For families staying at the Ronald McDonald House Near Loyola University Medical Center, volunteers help in so many ways. They are the hands that serve, the hearts that care.

When your child is sick, you want the best care possible – even if it's at a hospital hundreds or thousands of miles away. Distance and expense often separate families at this critical time.

Families are stronger and heal better when they are together. Though supporting a loved one while in the hospital is very stressful, families can rely on Ronald McDonald House and its staff. The House provides a warm and caring "home away from home" where families can stay together, rest, relax, have a home cooked meal, and meet other families in similar circumstances all within the spirit of community.

Opened in July 1995, Ronald McDonald House Near Loyola University Medical Center has served over 8,200 families. The House can accommodate 18 families nightly. It is has all the amenities of a home, including a large kitchen, dining room, great room, TV areas, playroom, and exercise room. It even has a secret spiral staircase leading to a whimsical tree house.

In December, 2009, manroland joined the Ronald McDonald community as a sponsor of the house at Loyola. Volunteers from manroland have delivered Christmas presents to the hospital, cooked dinners and helped to maintain the living quarters over the last few months. The company is also collecting pop-tops for additional funding and providing the home with specific "wish list" items.

"We chose to contribute to the Ronald McDonald House program because it was a way for manroland families to help other families in the community get through difficult times," said Lisa Manegold, Director of Human Resources at manroland. The company also plans to contribute printed materials produced at the manroland Print Technology Center in Westmont, Illinois.

Ms. Andi Wadas, the House Director at Loyola commented, "We're grateful that companies like manroland come to lend a hand and give back to people in need. You may never know when you will come to rely on the kindness of another family."