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Magic Door adds wonder to Ronald McDonald House

FortisAlberta has helped make a special room at the Red Deer Ronald McDonald House a little more magical.
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Lori Rechlo, general manager of the Red Deer Ronald McDonald House, gives a tour of the Magic Room to members of FortisAlberta on Friday. (Photo by Sean McIntosh/Advocate staff)

FortisAlberta has helped make a special room at the Red Deer Ronald McDonald House a little more magical.

On Friday, the two parties unveiled the Magic Door located inside the Magic Room at the facility, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary this past Thursday.

In 2019, FortisAlberta gave a $5,000 donation to the Ronald McDonald House to fund an automated door in the Magic Room, a barn-styled space where children visiting the facility can receive a donated toy.

The Magic Door opens automatically when children put a key into a keyhole. The door was built a couple of years ago, but there had yet to be a proper recognition event before now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think and hope that it’s brought a lot of joy to the kids, their families and friends who have stayed here,” said Gail Dalrymple, FortisAlberta customer relations advisor.

“We consider ourselves a family at FortisAlberta and to … be able to care for other families that are in need in our province is very important to us.”

Additionally, FortisAlberta presented the 2022 partnership cheque for $10,000 on Friday.

Lori Rechlo, general manager for the Red Deer facility, said every Ronald McDonald House has a Magic Room, but they’re all themed a bit differently.

“The theme here at the Red Deer house is rural Alberta. What we really try to encompass in there is to bring some magic to the family as they get to go home after their long journey with us,” said Rechlo.

Rechlo said it’s hard to describe just how excited children get when stepping foot into the Magic Room.

“There’s a lot of stress on these families here. If we can provide a toy, gift, game or colouring book to take their mind off of their challenges for just a little bit – I think that speaks to the impact that we provide to these families,” she said.



sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com

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Sean McIntosh

About the Author: Sean McIntosh

Sean joined the Red Deer Advocate team in the summer of 2017. Originally from Ontario, he worked in a small town of 2,000 in Saskatchewan for seven months before coming to Central Alberta.
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