22 Jul The Stories That Stay With You: A Partnership Built on Presence, Access, and Care

There’s a unique kind of comfort that comes from hearing a familiar storybook, especially when everything else feels uncertain. At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas, we see every day how comforting moments can make all the difference.

Providing compassionate care is at the heart of our partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, which provides more than just resources for families in need. Our partnership provides intention. Access. And the kind of support that meets families where they are, whether physically, emotionally, or digitally.

Together, we’ve launched a new Virtual Library—a growing collection of children’s books read aloud by volunteer BCBSTX employees, captured on video and made available to families staying at RMHC CTX. Whether it’s a parent reading alongside their child at the hospital or a sibling winding down in one of our guest rooms, the Virtual Library offers comfort, connection, and care, right at their fingertips.

The very first reading came from Abby Sterner, who brought energy and heart to Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Her voice now lives in the library, ready to be shared again and again by families who may need a moment of light during a heavy time.

But this isn’t just about storytime.

The Virtual Library is part of a broader commitment to family-centered healing, one that reaches beyond digital access. Through their Adopt a Room Sponsorship, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Texas has also made it possible for families to stay close to their child during treatment by sponsoring a guest room at our Ronald McDonald House for one year. It’s a tangible way of helping ensure families have not only a place to stay but also the space to care for one another.

Together, these efforts create space for rest, imagination, and presence while also making education accessible for families navigating a medical crisis. They remind us that even in the hardest moments, families deserve more than shelter—they deserve care, community, and the tools to navigate life with support behind them.

And we’re just getting started. In the months ahead, the Virtual Library will grow to include more Spanish-language stories, expand into additional languages like Mandarin Chinese, and introduce American Sign Language videos—furthering our commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and meaningful connection for every family we serve.

Because sometimes the smallest things—a voice, a book, a space to pause—are what stay with you the longest.