When families need our help most
If you are a parent or grandparent, you can imagine how terrifying it must be to have a critically ill child. You might have gone through it. You might know others who have had to live through the trauma of a sick baby or toddler or child of any age.
The people who understand this deeply are the people who make Ronald McDonald House Ottawa such a special place, a home away from home for thousands of families since 1984.
Only steps away (167, to be exact) from CHEO (the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario), the House is a place for families when a child is sick or hurt and parents must be nearby. In emergencies, when families rarely have time to pack and prepare, they can be immediately separated and sent into hospital-life hours away from home.
Without such a place, the cost of rentals and hotels can equal thousands and thousands of dollars each month. And, depending on the nature of the illness, many families unexpectedly have weeks, months, and sometimes years when they must be with their child in hospital.
This is a huge year for Ronald McDonald House in Ottawa, having just completed a large expansion, growing by 22 suites for a total of 36. This means more than double the number of families can stay and feel supported during perhaps the most difficult time of their lives. Now, rather than 5,000 overnight stays per year, the House can accommodate 13,000. The grand opening was in July 2026, and as a result the long waitlist has been eliminated.
The new addition is about 25,000 square feet and was designed to carbon net zero standards.
The team at Lagois Design·Build·Renovate celebrates this milestone with them. Lagois has been a faithful sponsor of Ronald McDonald House Ottawa for almost four decades and continues to raise funds every year through its annual Charity Golf Tournament in memory of Chris Parish.
Lagois has built and donated time for a new playroom, and also donated time with a beautiful kitchen, garden, and gazebo. Lagois trades and partners all donated at different levels, too, from at-cost to no-cost.
With golf tournaments, pro bono work, a large raffle of playhouse creations inspired by the young students of Irene Lagois and built by Lagois, the company has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the House.
Ronald McDonald House Ottawa is a lifesaver for families. Each is given a private suite, and there are kitchens, common areas, laundry, places for siblings to play, and even thousands of meals annually prepared by volunteers. There are movie nights, birthday and holiday celebrations, a beautiful outdoor serene space, and pet and music therapy visits. It is a place of peace and comfort just when families need it most.
Now, with the continued, dedicated support of its sponsors, its help to families has more than doubled.
Every stay, meal, and moment of comfort at Ronald McDonald House Ottawa is made possible through the generosity of our community. Please consider making a donation today by clicking here.
