Ronald McDonald House Charities® of the Carolinas Expands House to Serve Hundreds of Families with Sick Children
House to provide 12 additional guestrooms when families need it most
GREENVILLE, S.C. (June 21, 2018) – After years of planning, fundraising and construction, Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of the Carolinas is pleased to announce the opening of its newly expanded House located in Greenville, S.C. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Thursday, June 21st, 2018 at the new expansion in front of hundreds of donors, partners, supporters, friends and families.
The 17,500 square foot expansion marks the first time in RMHC of the Carolinas’ 29-year history it has expanded its footprint to serve more families with a sick child. The expansion connects onto the current House located at 706 Grove Road directly across the street from Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital and Memorial Hospital. The current Ronald McDonald House offers 12 guest-rooms for families to stay close to their critically ill or injured child while they are undergoing treatment at a nearby medical facility. The House first opened in 1989 under the leadership of local McDonald’s Owner/Operator Frank Landgraff, who currently serves on the RMHC of the Carolinas’ Board of Directors.
“When I first came to Greenville over 35 years ago, I was amazed to learn we didn’t have a Ronald McDonald House and families didn’t have access to its services,” said Frank Landgraff, retired McDonald’s Owner/Operator. In 1989, we opened Greenville’s Ronald McDonald House and today, I have the pleasure of seeing our first expansion open. We will now be able to serve nearly 400 additional families each year rather than turning so many away.”
As Greenville and Upstate South Carolina pediatric medical care grew over the past 10 years, so did the need for families to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. Each year, while the House is able to accommodate close to 400 families, nearly 250 families were turned away due to the lack of room availability. In 2015, the Board of Directors initiated the “Building Hope” Capital Campaign with a goal of raising $3.5 million dollars. Support from major donors such as Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital, McDonald’s GSA Co-Op, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Fluor, and Greenville High School Spirit Week allowed the start of a successful fundraising campaign.
The expansion, which broke ground a little over two years ago, will bring RMHC of the Carolinas’ House to 24 total guest rooms. Features of the expansion include:
- 12 additional guestrooms for families with private baths. Two guestrooms are Family Suites which are reserved for families with longer stays or for children with compromised immune systems.
- A new guest reception and check in area
- Family gathering spaces
- A large kitchen with multiple cooking spaces and dining room
- An elevator making all rooms accessible to guests and visitors
- Expanded laundry facilities featuring designated family and operations areas
- A community conference room to welcome volunteers and community partners
- A large outdoor area with a playground
“Our House is truly ‘The House That Love Built, ®’” said Marti Spencer, CEO/Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas. “It is a direct symbol of the love and support our generous community of donors and partners have helped us build. Because of their extraordinary giving spirit we are now able to expand onto our mission and serve so many more families for years to come.”
For 29 years, RMHC of the Carolinas has served more than 11,000 families from the Upstate of South Carolina, its six surrounding states and from outside the USA. Last year alone, the House served families from 33 counties in South Carolina, 11 different states and 4 countries.
View photos from the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony here!
