For Ernesto Rosales, chairman of the board of the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House, a scene four years ago in the parking lot of Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital brought home the value of the house.

“We found two families who were sleeping in their cars,” Rosales, a father of seven, said.

He tapped on the windows and told them in Spanish about the Ronald McDonald across the street, which offers families of patients a place to stay.

“Do you need a place to sleep? he asked.

A lot of families are afraid to ask for help because they're worried about immigration issues.

“That means nothing to us,” Rosales said.

He was able to get the families into the Ronald McDonald House, which offers free housing and two meals a day while children are hospitalized.

“That’s the reason why I do this,” Rosales said. “It’s good to be part of an organization that does so much for so many people at a time when they need it the most.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented the organization with many challenges, Rosales said. Fundraisers had to be canceled while the Ronald McDonald House capacity was reduced to 20% because of COVID-19.

“We have families, sadly, that have to wait,” Rosales said. “We have to try to help them another way -- gas cards, hotel rooms.”

McDonald's franchise owners and anonymous donors helped fill the fundraising gap.

So far in 2021, the pandemic does not seem to be loosening its grip as cases rise in California and worldwide.

“This isn’t going away anytime soon,” Rosales said.

The vaccines will help, and Rosales is hopeful that some of the fundraising events can be resumed in 2021.

The Ronald McDonald House in Loma Linda was built in 1996, providing a “home away from home” for families of patients at the Children’s Hospital.

In a regular year, about 1,800 families stay in the house. Almost 40% are from the Coachella Valley.

“Of those 40%, about 80% are from the east side of the Valley, which is a higher demographic of lower-income farm workers, people who support the infrastructure of Palm Springs,” Rosales said.

Two years ago, the house was renovated at a cost of $12 million, doubling the number of rooms from 23 to 54.

“The need was there,” Rosales said.

The Los Angeles Kings hockey team donated $1 million for a game room.

Rosales looks forward to the day when families will be able to take full advantage of the generous gifts that made the house possible.

“We’re hoping for the best but planning for the worse,” Rosales said of the year ahead.

If you are interested in knowing more about the IE Ronald McDonald House or becoming a Circle of Healing donor, visit their website at www.rmhcsc.org/inlandempire