Stories to Inspire: From Guests to Givers
January 24th, 2025 | Our Families
If you’ve been involved with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison for the past few years, you may have had the pleasure of meeting our lovely volunteer, Jeannine Jagielski. As a regular volunteer for over 4 years, her infectious laugh and dedication to our mission have resonated within the walls of our House, making it a more comfortable home-away-from-home for those who stay here.
Jeannine’s connection with RMHC surpasses volunteering at the House in Madison, as she and her family know what it’s like to need the support of Ronald McDonald House Charities. In 2006, Jeannine and her husband, Rob, were looking forward to the birth of their twins: a daughter named Paige, and a son named Booth. During a routine 20-week scan, Jeannine and Rob found out that Paige had been diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and an intact atrial septum.
At the time, they were living in Roanoke, Virginia, and Jeannine shared that Paige’s condition was “critical” and that “their local health care team was not equipped to handle her case”. What was supposed to be such an exciting time – becoming first-time parents – had now taken a turn with more uncertainty and worry than they could have imagined. It was determined that Jeannine would need to deliver Paige and Booth at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, home to the nation’s leading experts in pediatric cardiac care. However, the family faced overwhelming concerns about where they would stay before and after the twins’ birth, and how they would manage the costs of travel, daily meals, and extended hotel stays—especially without the support of family or friends in the area.
Then the Jagielskis heard about Ronald McDonald House Charities through a family friend. While the mission remains the same across all RMHC chapters, due to RMHC Philadelphia’s policies and eligibility requirements, the Jagielski family could not stay there until after the twins were born. Thankfully, the Ronald McDonald House Southern New Jersey welcomed families expecting a future patient, allowing Rob and Jeannine accommodations in the area. At 6 days, their stay took an unexpected turn when Jeannine was rushed to the hospital for an emergency C-section.
Both twins were delivered safely at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, but as expected, their daughter, Paige, required a stent placement hours after her birth and had her first heart surgery at just 6 days old.
Once Booth and Jeannine were discharged from the hospital, they moved their belongings from RMHC Southern New Jersey to RMHC Philadelphia so that they could remain by Paige’s side while she was still inpatient and receiving care. The family’s initial stay lasted for several weeks, and Jeannine shared that RMHC Philadelphia became a second home for them as they came back year after year for follow-up appointments and more surgeries for Paige.
Jeannine shared: “Knowing we would be staying with Ronald McDonald House Charities took away the scariness of surgeries and appointments for our whole family, while adding some fun thanks to the playroom, other kids to play with, and tickets to the Philadelphia Zoo.”
Rob and Jeannine appreciated the meals that were lovingly prepared, the comfortable rooms to stay in, and, most of all, the support they received from fellow families, staff, and volunteers at both Ronald McDonald Houses.
That’s why Jeannine became a recurring volunteer at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison four years ago. And of course, she and her big smile have quickly become a comforting, familiar face for the guest families in Madison who return to the House. Sometimes, when Paige and Booth are on break from school, they will come and volunteer too, so that they can “help make someone’s day a little bit better. “
In 2024, Jeannine agreed to expand her volunteer time with RMHC-Madison by serving as a Board member and on our Family Services Committee. Jeannine supports Ronald McDonald House Charities in all the ways she can because “RMHC provided my family a place of comfort and stability during a time of uncertainty.”
If you or someone you know would like to help provide support and stability for families like Jeannine’s, please consider volunteering your time by making a homemade meal, baking cookies for Augie’s Lunches with Love, or becoming a House GEM to ensure RMHC-Madison can continue to provide everything that our guest families need, no matter what time of year it is.