When your child is in the hospital, everyday life looks a little different. Between hospital visits, caring for siblings, and trying to maintain some sense of normalcy, finding time to simply enjoy being together isn’t always easy. Sometimes, a little break from it all can make a big difference.

Just a short walk down the road from Ronald McDonald House Westchester is the Westchester County Fire Training Facility, where each year, our friends at Westchester County Emergency Services welcome our families for a special visit. This year was no exception! The children were given firefighter hats and badges, climbed aboard fire trucks, and even got to try their hand at a few firefighter activities. There was plenty of excitement, curiosity, and, of course, lots of smiles. And just when they thought the adventure was over, they got one more surprise: a ride back to the House in a fire truck, where staff and volunteers were waiting to welcome them home.

For a little while, the worries of hospital visits and daily routines could take a back seat to something fun. These are the moments we love seeing at the House—families spending time together, children getting to just be kids, and memories being made along the way. We’re so grateful to our friends at Westchester County Emergency Services for helping make days like this possible.