 Nothing can take away the emotional stress parents who have children living with serious health issues face. But the Ronald McDonald House, in Scranton, makes great strides to meet daily needs and provide daily necessities for families.
Tucked discretely in with other homes in the Hill Section of Scranton, the Ronald McDonald House is a haven to families with children serviced by the Community Medical Center, Mercy Hospital, Moses Taylor Hospital, Friendship House, Keystone City Residence, or St. Joseph’s Center, all in the city.
Centrally located, Ronald McDonald House is only two and a half hours from three major cities and in close proximity to the interstates.
Dr. Melvyn Wolk was the head of pediatrics at CMC who saw a need for such a facility in Scranton. He took his idea to Carol and Albert Mueller, owners of a Scranton restaurant. The Muellers played a roll in starting up the Danville and Philadelphia Ronald McDonald Houses and used this experience to help the Scranton house become a reality.
According to Richard Bradshaw, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House, in the past, families would have to pay to stay in a local hotel. The hotels would offer a discounted rate, but it was still a necessary expense families had to endure to be near a chronically ill child. Ronald McDonald House has family rooms in nearby CMC to aide families.
With a bed-and-breakfast atmosphere, the Ronald McDonald House offers many services, including a laundry room and shuttle to and from the hospital. Guests do not have to pay anything, but donations are appreciated.
In 1986, the facility started as a half double block home on Wheeler Avenue. In the early 1990s, Scranton resident Charles Glaab donated the other half of the building.
After extensive remodeling in 1993-94, the facility was able to expand to offer eight bedrooms, four of which are handicapped accessible. There is also a fully stocked kitchen, family room, giant community room in the basement, and beautiful porches for guests to meditate or collect their thoughts.
Over the years, Ronald McDonald House has played host to numerous families from all over the world. Bradshaw noted guests from 50 states and 38 different countries.
To welcome guests from such varying backgrounds, the staff of two full-time and one part-time employees relies heavily on volunteers. Resident Manager Benjamin Loomis, who lives in the third floor apartment, is always on hand to help families.
Bradshaw recalled a Spanish family who had limited English abilities.
“We had a difficult time understanding them; we had to get an interpretor to come,” he said.
“Each family has a lot to deal with emotionally,” he added. “Their stays can vary from three days to three months, depending on the situation.”
Bradshaw estimated that, as of October 2010, the facility has had about 250 guests.
One welcoming trait that crosses borders is the smell of home cooking. Bradshaw encourages his staff to make lunches in the kitchen or occasionally bake cookies.
“Nothing is more homey than smells of food cooking or baking in the kitchen,” he said.
A visiting family from England once offered to make chipolatas. Bradshaw was curious, and as the recipe progressed he learned it was the same as our pigs in a blanket.
“It is a great way to bond with a family,” he said.
Entering into Ronald McDonald House, comfort radiates from the sitting room, complete with a large, dark brown sofa and a television playing in the background. Bedrooms, with fluffy pillows and colorful quilts, are welcoming to the weary traveler. Bathrooms are well-equipped with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and soap.
Bradshaw said everything in the house, including linens, toiletries, and even the furniture has been donated.
“The beds, for example, were donated by Tempur Pedic,” he said. “It is truly the house that love built.”
The facility is funded through donations from corporations, organizations, individuals, and fund raisers. Among recent fundraisers are a NEPA Miners charity autograph session, the annual 5K Race and Fun Walk, and the annual Gourmet Gala, which is a taste testing that highlights 50 chefs from area restaurants.
“The community is very supportive of Ronald McDonald House,” Bradshaw said. “Sometimes, local groups are invited in to help families deal with the emotional stress. We have had therapy dogs visit, as well as therapy massage groups for family members.”
For more information about donating or volunteer opportunities, visit www.rmhscranton.org.
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