Velma Slaughter said if it was not for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Temple she would not be able to see her child every day.
Days after her baby was born early on Dec. 16, she moved into the Ronald McDonald House, because she could not afford a long stay somewhere nearby the hospital.
"I was at the hospital and getting ready to discharge and my doctor referred me here," said Slaughter.
"Ronald McDonald House serves as a home away from home for families who have seriously ill children receiving treatment at local hospitals," said Executive Director Susan Bolton.
Bolton said the doors to the house are open because of community fundraising.
"We love getting gifts. It doesn't matter when. It doesn't matter how much," said Bolton.
However, experts shared this time of year those donations sometimes decrease.
"I think that there's a heavy emphasis on giving at the end of the year for tax purposes and other reasons as well, and nonprofits for us we need to be prepared for that," said President and CEO of United Way Central Texas Stephanie O'Banion.
Last year, the Temple Ronald McDonald House missed its mark but they are hopeful for the year to come.
"We need to make more. We're applying for grants, and we beg every chance we get," said Bolton.
The Temple Ronald McDonald House was not the only nonprofit that shared its need.
"We were actually down this year by about $5,000, we had a goal of $120,000. We fell a little bit short of that, so we are you know looking at our budget," Lt. Chantel Millin Corps Officer said.
Slaughter's year-round donations are essential to helping people like her.
"You never know when you're going to be the person needing help," Slaughter.
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