NewsRadio Savannah and our sponsors The Dewitt Tilton Group and Primrose Schools introduces you to the Ralph-Bunce family and their Ronald McDonald House Of The Coastal Empire experience:
Our time at the Ronald McDonald House was truly such a blessing.Â
Last year, we were 6 months pregnant at this time and planning on going to a friendâs birthday BBQ. We had family and friends in town and were looking for a fun weekend to just relax! At our doctorâs appointment just a few days prior, Baby Weston was perfectly healthy, and we were excitedly planning his baby shower that was just two weeks away!Â
As we were getting ready to leave, the most unexpected and unfamiliar pain started to occur, having never been pregnant before I was clueless to what was causing it. After a few hours I realized it may be best to go to the hospital as Weston's health was becoming a concern to me â upon arrival we received the shocking news that I was 5cm dilated and I had to be admitted. Reality set in fast and all my nerves took over. After 3 days of me being treated with a magnesium drip we welcomed our sweet boy. Weston was born and was directly sent to the NICU for being born prematurely at 28 weeks and 5 days. Never did I imagine that in 2 days, we would have to leave my baby Weston at the hospital and head home. We lived an hour away from the hospital, and the first night home we did not sleep. After two days of driving back and forth, a friend in Savannah thankfully opened their doors to us. They suggested we look into the Ronald McDonald House. I truly was uncertain at first, as I was uneasy about being surrounded by so many unknown families during this difficult time of our life, I just wanted my son - I would have stayed 24/7 and slept in the NICU if I could. After a lot of contemplating I decided it was the best thing to do. I knew it was the only way I could be closer to him and I knew the importance of that. Studies show day-to-day contact with your NICU baby is the best thing for healthy development and me sleeping two hours a day was not healthy for me or Baby Weston.Â
We requested a room and prayed we were able to get in, we received a call - RMHC had a room for my husband and me and we would be able to be by our sonâs side. We immediately accepted and went in the next day to check in, we were very nervous being in a new place. After our conversation with the Assistant House Manager, we felt at ease. Ronald McDonald House is so much more than just a place to stay while your little one is in the hospital, it is a home that cares about your well-being. The staff will always give you open arms when you need them, volunteers always have a warm meal ready even when you don't think you can eat, and there is always a seat at the table with multiple families that you can relate to and lean while were you are all going through something similar. Before you know it those neighboring families became friends. Ronald McDonald House was truly heaven sent and being able to stay there for exactly 100 days until baby Weston was big enough and healthy enough to be discharged was such a blessing. I owe Weston's amazing health to Ronald McDonald House for allowing us to be with him all hours, day or night, and for providing us with health, safety and a comfortable room to come back to during this difficult time.Â
Last year we spent our holidays going through the most difficult challenge, but we owe this amazing new holiday season with our Sweet Weston being home to Ronald McDonald House â The team, the sweet families we met, the volunteers and the many individuals who donate to this remarkable home and organizaiton. I could not imagine the outcome without each and every single one of them.Â
God bless The RMHC of Savannah.
Valerye Ralph
How to help:
â° Accepting monetary donations between Now - December 15th, 2025
đ Please deliver all cash, check, and gift card donations directly to iHeartMedia Savannah, 245 Alfred Street Savannah, GA 31408
đłForms 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 and Express Employment! and Primrose Schools