PEORIA, Ill. — A snowy Monday marked the big day for the Peoria Ronald McDonald House with the official ribbon cutting.
Now that the facility is open, it will be able to host 22 families, with space to expand more rooms on the fourth floor.
Melissa Skinner-Liberman, Board Chair for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, said it is a very exciting day for the Peoria community.
“I think it’s honestly breathtaking to be able to come over the bridge on your way into Peoria and you can just see it. And, at night time it’s almost like a beacon of light welcoming and calling the families here,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of people who are going to be touched by this.”
The Ronald McDonald house has a home like feel with several kitchens and dining areas, a game room, a living space with a view of a play ground all on the main floor.
Going up to the second and third floors are the wings where families will stay, with a living room area as soon as the elevator doors open.
“The experience for the families should be no worries on their part,” Liberman said. “The goal is to welcome them into our facility and take care of everything. They don’t have to pay, they don’t have to worry about anything other than being there and taking care of their child.”
A shuttle will be available for families to take to and from the hospitals.
Don Forrest, Vice Chair for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, said the space is remarkable.
“I can only imagine there are times when you don’t want to be around other people. You want quiet and solitude. Then there’s a lot of opportunities to have a lot of fun,” he said.
Forrest said the Peoria community has been a great supporter.
“I’ve been so proud of this community. How every single individual [and] every single organization and institution has been welcoming, interested, followed up, put their money where their mouth is so to speak, whether it’s a partnership or financial contribution,” Forrest said. “Those people mad that happen and I couldn’t be more blessed to live in this community.”
After several years in the making, Forrest said this will be a safe place for families to come in their hard times.
“Knowing somebody walked in here, and the first night they put their head on a pillow, I don’t have words to articulate what that’s going to feel like,” Forrest said.
