The April Jennie Day Meal is always special to us, as April is Jen’s birthday month.  Jen’s Aunt Patti and Uncle Arnie would ask to sponsor the April meal, and we would always try to make something special, something that Jen loved.

This month, when Jen would have turned 23, is different.

We’ve been cooking the Jennie Day meals at the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley, almost always on the 15th of every month, since November 2015, and haven’t missed one.

Until now.

Amidst the global Covid-19 pandemic, in order to ensure the health and safety of resident families and their in-patient children, their staff, and their volunteers, the GHV House was forced to close on April 3.

When we read the notification email from Christina Reily, the Executive Director of the GHV House, our family was struck numb.  That house, and those facilities, and especially those kind, caring, compassionate people, were an incredible comfort to to our family during a terrible time.  We know first-hand the value of a few minutes rest in a comfortable bed, a hot shower, a home-cooked meal, a special event, a kind word or gesture.  The thought of families having to go without those resources during their child’s treatment was too awful to think about.

However, the House is already planning to re-open when it is safe to do so.  They have started a “We’ll Be Back” campaign to raise the money needed for this.  The Foundation has made a contribution to this campaign, and we are asking our supporters to help.

In lieu of Jennie Day Meal Sponsorships, we are accepting donations for the “We’ll Be Back” campaign at https://a.jenniefoundation.org/donations/sponsor-a-meal-2/ .  We have already received quite a few donations and thank everyone who has contributed.

You can also make a contribution directly on the campaign’s website at https://give.rmh-ghv.org/campaigns/14450-we-ll-be-back , or send a check to:

Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley
P.O. Box 299
Valhalla, NY 10595

We realize times are difficult, with so many businesses closing and people losing their jobs, or sick from the virus.  But if you are in a position were you can make a contribution, we ask that you consider doing so.  Even a few dollars will help!

You can also help by sharing this appeal on your social media networks.

Once again, thank you so much for all you do to support the Jennie Foundation, to allow us to keep Jen’s memory alive and to help others.

Oh, Aunt Patti and Uncle Arnie, you are penciled in for April 2021 🙂