Donation Of Time And Materials Creates Soothing Environment

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. of Newport Beach, CA recently completed reconstruction of the Ronald McDonald House Family Room inside Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) at Mission Hospital. Approximately $225,000 in construction work and materials was donated by McCarthy and numerous other companies to complete the 852-square-foot remodel.

The renovated Family Room includes a windowfront sitting area.
The renovated Family Room includes a windowfront sitting area.

CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital is housed in a state-of-the-art medical facility on the 5th floor of Mission Hospital’s patient care tower. While it operates as a separately licensed pediatric facility with its own medical staff, CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital is linked to Mission Hospital’s regional trauma center, high-level obstetric and perinatal program, and ancillary services. The 48-bed “children’s hospital-within-a-hospital” is part of CHOC Children’s regional healthcare network and serves as the only dedicated pediatric health care center for families in the communities throughout South Orange County, coastal areas and North San Diego.

Donated Time And Materials
The project, which began on August 25, 2008, included demolition and reconstruction of two sleep rooms, a kitchen area, and family room. Contractors gutted the space and installed new lighting, drywall, carpeting, ceiling tile, casework, and paint. Construction was completed earlier this month, and the renovated space was then furnished with new chairs, couches, lamps, toys, books, artwork, and an existing 42 inch flat panel television.

McCarthy Building Companies also donated two new computers for volunteer and visitor use.

With architectural design by RBB Architects Inc. of Los Angeles and interior design provided by Correy Design Group of Huntington Beach, the renovated Family Room predominantly features wood cabinetry that divides the space into different areas for volunteer activity, dining, watching television, computer use, relaxation, and children’s activities.

Two remodeled sleep rooms, a kitchen, and bathroom with a shower are located adjacent to the main family room. The kitchen and bath areas were updated with matching wood cabinetry, new countertops, sink fixtures, lighting, and appliances.

The new Family Room is a place for patients' family members.
The new Family Room is a place for patients' family members.

“Parents simply can’t be in their child’s hospital room all of the time,” said Deborah Levy, Orange County Ronald McDonald House executive director. “The Ronald McDonald Family Room makes all the difference in coping with what otherwise could have been an unbearable experience. The design of the new Family Room now functions more effectively and provides crucial amenities for parents to nap, shower, grab a bite to eat, yet still be down the hall from their hospitalized child.”

Spearheaded by McCarthy I.S. Engineer Ray LaTour, McCarthy volunteers helped with the project through the McCarthy Heart Hats, a volunteer community outreach group which enables the company’s employees to dedicate time and resources to community involvement on paid workdays. Through its relationship with subcontractors and vendors, McCarthy was also able to secure additional volunteers and donations from companies such as Appolo Electric, ISEC Inc., PCI, Martin Integrated, Hasson Inc., Johnson and Turner Painting, Premier Tile, and Minka Group. RBB architects, KPFF Engineering, and Correy Design group also donated services for this project.

Ronald McDonald House additionally received donations for carpet and installation services from Shaw Carpet and Universal Flooring.

All of the audio visual and sound equipment were donated and installed by Genesis Audio.

“We could not have done this renovation project without the support of McCarthy Building Companies,” said Levy. “McCarthy took the leadership role in securing thousands of dollars worth of donations for the project. They also helped guide us through the complex process of building something inside of a hospital and were true miracle workers! McCarthy Building Companies will leave a lasting legacy on thousands of families they will never meet who will utilize the Ronald McDonald Family Room inside of CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital.”

Since 2006, McCarthy’s Heart Hats have provided construction and other services and donations to six Ronald McDonald Houses or facilities in California. “Ronald McDonald House is a charity close to our hearts,” said LaTour. “McCarthy builds many children’s hospitals and some of the children of our employees have experienced first-hand the wonderful and caring services these hospitals provide. We hope our most recent efforts remodeling the new Ronald McDonald Family Room inside of CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital will help ease the daily tribulations and struggles of families with seriously ill children.”