The Story
There are moments at Ronald McDonald House South Central Ontario that stop us in our tracks - not because they are loud or dramatic, but because they quietly remind us why this place exists.
One of those moments happened this past holiday season.
A dad staying at our House was invited into our Winter Wonderland - a room filled with toys where families can "shop" for their children at no cost. As he picked out gifts, he shared something that stayed with our team long after he left the room.
"When we checked-in, I told my kids that Christmas was going to be paused this year."
The family was far from home, his child was being treated in the hospital, and everything about life felt uncertain. Celebrating the holidays didn't feel possible.
But standing in our Winter Wonderland and feeling the warmth, generosity, and holiday magic at our Ronald McDoanld House shifted something.
"Now," he said smiling, "I don't feel like we need to pause Christmas anymore."
Because of supporters like you, that family didn't lose the magic of the holidays - even when life was far from normal.
That moment captures what you made possible in 2025.
Because of you, families were supported when they needed it most - when their world revolved around hospital visits, uncertain outcomes, and being far from home. Because of your generosity, families facing some of the hardest days of their lives had a place where they could breathe, rest, and feel supported. A place to be close to the hospital. and a place that felt like home when home was too far away.
In 2025:
- Over 600 families stayed at our House in Hamilton.
- Over 180,000 visits were welcomed at our Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms in McMaster Children's Hospital (Hamilton) and Marotta Family Hospital (Niagara).
- Over 15,500 family members were supported by our Ronald McDonald Care Carts in McMaster Children's Hospital, Marotta Family Hospital, and WRHN @ Midtown (formerly Grand River Hospital in Kitchener-Waterloo).
But numbers only tell part of the story.
This year, our community showed up not just in donations, but in connection. You shared family stories, reflected on why you gave, and celebrated milestones with us online. Our most meaningful moments weren't polished campaigns; they were real stories that resonated.
- Family stories, like one from the Harris family reminded us that real experiences matter.
- Donor reflections, like one from Chris Sinclair of Brand BLVD, reminded us how powerful it is to pause and give back.
- Moments of growth - like our new playroom, our refreshed brand, and our celebration of community at Founder's Day - showed how deeply people feel connected to this wonderful place.
When you support Ronald McDonald House South Central Ontario, you're not just providing a room or a meal - you're giving families the chance to feel normal in the middle of the unimaginable. You're giving parents space to focus on what matters most: their child.
As we look back on 2025, we hope you feel proud. Proud of the moments you made possible. Proud of the families you stood beside. Proud of the community you helped build.
And if you're ever wondering whether your support matters, remember this: because of you, one dad didn't have to pause Christmas after all.
Donate to support our families
A New Place to Play
A new place to play: Ronald McDonald House South Central Ontario opens the Colamartini Playroom.
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We couldn't do the work we do without the support of our community partners.