‘Home away from home’

Grand Falls-Windsor’s Ava Folkes and her family have been involved in raising money for the Ronald McDonald House Newfoundland and Labrador for eight years.

On Dec. 12, 2012, her mother Natasha Folkes explains, after being airlifted from Grand Falls-Windsor to the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s, Ava was born three and a half months early and weighing just one pound.

Natasha and her husband Jamie stayed at the Ronald McDonald House Newfoundland and Labrador for 100 nights to be close to the Janeway while their daughter received life-saving interventions.

The Ronald McDonald House had just opened less than three months prior so the family felt very lucky that this amazing ‘home away from home’ was available at such a scary and difficult time.

“We truly have no idea what we would have done without so many of the burdens and worries being lifted just by this house being available for us,” Natasha says.

“We will never forget the support the staff and volunteers gave us during our stay at the Ronald McDonald House.

“With the wonderful support of Horwood’s Home Care, Papa’s Sweet Shop, and many family and friends, Ava has been making her steps count!”

Team Ava raised $1,035 this year, and more than $10,000 during the past eight years.