A Letter of Gratitude from Nicholas’ Dad

Hi there –

My name is Eric Rizo, and I wanted to reach out so you could hear my family’s story directly from me.

Before our son Nicholas was even born, we learned he’d face a fight for his life. Doctors discovered heart defects that would mean open-heart surgery just days after he was born. We were terrified—overwhelmed by the unknowns and the fear of what this would mean for Nicholas, his twin, and their older brother.


We live more than 50 miles from the hospital where Nicholas would need multiple surgeries, so when Ronald McDonald House welcomed us in, it was more than a relief; it was the lifeline our family needed to be close to him. What we thought would be just a two-week stay turned into 349 nights—a year where every single moment with our baby mattered.

Your support gave us a home where we could start our mornings with our kids around the breakfast table, then spend precious hours by Nicholas’s side. Every night, there was a home-cooked meal waiting, made by the kindest volunteers who understood the weight of what we were going through.

When the holidays came, the warmth of Ronald McDonald House shone even brighter. You made sure our kids had gifts to open on Christmas morning—a moment of joy and normalcy in the middle of our family’s darkest time.

Nicholas fought through those early surgeries, and having his family close made all the difference. Your support let us focus on what truly mattered—being together, every step of the way.

Today, there are more families like ours who need the comfort, care, and support that Ronald McDonald House provides. Will you give a gift to help families stay close to their children when every moment counts?

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness and generosity. You’ve helped my family and so many others find hope and strength when it’s needed most.

With all my gratitude,

Eric Rizo