5 ways to support Alabama families during the holidays

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Although the holidays bring great joy, they can also be lonely. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama (RMHCA) allows Alabama families with sick children to have a home away from home during the holiday season.

We talked to one family about how RMHCA has helped them and other families staying at the House. Keep reading to see what we learned and how you can get involved, too.

Meet the Calderaro family from Cherokee, Alabama

Originally from New York, Joseph and Loren Calderaro moved to Cherokee, Alabama soon after their son Joseph Calderaro IV was born in 2020.

Their son was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in February 2023, and the three have been staying at RMHCA for the past six weeks during his chemo and radiation treatments.

“For my wife and I, a room is a room, but for my son, this is a way better environment. He was a big fan of daycare—he loved his friends and loved to socialize. He didn’t have that interaction for so long, but by being [at the House], he can play on the playground with other kids going through similar stuff.”

Joseph Calderaro III

Joseph expressed that the staff and volunteers do their best to make the House feel like a home for all who stay there, which is especially important during the holidays.

“It’s not home for anyone, obviously, but in a time when you don’t have the option to go to your own home, I can’t stress enough how much they take off your plate when there is so much else happening.”

Joseph Calderaro III

1. Volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham

Volunteers are a big part of RMHCA. Not only are they the friendly faces who greet families who spend time at the House, but they are also there to lend a helping hand when needed.

If you have an interest in bringing a smile to families’ faces all across Alabama, this is the gig for you.

There is a variety of tasks that volunteers lead around the House. Some of these include:

• Cleaning common areas
• Organizing donations
• Sorting pop tabs
• And more!

We stopped by for Bingo Night with United-Johnson Brothers and it was a blast! Seeing the camaraderie of all the families staying at the House put an immediate smile on my face. If you’re seeking a place to volunteer that will give you all the warm and fuzzy feels, this is it.

Interested in offering your time to help families in need? Apply to be a House volunteer today.

2. Shop the RMHCA holiday wish list

RMHCA updated its holiday wish list with items they currently need to provide for their guest families.

The wish list includes urgent needed items, such as:

• Liquid dish soap
• Paper bowls, cups + plates
• To-go food containers

Thanks to amazing donors, parents staying at the House can shop for Christmas gifts for all their children in Ronald’s Workshop—since finding time to shop can be difficult when you have a sick or injured child.

“In a time where, as a parent, your brain isn’t full-speed on little things, [RMHCA] takes a lot off your plate. That can’t be understated.”

Joseph Calderaro III

You can view the full wish list on RMHCA’s website.

3. Provide a meal to Alabama families with sick children

When families come to stay at RMHCA, it can be tough to get used to their new day-to-day schedule and living space.  Warm meals tend to bring comfort and make everyone feel a little more at home. That’s why “Meals From The Heart” is an essential part of the RMHC mission.

To make their stay easier, you can sponsor a meal and the RMHCA Chef will plan the menu, buy the ingredients and create a delicious and nutritious meal for families.

Plus, we heard the food is really good!

“When they said they had a chef here, I was expecting something like cafeteria food, but it’s actually very good.”

Joseph Calderaro III

4. Donate directly to RMHCA

The best way to give to RMHCA this holiday season is by donating. No matter the amount, every bit makes a difference for families in need.

Here are two ways to donate:

1. Give a one-time gift.
2. Become a House Hero + sign up for monthly donations.

5. Round-Up for RMHC at your local McDonald’s

Since 2019, McDonald’s has streamlined the donation process for RMHC—all you have to do is ask to round up your purchase to the nearest whole dollar when you order at McDonald’s. Taking place at over 12,000 McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S., Round-Up for RMHC has become one of their biggest fundraisers and a way everyone can help.

During your next McDonald’s visit, think of RMHCA and ask to round up your order to the nearest dollar. It’s that easy, and it goes on to support families across the state.

Looking for more ways to give to RMHCA?

No child should be apart from their family or miss out on the magic of the holiday season.

If you’re looking for more ways to give—it’s your lucky day. Starting December 13, RMHCA is featuring “12 Days of Giving” on their social media.

Here’s a sneak peak of ways to give throughout the rest of December:

1. Ornament ($25 donation)
2. Dillard’s Southern Living Cookbook
3. Monthly giving
4. Round-Up for RMHC at McDonald’s
5. Sponsor a meal
6. Gifts of stock
7. Volunteer
8. Community Fundraiser
9. Specialty Vehicle Tag or Donate a vehicle
10. Wish List Drive (includes Happy Wheels)
11. Sign up for Red Shoe Run with friends or start a team with your office
12. Gift a Night

Support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama this holiday season + every day—make a donation, sponsor a meal, volunteer or round up the next time you go to your local McDonald’s.

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