Home for the Holidays
At Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Chattanooga, the mission has stood true for over thirty-four years; to provide families with the care and resources they need when their child is sick and to support programs and services that directly improve the health and well-being of children. In an effort to aid families with children receiving medical care, RMHC provides a safe place full of provisions, allowing families to focus on what matters most: their sick child.
RMHC operates with the understanding that life cannot be put on pause due to unforeseen circumstances; however, there is space to ease the chaos for families.
This space is filled by four major programs that follow a "continuum of care" model, focusing on helping families navigate their medical journey far beyond their stay in the House. When families confront a critical illness or injury, their struggles do not end with the discharge process. As a result, RMHC of Greater Chattanooga proudly operates their Family Room, Mindful Room, and House to Home programs in addition to their House.
Ronald McDonald House’s twenty-eight-bedroom facility operates 24/7, 365 days a year. Fresh meals, laundry services, and comfortable beds do not take a holiday in their Home, because unfortunately, critical injury and illness do not take holiday either.
No matter the day, their House is fully operational with staff, volunteers, and of course families.
Nineteen years ago, Donna and Marty Lowe found themselves calling RMHC their “home for the holidays” after their son, Mason, was born eight weeks prematurely with fluid in his lungs. Mason critically needed time in the NICU to heal and learn to breathe on his own, so the couple began searching for a place to stay near the hospital. After a nurse overheard the two discussing their difficulty finding an available hotel room, she suggested the Ronald McDonald House. “The nurse helped Marty coordinate with the staff, and by the time I was released from the hospital, RMHC had arranged everything for us. We had a place to stay across the street from our son, which was priceless,” Donna continues, “Staying at the Ronald McDonald House saved us both financially and emotionally. Knowing we were just steps away from Mason allowed us to be close when we couldn’t physically be with him. When your child is in the NICU, you can’t stay all day; there are scheduled times for visits. Being nearby was invaluable and kept us grounded during those long days and nights.”
Through meals prepared with care, welcoming accommodations, and many support services provided by dedicated volunteers and staff, RMHC seeks to offer a resemblance of relief and normalcy during extraordinarily challenging times. “The Ronald McDonald House felt familiar from the moment we arrived,” Donna says, “At first, there was an awkwardness because you don’t know what to expect.” You don’t want to impose or overstay your welcome. But those feelings quickly faded because of the warmth and love that filled the house. It was Christmas time, yet the staff and volunteers were there, making sure everything was taken care of, just as they would any other day. What surprised us most was the seamless way they provided every necessity—a room, shower, kitchen, and the comfort of a home.”
The holidays are meant to be spent with loved ones, and Ronald McDonald House understands this power. “Spending the holiday season away from home, with your child in the NICU, is heartbreaking. Christmas should be joyful, but with Mason's uncertain health, it was hard to find that joy, The hospital felt somber and quiet. When we moved to the Ronald McDonald House, everything changed,” Donna says, recalling a memory of making ornaments with other families facing similar circumstances. “The holiday spirit was alive there- it was warm, celebratory, and filled with care. The staff brought the comfort and joy of the season into our lives, creating an atmosphere of love and compassion.”
Families staying at the House often find solace in one another, as they are experiencing similar hardships. “We shared the Ronald McDonald House with many other families, each of us bound by similar, heartbreaking experiences. Among them was a couple who had a baby girl admitted to the NICU on the same day as Mason. Although we didn’t see them often, every encounter with them at the RMHC was a moment to exchange updates and lean on each other. Tragically, their daughter didn’t make it, but those conversations left an indelible mark on us,” Donna remembers. “In the face of such uncertainty, the Ronald McDonald House brought us together, creating bonds that are impossible to forget. As a mother, my mind would often wander to worst-case scenarios, making it hard to sleep. One comforting memory was waking up in the middle of the night and heading to the kitchen. Once, I found some homemade cookies left for the families. I can’t recall what kind they were, but another parent and I ended up talking for what seemed like hours—long enough to finish the remaining cookies. Those quiet moments, often shared with other parents, became therapeutic. We exchanged stories, shared our worries, and found a silent understanding that helped us feel less alone.”
Stories such as Donna, Marty, and Mason’s are the very reason Ronald McDonald House operates; to provide comfort, hope, and togetherness.
After giving birth at eight months and undergoing an emergency C-section, Toni Ann Johnson learned her son, Azari-Asher, would need to stay in the NICU. With limited mobility, her team at Erlanger referred her to Ronald McDonald House so she could remain close while recovering. “I stayed for almost three weeks and it was the best experience having gone through that painful ordeal,” Toni Ann said. “I remember how safe and welcoming the environment was and the staff was always there to greet us with a smile or give us extra treats.” Having a place so close to the hospital gave her comfort during a difficult time. “The biggest help was the convenience of it all being so close and not feeling lost or like you’re going through it alone,” she shared. “The whole experience was such a blessing and memorable; it meant the world to me just to be able to talk and share laughs with the staff and other families there,” Toni Ann said. “Not having to think about anything apart from rest and your baby was the ultimate gift and we are forever grateful to RMHC.” Today, both Toni Ann and Azari-Asher are healthy and thriving.
In mid-October 1990, four-year-old Daniel Bailer became very sick with pneumonia and was admitted to Children’s Hospital at Erlanger. What began as a hospital stay quickly became a long and uncertain time for his family. Daniel spent nearly 50 days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and about 70 days total in the hospital. At the time, the Bailer family lived in Dalton, about a 45-minute drive away. Renee stayed in Chattanooga during the week while her husband continued working. Each night, she slept in the PICU waiting room, resting in chairs and using a public restroom to shower. Most of her time was spent just outside Daniel’s room. During their stay, Daniel’s health quickly became extremely critical. He was placed on a ventilator, taken off, then put back on again and later required a tracheostomy due to recurring pneumonia, which extended his stay even longer. During that time, Renee relied heavily on the nurses and doctors caring for her son. “The nurses and doctors became my lifeline,” Renee said. “They knew I was sleeping in the waiting room chairs every night.” About a week before the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga officially opened, founding director Jane Kaylor and hospital staff approached Renee and asked if she would like to stay at the House. “I’ll never forget that moment,” Renee said. “They told me I could come over and sleep in a real bed, and I said, ‘ Take me!’ It was like a godsend.” Renee was hesitant at first to leave the hospital, even briefly, but staff reassured her she was in good hands and Daniel was only steps away. She was given a pager in case Daniel needed her and knew security could get in contact if anything happened overnight. She agreed and became the first guest to ever stay at the House. Renee stayed for about a week in a handicap-accessible room with a private bathroom, shower, and bed. For the first time in weeks, she was able to rest. “The peace and quiet were incredible,” she recalled. “I’d been surrounded by people and hospital noise for weeks. To sit on a couch, to breathe, to feel cared for—it was life-changing.” Today, Daniel is 39 years old. He is wheelchair-bound but healthy and works as a sculptor and artist, creating and selling his artwork. “It was like angels sent me there,” Renee said. “That place gave me rest when I didn’t know how I was going to keep going. It will always hold a special place in my heart.”
