RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF COLUMBIA SC

THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE: BEING AWAY FROM HOME WITH A SERIOUSLY ILL OR INJURED CHILD IS DIFFICULT AND STRESSFUL FOR FAMILIES. THE COST OF HOTEL ROOMS, LONG COMMUTES, LENGTHY HOSPITAL STAYS AND BEING AWAY FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN A STRANGE PLACE TAKES AN ENORMOUS EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL TOLL ON FAMILIES IN CRISES. THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN. WE UNDERSTAND THAT BEING AWAY FROM HOME, AND PERHAPS UNABLE TO WORK, CAN TAKE A FINANCIAL TOLL ON FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE DEALING WITH THE MEDICAL CRISIS OF A CHILD. THEREFORE, THOUGH IT COSTS $89/PER FAMILY, PER NIGHT TO OPERATE THE HOUSE PROGRAM, WE ONLY ENCOURAGE, BUT NEVER REQUIRE, FAMILIES TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION OF JUST $15 PER NIGHT. HOWEVER, NO FAMILY IS EVER TURNED AWAY DUE TO THEIR INABILITY TO CONTRIBUTE. THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IS OPEN TO SERVE FAMILIES 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK, AND 365 DAYS A YEAR.

THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM EXTENDS THE COMFORT OF THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE TO PRISMA HEALTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND PROVIDES AN OASIS FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF HOSPITAL CORRIDORS AND CROWDED WAITING ROOMS. THE FAMILY ROOM OFFERS REFRESHMENTS, INTERNET ACCESS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE HELPING HAND OF CARING VOLUNTEERS. THE ROOM IS OPEN 8-12:30 MONDAY TO FRIDAY. THE PACK-A-SMILE PROGRAM STARTED AS A WAY FOR RMHC COLUMBIA, SC, TO HELP MORE FAMILIES DURING THE PANDEMIC BY PROVIDING FREE BAGGED BREAKFAST AND LUNCH. THE PROGRAM WAS SUCH A SUCCESS AND MET SUCH A NEED THAT IT CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. FAMILIES GRAB A PACK-A-SMILE LUNCH QUICKLY, SAFELY, AND WITHOUT LEAVING THE HOSPITAL. PACK-A-SMILE LUNCHES ARE NUTRITIOUS, INCLUDING ITEMS SUCH AS A LUNCHABLE OR UNCRUSTABLE, FRUIT, SOMETHING SALTY, SOMETHING SWEET, A BOTTLE OF WATER, AND A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM OUR COMMUNITY. FOR THOSE FAMILIES FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO STAY WITH THEIR CHILD IN THE HOSPITAL, THERE ARE SOME DISADVANTAGES. ADEQUATE SLEEP WHILE ALWAYS KEEPING AN EAR OPEN TO HEAR THEIR CHILD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. FOR THIS REASON, WE HAVE STARTED A TREAT TROLLEY THAT TRAVELS ROOM TO ROOM AT PRISMA HEALTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TO OFFER COFFEE, TEA, AND LIGHT BREAKFAST ITEMS.