How Do You Get in a Ronald McDonald House?

A sick or injured child can be devastating to a family, both emotionally as well as financially. The Ronald McDonald House Charity group has stepped in to help many families when it seemed there was no help. This nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supports many programs that aid families in need. According to Ronald McDonald House Charities,www.rmhc.org, there are "more than 175 local Chapters in nearly 50 countries."

The Ronald McDonald House is but one of those programs that was established to offer support through the comforts of home. These houses are located near a hospital and provide shelter and comfort for families of child patients. The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) website indicates that a donation of only $5-25 is requested from the family. It was not clear if this was daily. They do have a policy of never turning a family away from their door. If you are not able to pay the donation, a place will still be provided for you and your family and the fee will be waived. Volunteers staff the RMH and the charitable donations received are used to offset the expenses of operating these homes.

Ronald McDonald houses are for children up to 18 years old. Some houses extend this to 21 years of age. Both the child and their family are eligible to stay at the RMH. There is no limit to the time you will be allowed to stay.

The houses are comfortable and provide a safe, clean environment for you and your children. The staff prepares home cooked meals and fresh clean bed linen. The bedrooms are private, but often there will be more than one family staying in the home. Some homes provide day care as well as educational and recreational programs. In some cases, there are suites available for those with immune system suppression.

When a child is ill you may not want, or be able, to leave the area. In many cases, we are required to travel with our child to alternate locations for specialized treatment. RMH are located in most major cities. If you find that you will be traveling with a family member, visit the Ronald McDonald House website and locate a RMH in that area.

It is stated on http://rmhc.org/ that you are required to make all necessary arrangements through the social services department of the hospital at which your child will be receiving his or her treatment. They will be able to get you on the waiting list. Keep in mind, that because many visitors are in the house for emergency or unpredictable treatments, the RMH is not able to guarantee available spaces. It is a good idea to have a back up plan in place so that you do not find yourself without accommodations.

If you wish to make a donation to support the Ronald McDonald House, you will find the information here.

If you would like to work as a volunteer at a Ronald McDonald House, you will find the necessary information here.

If you need to locate a Ronald McDonald House, you will find that information here.

SOURCE: Information for this article was gathered from the Ronald McDonald House Charities website at http://rmhc.org/

Ronald McDonald House is not responsible for any incorrect information or misrepresentation in this article.