‘Totally blessed’: Ronald McDonald House keeps serving families despite pandemic

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Despite the pandemic, the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte is still providing a place for families to stay while their children are in local hospitals.

The organization recently planned a sweet send-off for new parents Caitlin and Nate Greene.

The couple lives in Rutherfordton, but have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House for the last month while their baby Charlie received treatment at Levine Children’s Hospital.

“He was transferred here within two hours of his birth. And then we were transferred here just a few more hours later,” Caitlin Greene said.

A hospital caseworker referred the Greene’s to the organization, providing them a place to stay, meals when they’re hungry and eliminating the hassle of driving several hours each day.

“It was his blood sugar. And his muscle tone wasn’t as built up as much as it should have been because he struggled during birth,” Nate Greene said. “You know, a hotel costs $100 a night and me out of work for 3 or 4 weeks, it’s made everything possible.”

Ronald McDonald CEO Denise Cubbedge said despite COVID-19, they’re still seeing a real need for their services.

ACC mascots visit children at Ronald McDonald House ACC mascots visit children at Ronald McDonald House

“Families are still facing real crises. You know those things did not stop,” Cubbedge said.

But raising money to help pay for it all has become a challenge with many of the nonprofits’ fundraising events already canceled this year.

“We’re probably going to lose about $300,000 in revenue this year. So, we are fighting fiercely to make that up so we can continue to take care of families like this,” Cubbedge said.

“There’s not enough words for sure. We’ve been totally blessed,” Nate Greene said.

The organization is now planning to host a virtual tailgating experience with a nod to its history.

The Philadelphia Eagles football team co-founded the first house to provide a home away from home for families like the Greene’s.

The event, which is titled Jerseys and Jewels: Huddle for the House is set for September 12th at 6:30 p.m.

For more information about the event, click here.

Cox Media Group