Ronald McDonald House Charities to Open Home-Away-From-Home

Final RenderingMESA, Ariz. —  The Valley of the Sun will be home to a third Ronald McDonald House, and the first in the East Valley, when a former health care facility on the campus of Cardon Children’s Medical Center in Mesa is converted into a 10,255-square-foot home-away-from home.

When the $2.116-million renovation, funded primarily through donations, is complete in late 2013, Ronald McDonald House Charities will be able to accommodate up to 79 families a night at its three facilities.  The 248-bed Cardon Children’s Medical Center is operated by Banner Health.

The new facility will feature 16 bedrooms, including three apartments with kitchens for families with children with suppressed immune systems; a community kitchen and dining room; play area for children and outdoor area for adults.

Fundraising for the new location is ongoing.  As of Nov. 1, nearly $967,000 has been raised to support the project, including a generous $500,000 gift from the Gila River Indian Community.  

Banner Health Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities are working to raise the remaining $1.15 million necessary to complete the building conversion. McDonald’s owner/operators in the Valley have committed to provide some percentage of required operating expenses for the first three years.

As a nonprofit health care system, Banner Health relies on philanthropy. Charitable contributions miles each way to the Roanoke House and can spend more time with their children.”

HKS Architects of Phoenix has designed the new house.  UEB is the general contractor.   Historically, community and school groups and organizations, businesses and individuals have adopted and decorated individual rooms.

 “The Ronald McDonald House at Cardon Children’s Medical Center will be a home away from home for our families, providing a level of safety and comfort at an incredibly difficult time in their lives and relieving stress by being with other families facing similar challenges,” said Cardon Children’s Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Rhonda Anderson.  “The partnership between Ronald McDonald House and Cardon Children’s Medical Center will be vital in the healing process for the children and their families.”

A special ceremony at the site of the future House, including a “blessing of the ground” by members of the Gila River Indian Community, is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14 on the Cardon Children’s Medical Center campus in Mesa.  Additional events, including a Hard Hat tour and official ribbon cutting ceremony will be announced at a later date.

For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix, visit www.rmhcphoenix.com.  For more information about Cardon Children’s Medical Center, visit www.bannerhealth.com/CardonChildrens.

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Posted November 12, 2012

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