A big thank you to our friends at Portland Monthly magazine!

Check out the April issue to see our ad on page 139.

East House Resident Manager Tommy Baker  was awarded a month-long trip to Brussels, Belgium this summer to take part in the European Union Summer Studies program.

Tommy, a political science major at Portland State,  earned one of two Outstanding Head of Government Awards at the Model European Union conference held at the University of Washington in Seattle during February. Tommy and his fiance Lindsay work behind the front desk at the East House during on weeknights, and live on premises at the house.

Click here to find out more about the competition.

Click below to see photos from Spring Break Lunch and a Movie this past Tuesday – featuring a family-friendly menu inspired by the film Ratatouille, hosted by Le Cordon Bleu and Living Room Theaters. Thanks to everyone who attended for supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Dinner and a Movie series continues on May 16 with a meal inspired by Eat Pray Love – reserve your tickets by clicking here.

We encourage all of our past house guests to sign our Family Guest Book, and share something about their experience at the Ronald McDonald Houses in Portland. Many families have left us messages, which are posted on our website, sharing their stories. Anyone can post a message online.

Click here to sign the Family Guest Book.

A “full house” is a pretty good poker hand. But a full Ronald McDonald House isn’t such a great deal if you’re a family in need of a room. And a pair of full Ronald McDonald Houses is even less inviting.

We’ve had a pair of full houses on several recent nights. That makes us uncomfortable, because it generally means some families have to wait a day or two for a room.

Because we began this morning with four open rooms in each House, we’ll probably be able to accommodate every request today. So we’re breathing easier—at least for the moment!

Why are we so crowded lately? Are there more sick children? Or are children being hospitalized longer because they’re more sick?

I can’t answer authoritatively—but I think it’s a combination of both. What I can pinpoint is the reason for our recent crowding. This morning, 18 of our 32 rooms are occupied by parents of premature babies. And because preemies arrive with such a multitude of medical challenges, they generally have longer hospital stays than most other children.

It’s wonderful to be here for these parents—many of whom are first-time mothers and fathers. On the nights we’re full, however, I find myself longing for a few extra rooms. Other times, I wish for the proverbial “ounce of prevention” (such as better nutrition and pre-natal care) that might eliminate (or at least minimize) the “pound of cure” that preemies need.

Eventually, I believe we’ll have those extra rooms. In the meantime, here’s hoping that the action eases in the neo-natal intensive care units. But I wouldn’t bet on it.

Tom Soma, Executive Director

Spring Break is here! Join us on Tuesday, March 27 at Spring Break Lunch and a Movie for Kids! Enjoy a family-friendly menu inspired by the film Ratatouille created by students and staff at Le Cordon Bleu, followed by a special screening of the movie at Living Room Theaters. Watch the trailer below for a sneak peak!

Click here to buy tickets online.

Thanks to everyone who joined us last night for the Dinner and a Movie showing of The Breakfast Club, hosted by Le Cordon Bleu and Living Room Theaters. Click below to see photos from the evening. We enjoyed a special menu based on the movie, prepared by students at staff at Le Cordon Bleu, followed by a special screening of the film at Living Room Theaters.

Members of RMHC’s Speakers Bureau visited Portland’s West Sylvan Middle School on Wednesday to tell students about how they could could get involved at the Ronald McDonald House. We want to thank Mr. Z at West Sylvan for inviting RMHC to the event, and Speakers Bureau volunteers Tracy and Mary who attended the event.

If you have an upcoming opportunity to promote Ronald McDonald House Charities in the community, contact Chad Greenwood at 971-230-6704 or chad.greenwood@rmhcoregon.org to schedule a Speakers Bureau representative from RMHC!

Mary at West Sylvan Middle School

Tracy at West Sylvan Middle School

Join us tomorrow night for The Breakfast Club Dinner and a Movie! Start with a meal at Le Cordon Bleu’s Technique Restaurant, featuring a menu inspired by this 80’s cult-classic. After dinner, walk the short distance to Living Room Theaters to watch the movie in person. Only eight seats are left! All proceeds support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Click here to buy tickets online!

Sabrina got to hold her daughter for the first time on March 9. What made the event noteworthy is the fact that the aptly-named “Stormy” was born 23 days earlier.

We see many high-risk births—and infants who remain in critical condition for an extended period of time. But it’s rare for a child to be so seriously challenged that her parents can’t hold her for three weeks.

Stormy endured a nine-hour “life-saving surgery” on March 5. For the past week, Sabrina has had scheduled holding times. And while she enthusiastically shares plenty of photos, she’s not sharing any of the holding time! Not even with her mother, who’s been with her throughout the ordeal!

I don’t blame her. I’ve never encountered a baby I didn’t want to hold—and have to restrain myself from reaching out whenever I’m in the vicinity of almost any child! I can’t imagine how difficult it would be waiting 23 days to embrace my own…

I’m sure Stormy’s feisty name—which has helped her weather these arduous early weeks—will continue to serve her well in life. And, as a parent myself, I also know there may be moments when her mother longs for a less spirited child! When that inevitable time comes, I hope Sabrina can quickly re-summon the gratitude she feels now whenever she simply holds her daughter.

There’s a lesson here. To have a baby is one thing. To hold that child—as Sabrina learned and we witnessed—is another gift entirely. We do well not to take it lightly.

Tom Soma, Executive Director

Stormy and Mom Sabrina