Love is Worth More Than Money
There is nothing more important to the McDonald’s than family. Leroy and Dory started their family when they were just teenagers. Dory got pregnant at the age of 15 and moved in with her boyfriend, Leroy and his family.
Not long after their son, Gunner, was born they decided to move out of Leroy’s parents trailer, and moved into their own trailer. The McDonald’s live in the Mt. Pleasant Mobile Home Village, and Leroy has lived here his whole life. “It’s a great community and all my family is here”, said Leroy.
It was not easy for them. They moved out and had a child at such a young age, and on top of all of that, their son Gunner was born with a Cleft Pallet. That meant surgery after surgery, and doctors appointment after doctors appointment. Love and support from each other is what got them through these hard times.
Leroy and Dory now married and have two kids together, Gunner who is 3 and Rika who is 5 months old. They still live in the park and actually added two members to their family tree. Family friend Riley Never, who is 15 weeks pregnant, started living with them not too long ago.
“I want to help as many people as I can. If they need somewhere to stay, they can stay here, I can’t offer much because I don’t have much, but sleeping in a small room is better than sleeping on the streets,” said Leroy.
To Leroy and his family money, and material objects are not as important to them, it is the love and respect that they share that weighs greater in their hearts than money.
Leroy McDonald, 23, left, is wrestling with his son, Gunner, 4, right, after Gunner threw the first punch at dad. "I love being a dad because it gives me a chance to be a kid again," said Leroy, Wednesday, Nov. 7, in their Mount Pleasant home, in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Mom, Dory McDonald, 20, left, tickles her daughter, 5 mouth old Rika, with their family friend Riley Niver, 23, right, in the McDonald household, Wednesday, Nov. 7, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Gunner McDonald, 3, eats a Milkyway to calm himself down. He has ADD and his parents say the more sugar he has the faster he will go down for a nap, in their home, Friday, Nov. 14, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Gunner McDonald, 3, sits on top of dad, Leroy, 23, and starts to play wrestle and attack dad, while Riley Never, 23, watches, laughs and encourages Gunner to keep attacking dad, Wednesday, Nov. 7, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Leroy McDonald, 23, left, and family friend, Riley Niver, 23, right, unload Leroy’s mom’s car with their Thanksgiving groceries, Wednesday, Nov. 21, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Dory McDonald, 20, washes up the dishes, while the kids finally went down for a nap, in their home, Friday, Nov. 14, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Dory McDonald, 20, left, breast-feeds her 5 mouth old daughter, Rika, while Gunner, 3, in the middle, plays with an empty bottle and keeps smacking dad, Leroy, 23, right, in the head with it, while Leroy tries to wind down and play a game on his phone, Friday, Nov. 14, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Gunner McDonald, 3, stands in his box of toys, looking out the window, waiting for mom to return home from grandma and grandpas house, Wednesday, Nov. 7, Mt. Pleasant, Mich.