Ronald McDonald House Reopens with New Landscaping Courtesy of BrightView
Northern Virginia location welcomes families back following COVID-19 shutdown
After COVID forced them to close for the health and safety of the families they serve, Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Washington, DC recently reopened the doors of their Ronald McDonald House of Northern Virginia to families in need. Used most often by Inova Fairfax Children’s Hospital patients and families, RMHC put the time off to good effect, completely remodeling and expanding the “home-away-from-home” and surrounding landscaping. Now, eight months later, the House has reopened its doors and is celebrating its new look, which includes new landscaping provided by BrightView.
The community celebrated the reopening September 9 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Attendees included local dignitaries, families that have benefitted from the facility, and partner organizations that contributed to the remodel.
“The ribbon-cutting event was the cherry on top of this amazing project and the perfect end to this heartwarming experience,” said Hailee Elza, BrightView Account Manager, Mid-Atlantic. “BrightView is grateful to be a part of this special opportunity.”
The surrounding landscape shined during the ceremony, thanks to a collaboration between Capital One Center, Jones Lang LaSalle, and BrightView. The lush landscaping includes a welcoming entryway filled with shrubs and cheerful planters. The open lawn area is now surrounded by holly bushes, crimson pygmy barberry plants, morning light miscanthus, and lush variegated liriope. Visiting families are encouraged to enjoy the calming courtyard during their stay, which also includes a new patio, playground and picnic area.
“When we learned that the Ronald McDonald House of Northern Virginia had plans to reopen, Capital One Center wanted to dream big with our amazing partners Jones Lang LaSalle and BrightView and collectively beautify this home away from home,” said Meghan Trossen, Manager, Capital One Center Marketing and Community Affairs. “BrightView's landscaping expertise enabled a true transformation, and we couldn't be more proud about the passion behind this project and opportunity to support the important mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities® and local families in need.”
This impressive renovation project began in 2020 when Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Washington, DC (RMHCDC) sought to increase the number of families their programs can serve. Their Northern Virginia House tripled in size with 24 total bedrooms, a new family room, pantry, laundry room, and playroom.
“Our Ronald McDonald House programs are built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when your child is sick,” said Sarah Quillen, Vice President of Development & Marketing for RMHCDC. “We rely on the support of community partners like BrightView to help us ensure that families have all the comforts of home while they are with us. BrightView’s expert crew went a step further and provided landscaping, tree removal, and planted flowers to give our house the beautiful grandness befitting our grand reopening and ribbon cutting.”
The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC is to ease the hardship of children’s illness on families through programs that directly impact the health and wellbeing of children. Located directly on the campus of Inova Fairfax Hospital, the Northern Virginia House has been serving families in need since 1998.
“Any joy that we can provide to the families caring for their children during this overwhelming time in their lives gives all of us great pride,” said James Newton, BrightView Branch Manager, Mid-Atlantic. “It is an honor for BrightView to be able to give back to both Inova Fairfax Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House of Northern Virginia.”
