On April 18, 2022, Maddie Baughman’s son, Dean, was born at just 28 weeks and 4 days in Canton, Illinois. He was immediately life-flighted to the OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois in Peoria.

While Maddie recovered in Canton, someone told her about Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois. She had rounded up at the drive-thru before, but she never truly understood what it supported until she needed it herself.

She called. There was a room available.

The day she was discharged, Maddie checked into Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois team and volunteers welcomed her with warmth, gave her a tour, showed her the free meals and snacks, and made sure she had transportation information to get back and forth to the hospital. A warm dinner was waiting.

In the middle of fear and uncertainty, she found comfort.

Her first Mother’s Day was spent in the NICU. That evening, she returned to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois to find gift cards and a thoughtful bag of surprises. After a long day, it meant everything.

Each time she came back from the hospital, the team at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois would ask to see pictures of Dean. They celebrated every ounce gained and every milestone reached. They cared deeply.

“It meant the world,” Maddie said.

For two months, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois was home. Then on June 20, 2022, Dean passed away.

Even in grief, the support did not stop. Staff and volunteers sent cards, messages, and flowers. What began as a place to stay had become family.

Over the past 40 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois has walked alongside thousands of families during moments just like these. We provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.

Maddie now returns to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois as a volunteer, preparing meals for families in the NICU. For Dean’s first birthday, she asked friends and family to donate items from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois wish list instead of giving gifts. The response was overwhelming.

“Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois brought me lifelong friendships and bonus family. We couldn’t be more thankful to have them in our community.”

As we celebrate 40 years of keeping families close, we honor Dean and every child whose story is part of our mission. Because when families are facing the unimaginable, they should never face it alone.

Join us in celebrating 40 years of impact. Make a $40 gift in honor of our 40th Anniversary and help us continue removing barriers, strengthening families, and promoting healing for the next generation.

Give $40 for 40 years today