Tag Archives: Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House opens region’s first “Family Room” hospitality center inside healthcare facility at Pine Rest

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Salina Bishop, President & CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan, stands in the new Ronald McDonald House Family Room. (Photo Courtesy, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services)


By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org


Ronald McDonald House (RMH) and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services celebrated completion of the region’s first “Family Room” concept inside a hospital at a special media preview event within Pine Rest’s new Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health. 


RMH president and CEO Salina Bishop and Pine Rest president and CEO Mark Eastburg were on hand to discuss how RMH is growing its hospitality concept within health system facilities and how important the amenity is to health systems.

The formal grand opening of the 1,000 SF space will coincide with Pine Rest’s public opening events on Saturday, March 21. The Family Room expects to be operational this Spring.


A different angle of the new Ronald McDonald House Family Room. (Photo Courtesy, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services)


The Family Room serves as an extension of RMH’s services, where families can step away, recharge, and find comfort without returning to the RMH house in Grand Rapids while their child receives care, all at no cost. The Family Room offers a calming environment designed to reduce stress and provide support during an overwhelming time.

This is West Michigan’s first Family Room, and one of only 3 in the state (Detroit and Lansing).

This new space is the result of a meaningful collaboration between Pine Rest and Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan.

“Pine Rest provides an incredible service to our community and supports some of the most vulnerable children and families,” said Salina Bishop, President & CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan. “We are so grateful to bring our first Ronald McDonald House Family Room to their new Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health. Both of our organizations share the belief that caring for a child means caring for their family. This partnership allows us to do just that, supporting families so every child has the best chance for a positive outcome.”


About the space

  • Kitchen with complimentary snacks and beverages
  • Comfortable lounge seating
  • Quiet room for rest or reflection
  • Workstations family members with reservable technology, including iPads, noise-cancelling headphones, and chargers.
  • Children’s play area (books, puzzles, games)
  • Private restroom with complimentary toiletries

What is the Ronald McDonald House Family Room?

  • The Ronald McDonald Family Room is an extension of the hospitality our House brings, offering comfort and a place to relax and recharge, directly inside the hospital.
  • The Family Room fills a critical gap by providing immediate, on-site hospitality, reducing stress, supporting caregiver resilience, and allowing families to be present for their child.
  • The goal is to give families a peaceful, home-like space steps from their child, so they can focus on being together and supporting their child.

How will it support families at Pine Rest?

  • Families might find themselves here longer than expected, and because of that, we want to be here for them. Families will have a place to step away for a moment, breathe, and care for themselves without leaving the hospital.
  • Supporting families is crucial – when parents and siblings are cared for, the children receiving treatment feel it too.
  • The Family Room helps reduce stress, promote resilience, and keep families close and present during treatment.
  • Families will have access to food, drinks, activities, and more – at no cost to them.

Grand Opening March 21 for Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health

All are welcome to join us on Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the Community Grand Opening of our Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health — a brand new mental health facility created just for children, teens and families.

Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health. (Photo Courtesy, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services)


To celebrate, we’re turning the day into a summer camp–themed party and inviting families to explore our new treehouse-inspired facility, meet our team and experience firsthand how this welcoming space was thoughtfully designed to support children’s mental health and well-being for generations to come.

The day features plenty of family-friendly activities for all ages, including:

🔎 Scavenger Hunt – Collect badges throughout the center and win prizes!
🎈 Face Painting and other Fun Activities
🐾 Meet-and-Greet with Facility Dog Sully & Other Therapy Animals
🎨 Arts & Crafts Station
📸 Photo Booth
🧃 Wellness Kits & Healthy Snacks


LOCATION:
Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health
(Located on the Pine Rest campus at 300 68th Street, Grand Rapids. Take the main entrance off 68th St and follow signs to Building H.)

Ronald McDonald House Charities asking for the public’s help on Sept. 17 to help restock pantry

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(Courtesy, RMHC)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan (RMHCWM) is calling on the community to help ensure families staying at the House have access to the comfort of home-cooked meals, easy meals and individually packaged snacks. On Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., RMHCWM will host a collection drive at 1323 Cedar St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Your generous donations keep families nourished with the comforts of home (Courtesy, RMHC)

During their stay, families of hospitalized children rely on RMHCWM for a comforting place to rest and eat. By donating essential food items, you can help ease their burden, allowing them to focus on what truly matters—their child’s health. Your generous donations help stock the RMCHWM pantry and keep families nourished with the comforts of home.

Wish List:

  • Individually packed shelf-stable snacks: Chips, granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers, mini-muffins, etc.
  • Easy meals: Kraft macaroni, ramen noodles, soups, hamburger helper, etc.
  • Rice: Plain and mixes
  • Pastas: All varieties – 16 or 32 oz. boxes
  • Pasta sauces: Red sauce and alfredo, jarred or canned
  • Canned vegetables and beans: tomatoes (all varieties), corn, green beans, black beans, etc
  • Broths: Beef and chicken
  • Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, parsley, oregano, chili powder, cumin, etc.
  • Marinades and sauces
  • Baking chips: Chocolate, white chocolate, cinnamon
  • Dessert mixes: Cakes, brownies, etc.

If you cannot drop off your donations in person, you can still participate by shopping on Amazon and shipping your items directly to the House. Visit the RMCHWM Amazon Wish List at https://a.co/9nk0vfN to find the items most needed.

Let’s work together to keep the RMHCWM pantry fully stocked (Courtesy, RMHC)

Spread the word!

Share this collection drive with friends and family, and let’s work together to keep the pantry fully stocked, ensuring that every family staying at RMHCWM has access to the comfort foods they want during their stay.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan is to keep families together who travel to Grand Rapids when their child is receiving medical or mental health treatment in the hospital.

Since 1990, RMHCWM has been serving families throughout Michigan and worldwide. Families live at the House where they have access to a safe, clean, and comfortable room with bath plus hot meals and transportation to and from the hospital, all at no cost to the families.


(Courtesy RMHC)

Local Jaycees changes name to South Kent, expand area

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The official ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly rebranded South Kent Jaycees.
The official ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly rebranded South Kent Jaycees.

Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Even though its charter said South Kent, the name Kentwood Jaycees just seemed to fit better when the group original formed in 1966. It certainly described the area that this particular chapter of the United States Junior Chamber covered.

 

But with recent changes, including absorbing the former Wyoming Jaycees chapter, the name did not seem to fit anymore. So in 2015, the former Kentwood Jaycees chapter rebranded itself as the South Kent Jaycees.

 

The South Kent Jaycees recently participated in a wish list drive for the Grand Rapids' Ronald McDonald House.
The South Kent Jaycees recently participated in a wish list drive for the Grand Rapids’ Ronald McDonald House.

“It really broadens our horizon not only for the membership but for the communities we are able to help,” said Jen Groom, secretary of the South Kent Jaycees. “By staying Kentwood, we could only help Kentwood.”

 

A requirement of being part of the Jaycees organization is that you live within the state and are from the area the local chapter represents. Looking at its membership, South Kent Jaycees leaders discovered that many lived or worked outside of the Kentwood area. The name changed also allowed the organization to expand its reach into adjoining communities which include Grandville, Jenison, Byron Center, and Caledonia along with Kentwood and Wyoming.

 

With that South Kent Jaycees leadership was able to find a larger base of service and leadership opportunities. Most recently, the South Kent Jaycees worked with the Ronald McDonald House with a holiday wish list drive. South Kent Jaycees also have teamed up with the Grand Rapids Jaycees in an effort to bring the Kids Kicking Cancer program to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. Kids Kicking Cancer, which just expanded to help all children who are in pain, focuses on martial arts therapy.

 

“It is a really great outlet for the kids while they are in the hospital,” Groom said.

 

And should anyone fret over the Forest of Fear disappearing, Groom and the other board members confirmed plans are in the works for this year’s haunted attraction and that the popular Breakfast for Santa event also will continue.

 

The South Kent Jaycees plan to host the Breakfast with Santa event again this year.
The South Kent Jaycees plan to host the Breakfast with Santa event again this year.

Gone is the Kentwood Jaycees Club House, which before being the club house was a Pizza Hut located at 1640 44th St. SE. According to the group’s website, it was sold so the organization could focus more local trainings, community benefit programs and local partnerships.

 

“I joined the Jaycees to give back to my community, but what I get from it so much more than that,” said Marybeth Schafer, who is the secretary of the Grand Rapids Jaycees and is part of the Grand Rapids and South Kent Jaycees collaboration efforts. “It helps me grow personally and professional and I have made some really close friends.

 

“You also not only meet people in your area, but across the state and the nation.”

 

The Jaycees organization was established on January 21, 1920 to provide opportunities, at that time, for young men to develop personal and leadership skills through service to others. The organization included women in 1984 after the U.S. Supreme court ruled that Minnesota could prevent sex discrimination in private organizations. 1985 marked the end of the US Jaycee Women organization. Today, there are numerous Jaycees chapters around the globe. There are about 33 chapters in Michigan with five being in the West Michigan area, Allegan, Greater Muskegon, Lakeview (covering the Montcalm area), Grand Rapids and South Kent.

 

This year, according to Julia Klein, who is a District 2 Michigan Chairman of the Board and treasurer for the South Kent Jaycees, the Michigan Jaycees chapters will host the National Jaycee Conference which is set for Sept. 22 – 25 in Detroit.

 

But you do not have to wait until September, or head to Detroit, to learn more or join the Jaycees, said Scott Avery, South Kent Jaycees vice president. The organization has monthly membership meetings where potential members can learn more about events and meet other members. Meetings are rotated through the South Kent Jaycees coverage area. On April 20 at 6:30 p.m., the group will meet at Bigby’s in Wyoming. May 23 at 6:30 p.m., they will be at the Byron Family Restaurant, 2527 84th St. SW, Byron Center. On June 18, they will be meeting at 10 a.m. at EB Coffee and Pub, 8980 Rodgers Court SE, Caledonia.

 

More information can be found at the South Kent Jaycees’ website or the group’s Facebook page.