Return to Main Menu

Ronald McDonald House offers home away from home by Weslynn Chubb Public Relations When a family with a seriously ill child travels to MUSC from outside of the Lowcountry area, they generally have to wave good-bye to the comforts of home. And in many cases, extended stays at the hospital mean that a family may be away from their home for weeks, or even months, at the time. Norma Sweatman and Melissa Morgan volunteer their time to prepare dinner for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House on Calhoun Street. The Ronald McDonald House Charities' (RMHC) mission, however, is to provide  these comforts that many families are robbed of while their child receives  treatment at the hospital.   It is not unusual to walk into the house on Calhoun Street and see children giggling while playing video games, or a family chatting at the kitchen table while the aroma of homemade spaghetti fills the air. In many ways, it is like  being at home. “We are basically a home away from home for these families,” said Nora Moore,  volunteer coordinator for the Charleston RMHC. The house is a community living environment equipped with 12 private rooms, a full-size kitchen, dining and living areas. Home-cooked meals are also prepared by volunteers for the guests in order to make their stay as  comfortable as possible. Kay Cameron and her 15-year old son, Clint, stay at the House while Clint receives reconstructive surgery for his ears by ENT specialists at MUSC. “It's nice because when I leave home, I don't have to worry about anything,” she said. “It's like a family here. Everyone works together.” Staffed by two full-time and six part-time employees, the RMHC also relies on  support from the community to provide many of its services. Volunteers donate their time to do maintenance work, register guests and prepare meals for the  families staying at the House. “What keeps me coming back is not only do I feel welcomed by the staff, it's like playing a back-seat role in helping these families,” said Ellen Byrd, who has been volunteering at the house since September 2000. The RMH will be hosting a booth at the MUSC Volunteer Rally on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Horseshoe. Volunteer applications and information on how to get involved with the program will be available. For more information, contact Nora Moore at 723-7957 or 412-2063.