Tallahassee, Florida - May 16, 2012 - Noon
A local hospital is teaming with a charity organization to give parents of sick children a little break.
The official ribbon cutting of the Ronald McDonald family room happened around 11am on May 16th. It's the newest addition to the seven-room pediatric center at Capital Regional Medical Center.
It's the first of it's kind for a for-profit hospital.
The family room consists of two areas, one is a play area for patients' siblings. The other area is more of an adult lounge with a television, Internet access and refreshments. The idea is that parents and siblings have a place to go to unwind and take a breather while their sick child is receiving care. The play area has games, a Wii, activities and a large, flat screen television. Patients will also be able to take toys back to their room.
The family room will be staffed with volunteers from the Ronald McDonald House. Right now, the pediatric unit is quiet here at the hospital, but the staff hope that once the word gets out about the new unit and family room, the area will be bustling with activity.
