Morton, Cathy 1988-12-21
Cathy Morton reviews origin and use of the local Ronald McDonald House in Lubbock, Texas.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Cathy Morton
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: December 21, 1988
Location: Texas Tech University
Interviewer: Richard Mason
Length: 55 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Her position is Non-Profit Management coordinator at Texas Tech,
Junior League of Lubbock seeking project in 1981,
Expanding medical community and needs,
Proposal letter to McDonalds Corporation January 5, 1982,
Statistics and proposal in 1982,
April and May 1983 community meetings,
Summer 1983 Family House, Inc.,
Support needed for Pediatric patients and families,
Involved medical community and parents,
Board to consist of hospitals, parents, and community groups,
Junior League donated $125,000,
Board organized September 1983,
Land leased from Texas Tech University,
One acre $1.00 on 49 year lease,
Support mission of the TTU teaching hospital,
McDonalds Corporation license with their local franchise owners,
Three year grant of $25,000,
National match of $25,000 with continuing involvement,
Local owners in Lubbock, Plainview, Leveland and Brownfield,
Will build needed fence for $20,000,
Land (again),
Non-encumbered requirement by Texas Tech University,
Burden to raise funds with no visible project,
Blessing now that $1.2 million facility is paid for,
Operating expense of $6,000 per month,
Architect was Mike Martin,
Spring 1985 a $500,000 campaign,
Three months mostly completed,
Purchase a room for $15,000 and sold 15 of these,
Lubbock Lions Club, Monterey AmBucs, Caprock AmBucs,
Promoted concept of "opportunity" rather than "requirement",
Donations in kind and services,
Mike Martin donated services,
Lee Lewis general contractor invoiced at cost,
Tim Wyns supervisor extra time,
Union workers over 3,000 hours on nights and weekends,
Negotiated from cost not retail for $200,000 savings,
Clean-up crews by community organizations and individuals,
Lubbock community support,
Smallest city at the time for this project,
McDonalds Corporation started Ronald McDonald concept in 1974,
Initial project in Philadelphia with 20 bedrooms, 120 local stores,
Lubbock project has 9 bedrooms, 15 local stores,
Now opened, community support will need to continue,
Benefit to out-lying communities and their support,
Lubbock people benefit from same in Dallas, Houston, etc,
Types of services,
No medical or nursing services,
Lodging and emotional support,
Site manager Bondred Stout,
Families support each other despite diverse situations,
Nine bedrooms with shared kitchen and play area.
Tape 1, Side 2: People using home support each other,
Fee of $10 per night, cooking and yard work,
Junior League (again),
Role was to initiate and develop,
She was chairman for 3 years and on board 4 years, since 1983,
Negotiated with McDonalds Corporation,
Fifty % of Follies and Holidays Happening revenues donated,
$100,000 endowment with Lubbock Area Foundation,
Input by local medical community,
Pediatricians, hospital administrators, nurses input,
Local medical society and president, Dr. Don Craig,
Hospitals: Lubbock General, Methodist and St. Marys,
Institutional representative on the board,
They care for the children, we support child’s family,
Building dedication and grand opening on March 10, 1988,
Three hundred people attended on windy day,
Friendship High School band,
Karen Kimball of national McDonalds Childrens Oncology Service,
Week of activities to recognize supporters,
Junior League March 1 open house,
Lubbock Restaurant Supply appliances at cost,
Medical open house,
Board of directors,
Parent support group,
McDonalds new promotional film spotlights Lubbock opening,
She uses the film as instructor in Mass Communications classes,
Operation of the house on monthly basis,
$6,000 is expected amount,
Manager salary,
Insurance,
Van from Lubbock Rotary Club,
Phone, upkeep, and utilities,
Expenses of a 14,000 square foot house,
Fund raising continuing with spring 1989 fund drive,
Groups donate services and in-kind,
Her personal contribution to the community,
10-20 hours per week since 1982,
Would do it again,
Appreciate her 3 children and 1 grandchild more,
(ends after 25 minutes).
Range Dates: 1981-1989
Bulk Dates: 1982-1988
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Transcript:
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