Digital Play Tables

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RMHC of the Carolinas Provides Digital Play Tables to Partner Hospitals

Play Tables Provide Pediatric Patients with a Fun Activity Receiving Treatment

GREENVILLE, S.C. (April 12, 2018) – Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of the Carolinas received a $34,000 grant from Child’s Play Charity, a game industry charity, to provide digital play touch tables to partner hospitals. This grant was combined with an in-kind donation of one addition touch table and 10 touch table games donated by AFTER-MOUSE.COM, a leader in multi- touch applications, as part of their PLAY for Good program. Together, this support allowed RMHC of the Carolinas to secure five digital gaming tables that feature educational and fun games for children to use during their visits or stays at the hospital.

“We are so thrilled to be able to give these play touch tables to our partner hospitals,” said Marti Spencer. “These tables are an extension of our mission here at the Ronald McDonald House. Our goal is to keep families close to their critically ill or injured child receiving treatment, while also providing a home like atmosphere for families to feel comfortable in. It takes a lot of strength for children to be in hospitals for visits or long periods of time, so we wanted them to ultimately still feel like a kid and play games they would in their own home. These play touch tables allow just that.”

With the support of AFTER-MOUSE.COM’s PLAY for Good program, RMHC of the Carolinas discovered Child’s Play Charity, a foundation dedicated to improving the lives of children in hospitals and domestic abuse shelters around the world through the kindness and generosity of the video game community and the power of play. The support of the PLAY for Good team and generosity of Child’s Play allowed RMHC of the Carolinas to secure five multi-player digital touch tables, and this week presented three tables to its partner hospitals: St. Francis’ Adolescent Young Adult Cancer Center, Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital and Shriner’s Hospital for Children Greenville. The play touch tables will be placed in the lobby of each hospital and will be used by the Child Life Department and pediatric patients during their visit or stay. The two remaining play touch tables will be used inside the Ronald McDonald House and its new expansion. Each digital gaming table features over 15 collaborative and educational children’s games.

“AFTER-MOUSE.COM launched the PLAY for Good program to help connect organizations like Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas with our network of partners in an effort to bring the benefits of collaborative touch table play to children and their families around the world,” says Amanda Pope, Director of the PLAY for Good program. “We are so pleased to see RMHC of the Carolinas take the support they received and extend it beyond their House into the local hospitals, where so many pediatric patients and families must spend their time.”

 

 

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SPRING Internship

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Join Our Team This Spring!

Position: Development and Events Intern

Stipend: Unpaid Internship
Dates of Position : 3 month minimum – 6 months maximum
Time Commitment: 3 days/15 hours a week minimum. Hours are flexible between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Supervisors: Kate Venuto, Director of Administration & Marketing and Samantha Bauer, Director of Communications & Events

Job Purpose
Assist the Development and Marketing Director and Events and Communications Manager in all operational and event planning tasks needed to plan and implement successful fundraising events.

Duties:

  • Assist in correspondence with and relationship building of donors, volunteers and supporters
  • Track and manage data in House donor and volunteer database
  • Aid in research and further development of prospective supporters and sponsors
  • Compose correspondence that will be sent via mail, e-mail and social media to a variety of audiences
  • Assist with development and execution of the House’s silent auction for the House’s largest fundraiser, the McGala.
  • Create lists and generate reports for fundraising and event planning purposes.

Skills and Experience:

  • Desire to work in the non-profit industry, with an overall passion for helping others
  • Thorough and detailed expertise with written and verbal communications
  • Proficiency in Microsoft programs specifically Excel, Word and PowerPoint
  • Knowledge of HTML and working with WordPress is a plus
  • Developed organizational skills and great attention to details
  • Able to manage multiple activities at one time and work in a fast-paced environment showing self-initiative

To Apply:

Please submit your cover letter, resume and a sample writing sample to: Kate Venuto, Director of Development and Marketing, [email protected]

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New Tournament Location for 14th Annual RMHCC Golf Classic

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RMHCC Announces New Tournament Location

 

GREENVILLE, S.C.  (March 5, 2018) – Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas (RMHCC) is pleased to present its 14th Annual RMHCC Golf Classic to be held on Wednesday, April 11th at The Cliffs Mountain Park.

The golf tournament begins with a Pairings Party the evening of Tuesday, April 10th at the, soon–to-open, expansion of the Ronald McDonald House. Attendees are invited to get a preview of the new addition at the Ronald McDonald House. This entire house with the 17,000 foot addition will be open to the public   very soon after. The expansion is the first time in the House’s history it has added guestrooms onto the current House of 12 rooms. The expansion will double the size of the House, creating 24 guest bedrooms for families to stay near their critically ill or injured child being treated at a nearby healthcare facility. The pairings party will feature a sneak peek expansion tour, heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks. 

The golf tournament kicks off Wednesday morning at the Cliffs Mountain Park course with 18 spectacular holes of golf. Named one of GOLF Magazine’s best new courses in 2013, the Cliffs at Mountain Park features amazing views of the mountains while situated along the banks of the North Saluda River. Golfers are invited for breakfast prior to the tee off at 10:00 a.m., will enjoy lunch on the green and then are invited to a Bacon & Bourbon Wrap Up event afterwards to finish off a day of play.

“Last year, the RMHCC Golf Classic helped keep families close by providing over 650 nights for families. This year we are thrilled to host our tournament on one of the Upstate’s most exceptional golf courses and we are excited for our supporters to spend the day at Mountain Park,” said Marti Spencer, Executive Director/CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas.

Sponsorships and tickets are available for purchase at http://www.rmhc-carolinas.org/golf . For more information on the 14th Annual RMHCC Golf Classic, contact Samantha Bauer, Communications and Events Director at RMHCC of the Carolinas, at (864) 235-0506 or [email protected].

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Welcome New Board Members!

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RMHC of the Carolinas

Appoints Four New Board Members

GREENVILLE, S.C.  (Feb. 27, 2018) – Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of the Carolinas is pleased to announce the appointment of Sophie Clayton , Bill Guzick, Daniel Lock and Jimmy Swiger to the Board of Directors. Sophie Clayton is CEO of Clayton Construction Company, Bill Guzick is in Franchise Development for Michelin North America’s Greenville headquarters, Daniel Lock is Director of Sales for Courtyard Greenville Downtown, and Jimmy Swiger is a General Product Manager for Baldor Electric Company/ABB.

“We are in the final phase of completing our expansion in the coming months – this is a very exciting time in our history at RMHC of the Carolinas,” said Marti Spencer, CEO/Executive Director of RMHC of the Carolinas. “We are privileged to have such distinguished professionals from our community on our Board of Directors.”

The Board of Directors is comprised of individuals from the medical, business, academic and volunteer communities of the Upstate. It is the Board’s responsibility to provide counsel and guidance in the direction and operation of the Ronald McDonald House as well as it is to raise awareness of the House’s services to the surrounding communities.

Click here to view our full 2018 Board of Directors! 

 

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Southern Living Christmas Cookbook

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Dillard’s Offers Exclusive Southern Living Christmas Cookbook to Benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas

 

LITTLE ROCK, AR – (September 25, 2017)  Dillard’s is pleased to further its commitment to Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) and their goal to keep families of ill children close to each other and the medical care they need with Dillard’s 24th  annual holiday fundraiser.  Since 1994, Dillard’s has supported RMHC in strengthening families during difficult times with a fundraiser benefiting its Ronald McDonald House® program.

For the tenth time, Dillard’s is offering a special custom edition of the Southern Living Christmas Cookbook to benefit RMHC.  This exclusive hardbound cookbook is filled with more than 280 pages with over 175 all-new recipes, as well as decorating ideas for Christmas plus seasonal gatherings. This “can’t-miss” cookbook is available for only $10.

The cookbooks are available now in all Dillard’s stores nationwide, as well as online at www.dillards.com. Profits from the sale of the cookbooks will benefit Ronald McDonald Houses operated by local RMHC Chapters in Dillard’s markets.

“Our Ronald McDonald Houses provide families much more than a place to stay while their children are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals,” said Sheila Musolino, president and CEO of RMHC. “Through the generous support of donors like Dillard’s, RMHC is able to provide a supportive environment so families can focus on the care of their child, rather than where they’ll sleep at night or how they’ll find the time to make a nourishing meal. With ongoing support, RMHC provides sick children with what they need the most – the comfort and love of their families.”

Now in its 24th year of support, Dillard’s has raised more than $13.6 million to benefit RMHC. “Our continued relationship with RMHC gives all of us at Dillard’s an enormous sense of pride.  We look forward to another successful fundraiser this year and are honored to support the Ronald McDonald Houses in our communities,” said Denise Mahaffy, senior vice president of Dillard’s.

About Dillard’s

Dillard’s, Inc. ranks among the nation’s largest fashion retailers with annual sales exceeding $6.2 billion. The Company focuses on delivering style, service and value to its shoppers by offering compelling fashion, cosmetics and home selections complemented by exceptional customer care. Dillard’s stores offer a broad selection of merchandise and feature products from both national and exclusive brand sources. The Company operates 268 Dillard’s locations and 25 clearance centers spanning 29 states plus an Internet store at www.dillards.com.

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Greenville Journal Feature Article

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Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas plans to double capacity with expansion

AUG 3, 2017 | EMILY PIETRAS

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas (RMHCC), which assists the families of sick or critically injured children by providing housing, meals, transportation, and other support, has been facing an unprecedented demand for its services.

“We are always full at over 80 percent capacity and have been for over five years,” says Marti Spencer, executive director and CEO of RMHCC.

RMHCC, located on Grove Road across from the Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital, is one of more than 335 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide.

“We allow families to have time together. That’s the most important thing,” Spencer says. “So when your child is critically ill or injured, you know that we are kind of going to take away all those worries about where you’re going to sleep, where you’re going to eat, how you’re going to take a shower, do laundry. … So we provide all of those for them so that their focus can be on their child. We try to be part of the whole program of family-centered care.”

She adds, “We’re able to keep families close and help them have some normalcy at a very unpredictable time in their lives and their children’s lives.”

Since RMHCC opened its doors in 1989, GHS Children’s Hospital has more than doubled its number of beds, from 64 to 166 in 2015. In that same time period, its team of pediatric specialists has increased from 14 to 206.

More than half of the families who stay at RMHCC have children being treated at GHS, but the organization has other medical affiliates in the Upstate, including the Shriners Hospital for Children and Bon Secours St. Francis Health System.

RMHCC mainly serves families from across South Carolina, as well as from six neighboring states: Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. In 2015, the counties most served were Oconee, Greenwood, Laurens, Anderson, Spartanburg, and Greenville.

Although RMHCC never wants to be in a position where they have to turn away a family, the growth of local hospital systems has left them without a choice. With just 12 guest rooms, they simply don’t have enough space to accommodate need.

“Last year, we served over 350 families, but we had to wait-list over 250 families,” Spencer says.

The Bell family recently spent 12 days at a hotel before RMHCC had an open room.

Twenty-nine-year old Abby Bell gave birth to her second child, Jensen, on May 11. Her pregnancy was full-term without any complications, but during birth, Jensen sustained a severe brain injury, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), caused by oxygen deprivation to the brain. He was treated in the neonatal intensive care unit at the GHS Children’s Hospital.

Continue reading the full story here: https://greenvillejournal.com/2017/08/03/ronald-mcdonald-house-charities-carolinas-plans-double-capacity-expansion/
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