by Cynthia Wong Lippe
Chair, Capital Campaign, Building Suffolk County’s First Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House Long Island Board Member
Across Suffolk County and beyond, there is a shared instinct to show up for families in need. Throughout this campaign, I’ve seen that instinct first-hand in conversations with small business owners, parents, public officials, clergy, community leaders, and CEOs—people from all walks of life who, in different ways, have asked the same simple question: “How can I help?” What begins as a single conversation often grows into something more. Introductions lead to partnerships, meetings turn into ongoing exchanges, and over time, a network of support takes shape—what some might call “friend-raising,” but more simply, a community coming together around a mission that truly matters. The reason is clear — the mission speaks for itself.
Stony Brook Children’s: A Lifeline for Children in Suffolk County
When a child is facing a serious medical challenge, being together as a family matters. At Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, the only pediatric hospital and Level 1 trauma center in Suffolk County, families come from across the region for care. Providing a place where they can stay close, find support, and navigate those moments together is something people immediately understand.
Building the Future of Family-Centered Care
Today, there are 395 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide, each one built and sustained by the community it serves, and this House will be no different. Here in Suffolk County, that spirit has carried this effort forward in a remarkable way. We reached our initial campaign goal of $34 million, allowing us to move forward with building the House, and site work is now underway with plans to open in late 2027.
As we look ahead, we will continue to fundraise and meet with Long Island–based business owners and community partners to help outfit the House and ensure it is fully operation-ready. Every item that can be donated is one we do not have to purchase, and each contribution brings us closer to opening a true home away from home for families when they need it most— one conversation, one connection, and one act of generosity at a time. It is a reflection of what is possible when people come together with a shared purpose, and we are deeply grateful to all who have helped bring it to life and will continue to carry it forward.