Driven by Compassion 

October 27th, 2025 | Our Impact

A van might not sound like a big deal, but in the hands of our wonderful volunteers, it becomes so much to so many.  

It’s a lifeline. A way for families to get where they need to be when their world has been turned upside down. It’s their connection to simple essentials.  

And it’s a way parents can keep showing up. 

 Monday through Friday, our amazing volunteers use the van to shop for groceries for all our programs as well as our House kitchen. But often, they’re asked to literally go the extra mile for families, too.  

Earlier this year, a family from Texas lost their luggage on their flight to Madison. and a volunteer drove them to the airport at 8 pm to pick it up. That trip wasn’t just about retrieving clothes, it was about restoring a small sense of normalcy during an overwhelming time for them.  

Another family had a newborn in the NICU, and a toddler to care for. One volunteer helped them pick up a wagon they purchased from Facebook Marketplace and even cleaned it up for them back at the House. Their toddler was so excited to ride in style to and from American Family Children’s Hospital. Another patiently helped them figure out the voucher process at St. Vinny’s and waited while they redeemed it for much needed clothing. The family shared these small acts of kindness made things a lot easier for them while they were here.  

Yet another family, who spoke a foreign language, suddenly needed baby formula for their young one. The van and a wonderful volunteer made sure that urgent need was met. Another time, a mom recovering from a C-section needed a quick, safe ride back to the hospital after her sutures split open.  

Sometimes it’s as simple as a longer-than-expected trip to Target, with a volunteer staying past their shift. A dad needed lemons for his daughter’s water so a volunteer happily and willingly made a special trip. The smile on that dad’s face said it all – it was a small thing, but it was his way to show her and his wife, that he was there for his daughter and would do anything for her.   

Together, these rides remind us that every mile driven and every errand run lifts a weight from a family’s shoulders.  

Because at the heart of our mission, Ronald McDonald House is not just a place to stay. It’s also about the assurance that families don’t have to face these hard days alone.