What: Give your time or a donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The Lowdown: from RMHC.org: “As the most well-known program, Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. The second major program, Ronald McDonald Family Room, extends the comfort of a Ronald McDonald House into the hospital. Often located steps away from pediatric and intensive care units, a Ronald McDonald Family Room provides a place to enjoy a warm meal, talk with other parents and relax.�

What I say: I can’t imagine anything more heartbreaking than having a seriously ill child. Parents of such children are faced with more than just dealing with a child’s sickness. Often these children are hospitalized quite a distance from their homes. Medical expenses alone can be a struggle for many families, so having to stay in a hotel indefinitely with all the extra expenses that entails can make it tough for family members of sick children to stay close while the child is treated. Ronald McDonald House Charities makes it possible for these family members to get a hot meal and a bed to sleep in while staying close to their hospitalized child. You can help by volunteering to cook a meal, host a movie night, or help maintain a house.

Do Good: Find out more about volunteering online @ RMHC.org