FedEx breaks ground on a new kind of facility

When children must be hospitalized for extended periods far from home, it can be tough for their families to find an affordable place to stay. FedEx Corp., which has a long history of supporting children's charities, is helping to address that problem by funding FedExFamilyHouse, a facility that's slated to open next year at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center in FedEx's hometown of Memphis, Tenn. FedEx Chairman, President, and CEO Fred Smith and his wife Diane, and Executive Vice President and CFO Alan Graf, Jr. and his wife Susan also made substantial personal contributions.

Construction began in August on the house, which will include 24 family suites, plus indoor and outdoor dining and recreational areas, a business center, a teen lounge, kitchen and laundry facilities, and a conference room, among other amenities. FedExFamilyHouse will be LEED certified as a sustainable building, one of the first pediatric residences to earn that designation.