By Charlene Tebbutt

Van donation supports local RMH family room

Nov 23, 2018 | 1:16 PM

Several local businesses worked together to gift a van this week to a local charitable group in need.

The Ronald McDonald House is close to Ivan Trudel’s heart. Trudel, who owns Trudel Auto Body in Prince Albert, spent several weeks with his family and son Thomas at the Ronald McDonald House, and now volunteers as a board member. After learning the local family room at the Victoria Hospital could use a vehicle, Trudel said he was happy to help out.

“Just staying there, and all of the services and what they have to offer, and the whole feeling and how they make you feel while you’re in the Ronald McDonald House, struck a chord with me,” Trudel said. “I think it’s such an amazing place that I feel I really want to be involved somehow.”

Trudel bought the Grand Caravan at cost from Riverside Dodge and got support from MarkIt Signs to spruce it up. Staff from Asiil Enterprises filled the van with Christmas gifts for children staying in the hospital over the holidays.

Nadia Balytska, coordinator with the Ronald McDonald House Family Room, said the van will be a great addition and will make the local program more visible around Prince Albert. She said the donation will free up more funds for local programming as well.

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“It will be used to support the operations of the Ronald McDonald House Family Room such as getting groceries, items, supplies,” Balytska said. “These administrative costs come out of our overall budget.”

Trudel said the family room offers a welcoming atmosphere and a relaxing area for families and children undergoing medical care.

“It’s a brand-new room, you would never know you’re in a hospital,” Trudel added. “It’s a beautiful space.”

The Ronald McDonald House Family Room opened two years ago inside the Victoria Hospital. The 1,300-square-foot facility features a kitchenette with microwave and oven, TV, private bathroom and shower, laundry facility and children’s play area.

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt