Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas breaks ground on “Building Hope” expansion project
April 18, 2016
RMHC of the Carolinas broke ground on its $3.5 million capital campaign expansion project today. The expansion will allow the Ronald McDonald House, located in Greenville, S.C., to double the amount of families it currently serves by adding an additional 12 guest bedrooms.
“Our Chapter is absolutely thrilled to begin this new adventure,” said Marti Spencer, Executive Director/CEO of RMHC of the Carolinas. “Today is an important day for families all across the Upstate of South Carolina and beyond our borders. The expansion will strengthen our ability to meet the needs of children being cared for in an outpatient and inpatient setting; ultimately meeting our goal of keeping families close and helping to enable family centered care.”
The 17,500 square foot expansion will connect to the current House located at 706 Grove Road, directly across the street from Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital and Memorial Hospital. Features of the expansion include 12 additional guest rooms with private baths; a new guest check-in and main lobby; a large dining hall; a commercial kitchen designed for multiple families; an elevator making all rooms accessible to guests and visitors; a business center to help families keep up with their homes; an expanded laundry facility; and a community conference room to welcome volunteers and community partners.
In 2015, RMHC of the Carolinas served 400 children and their families but the demand for rooms far exceeded availability and 254 families had to find alternative housing. In a recent study 90 percent of hospital leaders agreed that RMHC helped families reduce stress and costs of caring for a sick child. And, as the Greenville community and its medical facilities continue to grow, the need for the House program will continue to increase year after year.
“The services RMHC provides are a vital part of the healthcare continuum,” said Tom Mascari, Board Chairman of RMHC of the Carolinas. “We wanted to continue to fulfill our mission and serve more families to provide them with the resources they need so they can better focus on their child’s medical needs. It was clear we needed to expand and we look forward to helping more families in need.”
For 27 years, RMHC of the Carolinas has served more than 10,000 families from the Upstate of South Carolina, its six surrounding states and from outside the USA. Families come to the House at any time of day or night in search of a place to stay within steps of their child receiving medical treatment at an area medical facility. In addition, the House provides meals, transportation and compassionate support— all the comforts of home. The average length of stay for a family is 11 nights.
“We have received an extremely positive response from the Greenville and Upstate community in our goal of raising money for the expansion,” said Joe Swann, Capital Campaign Co-Chairman. “There was a need and the community truly rallied around the Chapter’s mission. The community is our campaign foundation and it is through them we have reached this important day.”
Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital, McDonald’s GSA Co-Op, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina and Fluor are lead donors for the campaign. The expansion project has raised approximately two-thirds of the funds needed and is seeking donations to meet its $3.5 million goal. Pledges and donations can be made online at http://rmhc-carolinas.org/
About RMHC of the Carolinas:
RMHC of the Carolinas’ mission is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children. Since 1989, the Chapter has provided support to more than 10,000 families through the Ronald McDonald House program. More than a room, the House serves as a quiet place for families to be alone or as a place of companionship, sharing and emotional support with other families who are also caring for a sick child being treated at nearby hospitals. To learn more about Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas, visit www.RMHC-Carolinas.org.
