Rewarding and Fulfilling- HELP WANTED to serve in the Family Room (Orange)

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Ronald McDonald Family Room Two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms serve Orange County

At this time, there are two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in Orange County. Manned almost entirely by volunteers, the first opened in 1999 at CHOC Children's at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. The newest Ronald McDonald Family Room came online in November 2007, inside of CHOC Children's in the city of Orange.

Ronald McDonald Family Rooms extend the services of the Orange County Ronald McDonald House (OCRMH), by serving as an oasis of calm inside the hospital. Here, parents with children in pediatric intensive care and cardiovascular intensive care units can relax a bit, take a nap, eat and shower. The facilities feature guest rooms, bathrooms, a living room with plasma TV, games for children, a kitchenette, quiet reflection area, and a family resource library with computers so families can use e-mail and do research.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room helps alleviate stress by providing families with an escape inside of the hospital. Additionally, parents find relief and camaraderie by talking with and just being surrounded by others in similar circumstances, yet have the comfort of being down the hall from their hospitalized child. When families first walk into one of our two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, they frequently forget they are still in a hospital. They see children playing or eating treats baked by volunteers, while parents look on and chat with each other.

"Our experience shows that parents with a seriously ill child who do not take care of themselves get worn down by stress and lack of rest," says Deborah Levy, executive director, OCRMH. "With the Ronald McDonald Family Room, families can find comfort and support just steps away from their children's hospital room."

Ronald McDonald Family Room inside CHOC Children's

Located on the 6th floor of CHOC Children's
455 S. Main St.
Orange, CA 92868-3874
Contact: Mary Pat Dooley mpdooley@rmhcsc.org