Ronald McDonald House Charity continues to help families in the Imperial Valley
The Ronald McDonald House Charity relies on the kindness of the community to continue providing a home away from home for families when their child stays at a hospital.
For the last three years, Erick and Irsula Burnworth and their three-year-old daughter Kendall, volunteered on ” Red Shoe Day ” and shared how the Ronald McDonald house was there for them in their time of need.
Erick recalled how Kendall was born six weeks prematurely and doctors said she wasn’t able to breathe or eat on her own.
” When she was first born , with all, connected to all the wires and everything it was just…it was hard to see. ”
Kendall spent weeks in the newborn intensive care unit at the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital in San Diego. Not having a place to stay, Irsula said the Ronald McDonald House opened its doors to the couple.
” Staying in the hospital is not cheap. It’s expensive. Sometimes you forget to eat. So to have a meal and have the volunteers just be so joyful in a time that’s very scary and fearful for you is a breath of fresh air. ”
It meant the world for the first time mother.
” It’s super important as a mom to feel like you can be there for your child even when you cannot stay in the hospital any longer. ”
But the Ronald McDonald House Charity relies on donations from the community, and every penny counts.
Allegra Sonza , the Major Gifts Officer for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego said, ” Everything collected goes to help them stay overnight with us. Helps feed them. Helps give them, showers, laundry room, napping rooms. ”
Events like ” Red Shoe Day ” and the paper shoe campaign in local McDonald’s and banks is where residents can do their part.
Irsula said, ” When we were discharged, a week later, I just vowed that I was always going to be a part of ” Red Shoe Day ” because of how much the Ronald McDonald House did for us. ”
The ” Red Shoe Day ” event takes place on October 17 in various places around the valley.
