[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 182 (Monday, December 7, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2896-E2897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING RONALD McDONALD CHARITIES OF THE CENTRAL VALLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 7, 2009

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate Ronald McDonald Charities of the Central Valley upon 25 
years of service. The organization will celebrate its 25th anniversary 
on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the Third Annual Red Heart Ball held 
in Fresno, California.
  Ronald McDonald Charities of the Central Valley operates the Central 
Valley Ronald McDonald House that is affiliated with Children's 
Hospital Central California. The current house was built in 2001 and is 
adjacent to Children's Hospital. The 3-winged home has 18 bedrooms with 
multiple recreation and relaxation rooms. The house provides services 
for the families of the patients at Children's Hospital. These services 
include home cooked meals, private bedrooms and bathrooms, playrooms 
for children, recreational activities, toiletries and laundry 
materials, emotional support and clothing when necessary. It has been 
found that being just steps away from their sick child, along with the 
services offered, reduces a tremendous amount of stress for families 
and the patients. Further, children who are near their families while 
ill are more likely to heal faster.
  Currently, the Ronald McDonald House runs at 99 percent occupancy. In 
recent years, hundreds of families have been turned away. With 
fundraisers, amazing support from the community and a recent 8-acre 
land donation adjacent to Children's Hospital, the Ronald McDonald 
House is looking to create a larger home in the future to meet the 
increasing demands for the services that they provide.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Ronald 
McDonald Charities

[[Page E2897]]

of the Central Valley upon its 25th anniversary of service to the 
community and the families of patients at Children's Hospital Central 
California. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Ronald 
McDonald Charities many years of continued success.

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