LINDA MAYFIELD

The bright yellow, three-story, Florida Cracker-style house opened as the first Ronald McDonald House® in Central Florida, with 13 bedrooms and a shelled-out third floor in December 1996. Located on land donated by Florida Hospital, families of critically ill children turn to the Ronald McDonald House of Orlando when their children are hospitalized or receiving treatment at area medical facilities.

The purpose of the Ronald McDonald House of Orlando is to provide a “home-away-from-home” for these families in medical crisis. Before the Ronald McDonald Houses, being with a hospitalized child meant parents were sleeping in their cars or in chairs in the waiting room, eating out of vending machines, or bearing the expense of impersonal hotel rooms.

In the summer 1998, the House reached full-occupancy and we found ourselves in the position of having to turn families away. The Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Florida, Inc. board of directors (the governing board of the House) decided to expand the shelled-out third floor, remaining steadfast in its mission to serve as many families with sick children as possible. We opened the third floor in February 2000, providing an additional nine bedrooms, for a total of 22 bedrooms available each night.

Even with this expansion, the House again experienced full-occupancy many nights and often operated with a waiting list. Feasibility studies determined that a second Ronald McDonald House was needed.

Land was donated by Orlando Regional Healthcare and ground was broken on the campus of Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children & Women in March 2002. The first families were welcomed in May 2003. This second Ronald McDonald House is a three-story plantation colonial-style home accented with a southeastern-style tower on the corner, which houses the living and gathering rooms. The third floor of this house was originally shelled-out and was opened in October 2005 with an additional 15 bedrooms available to families. This brings the number of bedrooms in this House to 37.

Families have a themed bedroom of their own with a private bath, a family-style kitchen for a home-cooked meal and laundry facilities for their personal use. It is a place where worried moms and dads talk to one another, sharing their fears, hopes and sometimes pain. For the child who is ill, having a Ronald McDonald House nearby means they rest easier knowing that mom and dad are moments away. Families are asked to pay a nominal fee per room, per night. No family has ever been turned away for inability to pay. Financial support for the Houses comes from fundraising and special events, corporate and individual contributions, foundations, local McDonald’s restaurants, and guest donations.

Both Houses have a manager on duty 24 hours a day. A van transports families to and from area hospitals. More than 200 volunteers provide support for our guests and House operations. They check families in and out, answer the phones, give house tours, perform light housekeeping chores, and provide emotional support for the families. Volunteers also assist with fundraising and other special events.

Russell and Judy Fleenor of Loganville, Ga., wrote: “We just wanted to let you know how much your kindness meant to all of us. We had never been to a Ronald McDonald House and really didn’t understand the magnitude of work is takes to insure inner peace, comfort and food for so many. However, we can’t imagine a house better equipped or functioning with higher standards. You and your staff should be very proud of the work you do and we hope you reap great rewards for your dedication and commitment.”

Our Houses truly are “the Houses that love built…” Thank you to the Central Florida community for caring, for sharing, and for helping the Ronald McDonald Houses help sick children and their families when they need it the most.

The Ronald McDonald House program held a big birthday celebration last December in honor of 10 years of service to children and families here in Central Florida. Ted and Judy Bowman of Auburndale recalled: “Our 7- year-old daughter, Sarah, went through a year of cancer treatment in 1999. First things first: she is a cancer free and healthy teenager today. Her brother David, who stayed by her side in the hospital, is still her best friend. His favorite room at Ronnie’s House was the Orlando Magic room. He still talks about it. My husband (Ted) and I are forever grateful to Ronald McDonald House Charities for their indispensable help in providing housing near the hospital. Our ordeal was difficult, as anyone going through cancer therapy can verify. Ronnie’s House made Sarah’s hospital stays much easier and was truly, our home away from home during a very stressful time in our lives. Our heartfelt thanks to Ronald McDonald House Charities!



August 2007