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From Our House to YOURS

FAMILY STORY: The Laidley Family 22 Nights

A Parent’s Love Knows No Age

A Farm Accident and a Life-Flight

On a hot-summer’s day this past August, Karla Laidley had a sinking feeling.

Her youngest son, Mason, had called earlier to say he was shuffling trucks around their family farm outside of Thief River Falls, Minnesota. He also mentioned there was a mouse in one of the trucks.

Karla encouraged him to make some noise to scare it out, reminding him that the mouse was likely more afraid of him than he was of it. After trying a few different tactics, the mouse remained. Mason decided to continue working, driving with the door open.

“Just be careful,” Karla said before ending the call.

Later, she noticed on her Find My app that Mason’s location hadn’t moved. She called him. He didn’t answer.

Her nerves began to rise. She called her oldest son, Keenan, asking him to check on Mason and mentioning the mouse. Her husband, Bradley, also went out to look but couldn’t find him along their usual routes. That’s when Karla decided she needed to leave work.

Guided by her phone, Karla made her way to her son’s last known location, and as she approached the main highway, an ambulance raced by. Moments later, her

“Even though Mason was in the ICU, I was still close enough to him and there for him, whenever he needed..”

Karla Laidley

oldest son called her, and said, “Mom, I’m standing here with the EMT.” Suddenly, she couldn’t drive any further.

Mason would be life-flighted to Fargo for emergency medical care.

With no exact details of the accident or the nature of Mason’s injuries, the Laidley family was unsure of what had happened or what the coming days would hold. But they knew what had to happen next. They could not be two hours away. They needed to stay close to their son when it mattered most. Close enough to hold his hand, to speak his name, to remind him he wasn’t alone.

Care in Fargo

Because Fargo is more than two hours from Thief River Falls, Karla and Bradley rushed home just long enough to grab a few essentials before heading south. By the time they arrived, Mason had been stabilized. Doctors told them he would need to be closely monitored for 48 hours due to a brain bleed and a cracked skull.

The Laidley family stayed in Mason’s hospital room for as long as they were allowed, sitting beside him, watching monitors, listening for every sound. When they were finally told they needed to step out for the night, they left reluctantly. They checked into a nearby hotel, carrying more questions than answers, unsure of what the morning would bring.

Sometime later, Karla’s dad called her and recommended that they call Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley to see if there were any openings in the House.

“I said, I can’t stay there,” Karla explained, believing that Ronald McDonald House Charities was only open to families with young children.

“I was so thankful because I didn’t have to worry about my clothes, I washed my clothes there, and there were always meals there. I was close to the hospital without worrying about where I was going to do and what I was going to do to be next to him.”

Karla Laidley

While turning 18 legally marks adulthood, a parent’s love knows no age. At Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley, families are eligible to stay when they have a child age 21 or younger receiving care at one of Fargo’s partnering medical facilities: Sanford Health, Essentia Health, Prairie St. John’s, or the Eating Disorder Institute.

Close for Comfort

After a conversation with Kellcie, Director of Family Services, and a day or so later, Karla was able to find comfort in our House.

“Even though Mason was in the ICU, I was still close enough to him and there for him, whenever he need.” she says.

Though her husband and son had to return home to work, Karla was able to work remotely, and stay at RMHC, just moments from Mason’s side.

“There was always somebody there bringing stuff in or making big meals, so you didn’t have to worry about anything to eat. A lot of times I would just forget to eat because you just don’t think about it.”

After nearly a week and a half of the unknown and fearing the future, Mason woke up, and was moved out of the ICU, though he still experienced some issues with balance and memory loss.

A few more days passed, and though Mason felt he was ready for home, he first had to go through a rehabilitation program. He then was transferred to a rehab facility here in Fargo.

The accident occurred on August 19. Mason and Karla were able to return home 22 days later, on September 10. Thanks to Mason’s strong progress in rehabilitation, he was cleared to return home earlier than expected.

Mason Today

Just six months after the accident, Mason has returned to work at Pizza Hut and has already been promoted to Shift Trainer.

Even more joy is on the horizon for the Laidley family: Karla’s oldest son, Keenan, and his girlfriend are expecting a baby girl in May.

Karla says Mason can’t wait to meet his niece. He talks about teaching her to hunt and play basketball someday.

Though no one knows exactly what caused the accident, the family believes that while Mason was driving with the cab door open, something in the road may have jolted him, causing him to fall from the truck. Despite suffering a head injury, Mason was somehow able to make his way to the roadside, where two young girls found him. That choice may have saved his life.

A NOTE FROM JILL CHRISTOPHER

CEO

Today, Mason lives with some lingering pain and stiffness on one side of his body. But he is back to doing what he loves: snowmobiling, working on old trucks, hunting, and spending time with his mini dachshund, Asher.

For Karla, perspective has changed everything. When Mason asked her what she wanted for Christmas this past year, her answer was simple: “I don’t need anything,” she said. “I have you back.”

And for the Laidley family, that is more than enough.

Every day at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley, we are reminded that love shows up in simple, powerful ways — a warm meal, a fun movie night, a visit from our therapy dog and so much more. As we celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we pause to recognize the people who make these moments possible.

Volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission. They feed our families and keep our facility in tip top shape. They serve with compassion and consistency. They show up. In fact, last year volunteers put in over 7,000 hours of work for our mission saving us over $238,000 in staffing costs, repair work, and so much more.

For families with a hospitalized child, the world can feel uncertain and overwhelming. Our volunteers help create something steady: a place that feels like home. This National Volunteer Appreciation Week, we celebrate the hundreds of individuals who gave their time and their hearts to our Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room in 2025. Because of them, families don’t just find a place to stay — they find a community that cares.

To every volunteer: thank you for being the hands and heart of our mission. Our mission is stronger because of you.

With a heart full of gratitude,

Jill Christopher CEO

What We Grew Together

Thank you for your incredible generosity on Giving Hearts Day. Because of you, families facing medical crises will find comfort, rest, and support when they need it most.

This year, more than 650 supporters came together to fuel our mission. Through a full month of early giving and one extraordinary day of generosity, you helped ensure that Home is Harvested Here for every family who walks through our doors.

A special thank you to Nodak Insurance and five anonymous donors for providing matching funds that inspired others to give and helped

every dollar go further. We are also deeply grateful to Dakota Medical Foundation for hosting Giving Hearts Day and creating such a powerful opportunity for our community to rally around local nonprofits.

To everyone who gave, shared our story, nominated us, or encouraged others to support the House, thank you. Your generosity keeps families close to the care they need and close to each other.

Because of you, families do not have to face hard days alone.

Thank you!

YEAR IN REVIEW

1,023 3,667

The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Essentia Health served SANFORD HEALTH 66 % EATING DISORDER INSTITUTE 10 % ROGER MARIS CANCER CENTER 17 % ESSENTIA HEALTH 5 % PRAIRIE ST. JOHNS 2 % RMH Facilities Served

• NICU

Ronald McDonald House hosted for a total of FAMILY STAYS NIGHTS

Ronald McDonald House Average Stay

Together with you, we served a total of 6,158 NIGHTS FAMILIES INDIVIDUALS

666 9.8

Volunteers invested a total of 7,535.75 HOURS Ronald McDonald House Most Common Diagnoses: FAMILIES

• CANCER

• EATING DISORDERS

611

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, there is no charge to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. No one is turned away for inability to pay. Some families choose to donate $20 toward their stay. In 2025, 90% of families experienced the comforts of home while paying nothing to stay at RMHC.

RMHC VolunteerAppreciation

At our House, we celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week all April long! This month especially, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who invests time, energy, and love to support our families. Last year alone, volunteers dedicated over 7,535 hours to making our House feel like a home for families staying here. Your commitment makes a lasting impact!

Volunteer Week in April Opportunities

Our incredible community comes together to support more than 1,000 families each year. There are many ways to get involved and help families find comfort and care during their healing journey.

Cleaning – We promise chores are more fun at our House!

Baking – From muffins to cookies to bars, nothing says “welcome home” like the smell of fresh-baked goodness.

Share A Meal – Whip up your favorite meal or secret family recipe in our kitchen to feed 20 people.

A La Carte from the Heart –Prepare healthy grab-and-go snacks for families on the move.

Maintenance & Special Projects - Use your skills to help care for our House through projects big and small.

Family Room at Essentia - Support families and help create a peaceful, welcoming space for new parents.

Movie Night Highlight

New to our House, Movie Nights provide a fun and memorable evening of volunteering for all!

To enhance the Movie Night Experience for families, Share-A-Meal offerings on these special nights are themed to align with the

featured movie. Additionally, volunteers are encouraged to dress up to make the evening extra special.

If this sounds like a fun way for you and your crew to get involved, keep an eye out on our Facebook for upcoming dates!

RMH Ride

25th Annual Ride

Saturday, June 13, 2026

New York Mills, MN

RMH Ride winds its way through scenic Lakes Country during a 90+ mile ride that serves as the signature event of a multi-day experience featuring camping, live music, dinner, and an auction. What began in 2002 with 15 riders and a shared desire to help a family staying at Ronald McDonald House has grown into a beloved annual tradition. Since its start, RMH Ride has raised more than $1 million to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley.

On February 14, 625 guests came together for the 37th Annual Sweetheart Ball, presented by McDonald’s Restaurants of the Red River Valley. We are deeply grateful to everyone who gathered for an evening rooted in community, care, and generosity.

The night was filled with energy, from auctions and raffles to Heads or Tails, photo booths, and live music. Board President Jessica Shawn and CEO Jill Christopher shared reflections on the year and the impact made possible because of this incredible support.

The Lundquist family reminded us what it means to show up for one another during long, uncertain journeys. Through RMHC, they found comfort, support, and a true sense of home when they needed it most. Because of this community, Home is Harvested Here.

Scan the QR code to hear how our house became a home away from home for the Lunduists as their family sought medical treatment in Fargo. Meet the Lundquists.