RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA INC

THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES (RMHC) OF NWFL, INC. PROVIDES A 26 BEDROOM HOME AWAY FROM HOME FOR FAMILIES WITH SERIOUSLY ILL OR CRITICALLY INJURED CHILDREN BEING TREATED AT HOSPITALS IN THE PENSACOLA AREA. THESE FACILITIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO ASCENSION STUDER FAMILY CHILDRENS HOSPITAL, NEMOURS, BAPTIST HOSPITAL, HCA FLORIDA WEST HOSPITAL AND LIFEVIEW. RMHC SERVES FAMILIES PRIMARILY FROM THE BAY, WALTON, OKALOOSA, SANTA ROSA, AND ESCAMBIA COUNTIES, BUT HAS SERVED FAMILIES FROM OTHER STATES AND COUNTRIES. THE HOUSE INCLUDES A FULLY STOCKED KITCHEN, LAUNDRY ROOM, FITNESS ROOM, PLAYROOM, NURSING NOOK, FREE WIFI, COMPUTERS AND AN OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND FOR FAMILIES STAYING AT RMH. OTHER COMMUNITY PROGRAMS INCLUDE ART THERAPY, ANIMAL THERAPY, MASSAGE THERAPY, AND ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. OUTSIDE COMMUNITY PARTNERS PROVIDE DENTAL AND EYE CARE FOR THE FAMILIES IN THE HOUSE. THESE SERVICES ARE AT NO COST TO THE FAMILIES. THE LARGE COMMUNAL KITCHEN AND DINING ROOM PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES TO SHARE MEALS WHICH ARE PROVIDED BY COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, OR TO PREPARE THEIR OWN FOOD IF THEY CHOOSE. IN 2024, WE SERVED 864 FAMILIES FOR 6,312 NIGHTS. VOLUNTEERS PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN SERVING OUR FAMILIES. IN 2024, 2,434 VOLUNTEERS LOGGED IN 9,105 HOURS. FAMILIES ARE ASKED TO CONSIDER A DONATION OF 10 PER NIGHT, BUT NO ONE IS EVER TURNED AWAY FOR INABILITY TO PAY. THE ACTUAL COST PER NIGHT TO HOUSE A FAMILY, AS WELL AS PROVIDE MEALS AND SERVICES, IN 2023 WAS 101. RMHC IS LICENSED BY MCDONALDS CORPORATION TO USE THE BRAND NAME WHICH IS UNIVERSALLY RECOGNIZED TODAY. MCDONALDS CORPORATION CONTINUES TO PROVIDE OUR PROGRAMS WITH VALUABLE TRAINING AND NETWORK OPPORTUNITIES, HOWEVER, LIKE EVERY RMHC, WE DEPEND ON OUR COMMUNITY FOR MOST OF OUR ANNUAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT. OUR OTHER CORE PROGRAM, THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM (RMFR), PROVIDES US WITH THE ABILITY TO SERVE MORE FAMILIES WHO DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE THEIR CHILDS BEDSIDE AND FAMILIES WHO LIVE LOCALLY. THE RMFR IS MINUTES FROM THE LEVEL III NICU, LOCATED ON THE 2ND FLOOR OF THE STUDER FAMILY CHILDRENS HOSPITAL. THE RMFR HAS SEVERAL COMMON AREAS: FULL KITCHEN, DINING AREA, LIVING ROOM, LAUNDRY ROOM, PLAYROOM, AND A QUIET ROOM WHERE FAMILIES CAN HAVE PRIVACY. THE COMMON AREAS ARE OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY FROM 8A-4P TO ANY FAMILY WHO HAS A CHILD RECEIVING TREATMENT AT THE STUDER FAMILY CHILDRENS HOSPITAL. AT THE RMFR, THEY CAN ENJOY QUIET MOMENTS OF RESPITE, A CUP OF COFFEE, SNACKS, A MEAL, START A LOAD OF LAUNDRY, AND FRESHEN UP WITH A SHOWER. THE FAMILY ROOM ALSO FEATURES THREE SLEEPING ROOMS, FOR FAMILIES WHO NEED TO BE STEPS FROM THEIR CRITICAL CHILDS BEDSIDE. IN 2024, THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM HAD MORE THAN 6,700 VISITS BY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN IN THE HOSPITAL. THE OVERNIGHT BEDROOMS SERVED 83 FAMILIES FOR A TOTAL OF 436 NIGHTS. AN INDEPENDENT ADVISORY FINANCE COMMITTEE OVERSEAS THE FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES,INCLUDING WORKING WITH AN INDEPENDENT CPA FIRM TO PROVIDE AN OUTSIDE AUDIT. AN INDEPENDENT ADVISORY INVESTMENT COMMITTEE OVERSEES INVESTMENTS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS.