RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF MISSISSIPPI INC

DURING 2024 RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF MISSISSIPPI, INC. CARED FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WHO ARE ILL OR INJURED THROUGH OUR CORNER-STONE PROGRAM RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE. RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE PROVIDED TEMPORARY, HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME LODGING FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN RECEIVING SPECIALIZED MEDICAL TREATMENT. OUR FACILITY INCLUDES 16 PRIVATE BEDROOMS WITH PRIVATE BATHS; 4 KITCHENS; 2 LAUNDRY ROOMS; LIVING ROOM; TELEVISION AREAS; PLAY ROOM; PATIO AND COURTYARD. MOST FAMILIES ARE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THEIR HOSPITALIZED CHILD. ALONG WITH LODGING FACILITIES, ITEMS SUCH AS FOOD, PARKING, PERSONAL CARE ITEMS AND LAUNDRY SUPPLIES ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL FAMILIES FREE OF CHARGE.THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OPERATES 24 HOURS PER DAY, 365 DAYS PER YEAR. STAFF MEMBERS, INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS AND GROUPS ASSIST WITH CARING FOR THE FAMILIES AND THE FACILITY. THEY PROVIDE A CARING FACE AND LISTENING EAR TO THE NUMEROUS FAMILIES WHO ARE TRAUMATIZED BY THE LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESS OF THEIR CHILD. THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES (BOTH IN-PERSON AND OFF-SIGHT) OVER 500 VOLUNTEERS GAVE OF THEIR TIME.WE ARE FORTUNATE AND VERY GRATEFUL FOR IN-KIND GIFTS AND SERVICES TOTALING $98,648 WHICH AIDED TREMENDOUSLY IN OUR PROVIDING THE AFOREMENTIONED SERVICES.WE WERE HONORED TO CARE FOR THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-SIX (326) FAMILIES WITHIN RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE DURING 2024. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY WAS 12 NIGHTS. FAMILIES PRIMARILY CAME FROM THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI WITH SEVERAL CLAIMING RESIDENCY IN SURROUNDING STATES. GUEST FAMILIES DONATED AN AVERAGE OF THIRTY-SIX CENTS ($0.36) PER ROOM, PER NIGHT FOR THE YEAR. THUS, INDIVIDUAL, SERVICE GROUP, AND CORPORATE DONATIONS ARE VITAL TO CARING FOR THESE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.IN ORDER TO SHORTEN THE TIME PATIENTS WERE INSIDE HOSPITALS, WE SAW AN INCREASE IN FAMILIES STAYING AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGICAL PROCEDURES. THUS, FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO RELAX THE NIGHT BEFORE GOING TO THE HOSPITAL AND DIDN'T HAVE TO EXPERIENCE A LONG AND EARLY TRAVEL TIME PRIOR TO SURGERY. NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCE, THE GREATEST THINGS FAMILIES RECEIVE WHILE AT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE ARE THE CONCERN OF OTHERS AND THE FRIENDSHIP OF FAMILIES GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING - THE DEVASTATION OF HAVING A CRITICALLY-ILL CHILD.STRUCTURAL REPAIRS, PAINTING, AND RENOVATION OF THE DINING/TELEVISION AREA HIGHLIGHTED IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2024. THESE UPGRADES HELP MAINTAIN A WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE, THE INTEGRITY OF OUR BUILDING, AND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL OF OUR GUESTS.