11 Apr From Volunteer to Guest: Tiffany’s Full-Circle Story
When Tiffany Keene first walked into the Cleveland Ronald McDonald House® as a volunteer, she never imagined that one day, her own family would be the ones in need of its support.
Tiffany’s journey with RMHC NEO began when a close friend needed a place to stay in Cleveland while their child received medical care. Inspired by this experience, Tiffany wanted to give back to families facing similar situations. At the time, she had developed a passion for crafting creative lunches for her children and sharing her ideas on social media. When she discovered RMHC NEO’s boxed lunch program, she saw an opportunity to combine her passion with service.
Tiffany quickly became a dedicated volunteer, preparing fun and creative lunches to brighten the days of families staying at the House. Her social media following grew as she shared her lunch creations, inspiring other local parents to join her in volunteering. Their group highlighted RMHC NEO through their posts, raising awareness and encouraging more community support.
In January, Tiffany found herself on the other side of that mission. Two of her children, Callum (5) and Nolan (3), needed simultaneous tonsillectomies in Akron. Though her family had recently moved out of Northeast Ohio, they returned for the procedure—and suddenly, Tiffany was the one reaching out for support.
Following the surgery, one of Tiffany’s sons experienced complications, requiring the family to extend their stay for two weeks. During this difficult time, Tiffany felt firsthand the impact of RMHC’s support. Having a place to call home allowed her family to maintain their routine—cooking meals, homeschooling, and enjoying game nights—despite the challenges they faced.
Without RMHC, we probably would have had to split up, with my husband staying somewhere else with one of the boys. Two weeks in a hotel would have been so expensive, and it just wouldn’t have felt like home.
Today, Tiffany continues to use her platform to advocate for RMHC NEO, proving that small acts of kindness can come full circle. She encourages others to find their own way to give back—because you never know when you might need that kindness in return.
On January 31, after two weeks, Tiffany’s family returned home, and both Callum and Nolan made a full recovery. Reflecting on the experience, she is grateful for RMHC’s support.
“I always knew how much the meals meant to families, but experiencing it myself gave me an even greater appreciation for the care and effort that goes into everything RMHC provides,” she said.