$1,770 raised by 3 donors
18% complete
$10,000 Goal
The Ronald McDonald House (House) helps families feel at home, even when they can't be. The House is not just "nice" - it is necessary. For families facing the stress, fear and hardship of having a seriously ill, hospitalized child, the House provides care, support, comfort and resources.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado (RMHCSC) is built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on getting the necessary treatment their seriously ill child requires - not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal, or where they will lay their heads at night to rest. The families RMHCSC serves are facing major health challenges with their children including cancer, heart problems, accidents needing surgery and rehabilitation, life-threatening premature births, and much more. Families come and stay at the House because the medical care their children need is not available in their hometowns. Of those served, 84% earn a low enough wage to qualify for Medicaid, thus, these families cannot afford a prolonged stay at a hotel or to eat restaurant meals for weeks and/or months. They also cannot afford to be away from their children when they are needed most.
The House provides lodging, meals, snacks, laundry facilities, shared community spaces, dining areas, indoor and outdoor play spaces, transportation to and from the hospital, support from staff and volunteers and more. A team of 258 volunteers help by supporting families, cleaning the House, and preparing meals. Many of the volunteers once stayed at the House when their child was critically ill or injured. Their experiences often help comfort guests. Last year, RMHCSC provided 3,962 nights of service to 511 families. In addition to the guests who stayed overnight at the House, RMHCSC served 191 families as day guests who ate meals and used the facilities at no charge but did not stay overnight. Of the families served, 99% reported the highest level of satisfaction with the proximity to their hospitalized child, rooms, meals, and support received from staff and volunteers.
Alia, mother of Elizabeth, who had brain cancer said, "The support we received at the Ronald McDonald House went beyond a warm meal and a comfortable bed. Staff, families and volunteers got to know me, my husband and our four children as individual people, not just a 'cancer family.' They knew Elizabeth has a great sense of humor, that Katie has dimples, that Shane is an amazing helper and that Garrett has the most wonderful giggle. Staying at the House provided a sense of normalcy and strength that we wouldn't have otherwise gotten. And allowing our entire family to remain together while Elizabeth received her treatment, well, I think that helped her to have the fight to survive."
Debbie, mother of Chris, who was in a serious life threatening car crash said, "Our family was overwhelmed by the kindness of complete strangers. Staying at the Ronald McDonald House let us be with Chris, loving him well, as he fought for his life. It was amazing and life-giving."
Leith, whose daughter, Hadley, passed away at an area hospital said, "The Ronald McDonald Family Room was a safe, comfortable space where our friends and family could gather. We weren't in anyone's way (or in the hallway) when our precious daughter, Hadley, was dying."
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado (RMHCSC) provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. RMHCSC envisions a world where every family has what they need to ensure the best health outcomes for their children.
The seeds of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado were planted in Philadelphia in 1974 when Kim Hill, the 3-year-old daughter of Philadelphia Eagles tight end Fred Hill, was diagnosed with leukemia. Mr. Hill and his wife, Fran, camped out on hospital chairs and benches, ate food from vending machines and did all they could to keep Kim from seeing their sadness, exhaustion and frustration. All around them, the Hills saw other parents doing exactly the same thing. Many families had traveled great distances to bring their children to the medical facility for care and found the high cost of hotel rooms prohibitive. With the help of Philadelphia Eagles' General Manager, Jim Murray, who had connections to McDonald's franchisees, and Dr. Audrey Evans, head of pediatric oncology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the first Ronald McDonald House (that served as a temporary home for families of hospitalized children) opened on October 15, 1974. The movement began. There are now 380 Ronald McDonald Houses throughout the world.
RMHCSC is an independent 501(c)(3) and a chapter of Ronald McDonald House Charities Global. The local Ronald McDonald House opened its doors at 311 North Logan Avenue in February, 1987. On August 19, 2019, the doors to the NEW Ronald McDonald House at 4223 Royal Pine Drive opened. The House can host twenty families each night. It includes large, private bedrooms/bathrooms, generous community spaces, multiple indoor and outdoor recreation areas for children of all ages, a large dining room and two kitchens that provide healthy, nutritious daily meals and snacks. The House is located within eyesight and walking distance of Children's Hospital, Colorado, Colorado Springs. Additional families use the House as Day Guests. These families typically live close to the hospital and do not need to stay overnight. However, they are able to take advantage of free meals and use of all the facilities.
Following the lead of Ronald McDonald House Charities Global, RMHCSC expanded core programs to reach a rapidly growing number of children and families in need with the addition of a Ronald McDonald Family Room, located in Children's Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs.
Organization name
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado
other names
RMHCSC
1987
Tax id (EIN)
84-1013843
Category
Human Services
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
4223 Royal Pine DriveEl Paso County, CO, US
Phone
719-471-1814
Other
719-471-1814