RMHC Hurricane Helene Donations Invest in Asheville Community
This past month, we had the honor of giving back to a community that once gave so much to us in a time of need through the development and installation of our hospitality cart at Mission Children’s Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina.
When Hurricane Helene tore through the Carolinas, our owner operators felt called to respond and support those in need. The McDonald’s Big Rig was stationed just outside the chaos and destruction, serving warm meals to families whose lives had been deeply impacted by the storm. As meals were shared, a simple 5 gallon pail sat outside the service window, collecting donations for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas.
Through this effort, $3,720 was generously donated to our House in Greenville.
When it came time to decide how to use these funds, we felt it was only right to pour that generosity back into the Asheville community through support of our families in Mission Children’s Hospital. Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas serves those who need access to care across regions of South Carolina and North Carolina, including those receiving care at Mission Children’s. So, many of the families staying at our House commute long hours to Asheville to receive the specialized care that their children need.
While our long-term vision is to one day expand closer to Asheville, we wanted to find a meaningful way to support families right now, both those traveling from our House and those already in the hospital. From that vision, a hospitality cart was born. This donation was transformed into a one-of-a-kind hospitality cart designed to bring comfort, care and a sense of home into the hospital setting.
We entrusted the design and craftsmanship to our longtime partners at the Greenville Woodworkers Guild, who have created many of the most cherished pieces throughout our House. From welcome toys for children to the headboards and nightstands in each family’s room and the beautiful seating bench by the piano, their work has always reflected our mission and purpose, bringing light to the house in such a meaningful way.
Their latest design, the hospitality cart, is painted a rich blue and covered with playful animals, thoughtfully designed to bring joy inside and out. Inside, it is stocked with items meant to comfort and uplift children during their hospital stay, including:
- Comfort items: stuffed animals, coloring books and storybooks
- Sanitary products: hand sanitizer and tissues
- Snacks: water, juice, chips, crackers and gummies
Every dollar donated went into the creation of this cart and helps sustain it as it continues to serve children and families at Mission Children’s Hospital. Our hope is to maintain this cart long-term, with dreams of expanding our presence in the community to better support families in need.
Your support helps place comfort directly into the hands of children and families during some of their hardest days. By sponsoring the hospitality cart or contributing to its ongoing care, you become part of a mission rooted in compassion, dignity and hope. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps sustain this effort and ensures the cart continues to serve families when they need it most.
Written by Kylie Tutterow
