As we continue to celebrate our 25th year as part of the Central Florida community, we’ll be reflecting on stories about our second House, which opened in 2003 on the campus of Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.
Our goal in building our second Ronald McDonald House of Orlando was a very clear one—to make life better for families who are feeling incredible amounts of stress and financial burdens while caring for their critically ill child undergoing treatment in a local pediatric hospital.
This House, located on land donated by Orlando Regional Healthcare, features 37 bedrooms with private bathrooms, a kitchen and dining area, two laundry rooms, a playroom, a gaming room, and a living room.
One of the most recognizable features of this House is the Dr. P. Phillips Light Tower, generously donated by Dr. Phillips, Inc., which was designed to resemble a lighthouse and serve as a beacon of hope to the families of seriously ill children who turn to the Ronald McDonald House in their time of need.
Each of our Houses has several communal areas designed for families to gather and relax after long days at the Hospital, but our second House has a few very special, one-of-a-kind rooms.
The contents of the second-floor living room were donated by boy scout, James Phillips, who personally chose the design, colors, and, his favorite—the air hockey table! James’ goal was to provide a space for siblings or parents to play games and unwind between hospital visits. We are so thankful for James and the impact he has had on so many of our families.
Our third-floor playroom features a mural was graciously donated by the Underwood family to honor their late son, Phillip. Their family stayed with us for many years while Phillip underwent treatment for cancer. He loved to read, and is pictured enjoying a book while looking over his two siblings playing on the shore.
The third-floor family gathering room of this House boasts tall ceilings and natural light—it’s the inside of the “lighthouse tower.”
This is the Dr. Phillips Family Gathering Room, which was designed to allow families to gather, be in community, and relax after a long day in the hospital. To make sure the room was a comfortable area to rest and recuperate, our friends at La-Z-Boy fully furnished the room.
Each of our three Houses is unique, and we are so grateful to the entire Central Florida community for coming together to make our second House on the campus of Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies a home-away-from-home for families in need.
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