RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY TEXAS

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS OWNS AND OPERATES THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE LOCATED AT 1720 TREASURE HILLS BOULEVARD IN HARLINGEN, TEXAS. THIS 6-BEDROOM FACILITY OPENED MARCH 2, 1998 AND IS OPEN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR. THE HOUSE PROVIDES TEMPORARY LODGING TO THE FAMILY OF SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN WHO MUST LEAVE THEIR OWN COMMUNITY TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR CHILD. IN 2020, FAMILIES STAYED AS GUESTS AT THE HOUSE FOR PERIODS RANGING FROM A FEW DAYS TO A FEW MONTHS. FAMILIES OF SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN AGE 18 AND UNDER ARE ELIGIBLE TO STAY AT THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE. THEY MUST BE REFERRED TO THE HOUSE BY A PHYSICIAN, NURSE OR SOCIAL WORKER AND MUST BE UNDERGOING INPATIENT OR OUTPATIENT CARE AT THE LOCAL MEDICAL FACILITY. A CONTRIBUTION OF $10 PER NIGHT PER FAMILY IS REQUESTED, BUT NO FAMILY IS EVER TURNED AWAY DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS. THIS CONTRIBUTION ONLY PARTIALLY DEFRAYS THE COST OF OPERATING THE HOUSE AND, DURING 2019, ONLY SOME FAMILIES COULD AFFORD THIS NOMINAL CHARGE. ON FEBRUARY 26, 2009, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS OPENED A RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM IN THE EDINBURG CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LOCATED AT 1102 NORTH TRENTON, EDINBURG, TEXAS. THE FAMILY ROOM PROVIDES COMFORT AND CARE TO PARENTS IN A SIMILAR FASHION TO THAT PROVIDED BY A RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE, BUT WITHIN THE WALLS OF THE HOST HOSPITAL. WHEN PARENTS PASS THROUGH THE DOOR TO A RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM, THE HOSPITAL ATMOSPHERE MELTS AWAY. THE EDINBURG FAMILY ROOM CREATES A HOME-LIKE ATMOSPHERE WITHIN THE HOSPITAL. THE EDINBURG FAMILY ROOM IS CURRENTLY OPENED 365 DAYS A YEAR FROM 8AM TO 8PM. THE FACILITY CONTAINS THREE SLEEPING ROOMS, A KITCHEN, COMPUTER AREA, LAUNDRY FACILITIES, BATHROOM/ SHOWER FACILITIES AND A LIVING ROOM/LOUNGE AREA. IN 2020, FAMILIES WERE SERVED AT THE FAMILY ROOM. IN NOVEMBER 2010, AN ADDITIONAL FAMILY ROOM OPENED AT VALLEY BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER IN HARLINGEN. LIKE THE FAMILY ROOM IN EDINBURG,THIS ROOM PROVIDES COMFORT AND CARE TO FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN ARE IN THE HOSPITAL AT VALLEY BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER. IT IS ALSO OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR FROM 8 AM TO 8PM. THE FACILITY CONTAINS A KITCHEN, LIVING ROOM, COMPUTER AREA, BATHROOM AND ONE DAY ROOM. IN 2020 IT SERVED FAMILIES. IN-KIND DONATIONS PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS TO GUESTS OF THE HOUSE AND COVER EXPENSES THAT THE CHARITY WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE TO PAY. DONATED GOODS AND SERVICES INCLUDE LONG DISTANCE PHONE CARDS FOR GUESTS, GROCERY STORE CERTIFICATES FOR FOOD, CLEANING SUPPLIES, HOUSEHOLD PAPER GOODS, PANTRY STAPLES, HOME COOKED DINNERS FOR GUESTS, SATELLITE TELEVISION SERVICE, AIRLINE TICKETS FOR STAFF TO ATTEND CONFERENCES, ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING SERVICES, STORAGE UNIT RENTALS AND VARIOUS PERSONAL ITEMS FOR GUESTS. VOLUNTEERS HELP TO SUPPORT THE STAFF AND GUESTS OF THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE BY PROVIDING OFFICE ASSISTANCE, LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING, REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE FACILITY AND FUNDRAISING ASSISTANCE.

IN KEEPING WITH THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION TO LIFT THE BURDENS THAT FAMILIES FACE DURING THE ILLNESS OF THEIR CHILD AND TO SUPPORT THE WELL-BEING OF THE CHILD, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS PROVIDE FAMILIES IN NEED WITH INFANT CLOTHING (ESPECIALLY PREMATURE INFANT SIZES), LAYETTE ITEMS, DIAPERS AND FORMULA. IN-KIND DONATIONS OF NEW ITEMS ARE RECEIVED FROM INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY, LOCAL DEPARTMENT AND GROCERY STORES, SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND CHURCH GROUPS. THESE ITEMS ARE DISTRIBUTED AS NEEDED TO THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE GUESTS AND TO CASE MANAGEMENT AT THE NEWBORN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT OF A LOCAL HOSPITAL FOR DISTRIBUTION TO OTHER NEEDY FAMILIES UPON RELEASE OF THEIR CHILDREN FROM THE UNIT. ALSO, FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST A CHILD ARE SUPPLIED WITH AN APPROPRIATE BURIAL OUTFIT IF THEY CANNOT PROVIDE ONE FOR THE CHILD. THE HOUSE ALSO DISTRIBUTES DONATED ITEMS THAT EXCEED CURRENT NEED TO THE OTHER LOCAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. SEVERAL LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WERE ASSISTED DURING 2020.