Local Family Helps Make Christmas Special For Families With Sick Children
By Cleve Bryan
CAMDEN, N.J. (CBS) - A jingling good-time was ready for families as they awoke Christmas morning at the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey.
Santa's good Jewish friends the Hassman family provided carols and breakfast with Mr. Claus.
"We bring the whole family with us. These kids go through so much and their families go through so much and it's just one way to try and make it a little easier for them," says David Hassman.
The Ronald McDonald house provides a "home away from home" for families whose children are in local hospitals with critical illnesses or severe injuries.
The Orvis family from Camden, Delaware has a newborn daughter at the Children's Hospital and a 1-year-old son who doesn't get to celebrate Christmas at home.
"It was kind of hard, not so much for her but for him because it's his first Christmas that he's going to understand so everybody coming and helping was wonderful for us," says Heather Orvis, "we didn't know what we were going to do and we didn't even have time to go shopping because we were at the hospital 24-7."
Each child from the 22 families at the house all got gifts this Christmas.
"The kids that sit on your lap don't ask for the typical dolls or trucks – they just want their brother or sister to be able to come home for the holidays. That's why we're here," says Dr. Joseph Hassman, who has donned the red velvet suit at the house for almost 15 years.
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