Celebrating 3 Years of Duluth Ronald McDonald House Helping Families

Anniversary a time to reflect and be thankful.

There is nothing like an anniversary party to brighten up a gray February day.

And Friday people were celebrating a place that has brightened up the day of many families.

The Ronald McDonald House in Duluth has been a welcome landing place for three years.

Friday, Essentia Health medical staff and others gathered to think about the resource it has been for families when they’ve needed it most. Families also stopped by to be part of the day and express their thanks and appreciation.

Those who work with the house and the families help parents and their children at a time when they can be overwhelmed by decisions, logistics, and just getting through the day. It is a good feeling for the staff to be able to help.

“They don’t have to worry about not being able to eat while they’re here. They don’t have to worry about where they’re going to do their laundry while they’re here,” said Program Manager, Paula Broschofsky.

“They don’t have to worry about traveling back and forth multiple days a week to try and be here with their kiddos, while having nowhere to stay here. So, for us to be here is just huge. It’s huge for the people, especially the people that need to stay here. We hear all the time, ‘I have no idea what we would have done if you guys wouldn’t have been here,'” Broschofsky said.

For families who stay at the McDonald house, it is a true home-away-from-home. It is in the center of the city’s medical complex and provides a practical location and a cushion against long and expensive hotel stays. All that plus the emotional relief of not having to figure it all out.