2008 Woodie Awards
Halloween house party cheers sick children
By Sharon Hensley
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: Premiere
Originally published: 11/20/08 at 5:59 PM CSTLast update: 11/20/08 at 6:48 PM CST
There are times when distraction can be a good thing.
The Ronald McDonald House provides housing for critically ill children and their families when they must travel to get medical treatment outside of their own communities.
Fred Hill, a Philadelphia Eagles football player, built the first house in Philadelphia in 1974.
While his daughter was undergoing treatment for leukemia, Hill enlisted his teammates and local McDonald's restaurants to raise the necessary funds.
The first San Antonio house opened May 6, 1985, at 227 Lewis St.
Beta Nu, this college's chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, has a history of service with the project.
PTK Vice President Tara Haley said, "We always do something for the Ronald McDonald House. It's based on what they need. This year, they said their Halloween decorations were worn out."
PTK has a savings account from the chapter's fundraising efforts.
The society used $350 from this account to purchase decorations, Haley said.
Several PTK members helped to decorate and attended an Oct. 31 Halloween party for the children at the house.
Madeline Garcia, 6, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in June.
Her mother, Sandra Garcia, said, "We've been here since then. Our doctor from Harlingen referred us over here."
Madeline attended the Halloween party dressed as Hannah Montana, complete with blonde wig.
"She likes it here - here better than the hospital, of course," her mother said. "She's doing really well. She's already in remission. Her chemotherapy lasts through November, so we'll probably go home in December."
So many months away from home are difficult but for most families would have been impossible if housing was not available through the project.
"It's something that gets her out and doing something. Not just being at the hospital," Garcia said.
House manager Juanita Muñiz praised the students of Phi Theta Kappa, saying, "Our Halloween decorations were a little out of date. They did a great job. They're very creative."
Muñiz said the party helps to distract the families who are staying at the house and gets them together to support each other.
"A lot of them feel alone, but there are other people going through the same thing," she said. "Sharing stories with other families, it gives them a shoulder to cry on. It gives them a minute to forget about what's going on."
Muñiz said many are not familiar with the city. "It's also safer for them. A lot of them are not from San Antonio."
She noted the most important reason for helping these families.
"I think, personally, you never know which holiday will be your last when you're staying here."
The Ronald McDonald House provides housing for critically ill children and their families when they must travel to get medical treatment outside of their own communities.
Fred Hill, a Philadelphia Eagles football player, built the first house in Philadelphia in 1974.
While his daughter was undergoing treatment for leukemia, Hill enlisted his teammates and local McDonald's restaurants to raise the necessary funds.
The first San Antonio house opened May 6, 1985, at 227 Lewis St.
Beta Nu, this college's chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, has a history of service with the project.
PTK Vice President Tara Haley said, "We always do something for the Ronald McDonald House. It's based on what they need. This year, they said their Halloween decorations were worn out."
PTK has a savings account from the chapter's fundraising efforts.
The society used $350 from this account to purchase decorations, Haley said.
Several PTK members helped to decorate and attended an Oct. 31 Halloween party for the children at the house.
Madeline Garcia, 6, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in June.
Her mother, Sandra Garcia, said, "We've been here since then. Our doctor from Harlingen referred us over here."
Madeline attended the Halloween party dressed as Hannah Montana, complete with blonde wig.
"She likes it here - here better than the hospital, of course," her mother said. "She's doing really well. She's already in remission. Her chemotherapy lasts through November, so we'll probably go home in December."
So many months away from home are difficult but for most families would have been impossible if housing was not available through the project.
"It's something that gets her out and doing something. Not just being at the hospital," Garcia said.
House manager Juanita Muñiz praised the students of Phi Theta Kappa, saying, "Our Halloween decorations were a little out of date. They did a great job. They're very creative."
Muñiz said the party helps to distract the families who are staying at the house and gets them together to support each other.
"A lot of them feel alone, but there are other people going through the same thing," she said. "Sharing stories with other families, it gives them a shoulder to cry on. It gives them a minute to forget about what's going on."
Muñiz said many are not familiar with the city. "It's also safer for them. A lot of them are not from San Antonio."
She noted the most important reason for helping these families.
"I think, personally, you never know which holiday will be your last when you're staying here."
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