Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma (RMHC of Arkoma) broke ground on a home-away-from-home space for families with critically ill children on the third floor of Mercy Northwest Arkansas in Rogers today. Upon completion, the 3,200 square-foot room (complete with bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry facilities, living and dining room space and a playroom for children) will be called the Ronald McDonald Family Room® and will be owned and operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma.

Campaign fundraising has already begun for the $700,000 project and will continue through its completion in July 2013. There are many ways to give to this program including:

  • Make aDifference–customizable giving levels available including naming opportunities
  • Text-to-Donate–To give today, text RONALD to 56512
  • Wish List Donations–pick up needed item listed on Facebook.com/RMHCofArkoma, including travel-sized toiletries, shelf-stable foods, toys and more.
  • Give Time–Volunteer to cook meals, help clean or be a front desk attendant
  • Team Up–For individuals, groups and clubs interested in volunteering or fundraising, RMHC can present during meetings or one-on-one

“The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being children,” says Stephanie Medford, executive director, Ronald McDonald Charities of Arkoma, Inc. “We think globally but act locally as apart of a global network providing a place of respite withint the hospital for families with an ill child.”

The purpose of the Ronald McDonald Family Room (RMFR)

  • Staying Together–Studies show that children heal better and faster when loved ones are close by. The RMFR keeps families together by providing a place of respite and relaxation for families of children undergoing treatment at Mercy.
  • Support–The RMFR facilitates a built in support group for families going through the same difficult situations.
  • Relief–When families are less stressed they make better decisions–our goal is to relieve some of their stresses. We make sure families are better equipped both physically and mentally to make good, sound decisions about the care and recovery of their child.

To get involved with Project Family Room, contact Leah Jones at 479.756.5600 or leah@rmhcofaroma.org. Find out more at RHMCofArkoma.org and Facebook.com/RMHCofArkoma to stay updated on the building and fundraising progress.