Families and community organizations, together with Ronald McDonald House Charities – Saskatchewan (RMHC-SK), are kicking off the second annual Red Shoe Walk in Yorkton on June 4 to celebrate 31 years of assisting Saskatchewan families in critical times of medical need.
“We are planning a fundraising walk for people of all ages to raise awareness and the profile of Ronald McDonald House and to help support families that require our resources. All proceeds from the Red Shoe Walk will go directly to the Saskatchewan House in Saskatoon,” said Karen Linsley, representative.
“RMHC is amazing and it is there for us whenever we need to take our children for any of their medical appointments,” said Kim Sandager of Preeceville. “It is close to the hospital and it has made it possible for Craig and I to both be able to be with our children Ian and Freya when they have had to stay in the hospital.”
Clint and Lorrissa Petras of Hazel Dell stayed at the house when they had their third child, Sophia.
“We had to stay in Saskatoon when Sophia was born pre-maturely. It was very relaxing and reassuring to know we had a great place to stay that welcomed the entire family. The support was huge and the ease of mind that they gave us was unbelievable. It was also very affordable as worrying about paying for expensive hotel rooms is the last thing we were thinking about. When our other daughter Skylee was born pre-maturely we had to stay in a hotel and it was very expensive and stressful.”
More than 19,000 families have been served over the past 31 years and the demand is growing, said Linsley. “It has been made possible to serve these families because of the continuous support we receive from communities like yours throughout the province. Together, we will continue to make strides for sick children and their families, throughout the province with our second Annual Red Shoe Walk.
RMHC-SK offers a “home away from home” for families who need a place to stay while their children receive medical treatment in Saskatoon, she said. There were times when the House has turned away one out of every three families due to lack of space. The expansion has allowed the House to grow from 13 to 34 rooms, ensuring that RMHC-SK can meet the needs of future generations of Saskatchewan families. The House serves families from communities all through the province and for $10 per night, families can stay in a homelike setting and feel the financial burden lessen as they support their sick children.
