Hospitality Center gives families in crisis a good night's sleep
CRAIG NORTHRUP/Press The new Ronald McDonald House Hospitality Center on Ironwood Place will provide accomodations for families whose children are pediatric patients at nearby Kootenai Health.
Jon Ness, CEO of Kootenai Health, cuts a ribbon held by members of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce at the Hospitality Center on Ironwood Place Wednesday. (CRAIG NORTHRUP/Press)
Jeremy Evans stood in front of a crowd of nearly a hundred at the end of Ironwood Place Wednesday and marveled at the difference a year makes.
“We’ve come a long way,” Kootenai Health’s executive vice president declared to the audience. “A year ago, we were standing in a gravel lot … A year before that, it was just a lot of ideas. But now, here it stands.”
‘It’ is what Kootenai Health, the Community Cancer Fund and the Ronald McDonald House Charities believes will be a beacon of relief and hope to families caring for their pediatric sons and daughters at the nearby hospital. Wednesday marked the open house and grand opening of the Hospitality Center, a facility devoted to families in need of close, affordable overnight lodging.
“In 2014,” Community Cancer Fund Executive Director Jerid Keefer said to the crowd, pausing to hold back his tears, “we all decided to keep our donations local as we began this project. I can’t imagine a better version of what we envisioned in 2014 than what stands behind me today. I think this is a real personal project for all of us.”
The Hospitality Center, a Ronald McDonald House, features six pediatric rooms, home-like living spaces, kitchens and laundry facilities. John Minichino Jr, Kootenai Health’s executive chef who prepared hors d’oeuvres for the open house, said the kitchens provide a taste of home families might need in times of crisis.
“Families can expect state-of-the-art facilities,” Minichino said. “They can expect open spaces. They can expect convenience. They can expect spacious room to move. Convenience will be very important to families who stay here.”
The center will include recreational spaces for family members to take their minds off the stresses that come with helping a child heal. The program will include access to walking trails, shuttle services and meal programs, all free of charge or by donation.
“This is a state-of-the-art innovative center,” Kootenai Health Chief Executive Officer Jon Ness said. “I think this is a national showcase. It’s a once-in-a-generation gift from the Community Cancer Fund and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.”
He added the $5.3 million facility represented even more than a place to stay for families in need.
“You ever pick up your newspaper and start going through page after page and never come across a single positive story?” Ness asked the audience as he pointed behind him to the new center. “This is the exact opposite of that.”
Mike Forness, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Inland Northwest, said the Hospitality Center is groundbreaking in part because it’s managed and run locally.
“Your Hospitality Center is being staffed by people from Hayden, Dalton Gardens and Coeur d’Alene,” he said. “You will be taking care of your neighbors. You will be taking care of your community. Any donations made in North Idaho will stay in North Idaho.”
Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve accommodations, contact 208-625-4312 to arrange for a referral. For questions about staying at the Ronald McDonald House Hospitality Center, call 208-699-0040.