Every year, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Houston strives to make the holidays magical.

The charity gives families with seriously ill children being treated in the Texas Medical Center a place to stay for free, so families stay together. During the holidays, the Ronald McDonald House goes all out with seasonal decorations, activities and events so that families can still participate in the festivities.

“What we like to do is make sure that when they're here over the holidays, it feels like home,” Chief Advancement Officer Lisa Estes said.

The big picture

To spread the holiday spirit throughout its four locations in the Greater Houston area, Ronald McDonald House hosts several different events and initiatives leading up to Christmas Day.

Volunteers can participate in a holiday tree-decorating contest from Nov. 18 to Dec. 18, where resident families vote on their favorite tree, or sign up for Run for the House, a family-friendly 5K and a kids' 1-mile race. The race will take place at Sam Houston Park in Downtown Houston and include an after-party with activities, games and selfies with Santa.

Additionally, Ronald McDonald House hosts Santa’s Workshop from Nov. 18 to Dec. 5, where volunteers can donate gifts that are new, unwrapped and in their original packaging. Estes said the nonprofit especially needs gifts for teenage boys and girls.

Throughout December, residents will be able to shop through the donations and pick out gifts for their family members at no cost. Gifts are then wrapped and delivered to each family’s door on Christmas morning.

“Parents can shop for the kids, kids can shop for themselves, for their siblings or their parents, and it's free. So it just alleviates this huge financial burden for them,” Estes said.

Before you go

With such a large-scale operation, Estes said the nonprofit always needs volunteers.

Volunteers can sign up as individuals or in groups and help with planning family activities, assisting with meals and organizing donation drives. Other seasonal activities include making Halloween costumes for NICU babies and sewing Santa sacks.

A full list of volunteer opportunities can be found on the Ronald McDonald House website.