ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — There’s no place like home for the holidays, as the 1950s tune claims. It’s where most of us want to be and return to for Christmas and other festivities. But what happens if you can’t be there because your child’s receiving medical treatment elsewhere?
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“To be far from home, to have a child who’s sick during Christmas time is not easy,” said Kimmy Venter, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region.
Ronald McDonald House is a home away from home for sick kids receiving care at Albany Medical Center. Families come from 30 miles to 300 miles away and stay there as long as necessary — and it’s all free.
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“The house is a place that is welcoming for all. We have lots of fun places for kids to be kids,” Venter said, referring to the multitude of toys, in-house movie theater, game room, and numerous other activities and spaces for house guests.
While that comfort is provided all year long, Ronald McDonald House is going all out to make the holidays feel special, decking the halls with garlands, wreaths, nutcrackers, and various themed trees. (Eighteen to be exact!) Many with gifts kids can take anytime, like Barbie dolls, teddy bears, and candy.
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“If there’s a family that wants to be able to do Christmas morning opening presents, we do try to orchestrate that so that every family kind of has their space and their ability to do something special with their family unit,” Venter explained…