Businesses Partner for Suite Makeover at The Ronald McDonald House

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Standard and Walsh Construction Co. have adopted a suite at Portland’s Ronald McDonald House East, and reopened it after more than a month-long renovation and redecorating project.

The renovated and newly furnished suite will help Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington provide an even better home away from home for families with seriously ill children. The completed space will be unveiled at a special event at Ronald McDonald House East on Monday, September 26, 2011.

The Standard is supporting the project with design services and a charitable contribution that will exceed $20,000 over the six-year adoption period. Walsh Construction Co. is contributing the skilled labor and project management necessary to complete the renovation.

Additional labor and materials are provided by leading Oregon businesses including Burgener’s Woodworking, Inc., Cash’s Drapery, Inc., Closets to Go, Crown Fire Systems, Floor Factors, Hughes Electrical Contractors, Hunter-Davisson, Inc., Interface Flooring Systems, Microsoft, Northwest Control Company, Peninsula Plumbing Company, Precision Countertops, Schiller & Vroman, Inc., Trashco Services, Inc., WDI Co. of Oregon, Inc., and WorkRite Ergonomics.

The renovation incorporated sustainable practices, from the demolition and recycling of all waste to installation of new finishes that included eco-friendly flooring throughout the suite, carpet tile accents that look like a patch of fresh green grass, low VOC-paints and adhesives, formaldehyde-free kitchen cabinets, solid surface countertops, window coverings, lighting, electrical, plumbing and new energy-efficient appliances. The dining, bed and living rooms will be completely refurnished and redecorated. In addition to new furniture, the living room will now include a flat panel T.V. and a video entertainment system that features a Kinect system and games donated by Microsoft.

“The families and kids served by Ronald McDonald House Charities face many challenges and deserve only the best,” said Greg Ness, president and CEO of The Standard. “By combining the financial resources and volunteer support from The Standard with the talented workmanship of Walsh Construction and other business partners, we hope to make a real difference in these families’ lives.”

“Building community is part of who we are as a company,” said Bob Walsh, president at Walsh Construction Co. “We’re proud to support Ronald McDonald House and ensure this suite serves families in need for many years to come,” Walsh added.

“Thanks to The Standard, Walsh Construction Co. and the other local businesses who made this transformation a reality, our home offers a greatly improved living space for families with seriously ill children," said Tom Soma, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities. "This partnership is a perfect example of how businesses and Ronald McDonald House Charities can work together to make a difference, and we're very grateful for the support."

The Ronald McDonald House room adoption program is a way that community groups and businesses can create a lasting presence at the house and provide ongoing support to families.

The Ronald McDonald House East is on the campus of The Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel in Portland. The home accommodates 24 families per night.

About The Standard

The Standard is a leading provider of financial products and services, including group and individual disability insurance, group life, AD&D, dental and vision insurance, retirement plans products and services, individual annuities and investment advice. For more information about The Standard, visit www.standard.com.

The Standard is the marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries: Standard Insurance Company, Inc., The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, Inc., Standard Retirement Services, Inc., StanCorp Mortgage Investors, Inc., StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., StanCorp Real Estate, Inc. and StanCorp Equities, Inc.

About Walsh Construction Co.

From a shoebox filing system in the back of a pickup truck to a leader in the Northwest construction industry, Walsh Construction Co. has been building the Portland community and all of Oregon since 1961. Within the first decade of operation, significant affordable and college housing projects established the up-and-coming Walsh Construction Co. as a solid competitor in the market.

Walsh has grown steadily over the years, adding high-rise apartments, historic renovations, medical facilities and high-end resorts to its list of capabilities. The Oregon region now serves a substantial client group with diverse construction systems and a broad range of project scale – from $250,000 tenant improvements to $100,000,000 residential neighborhoods.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington provides a “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children and supports initiatives to improve pediatric health.

To accomplish all of this, Ronald McDonald House Charities rely on the generosity of thousands of donors, the ingenuity of local volunteers and the dedication of staff.