Families who check into a Ronald McDonald House are going through what is likely the worst time of their lives. Ronald McDonald Houses everywhere provide a free place to stay for families that have to travel to get medical care for a critically ill or injured child.
The families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in San Antonio just got, courtesy of Lowe’s, a beautifully landscaped garden where they can rest, rejuvenate and reflect.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio applied for and received a Lowe’s Hometowns grant of $100,000 to, according to the grant application, “repair, improve and renovate the exterior of the Sid Katz House, which supports families facing the struggle of a child battling a terminal illness or life-threatening injury. The House ensures families can be close to their ill child without having to be separated or incur hotel and other expenses they can’t afford.”
“The Lowe’s grant has been great,” said Travis Pearson, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities in San Antonio. In addition to the financial support, “they installed an outdoor area right off our kitchen where families can rest and relax. A dry creek bed with river rocks will serve as a space where families can engrave rocks with their child’s name in honor or in memory of their child.”
The memorial creek is made up of dry rock surrounded by lots of plants, landscaping mulch and paver stones. A new paved walkway Lowe’s volunteers installed leads guests from the parking lot to the back door.
All hands on deck
The “Red Vest Day” working event on Oct. 11 had star power. Bobby Berk, design expert and Emmy-nominated TV host, was on hand for the project, which was followed by a dedication ceremony. Four families whose children are current guests at the house also participated.
“I really love working with companies who understand that it is very important to give back to the communities that they’re a part of, and Lowe’s really does that,” said Berk, the Lowe’s Hometowns ambassador.
“I think this is going to mean so much to the families that are here today to be a part of the unveiling of this memorial garden, not just for the children we have sadly lost, but also for the children who have beat [their illness],” he added. “It’s just going to mean a lot to them to have that moment of remembrance.”
Julio Gonzalez, who’s been with Lowe’s for 16 years, said the “Red Vest Day” was overwhelming in size, scope and emotional power.
“The magnitude of that project was phenomenal,” said the manager of the Lowe’s store in San Antonio who led the effort. “We had 70 Lowe’s associates from all 15 area stores out to volunteer. We were there from 7:30 a.m. until 4 or 5 p.m. It was really exciting for all of us to be part of something so big and meaningful.”
It was heartening for the staff, too. The Sid Katz House has been closed since February 2021 when a winter storm blew through San Antonio. A freeze caused more than 20 pipes to burst, and the house was flooded with water 8 feet deep. About 80% of the building was damaged, and it had to be taken down to the studs.
A place of solace
The Sid Katz House, built in 1998, was due for upgrades. The upfit project aligned with repairing the storm damage. Pearson and his team have been raising funds for the repairs and renovations for what insurance won’t cover. The Lowe’s grant is helping in that regard.
On Oct. 11, the Lowe’s volunteers finished their work ahead of schedule. “We finished early and asked if there was anything else we could help with,” Gonzalez said. “Our volunteers ended up repainting a fence.”
One Lowe’s volunteer even said he’d come back after the event to help with maintenance.
Jennifer Othman, director of marketing and development for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio, explained in the grant application, “The average length of stay for a family is 24 days, and the house and rooms truly become home. The family bedrooms provide more than a place to sleep, they give families the hope and comfort they need during their darkest hour. There is always emotional strain on the family of a critically ill child, but financial stress also factors in.” If a child must receive chemotherapy for six months, it is more than $30,000 in unexpected expenses. How many families can really afford that?”
The house has a community kitchen, but every family has their own room and their own refrigerator and pantry.
It doesn't feel like a hotel... it feels like a home.
“Families become very close,” he continued. “Sometimes, they’ll cook and eat together. They form a tremendous support system with each other. ”
“Our goal is to take away every single stress we can so the family can solely focus on the needs of their child,” he added. “There is no cost for families to stay with us, and they can stay as long as they need to.”
When fully operational, the Sid Katz House – combined with the two other locations Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio operates – has 58 rooms and can serve 4,500 people a year. Ninety percent of families come from Texas, but the other 10 percent come from 30 other states and six foreign countries.
Knowing who this project would benefit – and meeting some of the families now staying at the Ronald McDonald House – was deeply gratifying for Lowe’s volunteers. “We gave our time, our sweat and a lot of devotion to the Ronald McDonald House families,” Gonzalez said. “We were all touched by their mission. It was an honor and a privilege to serve them.”
The projected completion date for the Sid Katz House is Summer 2023.
