Reba McEntire-backed Texas charity has welcomed over 35,000 families since 1992

Photo: Reba (L) and her NGOCredit: Reba’s Ranch House / Instagram In 1992, country music star Reba McEntire helped open Reba’s Ranch House in Denison, Texas, to give families a safe place to stay when a loved one was in hospital. The idea began after her doctor, Darius Maggi, described how many visitors were sleeping in hospital chairs, waiting-room floors or their cars. More than three decades later, the charity reports it has welcomed over 35,000 families, offering rest, meals, emotional support and spiritual care at no cost.How the idea beganReba McEntire grew up in southeastern Oklahoma and travelled to Denison, Texas, for medical appointments with Dr Darius Maggi, who also cared for her sisters and many of her nieces and nephews. During one visit, Maggi told her about the needs facing families who travelled long distances to be near hospitalised relatives. McEntire offered to hold a concert to raise both money and awareness. Over the following years, the community organised concerts, golf tournaments, parades and fishing tournaments to support the cause, extending help to Denison as well as nearby parts of southeastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas.The concept was similar to...