Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Of Mississippi Inc

THE PURPOSE OF THIS CORPORATION IS TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT GIVE COMFORT, COMPASSION AND CARE.

DURING 2021 RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF MISSISSIPPI, INC. IMPROVED THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH OUR CORNER-STONE PROGRAM RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE. RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE PROVIDED TEMPORARY, HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME LODGING FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN RECEIVING INTENSIVE 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. OVER 500 VOLUNTEERS GAVE OF THEIR TIME.WE ARE FORTUNATE AND VERY GRATEFUL FOR IN-KIND GIFTS AND SERVICES TOTALING $124,000 WHICH AIDED TREMENDOUSLY IN OUR PROVIDING THE AFOREMENTIONED SERVICES.DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF MISSISSIPPI CONTINUED OPERATIONS PRIORITIZING THE NEED FOR FAMILIES TO REMAIN CLOSE TO THEIR CRITICALLY-ILL CHILDREN. INTENSIFIED CLEANING PROCEDURES WERE IMPLEMENTED; SOCIAL DISTANCING WAS MAINTAINED; AND ENTRY TO THE BUILDING WAS RESTRICTED, THUS, KEEPING GUEST FAMILIES AND OUR STAFF AS SAFE AND HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE. IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE AFOREMENTIONED, WE ALSO REDUCED OUR OCCUPANCY AVAILABILITY. WE WERE FORTUNATE TO CARE FOR ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY-THREE (173) FAMILIES WITHIN RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE DURING 2021. THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY WAS 14 NIGHTS. FAMILIES PRIMARILY CAME FROM THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI WITH SEVERAL CLAIMING RESIDENCY IN SURROUNDING STATES. GUEST FAMILIES DONATED AN AVERAGE OF ONE DOLLAR AND SIX CENTS ($1.06) PER ROOM, PER NIGHT FOR THE YEAR. THUS, INDIVIDUAL, SERVICE GROUP, AND CORPORATE DONATIONS ARE VITAL TO CARING FOR THESE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.WITH MOST OF OUR FAMILIES HAVING CHILDREN IN INTENSIVE CARE UNITS, THE GREATEST THINGS THEY 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.IN ADDITION TO CARING FOR FAMILIES WITHIN THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE, WE PROVIDED "HAPPY BAGS" FOR ONE HUNDRED (100) FAMILIES STAYING IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNITS AT CHILDREN'S OF MISSISSIPPI HOSPITAL. THESE BAGS WERE DECORATIVE, HEAVY CANVAS AND FILLED WITH ITEMS OF COMFORT TO BE USED DURING AND AFTER A FAMILY AND CHILD'S HOSPITAL STAY.RENOVATION OF OUR FOUR (4) KITCHENS IN RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE HIGHLIGHTED THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2021. THESE UPGRADES HELP MAINTAIN A WELCOMING ATMOSPHERE, THE INTEGRITY OF OUR BUILDING, AND A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL OF OUR GUESTS.