A “green” home built by Siebel Falls Homes with proceeds to Ronald McDonald House Charities and Mercy Ships. From L to Right: Dr. Lynn Ringenberg, Dept. of Pediatrics, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Medical Director; “Ronald McDonald”; Lee Bonta, USF Health Development; Jeannette Fleischer, ARNP, Care Mobile Program Director; and Alison Barrick, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay.

On June 19, 2008, the team in the USF Department of Pediatrics received a donation of $7,000 for its Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Program. The donation was made by Mr. Larry Falls of Siebel Falls Homes. Below – a behind the scenes look at how the idea for the donation came about.

In 2007, Larry Falls of Siebel Falls Homes was approached by the Pasco Building Association (PBA) to build their 2007 Showcase Home. Shortly after, he contacted Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay to determine which program they should choose to receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the home. Once he heard about the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program, he instantly made the decision – the Care Mobile seemed a perfect fit. His company also chose Mercy Ships and the Pasco Building Association to receive donations.

Next came the task of building a luxurious home that relied mainly on monetary, material and labor donations from the homebuilder and contributing subcontractors. They also intended to build Florida’s first truly “green” luxury community. On June 19, Siebel Falls Homes unveiled the Showcase Home in their Alsace community located in Land O’Lakes, Florida. Many of the product and service donors were on hand to view the finished product and take part in an appreciation ceremony. Also on hand was the Care Mobile and its core team including Dr. Lynn Ringenberg,the Care Mobile’s Medical Director; Jeanette Fleischer,ARNP, the Care Mobile’s Program Director; Tammy Holland; driver Eileen Acevado; Ronald McDonald, RMHC PR & Development Coordinator Alison Barrick and Lee Bonta, USF Health Development. Although the home has not yet sold, the Department of Pediatrics, USF College of Medicine, which operates the care mobile program, were presented with a check for $7,000. The amount represents a portion of the profit expected from the eventual sale of the home. “These funds will be put to good use,” says Dr. Ringenberg, “This will buy a lot of diesel for the Care Mobile. We are very grateful to Siebel Falls Homes for their generous donation.” Ringenberg is also the Division Chief of General Academic Pediatrics and the Co-Director Med-Peds Training Program at the USF College of Medicine.

Newbrief by USF Pediatrics.

OTHER LINKS:
Hillsborough County Public Schools Awards USF Pediatrics for Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Program

Background: USF Pediatrics’ Care Mobile Program