Ronald McDonald House Charities® of the New York Tri-State Area Launches Skype™ Program to Connect Families With Their Loved Ones

ROSELAND, N.J., Dec. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Ronald McDonald House Charities® of the New York Tri-State Area (RMHC®-NYTSA)  announced the launch of a new Skype™ program aimed to provide families that are staying at local Houses the opportunity to connect with their loved ones back home. The program which will be executed in the New Brunswick, Long Branch and Long Island Ronald McDonald House locations, will provide families with Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1™, one of the thinnest and lightest mobile tablets in the world in order for them to connect with relatives and friends during the holiday season and thereafter. 

"We are so excited to be able to offer this resource to our families," said Corrine LeBaron, Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald Houses of New Brunswick and Long Branch. "The comfort of loved ones is key to the healing process and through the implementation of this program we can put a smile on the faces of our families when they need it most." 

Each Ronald McDonald House around the world provides a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals, with the mission of keeping them together during extremely difficult circumstances.  For those friends and relatives back home who are unable to remain with their loved ones, the Skype program will enable them to keep in touch regularly by utilizing mobile technology.

"This program allows us to provide a vehicle to keep families in touch with one another during a difficult time in their lives," said Matthew Campo, Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. "Establishing a way to connect these families with their biggest support system will enable them to take their minds off of their child, sibling or relative who is undergoing treatment and focus their thoughts in a positive direction."

Each House participating in the program will receive two 16GB 10" Samsung Galaxy tablets along with directions on how to operate the tablets and Skype application, so they can assist families who will be utilizing the equipment in the coming months.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area is working to better the lives of children and their families in our communities, by creating and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children in the areas of health, education, the arts, and civic and social services. Since 1992, RMHC-NYTSA has provided more than $10 million dollars to local non-profit organizations whose programs improve the well-being of children and their families.  For further information on the Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri-State Area, visit www.rmhc.org  or call 973.287.1476

SOURCE Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area