Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri describes its new Ronald McDonald House on Columbia’s College Avenue as its forever home.
The house’s grand opening took place this summer, after the successful completion of a $6.5 million capital campaign. Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Mid-Missouri senior director of family services Amanda Reynolds tells 939 the Eagle that the new house has 24 private guestrooms with private baths, along with additional room to expand if needed:
“It was important to us, because we do want this to be our forever home, that we have the right amount of space that we need but then also space that if we need to expand in the future years down the road we have that ability without having to think about moving or something like that again,” Ms. Reynolds says.
The new Ronald McDonald House is within walking distance of MU Health Care’s new Children’s Hospital. It also includes outdoor gardens, walking trails and a covered deck.
Many Mizzou Tiger football fans heading to Faurot Field in Columbia this fall will drive right by the new Ronald McDonald House. RMHC’s Reynolds is grateful to the community and to the numerous businesses that donated to the new home’s “building love, expanding hope” campaign:
“We had a vision of what we wanted the house to look like. We toured other houses. We scoured the internet for ideas and our vision, and they really did bring it to life. And it’s amazing to actually see it finally here and usable. Then the best part is welcoming families through the doors and seeing their reaction. It’s the best,” says Ms. Reynolds.
Columbia’s new Ronald McDonald House has 24 private guestrooms with private baths, up from the former home’s 18 bedrooms. It also includes a large kitchen and dining area and an exercise room. Former Mizzou football coach Gary Pinkel’s GP MADE foundation donated the exercise room’s equipment.
Reynolds tells 939 the Eagle that the community continues to donate:
“And then now that the doors are open, they continue to help us serve these families. It doesn’t stop once the house was built. You know it continues to keep the lights on, to keep you know cereal in the pantry. You know we all rely on the community and they always show up,” says Reynolds.
Columbia’s Veterans United (VU) Foundation donated $800,000 for the new home, which is within walking distance of MU Health Care’s new Children’s Hospital. RMHC says the new house ensures that families are always close to their children during critical times.