Local child does her part to assist Ronald McDonald House

By Ron Giofu

A local child found a way to use her talents to give back to the Ronald McDonald House.

Emmalina Deslippe and her mom Amanda were in front of the Waterfront Ice Cream for two-and-ahalf hours Sunday selling bows and headbands as a fundraiser.

“The money I make is going to the Ronald McDonald House at the end of the year,” explained Emmalina.

The six-year-old will try to sell more during the year and she added any bows and headbands she has left over will also be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

“I used to live at the Ronald McDonald House,” said Emmalina. “I liked it there.”

Amanda described her daughter as independent and she wanted to make the bows and headbands on her own. Amanda buys the material but her daughter is able to do much of the work herself.

“Her brother Owen was born with a paralyzed diaphragm,” said Amanda. “We lived at the Ronald

McDonald House (in London) for about two months. It was great that Emmalina was able to stay with us.”

Had Emmalina not been able to stay with Amanda, her husband Kyle and Owen when Owen was born in 2020, they would have had to make other arrangements and may not have been able to stay together while Owen was hospitalized.

“They were always so cheerful and happy,” said Amanda, of the Ronald McDonald House staff. “(Emmalina) would ask if we could go there again.” In a time of unrest for the family as well as society due to the COVID-19 pandemic when they were there three years ago, the Ronald McDonald House made the Deslippe family’s life as good as possible.

Once Owen was able to breathe on his own, Kyle and Amanda were able to bring him home.

“Now he’s doing great,” said Amanda.

Emmalina’s fundraiser raised $210 heading into Sunday and she raised $170 that day. Her love of making bows and headbands started when she made them for her friends at her last birthday so she decided to do the fundraiser.

“She wanted to do something here,” said Amanda.

“I like helping mommy and I get to play,” Emmalina added.

The family also supports McHappy Day every spring, Amanda added.