‘I couldn’t imagine a better charity to support’: McHappy Day supports local Ronald McDonald House

“When we had to go to Medicine Hat we didn’t anticipate with my daughter that we would be gone long because you just assume you’re going, you’re having a baby and everything is going to go smoothly and you’re going to make it home right away and we ended up in Medicine Hat for a week,” says Phoebe.

The Ronald McDonald House in Medicine Hat opened its doors in 2020.

More than 115 families have stayed there while their children receive medical treatment at the hospital steps away.

Scott and Phoebe were one of the first families to stay at the house after their daughter was born prematurely.

The couple, from Tilley, Alta., spent seven days at the house while their daughter received the care she needed.

Two years later in June 2022, the couple had to deal with a similar situation when Phoebe gave birth to her son. The family spent a total of 16 days between the Ronald McDonald Houses in Medicine Hat and Calgary.

“If it wasn’t for both of these houses I don’t know how we would have made it through both pregnancies. We were surprised with the first one having to be there and I don’t know what we would have done without them; they’re such kind-hearted people,” adds Phoebe.

Medicine Hat Ronald McDonald House general manager Cassi Hider says the facility offers families like the McFarlanes a place to stay and rest while their children are in the hospital.

“Medicine Hat’s different in the way that it is six suites so we are pretty much the smallest in existence in the world. So it’s like a home and I think Scott and Phoebe took that opportunity to make it their home and we want to make sure our families feel taken care of,” says Hider.

“We are able to give them a place to stay, a place to rest, a place to just rejuvenate, to eat and feel a sense of home. From the bottom of their hearts I could tell that every day,” adds Hider.

Providing families with everything they need takes a lot of community support.

If it wasn’t for both of these houses I don’t know how we would have made it through both pregnancies. — _{Phoebe McFarlane}

May 10 is McHappy Day, a big fundraiser where 10 per cent of all proceeds from all menu items directly support the Ronald McDonald House and other children’s charities in southern Alberta.

Local owners are proud of the charity, saying it provides families a place to stay close to their children during difficult times.

“I think we’ve all faced hardships when it comes to knowing people that have dealt with health crisis and maybe not specifically with children but we can all imagine how that would be emotionally traumatic to families dealing with such occasions so I think just being able to help southern Alberta and our community and the broader province is just priceless,” said Medicine Hat McDonald’s owner and operator Carly Pancotto.

It’s a priceless experience for Phoebe and Scott, who say they are grateful for their stays at the Ronald McDonald House and their two healthy children.

“You get all the support you could need, you’ve got food, you’ve got a warm bed, a roof over your head, every item you could need while you’re in the house it’s all there. It’s just an amazing place and I couldn’t imagine a better charity to support ultimately,” explains Phoebe.

by Brendan Miller

‘I couldn’t imagine a better charity to support’: McHappy Day supports local Ronald McDonald House

Our Community