TAMPA, Fla. — Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay (RMHCTB) announced it will be building a new house at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital to serve 25 percent more families in need of pediatric care.
This is the fifth house built by RMHCTB as part of its "Bring Hope Home" campaign, officials said in a news release. It will reportedly feature daytime respite services, a full kitchen and dining area, study for remote work, parent's room, laundry center, playroom, fitness and well-being center and 11 bedrooms with private baths.
The St. Joseph's Hospitals Foundation is supporting the new 10,100 square-foot house with a $750,000 contribution, officials said. It will be located above the neonatal floor inside the facility's women's hospital, just steps away from the NICU doors.
"Regardless of income, families are offered a place to stay, eat and access support services, saving them over $1,000 a week in expenses," RMHCTB officials stated in the release. "Our goal is to ensure that we can serve more families better by providing access to health care to meet the growing demand. supporting longer family stays, and by removing barriers to post-hospital follow-up care."
As of August this year, the charity organization has raised around $7 million, officials said.
"We are honored to work alongside Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay as it expands its resources and support for the countless families that depend on St. Joseph's Children's Hospitals for hope and healing," St. Joseph's Children's Hospital Foundation President Kata Sawa stated in the release.
