Groundbreaking held for $30M Ronald McDonald House in Stony Brook

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday for Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro house in Stony Brook. For this $30 million project, $24 million has already been raised.

The Ronald McDonald House will be built on the Stony Brook Medicine campus, designed to provide a safe, secure and comfortable environment for families of children who are receiving medical care at the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.

Construction is slated for later this year, and the building is expected to be completed in 2026.

This will be the first Ronald McDonald House located in Suffolk County, and the second on Long Island. The other Ronald McDonald House is in New Hyde Park, adjacent to Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

The three-story, 60,000-square-foot building will feature 30 private bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms for families, a media center, outdoor playground, interactive playrooms, a community kitchen providing free meals made by volunteers and fully stocked pantries, a fitness center, meditation room and laundry facilities.

“We’ve been planning this for 10 years, and now we’re finally able to provide for families in Suffolk County the way they need,” Matt Campo, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro, said in a written statement.

“All of our programs provide a place for families to rest and recharge so they can focus on the health and well-being of their child,” Campo said.

"This facility will stand as a beacon of hope, compassion and support for families facing their toughest challenges," Dr. William Wertheim, interim executive vice president for Stony Brook Medicine, said in a statement.

"Our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities highlights the strength of collaboration, and I am delighted to be joining our resources and expertise to meet the diverse needs of our community," Wertheim added.

“The soon to be built Ronald McDonald House will be able to serve as a respite for patients and families whose infant or child is ill by offering a place to stay, food to eat, and a place to rest and recharge that is in close proximity to the hospital,” Carol Gomes, CEO of Stony Brook University Hospital, said in a statement.

“There is nothing more cherished than the ability to be able to focus on the care of your child without having to worry about daily life logistics,” Gomes added.

“It’s been a labor of love recruiting the financial support to make this house a reality,” Cynthia Lippe, chair, of the RMHC NYM Stony Brook House Fundraising Committee, said in a statement.

“Our entire committee is proud of our work and know we have the momentum to raise the final funds to open the house to the public,” Lippe added.

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