Local firefighters renovating a room at Ronald McDonald House in Ottawa

A North Bay theme is coming to one of the rooms at Ronald McDonald House in Ottawa.

It’s getting a makeover thanks to the North Bay Professional Firefighters Association.

Local 284 executive member Paul Auger says at the end of May they will be installing new flooring, paint, artwork of the landscape of North Bay, a new queen bedroom set and they’ll be sprucing up the bathroom a bit too.

He says his family knows first hand the importance of Ronald McDonald House, after spending the better part of five years travelling back and forth to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario after his daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2013.

Auger says a lot of families from the north spend time there.

“If they happen to get that room they can still feel kind of connected to North Bay by looking at the landscape pictures. If it’s someone from out of town, who’s not from North Bay, who knows, maybe at the end of their treatment they’ll want to come and visit,” he says.

On top of the artwork there’s also games, thanks to Nipissing University, and books by local authors.

Ronald McDonald House opened in June 1984.

Auger says some of the rooms haven’t been renovated in 10 to 20 years and word is getting out about what they’re doing.

“Local firefighters from Ottawa are looking to match what we’re going to do, so hopefully with us doing one bedroom and if they take on a second bedroom, maybe by the end of the year we can have all of the bedrooms refinished,” he says.

Auger says they’ve received numerous donations, including a significant contribution from Rebuilt Resources.

Stewart’s Decorating, Manchesters Sleep Centre, The Framemaker and the North Bay Professional Firefighters Local 284 Charities Committee have also made donations.

Donations are still being accepted at Fire Station One or by calling Auger at 705-840-0335.

Photo courtesy: RMHOttawa.com