We are so excited that the donations are rolling in. Please keep them coming! We wanted to give you an update on Easton and how he is doing. Here are some pictures to help you and your child understand why this project is so important. Mrs. Youngberg has been so kind to let us share her story so the student's can put a "face" to the project they are supporting. The Wish List of items can be found at the end of this post.
When Easton was born the Youngberg's were unaware of his multiple medical needs and were not prepared for a long stay at the hospital. They were so thankful for the Ronald McDonald Family Room at the hospital. Unfortunately over the past months they have spent a lot of time at the hospital and at the Family Room. As you can see, Easton has overcome so much and is thriving now, but even today he is back at the hospital for more medical check ups and will likely face additional surgeries in his lifetime. That smile, even through all of the medical procedures just lights up a room!
Here is Mrs. Youngberg and Easton after he was born.
The Youngberg's have a son Caden who also had to spend a lot of time at the hospital after his little brother was born. The Ronald McDonald Family Room at the hospital gave him and his family a place to relax during Easton's surgeries and a place to play and spend some family time together. This is a picture of Caden playing in the Ronald McDonald Family Room.
Only such a strong and amazing family can keep such a great attitude during this difficult and uncertain time. Look at those faces! These are the faces of the people you are helping when you and your child donate to our Community Service Project this month at Peine Ridge Elementary School!
More snuggle time with Mom! Mrs.Youngberg was so thankful to have the Ronald McDonald Family Room at the hospital so she could do laundry, take a shower and grab a meal without having to leave Easton and go home to do those things during the first few weeks he was in the NICU. Every donation of cleaning supplies, laundry detergent and fabric softener, easy to make meals (soups, microwave ready meals, cookie mixes, muffin mixes and other easy to make snacks and ready to eat snacks like granola bars, packaged crackers, packaged cookies, individual snack packs) grants these families more time and more memories with their child. It takes a great financial and time burden off of the families who only want to be there for their sick child. Not having to worry about how to get clean laundry, having to grocery shop for snacks, having to pack items for showers (toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotions are all needed) takes a great deal of stress off of the families that are wanting only to concentrate on getting their child well. When you donate you give a family the gift of time, the gift of less stress and the gift of caring and love.
Easton wants to say THANK YOU for donating and making it possible for my family to spend more time with me when I was really sick! Now let's pay it forward and take care of someone else's family that needs the care and love that was given to my mom and dad and brother when I was born. Come on Peine Ridge, let's do it big for Ronald McDonald!
Hopefully you will never have to use these services, but isn't it good to know that the Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms are there for families like the Youngberg's when they needed it? This last picture is of Easton and his doctor right after Easton had open heart surgery. Thank you to the wonderful Doctors, Nurses, all other hospital staff and to the Ronald McDonald Family Room Volunteers and those that Donated. They all made a difficult time much easier through their kindness and generosity. Can you think of a better way to show love this Valentine's Day than to donate to such a great cause?
Thank you for your donations.
Here is the wish list:
Kitchen Items:
Sweet/salty individually
wrapped snacks, such as
cookies, soups, mac ‘n’
cheese, breakfast bars, hot
chocolate, trail mix, dried
fruit, peanut butter or
cheese sandwich crackers,
and candy bars
Liquid hand soap, pump
container
Ziploc bags of all sizes
Plastic wrap
Aluminum foil
Dishwasher-safe cookie
sheets and cooling racks
Microwavable bowls
(such as Corningware)
Silverware
Laundry Facilities:
High-efficiency laundry
detergent
Softener sheets
Cleaning Supplies:
Dishwasher detergent
Dish soap
Disinfectant spray
Multipurpose cleaner
Swiffer hand duster sheets
Windex
Miscellaneous:
60-watt light bulbs
Batteries, all sizes
Travel-sized shampoo,
conditioner, deodorant,
shaving cream and
toothpaste
Disposable razors
Individually packaged
toothbrushes
iPhones (new or used)
