Ronald McDonald House Turns 20 | Video

Kristin Clouston | 7/18/2012

Imagine being away from home, having a child in the hospital and not having a place to stay. Thanks to the The Ronald McDonald House, families staying in Bismarck haven`t had to worry about that. The Ronald McDonald House of Bismarck is 20 years old today. Since opening in 1992, it has provided lodging to more than 3,700 families.

Eighteen month old Trey Groenthal has made himself at home, which is exactly what you`re supposed to do at the Ronald McDonald house. His family is staying here while his baby sister is in the hospital.

"Allie is in the NICU. She`s a week old and she has pneumonia and a lot of fluid in her lungs. So they had to transfer her from St. Joes in Dickinson where I had her," said their mom, Trisha.

The family recently moved to Dickinson from Idaho so they don`t have any friends or relatives in Bismarck.

"We were in a hotel and we would have tried to stay there and I don`t know how we could have because it`s so expensive and we don`t have that much money."

Two hundred families from all over western North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana stay here each year, and those who run the house say they`re delighted to have them.

"It`s wonderful. Today we`re full. Every bedroom is full so all these kind people have come to help us celebrate and we`re able to provide them a service and it`s a good feeling to know we`re so well needed," said Executive Director Kathy Keiser.

The Groenthal`s, volunteers and other families are celebrating the 20th birthday with a party at their home away from home.

Families are asked to contribute $10 dollars a night, but no one is turned away because of inability to pay.

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