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Last weekend when most families in the Lake Region were completing their last minute Christmas Eve tasks, one local family was on the way to Fargo to cook a holiday meal for a group of total strangers.
Randi Heisler of Rugby, her father Jason Bednarz of Devils Lake, and their families cooked and served Christmas meals to the families staying in both Ronald McDonald Houses in Fargo.
Ronald McDonald Houses provide a “home away from home” for families so they can stay near their hospitalized child at little or no cost.
Heisler, whose young son Aspen is battling cancer, said she and husband Levi have spent time in similar houses and they wanted to reach out to other parents in the same situation.
“We have spent many days at the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis and know the importance of a nice, hot meal,” she said. “This year we decided to help Fargo because their houses are smaller than in Minnesota and often get overlooked.”
In fact, Heisler said, she contacted the houses two weeks before Christmas and at that time they hadn't had anyone lined up to make and serve their Christmas meal.
“It's something you never really think much of until you personally go through it,” she said.
The Heislers made the trip with sons Macen and Aspen, her father and his girlfriend Ann Nelson and her children, Brittany, Austin and Cassidy and Austin's girlfriend Sabrina. Randi's brother Marsten Bednarz and family friend Dann Heit also made the trip.
“We did this for the holidays to give families that are going through difficult situations a home cooked Christmas dinner,” said Nelson. “It was a great experience to do something good for others and to have some family bonding of our own while we prepared this meal together.”
Heisler said due to health codes, they could not bring a prepared meal, but had to cook the food onsite.
“We made turkey and ham, which is great for sandwiches later as well,” said Heisler. “All the fixings and desserts, too!”
Heisler said on the Ronald McDonald website they have a “wish list” of items needed for the house, as they are operated on volunteers and donations, and they decided to purchase some of those items to bring along.
She said they announced their plans on Facebook and soon others were dropping off donations in the couple's garage and giving monetary donations.
“We were able to bring toys, garbage bags, batteries, laundry and dish soap, as well as other urgent items,” she said.
Heisler knows all too well what life is like in one of those homes.
Her son, Aspen has been in and out of the doctor's office since five months of age. As a newborn, she said, he was mis-diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and at the age of one, the doctors discovered he had neuroblastoma cancer, which affects the nervous system. The Heislers have spent extensive amounts of time away from home while he was in the hospital, staying in Ronald McDonald Houses in Minneapolis and New York City.
“Sometimes months at a time,” she said. “Sometimes weeks, sometimes days, our first stay was almost two years ago and we stayed for six weeks.”
Unfortunately, young Aspen is still battling the cancer.
“He is still fighting cancer hard,” she said. “He has a big surgery to remove more of the tumor on January 6 in the Twin Cities.”
Nelson said while sharing the Christmas meal last weekend they had a chance to visit with the residents and listen to their stories.
“We sometimes don't know how blessed we are to have healthy children until you hear of others' situations,” she said. “As the saying goes, 'Count your blessings!'”
Last weekend when most families in the Lake Region were completing their last minute Christmas Eve tasks, one local family was on the way to Fargo to cook a holiday meal for a group of total strangers.
Randi Heisler of Rugby, her father Jason Bednarz of Devils Lake, and their families cooked and served Christmas meals to the families staying in both Ronald McDonald Houses in Fargo.
Ronald McDonald Houses provide a “home away from home” for families so they can stay near their hospitalized child at little or no cost.
Heisler, whose young son Aspen is battling cancer, said she and husband Levi have spent time in similar houses and they wanted to reach out to other parents in the same situation.
“We have spent many days at the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis and know the importance of a nice, hot meal,” she said. “This year we decided to help Fargo because their houses are smaller than in Minnesota and often get overlooked.”
In fact, Heisler said, she contacted the houses two weeks before Christmas and at that time they hadn't had anyone lined up to make and serve their Christmas meal.
“It's something you never really think much of until you personally go through it,” she said.
The Heislers made the trip with sons Macen and Aspen, her father and his girlfriend Ann Nelson and her children, Brittany, Austin and Cassidy and Austin's girlfriend Sabrina. Randi's brother Marsten Bednarz and family friend Dann Heit also made the trip.
“We did this for the holidays to give families that are going through difficult situations a home cooked Christmas dinner,” said Nelson. “It was a great experience to do something good for others and to have some family bonding of our own while we prepared this meal together.”
Heisler said due to health codes, they could not bring a prepared meal, but had to cook the food onsite.
“We made turkey and ham, which is great for sandwiches later as well,” said Heisler. “All the fixings and desserts, too!”
Heisler said on the Ronald McDonald website they have a “wish list” of items needed for the house, as they are operated on volunteers and donations, and they decided to purchase some of those items to bring along.
She said they announced their plans on Facebook and soon others were dropping off donations in the couple's garage and giving monetary donations.
“We were able to bring toys, garbage bags, batteries, laundry and dish soap, as well as other urgent items,” she said.
Heisler knows all too well what life is like in one of those homes.
Her son, Aspen has been in and out of the doctor's office since five months of age. As a newborn, she said, he was mis-diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and at the age of one, the doctors discovered he had neuroblastoma cancer, which affects the nervous system. The Heislers have spent extensive amounts of time away from home while he was in the hospital, staying in Ronald McDonald Houses in Minneapolis and New York City.
“Sometimes months at a time,” she said. “Sometimes weeks, sometimes days, our first stay was almost two years ago and we stayed for six weeks.”
Unfortunately, young Aspen is still battling the cancer.
“He is still fighting cancer hard,” she said. “He has a big surgery to remove more of the tumor on January 6 in the Twin Cities.”
Nelson said while sharing the Christmas meal last weekend they had a chance to visit with the residents and listen to their stories.
“We sometimes don't know how blessed we are to have healthy children until you hear of others' situations,” she said. “As the saying goes, 'Count your blessings!'”
