RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF JACKSONVILLE INC

IN 2024, 722 FAMILIES FROM 17 STATES AND 11 COUNTRIES STAYED AT RMH JACKSONVILLE. OUR FAMILIES ENJOYED THE SERVICES OF PRIVATE AND SECURE ACCOMMODATIONS AND NUTRITIOUS MEALS PREPARED BY OUR IN -HOUSE CHEF AND SERVED BY OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS. 19,448 MEALS WERE SERVED AND THE FAMILIES HAD ACCESS TO A FULLY STOCKED PANTRY THAT PROVIDED THEM WITH DAILY SNACKS AND LUNCH TOTES TO BE CARRIED TO THEIR DAILY HOSPITAL VISITS. OUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM SUPPORTS THE DAILY HEALTH OF OUR FAMILIES THROUGH NUTRITIOUS MEALS WHICH IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE STRESS OUR FAMILIES FACE. OUR COMMUNITY OF COMPASSIONATE CARE IS ANCHORED BY OUR EXPERIENCED GUEST RELATIONS STAFF DEDICATED TO THE WELL-BEING OF OUR FAMILIES. THEY ARE ALSO SUPPORTED BY ALL STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WHO STRIVE TO WELCOME EVERY FAMILY ENGAGING THEM ON A DAILY BASIS AND MAKING RMHC JACKSONVILLE THEIR COMFORTING AND TEMPORARY "HOME AWAY FROM HOME". OUR INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY OF FAMILIES SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER AND FORGE RELATIONSHIPS THAT STRENGTHEN THEIR RESOLVE. OUR FAMILY STAYS ARE FURTHER SUPPORTED WITH A FITNESS CENTER, THEATRE ROOM, ROOFTOP GARDEN, A NONDENOMINATIONAL ROOM OF CONTEMPLATION, COFFEE BAR AREAS, PLAYROOMS, LAUNDRY ROOMS, AND A PLAYROOM AND LEARNING CENTER KNOWN AS THE KIDZONE LEARNING CENTER. OUR KIDZONE HAS BECOME A FAVORITE OF OUR CHILDREN AND PARENTS ALIKE. IT IS A JOYOUS PLACE OF LEARNING AND EXPLORATION CREATED, MANAGED AND STAFFED BY OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, MANY WHO HAVE SPENT THEIR CAREERS IN EDUCATION. EXCITING THEMES AND CURRICULUMS WITH CRAFTS AND LEARNING GREET THE CHILDREN EVERY DAY, WHERE THE CHILDREN CAN FORGET ABOUT THEIR ILLNESS AND ENJOY BEING A CHILD. GIANT LEGOS ABOUND AND CHILDREN'S ART IS MASTERFULLY DISPLAYED. TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN BROUGHT INTO OUR KIDZONE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF PARTS OF A STEM CURRICULUM. OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE RMHC JACKSONVILLE MISSION. 468 VOLUNTEERS A YEAR SERVED OVER 722 FAMILIES INSIDE RMH, ASSISTED AT OUR EVENTS, AND SUPPORTED OUR MISSION BY PROVIDING 10,078 HOURS OF SERVICE IN 2024.THESE DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS MEET AND GREAT OUR FAMILIES WITH CARE AND COMPASSION. THEY CAN BE FOUND WORKING AT OUR FRONT DESKS, HOUSEWARMING IN OUR KITCHENS, VOLUNTEER COOKING, LANDSCAPING, DOING MAINTENANCE WORK, VOLUNTEERING FOR EVENTS, CRAFTS AND GAMES AND VOLUNTEERING DAILY IN OUR KIDZONE LEARNING CENTER. GROUPS OF VOLUNTEERS OFTEN CREATE EVENTS FOR OUR CHILDREN LIKE BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND CRAFT EVENTS, KARAOKE, SUPERHERO AND PRINCESS NIGHTS. A SEASONAL FAVORITE IS ALWAYS A VISIT FROM THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS WHO COOK BREAKFAST OR HOST A HOLIDAY EVENT. THE MCDONALD'S OWNER/OPERATORS ALSO VISIT SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR TO COOK UP EVERYONE'S FAVORITE MCDONALD'S BISCUITS, EGG, AND SAUSAGE SANDWICHES. MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR VOLUNTEERS HELP TO MAKE OUR FAMILIES FEEL AT HOME AND LEND A COMPASSIONATE EAR DURING A VERY CHALLENGING TIME.