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Last updated on Thursday, December 17, 2015
(INDIANAPOLIS) - For the 58 families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Indiana (RMHI), the holiday season can be a difficult time.
Often these families must travel far from their homes and loved ones to be close to their children receiving life-saving medical treatment at Indianapolis-area hospitals.
However, thanks to a generous community of supporters and volunteers, the holiday season at the House is also a time of joy, gratitude and togetherness. Each year, RMHI volunteers and staff members work hard to relieve the stress of holiday gift giving by transforming a large conference room into a Santa's Workshop, filled with new toys, clothes and books. At Santa's Workshop, parents are able to shop for their kids, and kids are able to shop for their parents and siblings--all at no cost and without having to leave the House.
"Unfortunately, sickness, injury and emergencies do not pay attention to calendar dates or holidays," says Michelle Study-Campbell, CEO of RMHI. "This time of year can be especially hard for our families. The Santa's Workshop is our way of relieving some of that stress and bringing the joy of the season to families at the House."
The Indianapolis community plays a significant role in the success of the Santa's Workshop since all of the items parents and their children can "purchase" are donated. Some of our major donors this year include the Indiana Pacers, the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at IUPUI, Anthem, Inc., and the Parker Alan Wood Foundation. Hilton Worldwide will also make a large donation of Build-a-Bear bears on Wednesday, December 16. In the evening, employees from Defender Direct will be at the House volunteering their time and assisting in the set-up of Santa's workshop at approximately 6:30 p.m.
The Santa's Workshop at the Ronald McDonald House opens at 5 p.m. on Friday, December 18 and runs through Friday, December 25. During this time volunteers and staff will coordinate family shopping visits, assist children with shopping for their parents and siblings and wrap presents. Community members and organizations who wish to make a contribution to the workshop still have time to do so. The 2015 holiday wish list includes the following new items:
To see our full Holiday Wish List, please visit our website at www.rmhindiana.org
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