For many families, the holiday season is filled with festive traditions, joyful reunions, and the warmth of home. But for others, this time of year can be a time of stress, uncertainty, and emotional strain, especially for families with a child in the hospital.
That is where Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area (RMHC) steps in. With a powerful mission to keep families close when it matters most, RMHC works each day to surround them with warmth, compassion, and hope.
This year, RMHC invites the community to join in sending hope, one holiday wish at a time. With your help, families facing medical crises won’t have to do it alone.
A Home Away from Home for Families
RMHC’s mission is simple yet powerful: to keep families close. When a child is seriously ill or injured, the last thing parents should have to worry about is where they will sleep or how they will get their next meal.
RMHC provides families with a welcoming “home away from home” near hospitals in Salt Lake City and Lehi. Families receive free lodging, warm meals, and a supportive community so they can focus on what truly matters: their child’s healing.
Thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers, over 15,000 families each year find comfort, care, and connection at RMHC. But to continue meeting the growing need, especially during the holidays, community support is more important than ever.
Meet Kaya Lynn: A Story of Courage and Community
Before she could even open her eyes, Kaya Lynn was already showing the world what strength looks like. Born at just 23 weeks and weighing barely more than a pound, Kaya faced enormous odds. She spent eight long months in the NICU, her tiny body fighting to grow stronger each day.
During this fragile time, her family leaned on the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi. It became their safe haven—a place to rest, eat, and recharge without leaving her side.
“We’ll be doing everything we can to give back to Ronald McDonald House,” Kaya’s mom, Rachel, shared. “They were our lifeline.”
Today, Kaya is 18 months old and thriving. Her joyful laugh and resilient spirit light up every room. Her story is a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when families are given the support they need.
Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
Your kindness becomes the quiet, powerful hope a family holds onto while their child heals. Your support means parents don’t have to choose between being close to their child and affording lodging, food, or travel.
Every donation to RMHC goes directly toward helping the families who need it most. Your gifts help provide essentials that make all the difference, including:
- Free lodging steps away from the hospital
- Warm, home-cooked meals prepared by volunteers
- Community and emotional support during the hardest moments
- Holiday gifts and seasonal cheer for families spending the Holidays in hospital rooms
- Most importantly, the chance to stay close to the child they love
Whether you give ten dollars or one hundred, your donation ensures families like Kaya Lynn’s have a place to turn when they need it most.
The Power of Community Support
RMHC’s work is possible because of the kindness of individuals, businesses, and organizations who believe in giving back. Your support — through donations, volunteering, or in-kind gifts — helps create a place where families feel seen, supported, and not alone.
During the holidays, your generosity becomes a powerful source of comfort and hope for families facing the unimaginable. Whether through a one-time gift, a monthly donation, or volunteering your time, every act of kindness ensures that no family faces a medical crisis alone.
How You Can Help
Donate online:Visit the RMHC donation page to give a one-time or monthly gift. Your generosity helps cover the cost of meals, lodging, and holiday gifts.
Support a Wish List: Provide holiday gifts or essential items for families who are far from home during this season.
Volunteer your time: Prepare meals, organize supplies, or help bring the spirit of the season to the House. Visit our Holiday Page to find out how you can help.
No act of kindness is too small. Together, we can send hope, one holiday wish at a time.
Be Part of Something Meaningful This Season
As you gather with loved ones and celebrate the holidays, consider the families spending theirs in hospital rooms, holding hands, praying for good news, and leaning on RMHC for strength and support.
Your gift provides a warm bed, a nourishing meal, and a few moments of peace. And most importantly, it gives families the comfort of staying close to the child they love.
This holiday season, hope lives here because of people like you.