RMHCA celebrates expansion opening

March 3, 2017 seems like a distant memory. The sun was shining and the wind picked up dust in the new construction site for the east wing of the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham.

The construction zone at the Ronald McDonald House. The ground is dirt. Shovels and hard hats are displayed in front of a digger.

It felt like a lofty goal to construct a building from scratch on that spot — but in fact, our general contractor Brasfield & Gorrie have done it!

A street level view of the expanded Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham.

Fast forward 10 months, 8 days and the charity was celebrating the ribbon cutting on the east wing of the House.CEO Katherine Estes Billmeier, Co-Founder Marianne Sharbel and Board President Randy Nichols cut the ribbon on the $8.2 million expansion. They are surrounded by Board Members.

But it isn’t just the House that’s growing. RMHCA is proud to partner with the UAB Benevolent Fund in opening a Ronald McDonald Family Room at UAB Women & Infants Center! This space, located within the NICU, will provide a quiet, home-like atmosphere where parents can unwind for a moment in front of the TV, grab a snack or even do laundry. And there are three sleeping rooms where mom and dad can grab some much needed rest without leaving the building.

Parents can read or watch TV in the Family Room common area.There are three private sleeping rooms at the Family Room.

After the ribbons had been cut, RMHCA staff, volunteers and families had lots of fun at the Family Housewarming on January 13.

An RMHCA family gets silly at the photo booth with hats, glasses and feather boas!Volunteers from the Optimist Club take a picture with the Ronald statue in the courtyard.Raylee and Maddy Kate enjoy swinging on the playground.

RMHCA cannot give enough thanks to the donors who helped make our expansion and Family Room possible. From all the staff and families, we’ll say it again: Thank you! Your generosity and commitment to families in need will ensure the charity can help 73 families each night at the House and we hope to help hundreds more through the Family Room.

We must also thank the volunteers who helped our celebrations go smoothly and ensure the House is welcoming and comfortable all year round.

And we also thank the families who gave their feedback for the design of the new House and then waited with patience and good humor as construction crews built the east wing.

We would love for you to join the fun and good work happening at our expanded House! Follow these links to donate or volunteer.

View more photos of the RMHCA Grand Opening Weekend below! Roll your mouse over the image until you see the arrows. Then, scroll through at your leisure!

RMHCA Grand Opening Weekend

And you can also take a photo tour of the expanded House! Roll your mouse over the image until you see the arrows. Then, scroll through at your leisure!

RMHCA Expansion