Capital Region Cares Capital Region Cares 2017-2018 | Page 69

Ronald M donald
House Charities
c
NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA
KEEPING
FAMILIES CLOSE
H
aving a child in the
hospital can be the most
challenging time any
family faces, and Ronald McDonald
House Charities Northern California
(RMHCNC) helps those families in
need by providing a comforting, caring
home away from home while a child
with a serious illness or injury is
hospitalized or undergoes
outpatient treatments.
RMHCNC also now offers the
Caring Cart – a hospitality cart stocked
with complimentary items to comfort
and occupy parents, siblings, relatives,
and caretakers as they support a child
in the hospital. “The cart offers snacks,
coffee, tea, hot chocolate, puzzles,
activity books and anything else
we can provide for the comfort and
convenience of pediatric care families,”
says Stacey Hodge, Senior Director of
Community Relations.
“Volunteers push the cart through
pediatric wards we serve, and are able
to educate families about our day-pass
opportunities, as well,” says Hodge.
Pediatric families needing a respite
may use the Ronald McDonald House
facilities during the day, even if not
staying overnight. “They can use our
playground and our fitness center,
have something to eat, watch a movie,
take a shower, or even do their laundry
– they’re welcome to anything we
can provide.”
Opened in 1998, the Sacramento
Ronald McDonald House serves all
hospitals in the greater Sacramento
area including the U.C. Davis
Children’s Hospital, Shriners Hospitals
for Children, Sutter, Mercy, and Kaiser
RMHCNC.ORG
Hospitals. The addition of 20 rooms
in 2015, for a total of 38, has enabled
RMHCNC to serve about 1,500 families
in 2016.
“Volunteers are the core of our
success,” concludes Hodge. “Caring
Cart volunteers get to directly help and
comfort families in need. The criteria
for volunteering is on our web site, so
please visit rmhcnc.org and help us
help families through difficult times.”
PROFILE SPONSORED BY
Northern California
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