BrandSource Helps RMHC Create Spaces That Help Families Cope Better With the Illness of a Child

OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwire - Aug 21, 2012) - BrandSource® is in the business of equipping households across North America and Canada with appliances and electronics that make family rooms, living rooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms more comfortable and enjoyable. But this company is also in the business of making a difference in local communities through Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®). With their support, rooms within the walls of Ronald McDonald House® and Ronald McDonald Family Room® programs provide a much-needed respite to combat parental anxiety, depression and stress that studies show is prevalent shortly after a child's admission to the hospital.

As an official RMHC donor, BrandSource, in association with its key suppliers, Whirlpool and Maytag, provides appliances and home electronics to Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms across the U.S. and Canada. Since 2004, the company has donated nearly $5 million in cash and in kind products and volunteered more than thousands of hours in response to the tremendous need of families staying at the Houses.

One such family, the Kemps, who stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Phoenix while their son recovered from a lifesaving bone marrow transplant, spoke to the importance of being able to focus on helping their son recover rather than worrying about where to wash their clothes or prepare a meal after a long day at the hospital. At the House they could take a deep breath and focus on important medical decisions for their child. "Kids are intuitive and feel the stress that overcomes a family. Because of the Ronald McDonald House and everything that happens inside, Seth didn't feel like he was a burden at any point. Knowing that his family was being cared for helped him stay calm and positive, which is what he needed," said Seth's mom, Jill.

With BrandSource's support, Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms turn into special places for families where they can find the support, encouragement and comfort needed to cope with the uncertainty of their situation. These environments, and other non-clinical activities provided by volunteers and staff, nurture families and offer a sense of normalcy which helps them better support their ill child through the healing process.

In 2011, BrandSource was honored as the recipient of the RMHC Stewardship Award, which recognizes companies that have gone above and beyond in helping the Charity fulfill its mission of directly improving the health and well being of children. "For eight years, BrandSource has been a tremendous help to our families in a very unique way. They've helped make our Houses into homes, giving families of hospitalized children a more comfortable, less stressful place to stay," said Marty Coyne, president and CEO of RMHC. "Our guest families are able to cozy up in front of televisions, do laundry on site, and prepare home-cooked meals in state of the art kitchens just like they would, at home, giving them normalcy and allowing them to focus on what matters most -- their child's prompt recovery."

Because of the unwavering support of corporate donors like BrandSource, families staying at Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms not only are able to connect, relax and relieve their stress with other families while watching a movie, cooking breakfast, or just folding laundry, but they also save over $276 million in lodging costs alone each year, which lessens their financial and psychological burdens. At this time, families being treated and cared for at 76 percent of the most prominent children's hospitals in the world have access to RMHC family-centered programs, a testament that the nonprofit is part of the solution to provide access to the highest quality care for children.

"Our success is directly attributed to the people of the communities that support our business," says Bob Lawrence, CEO of BrandSource. "When those people have special needs that require the compassion and support of a Ronald McDonald House or Family Room, BrandSource wants to be there and give back."

About RMHC
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), a nonprofit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Through its global network of local Chapters in 57 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, and millions of dollars in grants to support children's programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-supported programs provide a bridge to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information about RMHC, visit www.rmhc.org, follow us on Twitter (@RMHC), or like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/RMHC Global).

About BrandSource
Based in Anaheim, Calif. and founded in 1969, BrandSource is a 100 percent member-owned merchandising group with nearly 4,500 independent dealer members in North America and close to 3,000 "branded" stores in the U.S. BrandSource is North America's largest group by number of members and volume. BrandSource retailers are known for offering local consumers an unparalleled customer service experience, along with a "neighborhood expert" source when they're in the market for appliances, consumer electronics, flooring and home furnishings. Please visit www.brandsource.com for more information.

© 2012 McDonald's.