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Ronald McDonald House marking 25 years of helping families in need

Daniel Bailer, center, and his family members were the first occupants of the Ronald McDonald House, which opened in 1990. Clockwise from center are Bailer, Mary Rice, Renee Bailer, Marie Economy and Jane Kaylor.
Daniel Bailer, center, and his family members were the first occupants of the Ronald McDonald House, which opened in 1990. Clockwise from center are Bailer, Mary Rice, Renee Bailer, Marie Economy and Jane Kaylor. Daniel Bailer, center, and his family members were the first occupants of the Ronald McDonald House, which opened in 1990. Clockwise from center are Bailer, Mary Rice, Renee Bailer, Marie Economy and Jane Kaylor.

By Yolanda Putman 3 min read

For 53 agonizing nights, Renee Bailer slept crunched up in a chair at Erlanger hospital as her then-4-year-old son fought respiratory infections while connected to a respirator. But on her 54th night, she became the first parent to stay at the Ronald McDonald House.

“It was just amazing,” said Bailer of Dalton.

She went from dozing under a community blanket in a pleather chair to resting in a comfortable bed with her own bathroom. And she was still close enough to the hospital to nurse her son back to health.

The Dalton mother and her family returned to the Ronald McDonald House on Thursday in celebration of its 25th anniversary.

photo Daniel Bailer, center, and his family members were the first occupants of the Ronald McDonald House, which opened in 1990. Clockwise from center are Bailer, Mary Rice, Renee Bailer, Marie Economy and Jane Kaylor.

More Info

For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga, visit www.rmhchattanooga.com.