COVID-19
At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo, our utmost priority is the health, safety, and well-being of our families, volunteers, and staff. We have been in close communication with our RMHC Global Office and our area medical partners the past several days to determine the precautions that are most needed to be taken at this time. As we closely monitor the ever-changing developments regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). We have enacted the following measures, effective immediately:
- We have temporarily closed the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Northwest Texas Healthcare System at this time.
- All volunteer activities have been put on hold until further notice.
- The Meal Group program has been suspended until a later date.
- All meetings and group activities have been canceled or transitioned to a teleconference format.
- The annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner scheduled for Tuesday, April 14th will be rescheduled to a later date TBD, and all future events and fundraisers scheduled for later in the year will closely monitored as we continue to review updates and information from public health officials.
- Most of our staff will be working remotely for now, and our guest services staff have monitored their schedules to work individually in the office.
- Our Gifts from the Heart toy and gift delivery program with our area partner hospitals is suspended for now.
- Due to our current transitional location at the Winchester Apartments, we will have the opportunity to provide each family with their own individual, self-contained apartment. All families who feel sick will be strongly encouraged to seek medical attention, and to practice social distancing, staying in their apartment until they are well.
- We will continue to closely monitor all information and reports from the CDC, WHO, and area health experts on best practices for keeping our spaces clean and disinfected, and how to best do our part during these unprecedented times.
No one could have seen the benefit of our temporary housing situation, but we are pleased to share that we will continue to provide housing for families with these modifications in place until we are instructed to do otherwise. While we continue to care for families, our greatest needs right now are Wal-Mart and United Supermarkets gift cards to meet the needs of our families while the meal program is temporarily suspended. Additionally, cash donations are welcome and in-kind donations are needed now more than ever. Please call our office at (806) 358-8177 and make arrangements with a staff member if you have a donation. We know that regardless of world events, babies are still born early, accidents happen, and children are diagnosed with cancer each day. Our mission is to provide hospitality, comfort, and support to families with children receiving medical care, during what will likely be the most trying times of these courageous children’s lives.