Red shoe day is a perfect fit for San Diego children

Tucked into a corner of San Diego is the Ronald McDonald House. And for one day, their little corner comes to all of our neighborhoods. Literally. You can't help but notice them. Bright yellow shirts and over-sized red shoes. Over 1,000 of them were at most intersections this morning between 6:30 - 9:30 a.m.. With the hope of raising money for a very good cause. Our children and their health.
 
The Ronald McDonald House is one of those places you hope you will never have to visit, but are awfully glad is there if you need it. Its purpose is to provide a "home-away-from-home" for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost. In their mission statement, they firmly assert that: "Nothing else should matter when a family is focused on healing their child - not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal or where they will lay their head at night to rest. We believe that when a child is hospitalized, the love and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine prescribed."
 
The new Ronald McDonald House of San Diego (located at 929 Children's Way - across the street from Radys Children's Hospital) opened its doors on July 7, 2009. Sitting atop a six-story parking structure, it is almost two football fields long and four times the size of the previous house. With 47 bedrooms, it is open seven days a week, 365 days a year, and provides services and a sanctuary to approximately 20,000 families each year. In addition to providing lodging to family members of sick or injured children, the house also welcomes day visitors to enjoy a home cooked meal, as well as a reprieve from the hospital through their Family Care Center.
 
The Family Care Center offers them access to a dining area, a computer lab, a school room, outside amphitheater and play area, arts and crafts room, chapel, work out room, showers and a resting room for day guests, and even a beauty salon. All of these services and amenities help keep families together in a home environment in their time of need. 

Studies show that when family members stay close to their ailing child, the child heals better and family members cope better. The Ronald McDonald House main goal is to take care of families so they can care for their kids. A bed near the hospital, a warm meal, a hot shower and even access to laundry facilities or a computer can make all the difference to those who sit by their sick child’s bedside day in and day out.  All we have to do is find a red shoe and drop in our loose change. If you missed them this morning, you can still donate by visiting their website. As someone who has received a warm meal and a few minutes of peace and quiet there, I know that any amount is priceless. After all, there is no price tag on our loved ones or their well-being. Last year volunteers raised $98,000. This year, they hope to turn shoe-loads of money into TRUCKLOADS!