A Visit to Ronald’s House

A Haven for Valley Families

Ronald McDonald opened the doors of his family hospitality house in Harlingen eighteen years ago. What better time to visit Ronald and see what he has been doing. We found he has been doing a lot. So, let’s join the celebration.

The Ronald McDonald house is located next door to SU CLINICA in Harlingen and is very easy to find. During the visit, we found out why Ronald is so proud of his charitable, caring haven for Valley families who are experiencing tense, chaotic medical problems with their children.

Our tour guide was Dalia Vega, Administrative and Volunteer Coordinator. She is in charge of the Ronald McDonald hospitality house and the Ronald McDonald family room located inside Valley Baptist Medical Medical Center on the 3rd floor. Dalia just recently was named to her post by Ronald, and is enthusiastically coordinating all the services available to families coming to the hospital for treatment.

Dalia is a life-long resident of Los Fresnos and a loyal Falcon supporter. “I graduated from Los Fresnos High School and still keep up with many of my old classmates,” she said. “While I was school, I did everything athletic, that is why I am still a loyal fan.”

Before she came to Ronald’s house, she was the ACE coordinator for the HCISD, where she said she developed a love for children and became a great admirer of Ronald and his charity work.

Dalia graciously took time to tell us about the fascinating story behind the program which began in 1998. The Harlingen Ronald McDonald house is the cornerstone headquarters for the entire Rio Grande Valley. Besides this location in Harlingen, Ronald also has another family center inside the Edinburg Children’s Hospital serving the upper Valley.

“Our mission is simply this“, she said: “Families that have children in local hospitals, such as Valley Baptist Medical Center or Harlingen Medical Center, can stay with us as long as the child is in the hospital. We don’t put limits on the stay–it can be days, weeks, or months.”

“Most families who come to us are desperate,” she said, adding, “many are in dire straits having exhausted everything they may have for the sake of the child. Sometimes, it is so bad that the parents don’t know if their baby will be alive tomorrow. They lack a place to stay–can’t afford hotels; don’t have transportation or food for the table, and almost always emotionally stressed to the limit–that scenario is the reason for our existence.

It’s at that point when Ronald’s House can step in and ease the pain a bit,” she said.

The Ronald McDonald house works closely with hospitals. Most families are referred by knowing hospital staffs when their services are needed. Dalia added, “To us, race, nationality, ethnic background or language don’t matter–we are there for the child and the family. The age limit for patients has recently been changed from 16 to 21 years-of-age.”

We were joined in our visit by Thyrza Whittington, a regular volunteer, who came to the Rio Grande Valley with her husband Herschel Whittington in 1986. Many will remember him as the Communications Director of the Confederate Air Force. Thyrza went to work with General Dynamics which later became the United Launch Alliance making parts for the Atlas Rocket program.

Thyrza coordinates the Ronald McDonald Family room located on the 3rd floor of Valley Baptist. She said, “This is an area set aside inside the hospital intended to serve as a quiet rest area for family members of children admitted to the hospital for treatment. It is a home-like atmosphere for parents who need a break from the hospital environment.–yet parents are just a few steps away from their child’s bedside.”

Both ladies described how they feel about their charitable work: “It’s a labor of love,” they said, “adding, “We get such satisfaction from being able to step in when the situation is desperate. Donald is not going to leave that child. This is the best organization you could find for families in these tense, chaotic, desperate situations.”

Dalia added that they are always looking for volunteers to assist families, to drive people to the hospital or assist in many other ways. “This would be a good challenge for retired grandparents and Winter Texans,“ she said, adding, “give it a try, you might like it.“

Anyone wanting more information can call (956)412 7200 or visit.