Emerson began volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House at the age of 6, coming in with groups to help bake cookies or provide meals. The more she visited, the more she wanted to be there. When she met some of the families staying at the RMH she was immediately touched to hear their stories and has worked very hard to try and help.

Emerson has volunteered with the Ronald McDonald House in many ways. She has continued to help with meals and cookies, she has worked for the last three years at the Hearts and Hands Gala and has even held personal fundraisers to ask friends and family to donate to this cause that is so near to her heart.

Emerson is super excited to have this opportunity to once again help the families of the Ronald McDonald House! 

Quotes from Families who stayed at the RMH:

"Long, often stressful days at the hospital sitting in uncomfortable plastic chairs for hours was physically exhausting and mentally taxing by the end of the day. To be able to come to the House and eat a home cooked meal together gave us the opportunity to regroup and recharge together outside of the hospital. It became a part of our routine and became something we looked forward to." - The Stokes Family, 152 nights from Anderson, SC

"Initially, just having a place to stay and it being right across from the hospital was our immediate blessing. But as we got to know the staff and the other families staying there, we soon realized we had an entire support group right there with us! As we had breakfast and dinner with other families and staff, we would all share our stories and talk about how our little ones were doing. Before long, we all became friends." - The Gursu Family, 18 nights from Istanbul, Turkey

"I hope to see my girls grow and raise them with love. I want to teach them about kindness, caring for others, and value all the blessings from God. Once they are big enough to understand things they will learn about this home and how much they helped us. I will bring them back to volunteer and cook dinner with me for everyone in the house." - Rossy, 43 nights from Walhalla, SC

The Ronald McDonald House was "such an unexpected support system that mean the world to us and it gave us so much strength." - The Dagenhardt Family, 20 nights from Matthews, NC

Emerson wears her stripes to "help raise money so people can stay at the Ronald McDonald House even if they don't have any money themselves and so they can be close to their children in the hospitals".