The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida (RMHCCF) are receiving $21,000 in appliance donations from Conn’s HomePlus philanthropic sector called Conn’s Cares.
The three locations across Central Florida, which include the Lake Nona Ronald McDonald House near Nemours Children’s Hospital, received six washer and dryer pairs, three stoves, three dishwashers, and three microwave ovens.
“One thing we’ve learned throughout this past year is that pediatric illnesses do not pause – even for pandemics,” said Lou Ann DeVoogd, president and CEO of RMHCCF, in a prepared statement. “We have continued to provide a home away from home, including daily meals at no cost to the guest families with a child undergoing medical treatment here in Orlando.”
Conn’s HomePlus has already donated $886,000 in funds and products to different charities since 2017, according to a July 27 press release.
“We wanted to show our support for the children and families who stay at the Ronald McDonald Houses and hope this donation makes the residents feel a little closer to home while staying there,” said Norm Miller, chairman and CEO of Conn’s HomePlus, in a statement.
Conn’s HomePlus is a specialty retailer for furniture, appliances and electronics. The retailer recently expanded to its 15th state with a 413,000-square-foot logistics distribution center in Lakeland and is planning on opening 40 showrooms across Florida, according to a May 5 press release.
RMHCCF hosted 2,391 families in 2019, according to a Ronald McDonald annual report. The annual report was conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has now hospitalized approximately 32 children per day between July 23-29, according to the CDC. This increase in children hospitalized due to COVID-19 means more families are looking to stay near pediatric hospitals.
RMHCCF provides home-like shelter to families with children at local pediatric hospitals undergoing treatment. In order to stay, families must have a child in a pediatric hospital under the age of 21 and are asked for an optional donation of $20 per night. Families who wish to stay at any Ronald McDonald House have to pre-register by filling out an online guest application.
“These gifts are essentials for our houses as we provide for up to 84 guest families each night,” DeVoogd said. “Keeping families close during the most stressful times in their lives truly helps the healing process.”
