ORLANDO, Fla. — When a child is sick, Ronald McDonald House Charities is there to help their family stay close. Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 pandemic they’ve had to adjust the way they provide that service.
The Central Florida Chapter recently had to close their three houses in Orlando temporarily because of positive cases within the houses and rising numbers in the local community. So instead, they’ve worked with their hotel partners to place families in hotel rooms close to their hospitals.
Spokesperson Priya Aboul-hosn told Channel 9 that housing the families in hotels will cost the charity thousands of dollars more than if they could have stayed in the houses so they’re asking for help from the community.
“We’re hoping the community can step up and support us because that is something we’re still doing for our families. We still fulfill our mission and they can still support us,” Aboul-hosn said.
Aboul-hosn says people can also help by donating gift cards to grocery stores and restaurants so they can continue feeding the families in their care as well.
More information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida can be found here.