With Ronald McDonald giving a helping hand, the children of the Ronald McDonald House snipped the ribbon Monday, commemorating the opening of the new facility on the Southbank. Created 13 years ago, the Jacksonville Ronald McDonald House is staffed entirely by volunteers. Construction on the new site began in 1998.
In addition to the new center, new programs have been added. A Discovery Board has been created for individuals under age 35 to increase awareness of their mission within that age group. A new outreach program for siblings called Sibshops has been formed as well.
The two-story home includes 20 bedrooms with private baths, a business center, chapel, fitness center, study, playroom, teen activity center and two suites for special needs children with sensitive immune systems.
The special needs rooms are for bone marrow transplant patients and are designed with heat-molded base boards, which prevents cracks, and blinds between window panes to reduce dust.