Dear Friends of RMHC-SLA,
The health and well-being of our guest families, staff and the communities in which we serve remains our highest priority. I hope this latest update finds you doing all right as we navigate this unprecedented global crisis.
With the increased risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the New Orleans area, we temporarily closed Ronald McDonald House New Orleans at 4:30 p.m. March 16. Fortunately, our census had been low in preparation for a planned termite fumigation, which, with the house closed, we were able to move up to this past weekend. Staff members are working remotely and following guidelines made by our local and state authorities.
Our Kilts for Kids crowning party, originally scheduled for April 4, has been postponed and will be rescheduled once events in New Orleans may resume. However, the online, peer to peer fundraiser is still going on. Please visit 504kilts.com and donate/share on all your social media channels. If you would like to participate and register yourself or a group as a team, registration remains open.
With the house temporarily closed, we decided to donate our food pantry items to Second Harvest Food Bank. During our temporary closure, we ask that you refrain from ordering/shipping food pantry or toiletry items to the House, and instead support your local food bank.
We have heard from some of you asking for ways to continue supporting the families during this time of great need.
Here’s how you can help!
- Donate gift cards from local restaurants or businesses offering take-out or delivery. We are working directly with our hospital partners to get these cards to families in need of this extra resource.
- Make a monetary donation of any amount – go here to donate.
- Become a Kilts for Kid participant.
- When shopping online, remember to shop through Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com) to generate donations back to our House. Every cent counts! Our direct link is here.
We will continue to evaluate the impact this crisis will make on our charity; we know this will affect our operations for the year as it will most nonprofits. If you have the means to support our organization at this time with a donation, it will help and be put to good use.
Be safe,
Marianne Addy
Executive Director
Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Louisiana