At its June year-end meeting, the Rotary Club of Lake Nona Noon announced it had fulfilled its sponsorship commitment of Room Number 15 at Ronald McDonald House, Lake Nona, a full six years ahead of schedule.
In August 2016, the Lake Nona Noon Rotary Club made a seven-year commitment to sponsor Room Number 15, one of 15 rooms with private bathrooms for families of critically ill children located adjacent to Nemours Children’s Hospital. Club members pledged a $35,000 funding commitment payable over a seven-year period with an additional general support contribution of $2,500 to ensure a tranquil, safe place for families to stay while their children undergo treatment.
Located on the Nemours Children’s Hospital campus, Ronald McDonald House opened to families in summer 2016 and features:
- 15 bedrooms with private bathrooms
- Lunch and dinner provided by community volunteers when possible
- Spacious kitchen and access to a community pantry and refrigerator with donated food
- Healing gardens and playground
- Décor donated by local artists
- Indoor Lego-themed play area
- A gaming room
- Transportation to and from a nearby retail complex
- State-of-the-art media room
- Laundry facilities
- A large meeting room
- Planned family activities
In addition to sponsoring Room Number 15, the Rotary Club of Lake Nona Noon supports Ronald McDonald House by providing on-site, home-cooked meals to those staying at the home, planting landscaping to enhance the courtyard, and building and stocking a “Little Free Library” to provide reading materials for guests.
The Rotary Club of Lake Nona Noon was chartered on Aug. 23, 2016, and now has almost 50 members. In addition to Ronald McDonald House, the club supports Pawsitive Action Ranch in part by sponsoring Rotary Ann, a service dog in training, the VA Hospital, the Orlando Police Department and other first responders. The club is part of Rotary International, a volunteer humanity service organization comprised of more than 1.2 million members in 22 countries whose motto is “Service Above Self.”
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad. Rotarians believe we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our 35,000+ clubs work together to:
- Promote peace
- Fight disease, including leading the effort to eradicate polio from the face of the earth
- Provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene
- Save mothers and children
- Support education
- Grow local economies
Rotarians work differently:
- We see differently: Our multidisciplinary perspective helps us to see challenges in unique ways.
- We think differently: We apply leadership and expertise to social issues – and find unique solutions.
- We act responsibly: Our passion and perseverance create lasting change.
- We make a difference at home and around the world: Our members can be found in your community and across the globe.
Learn more by visiting: www.LakeNonaRotary.com or www.Rotary.org.
