SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) – Since opening its doors on 7th Street in 1986, the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Springfield has provided thousands of families with a place to stay, warm meals and a sense of normalcy while their children receive critical medical care.
The 14-bedroom home offers families a place to rest free of charge, helping ease the financial burden of lodging and travel during difficult times. Volunteers also play a key role, preparing meals and supporting families throughout their stay.
“I always tell families when they first get here, they are in great hands,” said CEO Amber Kaylor. “They have amazing nurses who are going to take care of their child — we’re going to take care of them.”
The facility operates much like a hotel, offering private rooms and bathrooms, along with shared spaces where families can gather for meals and support one another.
For some families, the house becomes a home during long and uncertain journeys.
Katie Alsup remembers staying there in 2013 after her daughter, Lyndie, was born at just 23 weeks with less than a 10 percent chance of survival. Lyndie spent nine months in the NICU at a children’s hospital before finally going home.
“It was the fastest and slowest part of my life,” Alsup said. “Now I blink and she’s 12.”
Today, Alsup is part of the team helping other families find the same comfort and care she once received. Families are able to stay at the house for as long as their child remains hospitalized.
Staff say moments like celebrating a child’s release from the NICU are what make their work so meaningful.
The Springfield house is one of two in the chapter, with another located in Peoria. Leaders say the need for services continues to grow as more specialized care becomes centralized in larger cities.
“The need is great,” Kaylor said. “We’re seeing increased demand at both our Springfield and Peoria houses.”
To celebrate its impact, the Springfield Ronald McDonald House will host a 40th anniversary gala on April 24.
As families continue to walk through its doors, the mission remains the same—providing comfort, care and hope during some of life’s most challenging moments.
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