Hospitality Cart Returned to Action
November 19, 2024
Children receiving medical care at St. John’s Children’s Hospital will now be greeted by an old friend, as the Ronald McDonald Hospitality Cart on Monday returned to action after a brief hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Leaders from Hospital Sister Health System and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois and its board members gathered for a “welcome back” ribbon-cutting at the children’s hospital. The cart includes comforting items such as small toys, individual snacks, crossword puzzle books and personal hygiene products for children and their parents. The initiative was introduced to HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital in 2014.
Matt Fry, HSHS Central Illinois Market President and CEO, and HSHS St. John’s Hospital President and CEO, said the partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois holds a special place in his heart. As first-time parents living and working in Utah, he and his wife found the local Ronald McDonald House “a lifesaver” when their daughter was hospitalized with pneumonia and RSV.
“The connection with Ronald McDonald House and St. John’s Children’s Hospital is probably just as deep as my personal connection,” Fry said.
Allison Paul, HSHS Central Illinois Market Chief Nursing Officer and board member of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, knows first-hand the value of the cart since she began her HSHS career in 2015 as Executive Director of the children’s hospital.
“Parents don’t want to be away from the bedside of their little one for very long, so having the cart available, staffed by our HSHS Samaritans, can offer small touches and treats that can break up and brighten their days,” Paul said.
Amber Kaylor, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, said the cart is just another example of the organization’s mission to provide “comfort, care and support” to sick children and their families.
The cart is staffed by HSHS St. John’s Hospital volunteers, known as the Samaritans. Aspiring Samaritans may contact Katie Sundby, Director of Volunteer Services at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, at katie.sundby@hshs.org or 217-814-4209. Donors can order and ship items purchased off a curated Amazon list directly to the Springfield Ronald McDonald House at 610 N. Seventh St., Springfield, Ill., 62702, or deliver them to the House from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Photo Caption: Leaders from Hospital Sisters Health System’s Central Illinois Market and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois and its board members gather to welcome back the Ronald McDonald Hospitality Cart to St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield.
Leaders from Hospital Sister Health System and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois and its board members gathered for a “welcome back” ribbon-cutting at the children’s hospital. The cart includes comforting items such as small toys, individual snacks, crossword puzzle books and personal hygiene products for children and their parents. The initiative was introduced to HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital in 2014.
Matt Fry, HSHS Central Illinois Market President and CEO, and HSHS St. John’s Hospital President and CEO, said the partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois holds a special place in his heart. As first-time parents living and working in Utah, he and his wife found the local Ronald McDonald House “a lifesaver” when their daughter was hospitalized with pneumonia and RSV.
“The connection with Ronald McDonald House and St. John’s Children’s Hospital is probably just as deep as my personal connection,” Fry said.
Allison Paul, HSHS Central Illinois Market Chief Nursing Officer and board member of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, knows first-hand the value of the cart since she began her HSHS career in 2015 as Executive Director of the children’s hospital.
“Parents don’t want to be away from the bedside of their little one for very long, so having the cart available, staffed by our HSHS Samaritans, can offer small touches and treats that can break up and brighten their days,” Paul said.
Amber Kaylor, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, said the cart is just another example of the organization’s mission to provide “comfort, care and support” to sick children and their families.
The cart is staffed by HSHS St. John’s Hospital volunteers, known as the Samaritans. Aspiring Samaritans may contact Katie Sundby, Director of Volunteer Services at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, at katie.sundby@hshs.org or 217-814-4209. Donors can order and ship items purchased off a curated Amazon list directly to the Springfield Ronald McDonald House at 610 N. Seventh St., Springfield, Ill., 62702, or deliver them to the House from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Photo Caption: Leaders from Hospital Sisters Health System’s Central Illinois Market and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois and its board members gather to welcome back the Ronald McDonald Hospitality Cart to St. John’s Children’s Hospital in Springfield.
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