NewsRadio Savannah and our sponsor The Dewitt Tilton Group introduces you to the Winegarner family and their Ronald McDonald House Of The Coastal Empire experience:
Family! This is the word we would use to describe our time at RMH!
Over the summer, our son decided he was ready to see the world at 33 weeks. We are from Dublin, GA so the drive each day 2 hours one way was not feasible. The medical team immediately recommended we apply to stay at RMH and what a blessing it was! They were quick in getting our information and contacting us.
Our NICU stay was 24 days, and we could not have done it without the friends and staff at RMH! From volunteers bringing food, to the staff being so welcoming, all of our needs were met.
Specifically, the other NICU families that were there at the same time created a sense of community that you miss out on when you are away from home. These families were all at the House at different times for all different reasons. But we all had one thing in common - their sweet babies were all in the NICU at Memorial Health and they only wanted the best for each other!
The babies' needs varied from preemies to full term, from oxygen to surgeries. The RMH offered housing, occasional meals, and community for families who are awaiting discharge for their little ones.
We had a group that met each other in passing between meals and the walks to and from the NICU and quickly became friends! The days and nights were long and filled with anxious thoughts so having each other to send a quick text of encouragement, ask for someone to walk over to the NICU late at night, or just simply have a funny conversation helped the days go by in a more pleasant mindset. Throughout our stay, we bonded together and walked over to the hospital in groups, ate meals together, and celebrated our babies’ wins each day! Getting to know the nurses and each other brought joy to the not so joyous circumstances. Now, we are making plans to keep in touch or plan yearly events and watch their babies grow up together from all over GA!
How to help:
⏰ Accepting monetary donations between Now - December 11th, 2023
📍 Please deliver all cash, check, and gift card donations directly to iHeartMedia Savannah, 245 Alfred Street Savannah, GA 31408
💳Forms of donations accepted:
- Click here to make an online donation to the RMH. Add "Shop With A Cop" in memo.
- Checks made out to Ronald McDonald House with "Shop With A Cop" in memo.
- Visa, Master Card, AmEx or Target cards.
- Cash
Sponsored by The Dewitt Tilton Group!