The original Akron Ronald McDonald House

Forty years ago on January 13, 1985, the Akron Ronald McDonald House opened its doors to families of children receiving medical treatment. Much has changed during the years since, including a 2018 expansion that more than doubled its capacity—from 20 to 42 guest rooms.

A foundational element that has not changed? Volunteers and community members working to make the House a home for families. In fact, two current Akron House volunteers have been serving families since the beginning. Darlene Lewis and Lois Reaven both started on January 9, 1985 and have been regularly volunteering ever since.

Though their stories are different, there are common threads. Fundamentally, they volunteer because they know the difference it makes to a family with a sick child.

Darlene’s story: “I’m paying it forward.”

“One day I was listening to the radio while vacuuming when I heard about a Ronald McDonald House opening in Akron. I contacted a good friend who worked at Akron Children’s and told her, ‘When that House opens, I want to be involved.’”

Darlene’s desire to help families of ill children was sparked by her own experience. Before she moved back to Akron in the early 1980s, she and her family were living in South America. While in Colombia, their seven-year-old daughter became critically ill. There was no children’s hospital there, so Jolie was admitted to a military hospital. She went into a coma.

“Fortunately, she had an amazing doctor there,” shared Darlene. “He had studied at Vanderbilt and consulted with a specialist in Cincinnati about her case. Jolie was diagnosed with Reye’s Syndrome.” Darlene and her husband alternated 12-hour shifts during her three week hospitalization, praying she would recover and not have permanent brain damage.

The Lewises had no family in Colombia. But they were not short on support during their crisis. The community rallied around them. Friends they made through church and work helped, including caring for their ten-year-old son Eric. Darlene fondly recalls one special act of kindness. During her recovery Jolie wanted tomato juice, something not readily available there. Word traveled to those with access to military commissaries. They were able to deliver—fulfilling her craving.

Jolie’s condition continued to improve. “We were able to take her home on New Year’s Eve,” said Darlene, “and she was set to go back to school.” Once home, however, Jolie developed a fever. It would go up and down repeatedly, and concern mounted. Eventually she was flown to Cincinnati Children’s to receive a complete blood exchange. This was 1980, two years before the Cincinnati Ronald McDonald House would open. Darlene was able to stay in Jolie’s room, however.

Jolie made a full recovery and had no lasting effects from her illness. She is married and has two children of her own today.

The experience inspired Darlene to pay it forward to help other families who need support like she received—to surround them with kindness.

Darlene and her brother Lyle Carpenter

“I serve dinner on the weekends. I love talking with families and listening to their experiences.”

The kindness continues to spread. Darlene’s brother Lyle also started volunteering with her 15 years ago.

It really is all about family and community.

Lois’ story: “My kids could relate to Ronald McDonald House.”

Lois Reaven learned about the need for a Ronald McDonald House from her friend Beth, the wife of Rabbi Feffer at Beth-El Synagogue. “They had a very ill child who eventually passed away,” shared Lois. “They had slept on couches in the lobby when their child was in Akron Children’s. Beth told me they were opening a House and needed volunteers. I thought it sounded like a good place for me.”

Lois had experience with children’s health care, having been a medical technologist running the hematology lab at Rainbow Babies and Children’s. “The hours were not flexible then, either 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. or 3 – 11 p.m. and often weekends. Not much choice. When I got married, I didn’t need to work, so I volunteered different places. I had a policy that I would only volunteer somewhere that my kids could relate to in some way. That meant schools, the art museum and then RMH.”

The first birthday party of the Akron Ronald McDonald House. John Shaffer, board president, Blanche Davy, house manager, Peter Polumbo, incoming board president (1986)

Lois recalls every manager and many of the regular volunteers and community supporters during her forty years there. “In the early days Blanche Davy was the House Manager, and she was here for many years. This was before we had computers. We’d write everything about the family by hand on a log sheet: name, address, home phone number, doctor, diagnosis, where the child was in the hospital, and if the child was going for tests that day. All the rooms had twin beds and beautiful Amish-made quilts.”

There were always families around according to Lois. The volunteers made lunch for them every day and families ate together. “Often the children got to know us, so would come sit on our laps and laugh; we’d entertain them.” Meals were always an important part of the hominess of the House. Legendary Akron restaurants, like Nick Anthe’s and Bill Crocker’s, started donating dinners and community organizations and groups cooked as well. “We always loved it when the Amish families came to cook.”

Lois remarked on meeting people from around the world who came for the specialists in Akron – like in ophthalmology. “I remember a family from Thailand, partly because of learning to cook different foods for them.

It’s always interesting meeting the families.”