Groundbreaking 6/12/2014 & Kitchen Renovation Donation for Labor of Love Project

6/9/2014 RMHC Central Illinois

Kelly Thompson, Executive Director

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (June 10, 2014) – Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois (RMHCCI) is breaking ground for its $1.2M expansion and remodel project on Thursday, June 12 from 1:00-1:30p.m. at the Ronald McDonald House at 610 North 7th Street in Springfield. The groundbreaking ceremony will be hosted by The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and will mark the start of construction for the “Labor of Love: Give from the heart to keep families together” renovation and expansion project. The public is invited to attend.

The “Labor of Love” project is the first-ever total & complete remodel – designed by FWAI Architects - of the 28-year-old Ronald McDonald House, and includes the addition of two guest bedrooms to serve more families. Jones-Blythe Construction Company was awarded the contract to be managed by Northstar Management Company. As part of the “Labor of Love” campaign, RMHCCI also launched the “Adopt-the-House” program with opportunities to ‘adopt’ one or more rooms of the House and sponsor its refurbishment.

A new major sponsor of the “Adopt-the-House” program is CEFCU through a $20,000 Kitchen sponsorship to be announced at the ground breaking. Other committed Adopt-the-House sponsors include McDonald’s® of Central Illinois and Peoria/Bloomington through a $35,000 sponsorship of the Family Room, $2,500 from SCHEELS for sponsorship of the Atrium, and $10,000 from the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation through sponsorship of the Children’s Play Room.

“CEFCU is proud to be able to support the Ronald McDonald House through a gift to the Adopt-the-House program. For families to know there is a place that provides a home-away-from-home so they can focus their attention on their hospitalized child is a great benefit for the community,” says Jeff Ambrose, Member Center Manager at CEFCU on Iles Avenue in Springfield.

“CEFCU has had the pleasure of providing quality service to members in Springfield for over 17 years. And, just as we are happy to assist members and help them meet their financial needs, we are also happy to be able to support the community. This gift to the Ronald McDonald House will assist in updating the facility, and provide much-needed accommodations for families dealing with the health issues of a loved one,” says Greg Davis, Member Center Manager of CEFCU on Dirksen Parkway in Springfield.

“We are proud to support the Labor of Love renovation and expansion project to serve more families. Our restaurants in central IL are supporting the project with a sponsorship of the Family Room through proceeds from the Give A Little Love campaign held in McDonald’s® restaurants January 23—February 16, 2014,” say Steve Jeffers, McDonald’s® Central IL Co-Op President and Nick Kasprzyk, McDonald’s® Peoria/Bloomington Co-Op President.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois is still working to raise approximately $150,000 needed for the Labor of Love project. To help, please donate online at www.roominyourheart.org or mail your donation to the Ronald McDonald House at 610 N. 7th Street, Springfield, IL 62702.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Illinois provides a temporary home away from home for those families whose children are receiving medical treatment in Springfield. In an effort to reduce stress, keep the family intact, and enhance the quality of life for families, the House provides a caring, home-like atmosphere for its guests. For more information on the “Labor of Love” expansion and renovation plans, including the “Adopt-the-House” program, please visit roominyourheart.org.

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