From left, Carol Harrison (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville), Jacob Ekbatani and Allen Fore (Kinder Morgan)

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Jacksonville has received a $5,000 gift from Kinder Morgan, Inc. The contribution will help support the organization’s mission of serving as a “home away from home,” providing lodging, meals, transportation and a community of compassionate care to families who need to be near a hospital for their child’s treatment.

“Northeast Florida is blessed with world-class medical facilities and we appreciate how many needs there are when children are receiving medical treatment. We are pleased to support the invaluable programs and services that Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville provides to thousands of families,” said Allen Fore, vice president of public affairs for Kinder Morgan. “At Kinder Morgan, one of our missions is to support organizations that better the communities in which we live and work.”

Founded in Jacksonville in 1988, RMHC of Jacksonville serves as a “home away from home,” providing lodging, meals, transportation and a community of compassionate care to families who need to be near a hospital for their child’s treatment. Supporting five local hospitals, RMHC of Jacksonville serves more than 1,100 families a year. In addition to its core program, the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Wolfson Children’s Hospital provides a place of respite for more than 25,000 visitors a year.

“Pediatric medicine is growing in Jacksonville and we are seeing increasing demand to support families as they seek lifesaving treatments for their children,” said Diane Boyle, Executive Director, RMHC of Jacksonville. “We rely on the support of generous donors and sponsors, and we are grateful to receive a donation from Kinder Morgan.”