Nonprofit asking for your help to raise funds for Ronald McDonald Family Room at EIRMC
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IDAHO FALLS — The Ronald McDonald Family Room coming to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center is falling short on its fundraising goals.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho plans to break ground on the Ronald McDonald Family Room at EIRMC later this spring but it still needs another $250,000. The nonprofit has raised $515,000 so far.
The Family Room is meant to serve as overnight or short-term lodging for families with sick children in the hospital.
For those wishing to donate, they can do so by visiting the Ronald McDonald Family Room webpage, calling (208) 227-2898 or mailing to 3200 Channing Way, Ste 106 Idaho Falls, Idaho 83404.
Riverbend Communications radio stations are hosting Fundraising For Families on March 4, 5 and 6 to help raise money for the Ronald McDonald Family Room. Listeners will be able to text the amount they wish to donate to (208) 721-9077.
RELATED: Ronald McDonald Family Room coming to EIRMC next year
The Family Room is a space designated within the hospital that serves families of pediatric patients receiving treatment. It’s not just a single room though. The Family Room is actually more like a temporary home within the walls of a hospital. It includes four bedrooms to house four families, a communal kitchen, a living room, and dining area.
“It’s very exciting to be able to offer care and comfort and support to families who have sick kids in the hospital. That’s what we do as an organization is really work to keep families close together near their sick child close to the medical care they need,” said Mindy Plumlee, executive director at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho.
The Family Room will be built inside a medical office building connected to EIRMC on the corner of Sunnyside Road and Channing Way.
“For us, this addition is incredible because we know the families that travel to our region for care,” EIRMC spokeswoman Coleen Niemann said. “They desperately need this service to help make their stay just a little comfortable.”
Niemann says one of the reasons EIRMC was chosen was because of its growing number of pediatric services and the larger number of child patients.