keeping families CLOSE

Ronald Mcdonald House Charities

“Sanford Health’s decision to move gave us a chance to think about things that aren’t ideal at this time,” says Jill Christopher, executive director. “Over eighty times this year we have had to wait-list families. This gives us an opportunity to change that in the future.”

There are two Ronald McDonald Houses in Fargo. The north location on Broadway opened in 1982 and the south location on 18th Avenue opened in 2005. There are a total of 12 rooms available for families. Both of the houses will be sold when the new facility is opened.

The new Ronald McDonald House will be a little over 30,000 square feet with 24 guest rooms when completed. There will be elevators, something the old houses did not have. “Our staff often asks families to move to different floors to accommodate guests with mobility needs, since we have only two rooms with no stairs,” says Erica Johnsrud, development director. The new house will have private bathrooms, additional security, an exercise room, a playroom, a game room/teen space, and a large, modern kitchen.

“The new kitchen will be huge,” continues Johnsrud. “The kitchen is my favorite place in each of the houses. It is where you find families sitting together, finding support from each other.”

The new Ronald McDonald House will have the look of a fine hotel with all of the amenities that entails. But it is not a hotel, and that is just the way Christopher wanted it. “In a hotel, the staff doesn’t know why you are there, it isn’t their job,” says Christopher. “But here we want to know about your child, we want to talk about your child, and we want to offer our support. At the new house, we will have a 24-hour awake staff, ready and willing to help and to listen. In the house, families become close. They can relate to each other’s struggles and triumphs. No hotel can offer that.”

“It is really amazing how people have gotten behind this project — companies, individuals and young people,” continues Christopher.

Sanford Health donated the property for the new house. “Finding the land was a big piece of the puzzle, it really locked in that we could build this new, beautiful place,” Christopher continues. “Foss Architecture and Interiors are our design partners. They have gone above and beyond to make this happen.”

“Nor-Son is our builder and they have been truly committed to this mission,” says Johnsrud. “They have put a lot of heart into the building.”

In addition to the new house, RMHC have expanded their vision and are partnering with Essentia Hospital to open a family room on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) floor in late 2018. The family room will offer a place for families to rest and regroup right at the hospital, just moments away from their sick child.

Research shows that staying close by allows parents to better communicate with their child’s medical team and the family room will make sure that is possible. Amenities will include a kitchen area with a fridge and microwave, shower facilities, a computer with internet access, and a seating area with a television.

Christopher says, “This will be a wonderful service with Essentia and a great addition to the NICU.” new building.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley have worked hard to support families of sick children and to truly make these temporary lodgings feel like home. They are dedicated to “Keeping Families Close”.