The lights are dimmed. A heated mat and soft pillows are carefully arranged. Gentle music and aromatherapy fill the room.

Inside the Wellness Room at Ronald McDonald House Toronto, volunteer Sherri creates a safe space where caregivers can pause, breathe, and simply be themselves.
“They are able to just let go.” Sherri shares. “It’s their safe space. They can cry, they can sleep, they can laugh, and I’m just here to support them.”
Through guided stretches and acupressure, her sessions help ease stiffness, reduce tension, and calm the nervous system — providing caregivers with a full-body reset.

For parents and caregivers navigating the stress of a child’s illness, this kind of space can be profoundly meaningful. Between hospital appointments, long days and emotional exhaustion, Sherri offers more than massage therapy, she offers rest and compassion.

“It’s given me the most incredible feeling when I come here.”

Becoming a Volunteer

Before volunteering at Ronald McDonald House Toronto, Sherri worked with McDonald’s as one of their suppliers for over 30 years. Every year, she saw firsthand the impact support can have on families. “I was able to go in and do all of the McHappy Days and really be a part of what this House meant” Sherri shares.

After retiring, Sherri approached our Programs team and offered her services in 2018. Eight years later, Sherri continues to provide a meaningful impact and has expanded her services to the new Ronald McDonald House Family Room at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)in the Patient Support Centre.

There, she meets moms and dads who rarely leave their child’s bedside. In those moments, even a short break to rest can offer comfort and renewal.

“The families [parents] are so appreciative. I’ve never, in my whole career, been so appreciated,” she shares. “…Just the time to be by themselves, is such a treat for them. I’m so grateful that I’m able to do this for the families.”

Small Details
It’s often the smallest gestures that leave the biggest impact.

At the end of each session, Sherri invites caregivers to choose a card from her inspirational card deck.

“So many times they pick it, and it resonates with them. It gives them so much hope and a good feeling when they leave.”

Caregivers take the cards with them and often placing them where they can serve as a daily reminder of kindness. “They hold it very close to their heart. Some of it is hanging in a child’s room, or in their rooms here at Ronald McDonald House” Sherri shares.

Power of Community
For many families, coming to Ronald McDonald House Toronto means leaving everything familiar behind. They are far from home, away from friends, extended family, and the support systems that help them navigate everyday life. While their child receives medical care, parents and caregivers are carrying an enormous emotional and physical load of their own.

That’s why caring for the whole family matters. Every day, Sherri witnesses the impact a moment of rest, connection, and compassion can have on a caregiver’s well-being. As families settle into her care, she becomes one more source of support in the community that surrounds them.

“I feel so honoured to be able to listen to them and help support them. They’re warriors. I’m so grateful that I’m here, they have an ear and that they have their voices heard.”

Caring for the Whole Family
Sherri’s volunteer role offers a unique perspective on what families need during a child’s medical journey. While much of the focus is understandably on the child receiving treatment, she sees firsthand the emotional and physical demands placed on parents and caregivers.

By creating a space where caregivers can rest, reflect, and recharge, Sherri helps support the well-being of the whole family. It’s a simple act of care that can have a lasting impact — reminding families that they, too, deserve support along the way.

For Sherri, that opportunity is a gift in itself.
“I’m so grateful that I’m able to do this for the families.”

Join Our Volunteer Community  
We are currently seeking volunteers to fulfill essential roles in our House and Family Rooms. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, we’d love to hear from you. Learn more about our volunteer opportunities here.