Summer of Giving: RMHC of NC Awards $96,000 in Grants

RMHC of NC announces support to nearly a dozen non-profits dedicated to helping children in N.C.

Raleigh, N.C. (June 18, 2019) – This summer, Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Carolina (RMHC of NC) will be providing $96,000 in grants to nearly a dozen non-profits and organizations across the state. Twice a year, RMHC of NC selects grant recipients that are dedicated to making an immediate and positive impact on children who need it most in the areas of health care, education and social services.

“It’s our honor to support these organizations through our grant program,” said Fred Huebner, board president of RMHC of NC. “We believe it’s vital to have a positive impact on a child in order to change the world, and we’re one step closer to this goal by joining forces with other organizations who share a similar mission.”

These are the organizations set to receive a grant this summer:

The Diaper Train at Saint Saviour’s Center was established in 2011 and is the only diaper program in Wake County. Its sole purpose is to provide diapers to low-income families in need. RMHC of NC is providing a $20,000 grant to the organization to help purchase diapers, books and gifts for children graduating out of diapers. The organization serves 1,000 children each month.

With a focus on STEM education, the arts, child health and emerging literacy, Kidzu Children’s Museum inspires children and the adults in their lives to learn through creative play. RHMC of NC is providing a $12,000 grant to support the museum’s expansion of its “Learning Without Boundaries” project, which offers free opportunities and unique learning experiences to underprivileged children in the community.

Families Together is the largest non-profit in Wake County solely focused on ending family homelessness. RMHC of NC is providing a $10,000 grant to help with the organization’s newest building project. The project’s goal is to support strategic growth, in order to help more children and their families transition out of homelessness. The organization currently serves more than 700 families.

For almost 50 years, the Autism Society of North Carolina has improved the lives of people with autism, supported their families and educated communities across the state. RMHC of NC is granting the organization $10,000 to support Camp Royall, the nation’s oldest and largest camp for individuals with autism. The money will be used to purchase a golf cart and inclusive playground equipment for the camp.

The Parenting PATH’s mission is to strengthen families, support positive parent/child interactions and to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect in northwest North Carolina. RMHC of NC is providing the organization $10,000 to support the purchase of a minivan to provide transportation for in-home case workers, to and from client homes, and to transport families to community resources.

Community Music School offers high quality music education to financially disadvantaged families in the Raleigh community. Since its inception, CMS has offered students private music lessons for as little as $1 per week. RMHC of NC is providing the organization a $10,000 grant for the expansion of its program, new instruments and technology.

Wonder Connection is located at the North Carolina Botanical Garden and serves pediatric patients in the UNC Children’s Hospital and UNC Neurosciences Hospital, as well as families at the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill. The organization provides opportunities for joy, learning and has improved hospital experiences for thousands of pediatric patients and their families. RMHC of NC is granting the organization $5,000 to fund a committee of teenage patients who will brainstorm ideas for new activities for teens in the pediatric ward at Duke Hospital.

Filling in Gaps, or FIGS, was established in 1982 to address a serious, social problem: the need for prescription medicines for low-income people. There are currently an estimated 100,000 residents in Wake County who don’t have health insurance. RMHC of NC is providing the organization a $5,000 grant to help expand the prescription assistance and medical supply program to areas of Wake County with the highest need.

Feed the Kids was started in 2013 by a small group of parents who realized that students who were receiving free and reduced meals while in school, were also food insecure during the weekends and throughout the summer months. RMHC of NC is providing a $5,000 grant to help support the program’s mission.

The Special Olympics of North Carolina provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. RMHC of NC is providing a $5,000 grant to the organization to help fund the statewide Young Athletes program. This program aids in fine and gross motor skills in an early education setting.

The Madison-Mayodan Recreation Center provides a broad spectrum and services for all ages and abilities in the towns of Madison and Mayodan. RMHC of NC is providing a $4,000 grant to the center to help support summer camp scholarships for under-privileged children or children with special needs in the surrounding communities.

RMHC of NC is currently accepting applications for its fall community grants. For more information, visit www.rmhcofnc.org.

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About Ronald McDonald House Charities® of North Carolina

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of North Carolina (RMHC of NC), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) organization, supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. Through its support of the seven Ronald McDonald Houses and five Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in North Carolina as well as millions of dollars in grants to support children’s programs across the state, RMHC of NC provides compassionate care and resources to children and families. For more information, visit rmhcofnc.org.