During the holidays, the community embraces the spirit of giving. One such local charity, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay, is on a mission to help sick children, and their families, in need.
Most people know about RMHC as a national charity that provides a home-away-from-home for families that have children receiving treatment at local hospitals. Since 1980, through the dedication of the RMHC-TB, the local Ronald McDonald House has been a safe haven for more than 50,000 sick children and their families.
The pandemic has impacted the four Ronald McDonald Houses in Tampa and St. Petersburg, which are supported by RMHC-TB and funded by community resources. Executive Director Lisa Suprenand comments, “The pandemic has made it challenging to care for all the families who need us. We’ve lost significant revenue from canceled events and fundraisers, while spending more to help keep our families safe and comfortable.”
In November, the charity began to host “Give the Gift of Togetherness,” a campaign that runs through December, to encourage participation in local Tampa Bay communities.
One of the prominent supporters, the Suncoast Credit Union’s charitable foundation, announced a partnership with RMHC to raise additional funds during the holiday campaign.
Suncoast contributed a lead gift of $50,000, to solidify their commitment and raise awareness for “Give the Gift of Togetherness” campaign.
Suncoast Credit Union Foundation’s Executive Director, Cindy Helton, shares, “Taking care of families when their child is in the hospital is a priority for us, as a family-oriented institution that is dedicated to supporting community needs like these. We can’t think of a better way to spread cheer this holiday season than to support an impactful charity like RMHC, who does so much for families in need.”
During unsettling, and trying, times, a donation to RMHC-TB eases some of the stress that families with sick children experience on the road to recovery. There is no cost for a family to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. The cost for the charity to provide a “home-away-from-home” for sick children receiving medical care in Tampa Bay area hospitals is $100/night, which includes lodging, food and support.
The charity provides all essentials such as meals, emotional and physical support to comfort families from all walks of life. With the support of RMHC, families save nearly $1,000 a week in hotel, travel and food expenses. By reducing the financial burden on families, RMHC enables children and families to concentrate on what matters the most – getting healthy.
This holiday season, the impactful work of RMHC- TB touches Tampa Bay communities with values that outlast challenging times and keeps families together.
