Creating a True “Home-Away-from-Home” in Charleston
Giving back to the communities where their people live and work is a core part of A M King’s purpose and company culture. One example: the integrated design-build firm has a long-standing history with Ronald McDonald House Charities in both North Carolina and South Carolina. Over the past decade, multiple A M King team members have shared their time and talent as hands-on volunteers with the organization.
In Charlotte, for example, employees have participated in Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charlotte’s Red Shoe Shootout, an annual sporting clays charity tournament, and A M King’s Sarah Smith Nix, Marketing Manager, is on RMHC Charlotte’s Development Committee – and is currently the charity’s Young Professionals Membership Chair. Inspired by their colleagues in Charlotte, A M King employees in Greenville, SC, decided to engage with their local chapter of Ronald McDonald House Charities. For the past seven-plus years, a group of A M King volunteers has regularly served as Guest Chefs at the Ronald McDonald House in Greenville, providing home-cooked meals to families utilizing this welcoming facility.
A M King recently expanded its relationship with the organization by getting involved with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston, SC. Since 1983, RMHC Charleston has been a ‘Home-away-from-home’ where families stay while their children undergo extensive medical treatment.
Last year, RMHC Charleston kicked off a major four-story, $32 million expansion project at 81 Gadsden Street. The initiative – designated “Expanding Hope” – entailed adding 34 new guest rooms with private bathrooms. Expanding Hope would nearly double the size of the existing 32-room facility to support families receiving care at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.
A M King founder and CEO Brian King, a RMHC Charleston board member, saw an opportunity for A M King to get involved with Expanding Hope. He offered to donate project management services to help oversee and guide this incredible expansion, which is being constructed by Trident Construction with LS3P as architect of record. A M King is serving as an owner’s representative.
“It is an honor to be a part of a project that will have such a positive impact on children and their families during some of their toughest times,” said A M King’s Charlie Martin, project manager.
To read project details and/or to find out how you can contribute, visit Expanding Hope’s webpage.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities®
Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) is an independent, nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization that cares for families when they have children who are ill or injured. Through a global network of 250 independently operated Chapters in more than 60 countries and regions, we surround families with the resources, services and support they need, removing barriers so they can be at the heart of their child’s care and ensure the best possible health outcomes. For more information, visit ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.
