The Thunderbirds are continuing to reach out to local charities during the current health crisis to identify specific needs and rally the community around worthy causes through their “In the Community Conversations” segments. Today’s segment features 2021 WM Phoenix Open Assistant Tournament Chairman Michael Golding and Kerry Schulman, CEO of Ronald McDonald House of Phoenix. They discussed the challenges surrounding business operations during the current crisis and the importance of vigilance and community involvement, especially for non-profit organizations in the Valley of the Sun.
The families who benefit from Ronald McDonald House travel far from home to receive treatment for their child at world-renowned pediatric centers located in metropolitan Phoenix. Their child’s treatment may last a day, a month, or sometimes even longer. It’s a long time to be away from home and often times commuting or staying at a hotel is either impossible or financially challenging for a family. Ronald McDonald House is able to help families overcome these obstacles by providing low-cost, temporary housing that is near their child’s hospital or medical center.
Schulman spoke about the challenges of operating during the current health crisis.
“Now, with COVID impacting everything, only one parent is allowed to be on campus at a time with the child,” said Schulman. “So we’re partnering with Airbnb in case we have to put families off campus until we can have accommodations for them here. And we have some great hotel partners that we have relationships with on a global level that we can put families in if we need to until we have room.”
How you can help Ronald McDonald House right now?
“Meals have been critical,” said Schulman. “How do we feed these families so they have the proper nutrition and a healthy, well-balanced meal to come home to at night? Really, if you have the flexibility in your budget – I know things are so tight – we just have an ongoing need for community support and we can’t do what we do without the community.” Learn more about Ronald McDonald House by visiting their website.