Stories of Hope

Hearing from families who have stayed with us at the Ronald McDonald House is one way to show the impact we’ve had on people’s lives.

The Meixell Family
The Cody Family
The Garner & Brooks Family
The Gonzales Family
Room 220
The Corey Smith Family
The Bentley Ingalls Family
The_Weiss_Family
The_Stoner_Family
The_Long_Family

The Meixell Family

We spent 2 weeks at this Ronald McDonald House in Decembere 2006. Our son Austin was born with some problems that needed to be addressed at Pitt Memorial. The staff at the RMH loved us & comforted us during the worst 2 weeks of our lives. We will forever remember your every kindness. And we pray for all of the families you have staying with you now.

--Jill & Chris Meixell, December 2012

The Gonzales Family

Ronald McDonald House,

My family cannot thank you enough for all the generosity and hospitality during our stay. We came here after finding out my son needed surgery and learned that his infection was a lot worse than they thought. We came with the clothes on our back and nowhere to go until we were blessed with your organization. We live too far to drive back and forth everyday and you allowed us to be closer to my 2 yr old son. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 
This house makes me feel connected in some way to all the past and future families that stay here. For this time, I feel peace!
I will continue to speak highly of this organization and do my best to donate year round! For all future families, hold on. It's almost over and God bless!

Love,
Javier Jr. & Family
January 12, 2012

    

Our son was born one week ago today at 28 weeks. He was born with a heart condition. We checked in to the Ronald McDonald House, and we are very grateful for the RMH and staff. As a pastor, I have prayed for so many parents and their children, but I am now faced with the overwhelming task of praying for my first and only child. I have never been so consumed with so much fear and anxiety. I guess we just keep waiting and praying and believing.

To all of our friends at the Ronald McDonald House:

On October 5^th this past year, we gave birth to twin boys, Brennan and Casey, at 26 weeks. Among many things flying through our heads was how we would manage to see them daily despite living over an hour away in Havelock. We knew we couldn’t afford hotels, or the toll driving back and forth would eventually likely take on us for the coming three months. For the moment all we wanted was not to leave their side. That is when you came to our rescue- we couldn’t believe it – a bed close by allowing us to visit anytime day or night and a group of families going through the same thing we were. Many times I wanted to write in your journals but held back, unsure of what our outcome would be. Well it was wonderful. Brennan and Casey are doing great. They went home January 3^rd, one day before they were due and have continued to put weight on their once 2lb2oz and 2lb5oz bodies. Thank you so much for your kindness and compassion always in the many nights we were blessed to stay in your house.

Love and thanks always,

Lorena, Corey, Brennan and Casey Smith

Casey (left) & Brennan (right) Co-bedding at 1 ½ months old Brennan- 2lbs, 5 oz Casey- 2 lbs, 2 oz

Brennan (top) & Casey (bottom) 7 months old

The Bentley Ingalls Family

A POEM WRITTEN FOR:

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE OF EASTERN NC

Through the gate and up the drive
Thankful that our child’s alive
Needing friends and closest kin
Crisis has our nerves worn thin
Filled with fear, often teary
Lack of sleep makes eyes bleary
Long without a bath or towel
Empty stomachs loudly growl
Tired of traffic, unknown streets
Waiting rooms with crowded seats
Rumpled clothes from vigil nights
For good health our children fight
To this house you welcome us
Little fanfare, little fuss
Caring staff with listening ears
Help to dissipate our fears
Off’ring shelter, homelike space
Lots of room, a welcome place
Join the fam’lies here to stay
Praying for a better day
Share distractions, tears and hope
Tiny milestones help us cope
Comfy beds on which to lay
Find relief from stressful day
Rooms to watch tv or read
All depends on what you need
On-line, music, d.v.d.
A house of generosity
Toys and board games, choice of books
Fish to watch inside wall nooks
Welcome rooms and living spaces
Food to fill our hungry faces
Kitchen snack and treats to bake
Muffins, cookies, brownies, cake
Laundry room to wash our clothes
Hammock hung to swing or doze
Quiet spots to think or talk
Alongside blooms and red brick walk
A bed, a meal, a bath, a friend
A laugh, a cry, a prayer. Amen.
A big relief, a safe retreat
A place where families will meet
To share their tales, their hope their tears
To make connections lasting years.  

Thank you, Ronald McDonald House of Greenville for all you did for us.

Bentley Ryan Ingalls and family 11/6/2010



 

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The Weiss Family

In early June 2008, my husband, my sister and myself were so blessed to be able to use the facility at the RMH while our newborn son was in the NICU at Pitt for two weeks. This horrific event was somewhat buffered by the clean and comfortable facility, a kitchen with food, warm showers, necessities (tooth brushes, fax machine, washer/dryer and yes even a breast pump), access to the internet and TVs. We had a warm, respectful and friendly staff and place to rest for a couple of hours close to our baby.

We are forever grateful to the RMH for these services and intend to remember them the rest of our lives by giving back to the RMH whenever we are in a position to do so. We would like to make dinner for the families that are at the house sometime soon. Celebrating after our HEALTHY son turns one. Please let us know what dates are available and what, if anything, we need to do to make it happen.

Thank you so very much.

-- Christy & Scott Weiss

The Stoner Family

“My husband, CPL Thomas Stoner, and I were guests of yours from early September 2006 until December 2006 when our son Caleb was born prematurely. We were from Jacksonville and Thomas was in the military. I was just looking at your website and thinking about you guys so I wanted to give you an update. Caleb is now just over 18 months old. He currently weighs 16 lbs, 7oz and is 30 1/2in long. He is doing pretty good healthwise but there are a few issues. His weight is a big problem and he will need glasses in May. Caleb is doing well with almost everything else though. He is beginning to walk and talk. I wish we could come visit, but we actually moved back to Pennsylvania once Thomas had completed his active military duty. I really miss the warmer weather though. I wanted to thank you guys for running such a wonderful organization that helps out people who really do need it. I don't know what we would have done if the Ronald McDonald House hadn’t been there for us. Thank you again. You are all wonderful angels sent to help people like us that needed help and hope. Thank you!”

-- Rebecca Stoner

The Long Family

“March 7, 2007 was the one year anniversary of our stay in your wonderful establishment. We are so grateful for your hospitality, I hope these pictures of Tyler will give encouragement to those enduring the hard times of having a child in the NICU. I know how uncertain the future can seem for the parent or grandparent of a preemie. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you and all your guests. I thank God for “the House That Love Built.”

-- Heather Long

  

 

Room 220

The Ronald McDonald House is a great and wonderful place. May family just wants to say thank you!!!! Today, my son will be discharged from the hospital. The last two months have been a journey. I know one day I will have to tell him the reason for his scars. I will tell him about the terrible car accident we were in. I know we still have work to do and he will have many more days of rehab; however, that is the answer right there….he HAS many more days. Some people don’t make it this far.

- A Thankful Parent