In celebration of MLS Cup being played in Columbus, MLS WORKS – Major League Soccer’s social responsibility platform – and Columbus Crew SC unveiled a reimagined fitness room at the Ronald McDonald House Columbus on Thursday.
Former MLS Cup champion Frankie Hejduk, along with Crew Cat (Crew SC’s club mascot), were onsite to surprise two families staying at the facility, who also received virtual greetings from Crew star Gyasi Zardes and Columbus chief business officer Steve Lyons.
The transformation of the fitness room includes $10,000 worth of workout equipment – courtesy of MLS and Crew community partner AT&T – as well as new towels, water bottles and a sanitation station. A state-of-the-art video monitor and sound system was also installed to run club fitness and mental wellness videos from the Ronald McDonald House app. The facility also features a Crew SC-inspired mural by local artist Hakim Callwood.
“Major League Soccer is proud to join forces with Columbus Crew SC to provide additional levels of support to patients and their families who are staying at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House,” MLS President & Chief Administrative Officer JoAnn Neale said. “On behalf of our 25th MLS Cup, our commitment to positively impacting the communities where we play our games continues despite these challenging times. We hope the enhancements to the fitness room will help improve the health and well-being of the families staying at the facility.”
The Columbus facility is one of the largest Ronald McDonald Houses in the world, providing a home-away-from-home for families who have children that are being treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and other area hospitals.
