The Family Room was made possible through an incredible partnership with Niagara Health, Mountainview Building Group, Silvergate Homes, Niagara Community Foundation – David S Howes Fund and ongoing fundraising efforts led by The Rotary Club of St. Catharines South and The May Court Club of St. Catharines through the Because We Care campaign.
Since opening in September 2024, Niagara’s Ronald McDonald Family Room on the fourth floor of Niagara Health’s Marotta Family Hospital has quickly become an invaluable resource for families with children receiving care. With upwards of 3,000 visits per month and growing, the Family Room has provided over 18,000 meals and snacks to caregivers, in addition to offering laundry services, emotional support, and respite for families with children in the hospital.
For one Port Colborne mom, the Family Room became a lifeline during her daughter’s stay in the NICU. “Being able to just go down the hall for coffee and food was a lifesaver,” Robyn Dobson shared. “Having somewhere peaceful to visit with our older daughter made our stay just a little more bearable. Our family will be forever grateful to everyone who made this space possible.”
The Family Room was made possible through an incredible partnership with Niagara Health, Mountainview Building Group, Silvergate Homes, Niagara Community Foundation – David S Howes Fund and ongoing fundraising efforts led by The Rotary Club of St. Catharines South and The May Court Club of St. Catharines through the Because We Care campaign.
“The Ronald McDonald Family Room has become an essential space for families facing the challenges of having a child in the hospital,” says Natalie Doucet, Director, Women & Babies and Children’s Health program. “The ability to step away, even for a moment, to grab a meal, do a load of laundry or simply take a deep breath in a comforting space makes an incredible difference. We are proud to be part of a partnership that provides this much-needed support to families in our community.”
Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario (RMHC) CEO Mario De Divitiis emphasized the collective effort behind the initiative: “This space was created through collaboration, generosity, and compassion. We’re proud to continue our mission to support families during their most difficult moments. Given the high percentage of families that we serve come from Niagara, having a Family Room in Niagara is a natural extension, providing support and comfort to local families with children receiving care closer to home.”
The Family Room is possible thanks to the generosity of people like Diane Bond. Diane made a gift in honour of her late husband, Bill, who lived by the golden rule: "We should all be kind and treat every person with respect and dignity. Bill embodied this philosophy in every aspect of his life. He had an innate ability to sense when someone needed help, and without hesitation, he was always there to lend a hand. I wanted to honour his legacy of kindness. Choosing RMHC to do that felt like a perfect fit for both Bill and me.”
As the Family Room enters its seventh month, its impact continues to grow, offering comfort and support to families across Niagara. This space is a natural extension of RMHC’s mission to provide care and support to families close to home.
