Freeman Auxiliary delivers gifts to Ronald McDonald House families

JOPLIN, Mo. — A special delivery this morning for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Joplin.

Members of the Freeman Auxiliary brought toys and gifts to the house and placed them under the tree. Some of the donations are purchased thanks to sales at Freeman Health's gift shop, which supports auxiliary projects. But many of the items were collected at the recent volunteer Christmas luncheon.

Those in charge say there were more gifts to bring this year due to more volunteers attending the luncheon.

"We're hoping that they look at something and say, 'Oh! That's just what my child has been asking for and I haven't had the time to shop.' And, so, that's what we're hoping that these will be things that all the families can benefit from," said Kay Glendenning, Freeman Auxiliary President.

"The joy, and the excitement, and the anticipation that we get it, because we know we're just going to turn around and give it to kids. And, sometimes it feels like, 'Oh, we get so much!' But it really is a blessing because we use it at Christmas, but then all year long for birthdays, and everything that we can do to make those siblings feel special," said Lori Jones, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States Executive Director.

Jones reminds us the Ronald McDonald House serves the entire family. She says toys for kids are very much appreciated, but teen or adult gifts like notebooks and journals are welcome, too.