Palmer-Donavin announces 100th Anniversary donation

(Columbus, OH)  Palmer-Donavin Manufacturing Company, a national leader in wholesale distribution of building materials and HVAC equipment and supplies, recently broke ground for a $750,000 residential respite care facility for children with mental retardation and developmental disabilities in Columbus, Ohio.

The new facility, The Palmer-Donavin House, was developed through a collaborative effort to celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary.  The building has been designed by Berardi Partners and construction will be managed by Creative Housing, Inc. with Handlin Rainaldi Construction as the general contractor.  It will be donated to, and operated by, Franklin County Residential Services, Inc. (FCRS)  Located alongside other FCRS buildings on McDowell Road in Grove City, Ohio, it will provide a safe and temporary home for children with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities. 

“We have a long history supporting mental retardation – it was the common bond that initially brought our three major shareholders together back in the mid 1960s,” explained Ron Calhoun, President and Chief Operating Officer for Palmer-Donavin. “We thought this was a great way to give back to the community.”

Calhoun is on the board of FCRS and has worked closely with the group supporting other causes.  This project is being funded by Palmer-Donavin as well as many of its vendors and business partners, including Crane Plastics Company and The GLOW Foundation, who will receive permanent naming rights in the house.

“We’ve had a long-term relationship with Palmer-Donavin over the years,” said Ed Harper, Executive Director of FCRS.  “From a personal standpoint I was completely overwhelmed by this gift.  It was a very generous and compassionate offer by the organization.”

The facility will offer specialized care for up to eight disabled children for varying lengths of time, ranging from four hours to two weeks.  A sliding scale will determine cost, although those involved say the cost for most families will be “minimal.” The design of the house includes an activity center, meditation room and outside recreation areas.  Time spent at The Palmer-Donavin House will allow family members an opportunity to attend to their own personal needs, or just get some much-needed time away.

Charity Slaughter is a single mother raising two sons with disabilities.  She is excited about the new facility, and especially looks forward to specialized care for her oldest son, who has limited function.

“We’ve had such a wonderful experience with the programs Franklin County Residential Services offers.  The staff is wonderful and they really work to meet the needs of my family.  They take the time to get to know us,” Slaughter explained.  “The time away is good for both them and me.  We’re both able to get some rest and regroup.  I can’t wait for The Palmer-Donavin House to open.”

According to Jed Morrison, Superintendent of the Franklin County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, keeping families together is key.  The majority of children and adults with MRDD live with their families.  Surveys with families involved in mental retardation and developmental disability programs have consistently shown that having a facility such as The Palmer-Donavin House is a critical need. 

“We have found that families really want to do all they can to stay together,” Morrison explained. “When there are opportunities to provide support to help these families, it really makes a big difference. This donation is a one of a kind.  We’re just delighted.”