• Posted: October 1, 2019
• better communities, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indian

On February 1, amidst the coldest Chicago winter in some time, a pipe burst on the third floor of the Ronald McDonald House near the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital and sent water streaming through the building.

“It sent water throughout the entire house,” said Holly Buckendahl, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. “It destroyed ceilings, walls, and cabinets and so eight months later we’re ready to declare victory.”

It took exactly eight months to the day, but on Tuesday, victory was declared as the house reopened to the families and children who need the charities’ services the most. Fortunately for the home, the surrounding community stepped up and provided half a million dollars in donations and services to get the house back up and running.

Powering Chicago members were proud to be on hand for Tuesday’s reopening ceremony and present the Ronald McDonald House with a check for nearly $85,000 to help cover a portion of the bills not covered by insurance. In addition, Powering Chicago also donated TVs to be placed throughout the house so the families staying there are able to watch TV with their children.

“Thank you to all of you because now we’re able to get back to welcoming families and children back into this home,” said Mardelle Gundlach, the House’s program director.

Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical provided all the necessary electrical work during the eight months of rehab following the damage. There were roughly five IBEW Local 134 electricians onsite throughout the process.

“We replaced all the fixtures and redid the entire kitchen,” said Kevin Larmon, the project manager for Jamerson & Bauwens. “We moved receptacles around since the damage was so extensive the house wanted to change some of the layout they already had in place. We were able to work with Bulley & Andrews Construction to accomplish some of the changes that were made here.”

In addition, Powering Chicago members were able to install new hoods and various other power options to the first-floor kitchen. Jamerson & Bauwens does a lot of hospital work and Larmon said this type of project leaves him feeling a little prouder at the end of a day’s work.

“It’s nice to give back to the community,” Larmon explained. “This feels a little better than high-rise work or other work that we do.”

Thanks to his work and the work of others, the Ronald McDonald House’s 22 guest rooms are back open for business to help those who need it most.