Kansas City - 14 February, 2006 -

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Kansas City today conducted the ribbon cutting for its new 41-room House in Longfellow Park, 2502 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Missouri. The new Ronald McDonald House, located on Hospital Hill, offers respite for families who are in Kansas City to obtain medical care for their sick children. The new House builds on the RMHC's 25-year commitment to the community to serve more children and their families. The House in Longfellow Park underscores the commitment of both the organization and the community to the mission of reducing the burden of childhood illness on children and families. RMHC relies heavily on the community's help: the House is built on a previously undeveloped 1.65 acre of land, which Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation leases to RMHC; additional land was donated by Hallmark Corporation; and the $11 million construction project is funded almost entirely by private contributions. BNIM Architects designed the facility and McCownGordon Construction served as general contractor. The new Ronald McDonald House offers 29 bedrooms and 12 long-term suites, more than doubling the RMHC's existing capacity. The facility also includes a large family room, kitchen, dining room, healing green space and garden, laundry facilities, medical storage rooms, a community room, volunteer workroom and administrative offices. Families who stay at a Ronald McDonald House have seriously ill children and must travel to Kansas City to receive medical treatment. Families are referred to a Ronald McDonald House by doctors or social workers. The House provides a haven where families can maintain comforting routines during a stressful time. About RMHC Kansas City Ronald McDonald House Charities - Kansas City is a nonprofit corporation that qualifies for tax benefits under Internal Revenue Code Sections 501(c)(3) and 509. It opened its first House 25 years ago, in 1981, near KU Medical Center. A second House with room for 19 families opened in 1988 near Children's Mercy Hospital. In 1992, the Kansas City charity pioneered the Ronald McDonald House Family Room concept and now offers a home-like environment including 7 bedrooms within the walls of Children's

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