The Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House® (IERMH) is pleased to announce a grant award of $200,000 from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians that will allow the House to continue providing temporary residence, comfort, care and support services. The program provides overnight housing near Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital and other nearby medical facilities. The funds will support the mission of the House, which is to provide a home away from home to 54 families each night, giving them the ability to be within walking distance of their child receiving medical treatment.
“We are deeply grateful for the long-term support and partnership with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Their contributions have allowed us to continue our mission of providing temporary residence for families of seriously ill or injured children receiving treatment.” said Karen Hooper, executive director at the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House. “San Manuel has a demonstrated commitment to their community as well as a long history of protecting children, so our two organizations make the perfect partnership to serve families in need.”
The donation will also support Meals of Loves, an IERMH program that allows community members to volunteer their time to prepare home-cooked meals for families as well as purchase standard grocery items, gas cards and other essentials for families to use while staying at the House.
The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe which seeks to provide a stronger quality of life for its citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services and promoting social, economic and cultural development.
“San Manuel is proud to support the efforts of the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House creates a community where children and their families embrace life and healing with a sense of hope. The services and accommodations that are provided to families with young children facing health issues are critically important for the entire community,” said Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena.
The Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House, a program of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southern California, provides a bridge to quality health care and gives children and families the time they need to heal and cope together. At little to no cost to, the program allows families to remain steps away from their sick child, helping to ease the impact of medical care while offering services and spaces that create a sense of normalcy as well as a supportive, encouraging and comforting environment.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southern California: For 40 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (RMHCSC) has been dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children and families across Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Through its six Ronald McDonald Houses® in Bakersfield, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Orange and Pasadena and two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms®, the Chapter helps families with critically-ill children stay together while connecting them with others facing similar challenges.
The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians is a federally recognized American Indian tribe located near the City of Highland, Calif. The Serrano Indians are the indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys and mountains who share a common language and culture. The San Manuel reservation was established in 1891 and recognized as a sovereign nation with the right of self-government. As an indigenous community the origins and history of the San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians stem from our relationship with the land and to all who share it. Since ancient times we have expressed ourselves through a culture of giving. Today, San Manuel is able to answer the call of Yawa’ (Serrano word meaning, “to act on one’s beliefs”) through partnerships with charitable organizations. We have drawn upon our history, knowledge, expertise and cultural values to direct our philanthropic giving in our local region, as well as to Native American causes nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov.