WASHINGTON, N.C.— The Ronald McDonald House of Eastern North Carolina has helped families with children in the hospital for 30 years in Greenville. As its philanthropy project, the Beaufort County Association of Nursing Students will be collecting donations for the group. Beaufort County Community College employees, students and community members are encouraged to drop off donations in Building 12 on BCCC’s campus.

Hannah Caton, who works in development for Ronald McDonald House, spoke to BCANS members on January 22. RMH has two locations in Greenville, a 21-bedroom facility on Moye Blvd. and a 6-bedroom facility at Vidant Medical Center. These facilities provide children and their families a place to stay while they are receiving medical treatment. Modeled to be refuges from the stressful hospital environment, they look like ordinary homes or hotels.

The Moye Blvd. facility broke ground in May 2017 on a large expansion that will add 10,000 square feet and four new bedrooms. Caton said that this will help meet the need of the 500-600 admissions the group sees at its two facilities within a year.

People staying at RMH must live over 30 miles from the hospital, and they are asked for a $10 donation per night, but no one is turned away.

By far premature births are the most prominent reason why families stay at the RMH. The two Greenville facilities are responsible for all of all of eastern North Carolina. RMH provided Beaufort County residents with 140 nights, Hyde County residents with 12 nights, Tyrrell County with 2 nights and Washington County with 27 nights.

Ronald McDonald House only receives about 18% of its funding from McDonald’s. It relies on community monetary and in-kind donations for much of its operational costs. BCANS will be collecting items such as trash bags, bleach, umbrellas, cleaning products, and condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and coffee creamer.

Previously, BCANS has provided the largest in-kind donations the RMH receives throughout the year.

BCANS hosts speakers to provide future nurses with insight on public health issues. The group exposes students to volunteer opportunities in the community that relate to public health and social services. BCANS will collect donations through February 28 in Building 12.