When Georgia’s water broke unexpectedly at just 34½ weeks, she and her husband Jack rushed to the hospital, terrified. Their son, Dalton, was born five and a half weeks early, weighing just 6 pounds and 1 ounce. He was immediately admitted to the NICU, where he spent the first two weeks of his life.
As Georgia shared their story, tears filled her eyes. “It was the hardest thing we’ve ever been through,” she said. “We were new parents, scared, and everything felt so dark. It was extremely emotional and exhausting.”
Dalton, though strong, wasn’t quite ready for the world. Born prematurely, he hadn’t yet developed the ability to suck, swallow, and breathe on his own. He needed a feeding tube, time, and round-the-clock care. But what Georgia and Jack needed was something just as critical—a place to stay close to their son.
That’s when Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio stepped in.
“I didn’t even know about the Ronald McDonald House until Wendy reached out,” Georgia said. “She got us in right away. We live in Fulton County—about a 30-minute drive one way. Staying at the House meant we were just a parking lot away from our baby.”
Georgia and Jack stayed at RMHC for 12 nights, allowing them to be with Dalton every day as he fought to grow stronger.
“It was a miracle,” Georgia said. “If we had to drive back and forth every day, we would’ve felt so distant. Instead, we had everything we needed—privacy, breakfast, a place to do laundry, and even a breast pump so I could still support Dalton. I spent 18 hours a day at the hospital sometimes. Just having a bed and a hot shower was amazing.”
Georgia remembers one moment in particular that gave her a sense of normalcy amid the chaos: “Volunteers made Easter dinner for the families. It was incredible. It made us feel cared for when we needed it most.”
Today, baby Dalton is thriving.
“He’s doing amazing. He’s hitting all his developmental milestones—he’s loving, fun, strong… just perfect. He’s our whole world,” Georgia smiled. “My life before being his mom doesn’t have as much purpose. It’s fun, it’s challenging, it’s rewarding—he makes me a better person.”
When asked what she would say to those who support the Ronald McDonald House, Georgia didn’t hesitate.
“We can’t give enough gratitude to everyone who makes RMHC possible during dark times. You gave us the gift of time with our son. You gave us comfort. You gave us hope. Without this House, we would’ve been sleeping in the hospital and living with so much more stress and anxiety.”
With Mother’s Day right around the corner, Georgia shared a heartfelt message for the moms currently staying at RMHC:
“And to the moms who are spending Mother’s Day at RMHC—just know that you’re strong. You’re resilient. And you’re doing everything right.”
