“We are so very grateful to have a place to go. We don’t have any family to stay with in Atlanta so it’s like going to Grandma’s house with all the goodies laid out and the meals with other families.”

— Ruth Ann Ferguson, mom to Gracie; Nicolas, 14; and Tyler, 22

Sometimes, Little Red Riding Hood befriends the Big Bad Wolf or so says Gracie Isabella Ferguson of Leesburg, Georgia. Gracie, 6, likes to play with the finger puppets in our Gatewood House playroom.

She and her family have been staying at the Ronald McDonald House since August while Gracie has eye surgery and is fitted for a prosthetic eye.

“We are so very grateful to have a place to go,” says Ruth Ann Ferguson, mom to Gracie; Nicolas, 14; and Tyler, 22. “We don’t have any family to stay with in Atlanta so it’s like going to Grandma’s house with all the goodies laid out and the meals with other families.”

Ruth Ann says Gracie loves the playroom and its finger puppets, as well as singing to other families and staff members.

“Each time we arrive, it is with open arms as if you all have been waiting for our arrival,” Ferguson said. “Everything is always so clean and welcoming.”

Gracie looks forward to each time because she knows Kattie [Williams, Gatewood House manager] will have a surprise for her, Ruth Ann said.

“As a single mom of three, it is so important for us to have you all because of Gracie’s medical needs and the three-hour ride, sometimes four hours, to get there, plus the cost of food, gas and hotels,” Ferguson said. “You all are a blessing to so many. We love you all as family.”