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, they see how comforting moments can make all the difference every day.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is proud to come alongside RMHC CTX to launch a virtual library to bring comfort and connection to families staying at Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas. Providing compassionate care is at the heart of our collaboration, which provides more than just resources for families in need. It provides intention, access, and the kind of support that meets families where they are, whether physically, emotionally, or digitally.
The Virtual Library is a growing collection of children’s books read aloud by BCBSTX employee volunteers, 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 their guest rooms, the Virtual Library offers comfort, connection, and care, right at their fingertips.
The very first reading came from BCBSTX Director of Large and National Account Management 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 story time.
The Virtual Library is part of a broader commitment to family-centered healing, one that reaches beyond digital access. Through the Adopt a Room Sponsorship, BCBSTX has also made it possible for families to stay close to their child during treatment by sponsoring a guest room at RMHC CTX 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 RMHC CTX’s commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and meaningful connection for every family they serve.
Because sometimes the smallest things — a voice, a book, a space to pause — are what stay with you the longest.
