Ronald McDonald House lights the house to help stressed families find their holiday spirit
Calgary's Ronald McDonald House is getting into the holiday spirit.
A "Light the House" ceremony was held Friday, with lights and decorations provided by community donors.
There was also a special dinner, holiday activities and a visit from Santa.
The aim is to offer some holiday magic to those staying at the house over the holidays.
Ronald McDonald House offers a "home away from home" for families who need to travel to get their child vital medical care.
Debra Mavin's family was involved in a collision on Highway 1 this year, and has been using the house while her partner and one of her sons continues their recovery.
She's thankful they have a space to stay together over the holidays.
Debra Mavin and her family are staying at Ronald McDonald House in Calgary over the holidays
"You wake up and see all the Christmas decorations in the morning and then you come home after days in the hospital or at treatment and there's a warm meal," Mavin said. "It's needed. I can't even imagine what we would do if it didn't exist."
There are also Ronald McDonald Houses in Edmonton, Red Deer and Medicine Hat.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freeland says she is 'not going anywhere' after Conservatives call her 'phantom finance minister'
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland declared she is 'not going anywhere' when pushed by the Conservatives on Monday about her future as finance minister.
Rebooked your flight? Here are your options after Air Canada reached a tentative deal with its pilots
Air Canada is offering passengers the option to change flights back. Here's what you need to know.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
A passing comet could shine as bright as Venus. Here are the best viewing times
This eye-catching celestial event is around the corner and will appear in the skies this fall.
Singh challenged on carbon tax stance as MPs return to Ottawa
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh still won't say whether his party would scrap the federal carbon pricing program if elected, while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is increasing his calls for the NDP to vote non-confidence in the Liberals and trigger a 'carbon tax election.'
A pipeline explosion is shooting a towering pillar of flame over a Houston suburb
A massive pipeline fire shooting a towering pillar of flame for hours over suburban Houston on Monday as first responders evacuated a surrounding neighborhood and tried to keep more nearby homes from catching fire.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
First teen sentenced in Kenneth Lee case gets 15 months probation
The first teenager to be sentenced in the death of a Toronto homeless man will not face further time in custody, and instead participate in a community-based program.