Community celebrates opening of Ronald McDonald House Charities' Krantz Cottage

“It’s an honor and privilege to be able to lift up families amid the crushing weight and uncertainty of their child’s serious illness and make it possible for them to have a touch of normalcy and joy in their lives, an opportunity, in this beautiful setting, to make precious memories together as a family.”
— Adele O’Connell, Outgoing President, RMHC-CR Board of Directors

A crowd gathered at 161 Ottawa Street in the Village of Lake George this Wednesday at noon to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat at Krantz Cottage. Local officials, Ronald McDonald House Charity leaders, and Howard Krantz’s daughters spoke at the event which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The first-of-its-kind program offers a vacation retreat for families who are experiencing serious childhood illnesses. Guest families will be provided with accommodations for five-days free of charge. Individuals and local businesses have donated gift cards and vouchers for guests to use at local restaurants and attractions.

“We know that medicine heals,” says House Director Debbie Ross, “but we also know that being together as a family with joy, making lasting memories, that is healing too.” Since 1982, Ross has been taking care of families at the Ronald McDonald House in Albany.

At the ceremony, Village of Lake George Mayor Robert Blais told how he was moved by what he saw during a March 2018 tour of the Ronald McDonald facility in Albany, and when Ross told him she hoped to extend the Ronald McDonald House services by adding a vacation retreat, Blais thought Lake George would be the perfect place. He put in calls to local real estate agents. Two weeks later, Blais learned that the former law office of the late Howard Krantz, who served as the Village attorney for many years, was being vacated.

With the help of the Krantz family and more than 100 businesses and individuals, the law offices were transformed into a year-round, two-unit cottage with unique details crafted by designer Lynn Underhill. Expressing her gratitude to the Krantz family, Ross said, “We know that behind the walls of this building … there will be laughter and joy, synonymous with Howard Krantz. This Ronald McDonald Family Retreat is your family’s legacy.” The first family to stay at Krantz Cottage will arrive Saturday, July 17.

The Village of Lake George will be holding a Rockin’ for Ronald fundraiser Aug. 6 – 8, 2021 to benefit the Krantz Cottage Family Retreat program. The event will be held in Shepard Park with music beginning Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Rockin’ for Ronald will feature live music, a craft show, bounce houses, a wine and beer tent, food wagons and a chicken barbecue.

“As I stand here today,” says Blais, “I think this is one of the most important ribbon-cuttings we’ve ever had here in Lake George. Businesses will come and go, owners will come and go, but this will be here forever.”