About The BBQ
What Celebrating our community!
Where Our Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton
When June 13, 2026
The Story
On a beautiful sunny day, more than 300 guests – including current families, Alumni families, volunteers, donors, and community supporters – gathered at our House for an afternoon of laughter, connection, and fun.
From a BBQ lunch to carnival games, from a DJ to family-friendly activities, the day was filled with smiles and unforgettable moments.
A chance to reconnect
For many Alumni families, the BBQ was an opportunity to return to the place they once called home, reconnect with staff, volunteers, and the community that supported them through their child’s medical journey.
Current families staying at the House had the chance to step away from the day-to-day stress of hospital visits and enjoy the afternoon together. Some families were even able to bring their child from the hospital to join the festivities for the afternoon, creating precious moments of joy during a challenging time.
Celebrating the power of community
This year’s BBQ was also the perfect opportunity to celebrate another incredible milestone: our Pay it Forward for Families campaign which raised more than $100,000 throughout April.
The month-long fundraiser brought together dedicated fundraising teams, generous donors, and passionate supporters from across our community, all united by one goal: helping families stay close when their child is receiving medical care.
We’re especially grateful to Meridian Credit Union whose generous $40,000 matching commitment helped amplify the impact of every donation and inspired even more people to give!
This campaign was a wonderful reminder that when a community comes together, incredible things can happen.
Thank you to our sponsors
Events like the Family Reunion BBQ wouldn’t be possible without the support of generous partners who believe in creating meaningful experiences for families.
A heartfelt thank you to Leggat Auto Group – our title sponsor – as well as to Tandia Credit Union and DLL financial Services for helping being this special day to life. Your support made it possible for families to take a break, from medical routines, reconnect with one another, and create joyful memories together.
Looking ahead
Whether it was a child laughing through a game of mini putt, a family returning to visit years after their stay, or current families enjoying a well-deserved afternoon of fun, the Family Reunion BBQ was a beautiful reminder of the strength and compassion of our RMH®SCO community.
To everyone who attended, volunteers, sponsored, donated, or fundraised – thank you for making this day, and our Mission, possible.
We can’t wait to welcome everyone back again next year!
Donate to support our families
For the dads who always show up
Through thick and thin, Happy Father's Day to the dads who always show up.
The Heart Behind our Mission
We're sharing the love for Ronald McDonald House® South Central Ontario! From Niagara to Hamilton-Halton, to Kitchener-Waterloo and Guelph.
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