ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To better meet the demand for its services, Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities (ARMHC) will break ground on a new facility on September 30, 2014. The ground breaking coincides with the launch of a public campaign to raise funds for a new Ronald McDonald House to replace the current House located on Peachtree Dunwoody Road near Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.
A larger facility is needed to fulfill ARMHC’s mission of keeping families together by providing temporary housing and support services to families of children receiving life-saving medical care at nearby hospitals. Since 2011, the current Peachtree Dunwoody House has had to turn away more than 650 families because no rooms were available. With a steadily increasing need, the House averages over 95 percent occupancy and has a waiting list on most nights.
“This new House will dramatically increase our impact and nearly triple our capacity to provide a welcoming home for families whose children are battling life threatening medical conditions,” says Beth Howell, president and CEO of ARMHC. “The quality of healthcare in Atlanta will improve as thousands more families in crisis will have a place to stay together and heal together.”
Plans for the new facility are centered on providing a sanctuary that offers the basics—a comfortable, convenient and safe place for families to sleep while their children receive medical treatment. The current Ronald McDonald House on Peachtree Dunwoody Road opened 20 years ago and has 11 bedrooms. By comparison, the new 52,636 square foot facility will include 31 guest rooms with private baths; full ADA accessibility, including an elevator and roll-in showers; energy-efficient, sustainable design built to LEED standards and an innovative, indoor treehouse to aid in healing through play.
Families will be housed at the Ronald McDonald House on Gatewood Road and at nearby hotels while the new House is under construction. It will cost $18.5 million to build, equip and furnish the new House, which is expected to open in 2016. ARMHC leadership began raising money for the expansion late 2012. To date, a total of $15,132,628 (82% of goal) has been raised including a lead gift from the Greater Atlanta McDonald’s Operators Association. However, ARMHC must raise the balance by December 31, 2014, to claim a $2.5 million challenge grant.
“The momentum for the campaign has been strong,” says Javier C. Goizueta, ARMHC board member and capital campaign chair. “We are grateful for every bit of support and each contribution that has come in, such as the generosity of the Greater Atlanta McDonald’s Operators Association and from many of Atlanta's business and civic communities. But, there is a tremendous sense of urgency to raise more funds. We need the help of the entire community to claim the challenge grant and build this new House the families so desperately need.”
To learn more about the fundraising campaign to build a new Ronald McDonald House for Atlanta visit HealKidsATL.org.
About Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities
ARMHC is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to serving the needs of families by providing support and a home away from home for families of ill and injured children being treated in local hospitals.
The two Atlanta Houses have provided a home away from home to more than 44,000 families since the first Atlanta House opened in 1979. For more information about ARMHC, please visit www.armhc.org.
At the Ronald McDonald House, families can enjoy many of the comforts of home, receive nutritious meals prepared and served by volunteers and obtain emotional support through contact with other families experiencing similar situations. No family is turned away if they cannot afford the small $20 requested contribution and many of these families stay at the Ronald McDonald House for weeks, and sometimes months, while their children receive medical treatment.
