Local McDonald’s donate $10,000 to Almost Home

McDonald’s Kingston & Gananoque presented Almost Home, a home for sick children and their families, with a cheque for $10,000 on Friday, May 31, 2019. The donation was the result of McHappy Day, a yearly event held by McDonald’s to help local charities and the work of Ronald McDonald House Charities. The funds will be used to help support the families and children who stay at Almost Home.

“We’re really really grateful to have them on board with us, not only as sponsors for our event, but also supporting us in the community,” said Sam MacLeod, fund manager for Almost Home.

Almost Home is a local charity that provides a place of comfort and respite for families whose children are receiving medical treatment in Kingston area hospitals. They have daily accommodation for up to 11 families. Almost Home allows children to have a place to go between treatments and overnight accommodations, and makes it easier for parents to be at the child’s bedside during their hospital stay. And, with its homely atmosphere that provides all of the comforts and necessities of day to day living, Almost Home truly becomes a home-away-from-home for many children and their families receiving medical treatments in Kingston.

It costs approximately $320,000 per year to run the home, which does not receive any ongoing government or agency funding.

“We rely entirely on the Kingston community giving us the resources that we need to keep operating,” said MacLeod. “It’s a fight every year.”

MacLeod said Almost Home has helped over 6,000 families so far, alleviating some of the stress surrounding their children’s hospital treatments.

“We’re there for them so they can be there for their children,” MacLeod said.