About three times a week for weeks at time, Sonya and her family commute from Homer, Mich., for Sonya to receive regular Botox injections in her legs as part of her treatment for her condition. Treatment can span anywhere from days to months. Throughout the past four years of Sonya’s life, it has been difficult to keep up with finances, said Samantha Webster, Sonya’s mother.

The Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan, 121 South Holmes St., in Lansing, has been a home away from home for Sonya and her family, Samantha Webster said. The Websters have stayed at the house throughout Sonya’s treatments, where shelter and food are among the amenities provided for commuting outpatients.

The Ronald McDonald House is a building that can house up to eight families at once, said Lisa Gnass, Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan executive director. The house celebrated its 10th anniversary of operation Tuesday afternoon in Lansing.

The anniversary event featured an open house for the public, refreshments and a silent auction. Additionally, leaders from the Lansing community, such as state Rep. Joan Bauer, D-Lansing, gathered to speak.

Giving a tour of the house, Gnass said it is a helpful tool for families who face financial burdens and experience difficulties paying for medical services, let alone housing, while a family member is being treated.

“We have a library, we have a full laundry room that’s completely free … We have free Wifi, cable, television,” she said. “We have all the amenities. We really try to make it super easy so that they don’t have to spend any money while they’re here in any way.”

All families staying at the house are provided with daily meals and shelter, including a personal bathroom, living space and recreation areas, Gnass said. These amenities are provided to patients and their families at no charge. A $10 donation is asked of families, but is not required, she said. Private donations fund the house, which is staffed by more than 100 volunteers and three paid employees.

“Overwhelmingly people aren’t able to give (a donation), just because if there’s a medical issue, there’s often a financial issue, and it’s just not a big deal,” she said. “That’s not why we’re here at all. We try to make it as easy as possible on the families.”

Samantha Webster said the house has been a key part of making sure Sonya has been comfortable between treatments, while also supporting the family.

“Last year we stayed here all summer, that previous winter we were here almost until Christmas,” she said. “We love coming here — to (Sonya), this is a vacation, she definitely loves it.”

MSU Broad College of Business academic specialist Theda Rudd, a founding chair of the house and continuous volunteer, said the house is built to suit realistic needs of families.

“(We) make it as close to a real-life environment as possible,” she said.

Rudd said she will continue to assist the center for as long as she can.

“This is my favorite charity,” she said. “As long as I’m here in Lansing, I will always be a part of the Ronald McDonald House. Every time I pass by, I swell with pride, because this is something that I believe the community needs.”