Kansas City Question 2 lets Ronald McDonald House help sick kids without raising taxes | Opinion
You may be thinking, “Oh no, another article about politics.” Don’t worry — this isn’t that. The topic might feel a little political because we’re talking about a vote, but it’s really a unique issue that our entire community can and should support.
At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City, where I’ve served as CEO for the last 10 years, we take care of families when their children need health care. And we hope that Kansas City voters will vote yes on Question 2 on April 8.
Just last year, we were too full to serve nearly 700 families who needed us while their children were critically ill or injured. These families were experiencing the toughest times of their lives and needed Ronald McDonald House here in Kansas City. But even with our 94 bedrooms, we didn’t have enough to serve all the families with sick kids who needed us.
We plan to add at least 40 more bedrooms, allowing us to serve 1,400 more families and their children each year. But we can’t move forward with that plan unless Kansas CIty voters pass Question 2 on April 8, approving our purchase of Longfellow Park, the land we have occupied and maintained for 20 years.
Question 2 has several important elements:
It allows Ronald McDonald House to purchase Longfellow Park from Kansas City for a fair price. The land is at 25th Street and Gillham Road, about a block away from Children’s Mercy and two blocks away from Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park.
It would preserve 1.5 acres of publicly accessible green space that Ronald McDonald House would maintain, at our expense, for community use.
It would allow Ronald McDonald House to proceed with a half-acre building expansion to increase the number of rooms available for families with sick children.
An important aspect of Question 2 is what it does not do: It would not increase taxes by even one penny. Rather, Question 2 is basically a permission slip that voters can give Ronald McDonald House to buy the land where we currently sit, and expand our footprint so we can welcome more families when they need us most.
You read that correctly: Kansas City voters can help Ronald McDonald House serve more families with sick children without raising taxes. All you have to do is vote yes on Question 2 on April 8, to help more kids like these:
Silas, an incredible 11 year old, who recently conquered cancer. His parents were with him every day, and they all especially enjoyed our therapy dogs.
Teddy, born at 35 weeks with Down syndrome. He and his family come back every year to say thank you to Ronald McDonald House for the time they spent with us.
Izzy, whose twin sister Josie passed away at birth. Her mom and dad stay with us each time she needs surgery — 30 times so far in Izzy’s 5 years.
Thousands more children every year: newborns who need open heart surgery; children awaiting a kidney, liver or heart transplant; teenagers healing from car accidents — all of whom need their families by their side.
At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City, we provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need health care. We had to say no to nearly 700 families last year, and we need Kansas City voters to approve our purchase of Longfellow Park so we can say yes to more families who need us, helping to ensure the best health outcomes for their children.
You may not usually be an April voter, and you may be fed up with all things even vaguely political right now. But please remember that Ronald McDonald House needs you to vote yes on Question 2 on April 8. It’s not about politics. It’s about giving families with sick children access to the medical care, comfort and resources they need — without raising taxes.