When baby Thaddaeus was born early and needed to stay in the NICU, the Ellis family found themselves in Greenville, NC. With an hour-long drive each way and their 4-year-old son, Samuele, it was a lot to juggle during an already stressful time.

Thankfully, they found comfort and a home away from home at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern NC.

"Everyone was so kind and helpful,” they shared. “The staff made us feel comfortable and were always there to listen. We even connected with other parents going through similar situations, it really felt like a little community.”

One special moment that meant a lot to the Ellis family was Samuele’s birthday. With so much going on, they weren’t sure how they’d celebrate. But when the staff found out and stepped in to make the day extra special. “They got him a couple gifts, sang to him, and made him feel like a star.” RMHC of ENC is here for families like the Ellis’s so they can focus on what matters most, being together.