ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — If the holidays have you in the giving spirit, consider giving the gift of togetherness.

You can help families who have children in the hospital stay close by in a Ronald McDonald House.

One family traveled all the way from Brazil to St. Petersburg to benefit.

Eleven-year-old Freddy Ginman has been getting physical therapy for cerebral palsy since he was three.

Born six months prematurely, weighing less than two pounds, doctors told Freddy’s mom he wouldn’t survive.

Freddy's still proving them wrong.

His mother Isabela Amaral’s philosophy for healing is what she calls the three “F’s”.

"I think the base is family, the love we have for each other,” said Amaral. “That’s something that encourages each other to pass through any obstacle."

Helping this family overcome that obstacle — The Ronald McDonald House.

It’s where families with kids in the hospital can stay for free.

"It give us the chance for me as his family to focus on his treatment," said Amaral.

It gives her a chance to focus on treatment, not finances.

This is the fifth time Amaral and Freddy have stayed here while Freddy gets intensive therapy.

"The good part is you make friends,” said Freddy.

Ronald McDonald House volunteers prepare meals and parents can lean on each other for support.

"We’re providing that support to those families no matter the stay as long their family’s here getting treatment we want to make sure they’re getting taken care of," said Joe Citro, Director of Development for Ronald McDonald House Charities. 

In the meantime, more of Amaral’s philosophy for healing is to be fit. Physical therapy is certainly helping Freddy in that regard.

And finally, have fun.

Laughter from deep down during a set of sit ups lets us know there’s no shortage of fun when you’re with Freddy.

Family. Fit. Fun. It's all helping this child fulfill his dream to walk freely, and he is making strides. 

Amaral says the Ronald McDonald House has been the turning point.

"His dream is my dream," said Amaral. "His life is my mission, is my purpose of life."

Thus, they share a mission and they have a home of hope and inspiration behind them, one that thrives to give families the best medicine — each other.

“We do not charge the families to stay with us and we rely on the support of the community because we actually do not receive any state or government funding,” said Citro.

That’s why campaigns like Give the Gift of Togetherness are so important. It runs through the end of the year.