We share some community news about our Grand Opening and the volunteers who helped get us there.
Ronald McDonald House is now open in Peoria
December 16, 2019
... A ribbon cutting was held Monday with members of the community and the Ronald McDonald House board of directors, local legislators and many others in attendance.
"We hope we can just turn this into volunteer support in the future... So, now we hope they find a way to come back and visit us again," said Melissa Skinner-Liberman, member of the board of directors.
Read the full article and watch the video at WEEK.com...
Peoria community celebrates opening of Ronald McDonald House
December 16, 2019
... It took just over a year for the building to be completed, with groundbreaking back in September 2018.
The 22 rooms can be expanded – if they notice a need to help the community on a greater level, they are prepped to build 12 more....
Read the full article and watch the video at HOIABC.com...
A Pathway to Hope: The Building of Peoria’s Ronald McDonald House
December 16, 2019
... The brand-new location is roughly 40,000 square feet and is located on the corner of Spalding and Monroe in downtown Peoria. It has 22 bedrooms and will serve over 700 families annually....
Read the full article and watch the video at www.CentralIllinoisProud.com...
Cancer survivor excited about Peoria Ronald McDonald House opening
December 13, 2019
.. Organizers say the fabric of local networks helped sew the project together. Dr. Kamlesh Macwan of Asian Indian Community Collaboration contributed time and money.
“Asian and Indian Community of Peoria wanted to give back to this community. The mission of the Ronald McDonald House and the mission of the Asian Indian community is family-centered,” said Dr. Kamlesh Macwan....
Read the full article and watch Smyrna Palaparthi's video at www.CentralIllinoisProud.com...
Stark County students help prepare Ronald McDonald House for opening
December 12, 2019
... Around 15 students from Stark County High School spent the day making sure it will be ready to open next week.
They lugged mattresses up stairs and into rooms and cleaned up some of the leftover construction mess.
The group organizer said they know people from Stark county who might need to sleep on some of these beds.
“It has impacted us around our community and it also teaches them to give back and being from such a small community it’s really important for them to learn how to do that,” said Kale Rouse, founder of Helmets and Heels.
Read the full article at WEEK.com...
Ronald McDonald House Grand Opening One Week Away
December 9, 2019
... "Right now it's really kind of a time where everything is happening at once, so things are getting finalized and cleaned up from the construction we've been doing for the last year...and all those final, finishing touches are going into place that you expect to see in the final house," said Jeremy Collins, the project manager for the architecture firm behind the project.
Collins has been on the job since it's inception--opening day marks about three years of work.
"This is an incredible opportunity, I meant to be part of this is a once in a lifetime chance, and seeing it come to life, its hard to put into words, exactly how you feel, it's awe-inspiring," added Collins....
"Probably the most unique obstacle is fitting everything they wanted into such a small site, so we're sitting on less than half an acre, and we've got a 40,000 square foot building," he said.
Collins also says maximizing space is only of the many things they achieved during the build, "We have touched everyone from the arts community to the women's club, to Keep Peoria Beautiful, everyone has come together and contributed."
Read the full article at WEEK.com...
Local family uses their experience at Ronald McDonald House to help plan Peoria location
December 15, 2019
... For the LaDage family, the Ronald McDonald House in Memphis, Tennessee had a huge impact on their lives, and they’ve used that experience to help plan the Peoria location.
Carson LaDage was diagnosed with brain cancer while he was then four-years-old. His treatment eventually brought his family to Memphis where they stayed at the house.
... Now, Carson is 13 and he helped make plans for the Peoria location. His time staying at the Memphis location allowed him to understand what kids need during treatment, which includes a little fun.
“Because we’ve stayed in the rooms, we knew some aspects of what’s important, what’s needed, and what wasn’t, but also for the game room, because it was so important to his stay in Memphis,” said Darla LaDage.
Carson remembers playing with his friends and enjoying their time in the game room.... The game room is fun and exciting, but an important part of a kid’s stay, reminding kids that they’re still kids, even through sickness....
Read the full article at www.CentralIllinoisProud.com...
Olson family shares their stories of staying at a Ronald McDonald House
December 10, 2019
... Families like the Olson's of Morton stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago while their daughter Lena undergoes treatments at Shriners.
The Olson's said the Ronald McDonald House has been a big help in keeping Lena’s brother Jack entertained – especially on the basketball court. “I like to shoot hoops!” said Jack.
“So, he thinks the Ronald McDonald House is a vacation actually,” said their mother Tricia Olson. “He likes to go to Chicago to go there to the children’s hospital."
The Olson's plan to volunteer at the Peoria Ronald McDonald House and assist families to make their stay more accommodating....
Read the full article at WEEK.com...
Washington students put finishing touches on Ronald McDonald House with mural
November 22, 2019
Before [the Ronald McDonald House in Peoria] opens, some local high school students worked on its interior.
These artists are from Washington Community High School; they’re painting a mural in one special room on the second floor.
That space will be for children with weak immune systems.
“We wanted to have like, color blobs, like a lava lamp would look then have fun designs for the kids to have,” said junior Felecia Gutierrez.
“It’s a really awesome experience to know that these kids will enjoy and appreciate our art,” said junior Lauren Blackburn...
Read the full article at WEEK.com...
See pictures on our website...
EP!C hosts its first pop-up shop of the holiday season
November 22, 2019
Ep!c hosted the first of five-holiday pop-up shops to benefit artists with disabilities at the Shoppes at Grand Prairie Friday.
“We recently made 190 pieces for the Ronald McDonald house, so they picked the types the colors the style and we implemented those,” Schreck said. “So if there is something you see in the store but it’s not quite right for you, let us know and we can get something created for you”
Read the full article and watch the video at www.CentralIllinoisProud.com...