St. Mary’s Hospital & Ronald McDonald House Charities Reach Fundraising Goal!
Contact: Steve Van Dinter, Regional Director of Media Relations & Public Affairs, SSM Health Care of Wisconsin, 608.258.5700 (o), 608.843.3862 (c)
Madison, Wis. – St. Mary’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House Charities announced this afternoon they’ve reached the $1 million fundraising goal to begin construction of Wisconsin’s first Ronald McDonald Family Room – a full three weeks ahead of schedule! Here is a link to view/download the full announcement in HD: http://youtu.be/CrjgkbOiB3w
“Eight months ago we stood here announcing a wonderful partnership to bring a Ronald McDonald Family Room to our community,” says Dr. Frank Byrne, President of St. Mary’s Hospital. “With encouragement from our community and strong belief in the benefits of this project we set a fund raising goal of December 31st. Today, thanks to everyone’s generosity and support, we can begin construction on the project.”
The Family Room, to be built on the third floor of St. Mary’s, is designed as a place of respite for families of critically ill children and is just steps away from the hospital’s pediatrics and neonatal intensive care units.
“The Family Room will complement the current Ronald McDonald House in Madison which serves families of hospitalized children who live outside a 50-mile radius. The Family Room at St. Mary’s will be open to children’s families regardless of how far they are from home,” says Kevin Huddleston, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison.
Among the largest in the country, the Family Room at St. Mary’s will feature four sleep rooms, each with a private bathroom and shower; computers along with free wireless internet; laundry facilities; a dining area; as well as a kitchen stocked with complimentary food and beverages. In addition, families will be able to retreat to a quiet room for privacy, recharge electronics, or ask the volunteer on hand for assistance. All of these amenities – including use of the sleeping rooms – are provided at no cost to the family.
Construction on the Ronald McDonald Family Room in St. Mary’s is set to begin in spring with an opening slated for late summer. The total cost of the project is $1 million. While the capital funds needed to begin construction have been raised, contributions to support the operation of the Family Room are still needed. To make a gift, call Ronald McDonald House Charities at 608-232-4660 or St. Mary’s Foundation at 608-258-5600.
###
Ronald McDonald Family Room at a Glance
- The Family Room is as a complement to the Ronald McDonald House in Madison
- Serves families who have the most critical needs “when two miles is too far” to be away from their child
- Will help families from Madison as well as other areas of South Central Wisconsin
- Not meant for long-term stay
- Feels more like a home than a hospital
- Supervised by volunteers
- Supported by local donors
Family Room Fast Facts
- First of its kind in Wisconsin
- Among the largest in the country
- Located on the third floor of St. Mary’s Hospital
- 3,500 sq ft of space including – 4 sleep rooms each with a private bathroom and shower; a living area complete with television, computers, wireless internet; a kitchen with complimentary food and beverages; quiet room for private moments; and laundry facilities.
- Total cost: $1 million reached thanks to ~$250,000 donation from the St. Mary’s Foundation Board, $100,000 from St. Mary’s employees, $50,000 from St. Mary’s volunteers, $70,000 from an anonymous donor and ~$500,000 from other members of the community.
