December 20 – The Long Beach Ronald McDonald House (LBRMH) celebrated its grand opening at 500 E. 27th St. on December 15. Through fundraising, grants and private gifts, enough money was raised to open the facility, which will provide temporary housing for the families of seriously ill or injured children being treated at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Miller Children’s Hospital and other medical facilities within the area. This low- or no-cost “home away from home” features 23 private bedrooms with bathrooms, a communal living room and an outdoor courtyard. In addition to supplying comfortable accommodations for the families of locally hospitalized children, the LBRMH also encourages its inhabitants to attain support from other resident families who are experiencing similar situations. The Ronald McDonald House program currently has more than 300 locations in 30 countries and regions throughout the world. For more information about the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House, visit www.longbeachrmh.org or call 562/285-4300. Pictured is Ronald McDonald cutting the ribbon to the LBRMH during its grand opening. (Photograph by the Business Journal’s Thomas McConville)