Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Southwest Florida

Rmhc provides stability and vital resources to families so they can get and keep their child healthy and happy through the Charities' core programs: 1) Ronald Mcdonald House provides a "home away from home" for families with children undergoing medical treatment at golisano children's hospital as well as longer-term out-patient medical facilities in the area. 2) the Ronald Mcdonald family room located on the second floor of golisano children's hospital provides families of hospitalized children use of this space to rest and re-group while being just minutes away from their child's bedside. 3) the two Ronald Mcdonald care mobiles provide medical and dental screenings, treatment, and sealants to underserved areas of collier, lee, and hendry counties. Since 1996, Ronald Mcdonald House Charities (rmhc) of Southwest Florida has provided temporary housing to the families of seriously ill children hospitalized at the adjacent golisano children's hospital of Southwest Florida. Services have expanded to include the Ronald Mcdonald care mobile program and a Ronald Mcdonald family room located inside golisano children's hospital. Through our partnership with golisano children's hospital, our guests and visitors can easily be with their precious newborns that came into this world a little sooner than planned or at the bedside of their child hospitalized due to illness or injury. Whatever the reason that our paths cross, it is a true gift being part of this "home-away-from-home" for moms and dads, grandparents, and siblings during the most challenging time of their lives. At rmhc, each family receives private and safe accommodations, nourishing meals, close access to healthcare and the kindhearted support of our staff, volunteers, and other rmhc families who are facing similar challenges. The gift of togetherness provided by our House allows parents and caregivers to focus on their top priority: the health and healing of their child. We had the pleasure of welcoming 80 families this year to our recently expanded 12-bedroom Ronald Mcdonald House, reaching full capacity on a few occasions. The average length of stay for families in 2022 was 23 nights. Volunteers at the Ronald Mcdonald family room at golisano children's hospital welcomed dozens of patient families daily, offering sandwiches, snacks, treats and beverages so they could maintain their strength while remaining close to their child's bedside. Through our partnerships with healthcare network and family health centers, more than 6,000 underserved children in collier, lee and hendry counties received medical and dental screenings, preventive and restorative dental care, eye exams, physicals, and health education aboard our two Ronald Mcdonald care mobiles. Volunteers play an integral role in the mission and operation of rmhc. In 2022, nearly 1,700 regularly scheduled volunteer shifts helped at the Ronald Mcdonald House, Ronald Mcdonald family room, as well as fundraising events. In addition, volunteer "chefs" participated in our family meal program by preparing 306 hot meals for our guest families during their stay. There are many ways that the business community supports rmhc. For some, it is an annual financial contribution; for others it is participating in or sponsoring one of our fundraising events. Though events were limited in 2022 due to covid, we are optimistic for 2023.