Donation part of PIR’s ongoing 50th Anniversary celebration
PHOENIX, Ariz. (August 10, 2016): Phoenix International Raceway, through Phoenix Raceway Charities, is spearheading a $500,000 renovation project for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix. The donation marks the largest contribution to date by the organization and is a result of fundraising and commitments generated from Phoenix Raceway’s 50th Anniversary season in 2014.
“The services and support Ronald McDonald House provides to families whose children are facing major medical issues gives them comfort and safety at a deeply difficult time,” said Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber. “PIR is delighted to be able to do what we can to help make those family visits as comfortable as possible and to acknowledge the value and importance of what Ronald McDonald House Charities does in our community.”
The 10-week project is expected to begin at the Ronald McDonald House’s main building at 501 E. Roanoke Ave. in mid-August and be completed in time for the Can-Am 500, the semifinal race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship on Sunday, Nov. 13 at Phoenix International Raceway.
“We are overwhelmed by this incredibly generous and thoughtful effort by Phoenix International Raceway,” said Nancy Roach, executive director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix (RMHC). “We can’t wait for our families to experience the results.”
The Roanoke House opened in 1985 with 16 guest rooms and became the first of three RMHC houses serving the Valley. The House was expanded by 10 bedrooms in 1995 and to 45 bedrooms in 2005. In 2008, the Valley’s second Ronald McDonald House opened on the campus of Phoenix Children’s Hospital with 18 rooms and the 16-room third House opened on the campus of Cardon Children’s Medical Center in 2014.
Phoenix Raceway Charities began in 2014, coinciding with the track’s 50th Anniversary celebration, as a way for PIR to give back to the community that has helped make it the premier motorsports venue in the West. Funds have primarily been raised through the sale of official PIR-branded Arizona license plates, race weekend raffles and donations from fans and partners.
For the project, Phoenix Raceway has teamed with renowned Phoenix-based designer and founder of Daniel Germani Designs, Daniel Germani. “This is a deeply personal project and I’m excited to transform the space into a vibrant, bright, welcoming place where children and their families will be able to enjoy the time that they must spend there,” added Germani.
Phoenix Raceway Charities would like to thank the following donors and sponsors for their generous contributions to the RMHC project:
- Aline Architecture – development and submission of architectural and mechanical plans
- Subzero/Wolf – donation of refrigerators, ovens and cooktops
- Cosentino – donation of premium countertops
- WESCO Distribution – donation of lighting and electrical supplies
- Acuity Primary – donation of lighting and electrical supplies
- Utility Construction Company – donation of time and labor to oversee electrical installation
- Western Windows – fabrication of custom windows and doors
- Clyde Hardware – donation of plumbing supplies
- Sherwin Williams – donation of paint and painting supplies
- The Fortoul Brothers – donation of mural painting
- John Toliver, Toliver’s Carpet One and Pro Source – donation of flooring and assistance with cabinetry
- Cities West Publishing – documentation of project through print, digital and social media
- Diamond Iron, LLC – donation of fencing
- Waste Management – donation of waste receptacles and removal
- U-Haul – donation of moving services and storage
- Reyes Remodeling and Repair – donation of services
- K&K Custom Window Installation – donation of services
- Kellogg Remodeling – donation of services
- Blade-Creative – donation of Hard Hat Party creative services
- AZ Pro – donation of signage production services
During 2015, the three Ronald McDonald Houses recorded 3,092 family visits for a total of 19,926 nights. More than 90 percent of the families were from Arizona. RMHC requests a $15 per night donation, however, no family is ever turned away because of their inability to contribute during their stay.
The average length of stay was nearly 16 nights.
The No. 1 reason families needing medical care stay at RMHC was for premature births (21 percent) followed by cancer care (9 percent), heart problems (7.5 percent) and respiratory challenges (2.1 percent).
For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix and Phoenix International Raceway, please visit www.rmhcphoenix.com and www.phoenixraceway.com.
