Local Charity Creates Home Away from Home for Families

Local Charity Creates Home Away from Home for Families of Sick Children

BY Orie Givens Ohio

PUBLISHED 2:49 PM ET Jan. 02, 2020 PUBLISHED January 2, 2020 @2:49 PM

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ashley Vehrs and her daughter Paige are usually raising calves, but this holiday season they spent time with friends and family making buckeyes at the Ronald McDonald House in Columbus.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio serves 4,500 families annually with the help of volunteers
A 10-year-old girl donated $4,000 she raised from a calf auction to the organization
The Ohio Cattlemen's Association and Ronald McDonald House will work together on fundraisers and volunteer efforts throughout the new year

“Last September, my nephew was born, he has chromosome disorder and a congenital heart defect, said Ashley Vehrs, who volunteered along with her 10-year-old daughter. "And he has spent over 400 days at the Nationwide Children's Hospital, and my brother and his wife lived here the whole time."

That experience inspired Paige to donate $4,000 she raised from a calf auction at her local county fair to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

“To help the other people that live here, to be with their kids. My nephew went home. But the people who can't. it just helps immensely, I would think,” said Vehrs.

The Ohio Cattlemen's Association's youth group brought some cheer and helping hands for families who can't be home for the holidays.

It’s part of a new partnership between the two organizations.

“We get caught up in the competition side of things and the show and stuff, shows and the cattle and stuff, and it's always fun to do a different spin and do something different,” said Sasha Rittenhouse, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association.

Just before Christmas, around 50 volunteers from across the state spent their time Christmas week to make lunch at the house.

This didn't involve cattle today, or anything out on the farm this was a whole different thing, but I see everyone getting along, smiles on their faces and it's always good to give back during the holiday,” said Rittenhouse.

Of course, beef was on the menu — homemade empanadas, rice and beans, fruit, a salad and sweets.

The Ronald McDonald House runs on volunteer power. And a new partnership with the Cattlemen's Association will bring time and money to families at the home.

“it's just really good to bring home to this organization. It's Christmastime and they may not be able to spend Christmas at their house. So, we do the best we can to make it as home as we can,” said Rittenhouse.

The Ronald McDonald House serves 4,500 families over the year, providing a free place to stay for families as they help their children heal.

And those families spending Christmas at the home were thankful.

“It's very nice to have a homecooked meal that I didn't have to cook in this stressful time of being in the hospital, so it's really nice to have volunteers that help with this,” said a current resident.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio Executive Director Dee Anders says whether it's time or money, every donation helps, and says volunteers are their most important asset.

“It makes it possible for families to stay here when people make contributions, and no matter how big or how small, everybody can help with some sort of contribution,” said Anders.

These families are just happy to spread holiday cheer where they say it's most needed.

“To see the younger kids to come back and help out and take time out of their Christmas vacation to help support something that means a lot to our family and everyone else's family, it means a lot,” said Vehrs.