‘A refreshing day’: Smiles made in North Battleford on McHappy Day

“Jade has had two major spinal surgeries,” said Mom Carmin Boskill of the 2021 and 2022 medical interventions to fix a congenital tethered spinal cord she has had from birth.

Initially, Boskill said she wasn’t sure she wanted to call the Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon because she believed the house was for children in more critical situations.

“With this condition, its life changing but it’s not life threatening, and I just thought maybe that there was another family that could’ve used this space and I wasn’t sure if we would actually need it,’ she said.

Life had other plans.

Carmin Boskill and daughter Jade Rafuse celebrate with smiles at a North Battleford McDonald’s on May. 8. (McDonalds Staff Photo)

“Fast forward, it was a friend that had encouraged us to reach out and use the house and I’m so grateful that we did because we needed the support more than we could’ve ever thought.”

Sitting and visiting with local dignitaries and rodeo cowboys at one of the McDonald’s in North Battleford on May. 8, Boskill and her shy Jade took in the lively atmosphere around them.

“This has just been a fantastic event, we’re so privileged and honoured to be a part of it,” said

“The Ronald McDonald House is such a special place with a lot of special people and we just had the best experience there.”

Weston Davidson traded in his bull ropes, spurs and riding vest for an apron for the day to help take orders and serve up smiles.

“It’s good, it’s awesome…it’s a great day, sun’s shining.” he said.

Davidson explained the event has special meaning to him.

“I’ve had family in the hospital and lots of my buddies have spent time in the hospital so it’s just good to know giving back to something that,” said the bull rider.

“It gives a support system so families can be close to their sick ones in the hospital and it’s just an awesome foundation and you know, it’s always good helping out and giving back.”

Last year, McDonalds Canada raised over $7 million and according to the Ronald McDonald House Canada website, since the first house in Canada opened in 1981, over 425,000 families have been supported.

Dorianne Dodge director of house operations for Ronald Macdonald House in Saskatoon said portions of proceeds on everything on the menu will go back to the House in Saskatoon and the Prince Albert Family Room.

“We are thrilled to be here,” she said.

Dodge explained all the staff are out travelling around the communities and she along with Liberty Lauron from House Services, came to North Battleford in person before moving on to Lloydminster.

Bull Rider Weston Davidson and McDonald’s Staff Member Shanis Letendre serve up smiles during McHappy Day on May. 8. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“We’re connecting with some of our alumni families that are here, just catching up, seeing the kids, now that they’re grown up,” she said, noting it was nice to be out and connect with community.

Dodge explained they have families who stay one or two nights while others stay 300 day or more.

“Some of the families we get to know really well, and they are family and friends and they go home and that’s great and we’re really happy for them but it’s also exciting to see them afterwards when they’re a little bit stronger, a little bit taller, a little bit healthier.”

Meanwhile, for Jade and her family, the home away from home has given them the chance to create special connections with other families and a “hub of support.”

The young girl’s condition affects nerves, which impacts bowel, bladder and lower extremity function, and sees multiple specialists regularly.

“After every surgery she’s had, she’d to be in an induced coma in the pediatric intensive care unit so she doesn’t get a spinal leak after,” Boskill said.

Her second surgery came after her left leg stopped working properly and that led to complications, and they stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for about a month.

“She had an event of cardiac arrest so because of the complications and having a spinal bleed, she developed some scar tissue and she was retethered again,” she said.

“So, every time she grows, it puts stress and strain on her nerves, so we hope – we hope – she won’t need another surgery soon but most likely she will.”

Grayson Frolek, 15, takes a bite as he and his friends experience McHappy Day on May. 8. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Sharon Keall, franchisee of McDonalds in North Battleford and Meadow Lake said she couldn’t be happier.

“The community, you can just feel it in the air, the buzz, the support, we’re having a wonderful time, tons of fun,” she said.

“I’ve been doing this for almost 18 years as an owner-operator and every year, it just keeps on getting better and better and better and our community never ceases to amaze me at how they’re willing to come out, willing to support and just be there for each other. It’s such a refreshing day.”

For families like Boskill’s, who will have ongoing medical needs, the house has offered a sanctuary on the hard days.

“It’s one thing that gives us peace of mind is knowing that the house is there and that we’ll have that special place and support in the future for when and if we need it.”

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julia.lovett-squires@pattisonmedia.com

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by Julia Lovett-Squires

‘A refreshing day’: Smiles made in North Battleford on McHappy Day

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