RMH

When Emerson’s liver failed in November 2014, his mother donated a portion of hers to save the life of the four-month-old.

The family’s drive to give didn’t end there.

When they got back to their home in Lorette, Manitoba after 73 days at the House, his father arranged for a $1,000 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Toronto. Curtis Tchir applied for, and was awarded, a grant through his company’s charitable foundation – Enterprise Holdings Foundation.

“Enterprise wants to know what causes are important to its employees. They want to give back to our communities,” says Curtis, who is the remarketing sales manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in central Canada. “It was a fantastic opportunity to give back to a place that meant so much to us.”

The Tchirs didn’t know what to expect when they first arrived at the House in November 2014. Emerson and Tara had just been flown to Toronto after learning Emerson had a life-threatening liver disease and would need a transplant soon.

“The House was just like being at home,” recalls Tara. “You get there and start to talk to other families, and share the good days and the bad days with other people. It’s comforting to be surrounded by others in the same boat.”

Four-year-old Jayna came with her grandparents to stay in the House with her mom and dad over the holidays.

“You made Curtis and I feel at home, but you also made our whole family feel at home,” says Tara. The highlight for Jayna was meeting “Anna” and “Elsa” from “Frozen” on Christmas Eve. “It made her year,” says Tara.

The family went home in mid-January 2015, after Tara had recovered from her surgery and Emerson was stable enough to receive care back in Manitoba.

He’s had some complications since then, but he’s hitting all his milestones, says a proud Tara. “He’s crawling along furniture and babbling up a storm.”

“We had the most unbelievable experience at RMHC Toronto,” says Curtis. “I’m so excited to help make a contribution back.”

Many companies, like Curtis’, have charitable divisions or programs that match the donations of their employees.

Double your impact.

Check with your employer to see if they have a charitable or matching program, and apply.

The extra effort will be worth it – for you and for the families who call RMHC Toronto “home”.