most days, there were no paper cups and disposable containers to carry food back over to the hospital. I was dying of thirst one day and thought surely there would be something to drink, but while the pantries and fridges were stocked with food, there were no portable drinks like canned sodas or water bottles to grab on the go back to the hospital.
Here is a list of their immediate needs as provided to me by the director, Derrick Lesnau.
paper/plastic/styrofoam cups
styrofoam to-go containers
liquid laundry detergent
antibacterial liquid hand soap
paper towels
travel size hygiene items (soap, shaving cream, deodorant, razors)
heavy duty trash bags (33 gallon size)
*small size trash bags for bathroom cans
*canned sodas and bottled water
(*I added these as items I noticed that were needed)
I'll be collecting supplies for them and will drop them off at the Ronald McDonald house next week. Let me know if you would like to provide some of things on the list or if you would like to drop stuff by my house for me to deliver.
This will be a tremendous way to help people like the family I met from Llano with a small child that will be there for 30 more days.
Comments
(Alex's words, Mommy typed)
Dear Zack,
I hope you're feeling better. We picked up a special friend for you in San Francisco, and will bring him to you soon.
I am very sorry you have a big scar to heal. My grandpa in Florida has almost the same thing. He has his colon removed three weeks ago. Grandpa says his scar is itchy and red.
I am glad you are home - it is better to be home. I hope we can play Star Wars sometime soon. My Mom, Douglas and I picked up some fun crafts to do when we come to visit you. Mom says you can't play chase or basketball, so we will have to do boring things. Keep getting well so I can come visit you. Douglas said he wants to play XBOX Star Wars Legos with you.
I have a prayer to God: Dear God, I hope Zack is feeling better, and God, please heal Zack, sometime soon. Amen
Here are a few new jokes:
KNOCK KNOCK.
who's there?
CARGO.
cargo who?
NO, CARGO BEEP - BEEP!
WHAT GOES "HA HA HA HA, CLUNK?"
-a man laughing his head off!
WHAT DID ONE EYE SAY TO THE OTHER EYE?
-just between you and me, there's something that smells.
Love, Your buddy, Alex
Posted by: Alex Chaiken | July 12, 2008 02:16 PM
I would love to be a part of this. Where do I need to bring the supplies? I have several items ready to go right now. Thanks for letting us know how we can help these families.
Posted by: Christy Wolff | July 12, 2008 02:25 PM
Zack - We are so glad you are home! Yeah!!
Holli - I would love to bring you some donations for the Ronald McDonald house this week! Count me in!
Posted by: Jamie Canter | July 12, 2008 11:28 PM
Hi Holli, if you send me your home address, I would love to send a check to contribute to this effort!
love, Sandy B
Posted by: SandyB | July 14, 2008 12:23 PM
Holli,
Marc shared this site with me and we are so very happy to hear about how well Zack is doing.
I interned at the Ronald McDonald House during college and it is truly a wonderful organization.
We would love to contribute. Would you send your home address to me (or Marc) so that we can send you a check for some supplies?
Best,
Amy (and Marc, Ayla & Ethan)
Posted by: Amy Andrews | July 14, 2008 07:17 PM