7 ways to become an elf for special kids in Birmingham this year

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For everyone who has rounded up their order at McDonald’s, collected pop tabs, rallied pledges for the Red Shoe Run Rockin’ 5K or helped Ronald McDonald House Alabama otherwise, consider this:

“You gave us food when we were hungry and a bed when we didn’t have a home. You gave us a place to rest and to escape when the hospital walls started to close in. You were the bridge that helped us get to the other side.”
_{LaShanda Lewis, mother + former guest of Ronald McDonald House Alabama}

Read on to learn more about the Lewises and how you can help Santa connect with families like theirs during this holiday season of giving.

One family’s story

Six years ago, LaShanda and Marcus Lewis of Ozark had been seeking answers for months as to why their youngest child, JaMarcus, then 8, continued fighting high fevers. Doctors determined he had a rare blood and bone marrow cancer, and the situation was dire. They rushed him to Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham for emergency treatment.

Over the months that followed, the Lewises connected with Ronald McDonald House Alabama, which became their safe place. Although the path forward was difficult, staying at the House provided stability and strength.

“Every time things got hard, the House was here for us. It gave us comfort, food and a sense of family when everything else felt uncertain.”
_{LaShanda Lewis}

An important stop for Santa in downtown Birmingham

Imagine the added pressure of experiencing such family crises during the holidays: Parents want to preserve the season with as much normalcy as possible, while many of the kids wonder if Santa will even find them since they’re not at home.

Enter Ronald’s Workshop. This magical shop at the House is stocked and staffed by volunteer elves, who donate gifts and even help wrap after guest parents do their holiday shopping at no cost.

Want to be an elf yourself? Here’s how:

1️⃣ 🎁 Host a toy drive to help fill the shop 👉 Register here
2️⃣ 🎁 Donate essential supplies, snacks + pantry items 👉 Shop the Wish List
3️⃣ 🎁 Cash contributions 👉 Donate

The Lewises experienced several holiday seasons at the House, a bright spot amid uncertainty. And now at age 14 and cancer-free, JaMarcus is “the light of the room” wherever he goes, his mom says.

More gifts that keep giving

This time of year also offers many more opportunities to give meaningful gifts, whether sharing in loved ones’ names or committing to personal contributions that endure throughout the year and beyond.

Here are a few more suggestions:

4️⃣ 🎁 Give $150 to provide a one-night stay for a family

5️⃣ 🎁 Buy the 2025 Southern Living Christmas Cookbook through Dillard’s, which benefits the House

6️⃣ 🎁 Become a House Hero by making monthly contributions

7️⃣ 🎁 Start collecting pop tabs during holiday gatherings (DYK these drives raise over $10,000 annually?)

Want more ideas? See all of the ways you can help Ronald McDonald House Alabama, including a handy tool to see if your company will match your gift and double the impact.

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