Dear Friends of San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House,
The hospital is not where a child wants to spend Christmas. But that’s where we were in 2015: our six-year-old daughter Valeria was battling leukemia. We were doing our best to keep her spirits up amid the beeping machines, IV drips, and our fear for her future.
In those long days and dark nights, we experienced immense healing and kindness at San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House, thanks to caring and generous people like you.
We were grateful for the comfortable room that kept us close to Valeria, and for the volunteers who welcomed us warmly. Smells of holiday baking delighted our son and youngest daughter. We could even pick out presents for our children in “Santa’s Workshop!” That meant a lot, as it wasn’t possible for us to shop that year.
It’s so hard when your child is hurting and you can’t take the pain away. But we were with Valeria, giving her all our love and encouragement. You relieved our pain by keeping us together and making sure we had what we needed. To our surprise, that included three meals daily, free of charge.
These weren’t just plates of food. Donors and volunteers had given from their hearts to provide More Than a Meal—much-needed nutrition in an environment where we could regroup as a family and connect with others who understood what we were going through. Truly, these meals kept us going during our 150-day stay.
I remember holding Valeria at the window so she could wave to her dad and siblings as they crossed the street for supper at the Ronald McDonald House. It was so reassuring for her to see how close they were!
They didn’t have to leave the area to find food. And my husband and I didn’t need to worry about how we could possibly manage five months of meals away from home.
It’s nearly three Christmases since Valeria’s time in the hospital. She’s nine and doing well, though her tummy gets upset easily. But childhood cancer changed our lives forever. We haven’t forgotten the great kindness we experienced.
We’ll be hosting lunch on Christmas Day for current Ronald McDonald House families—our third year doing so. We know what a difference meals made in making us feel cared for.
Please join us in making a difference by funding More Than a Meal—a campaign to renovate the kitchens and dining room at San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House, and to provide the meals and connections that nourish families.
It’s so important—please give today! Here’s what your gift can do:
- $50=Provide 25 moms, dads, and siblings with a hearty meal near the hospital.
- $100=Help stock the new kitchen with necessary supplies.
- $500=Sponsor lunch for everyone at the House (150 people)—you can have your name displayed as the meal sponsor and serve the meal if you wish!
The service you support through More Than a Meal may be just the lift overwhelmed moms and dads need to face their challenges and be strong for their child.
Please give generously to San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House today.
With gratitude,
Veronica & Armando Raymundo
P.S. Whether big or small in your eyes, every gift is so helpful and deeply appreciated!
