Ronald McDonald House Charities

Last updated
Ronald McDonald House Charities
FormationOctober 15, 1974;50 years ago (1974-10-15) [1]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Type Health care, charity, social welfare
Headquarters Oak Brook, Illinois, US
Location
  • 7,128 worldwide
Official language
English
Key people
  • Sandy Pagnotti-Mayhew (president and CEO)
  • Ginger Hardage (chairman of the board) [2]
Website rmhc.org
Ronald McDonald House in Essen, Germany, designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser Hundertwasserhaus-Essen.jpg
Ronald McDonald House in Essen, Germany, designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser
Ronald McDonald House in Salzburg, Austria Salzburg Ronald-McDonald-Haus.jpg
Ronald McDonald House in Salzburg, Austria
Ronald McDonald House in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia Ronald McDonald House.jpg
Ronald McDonald House in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
Ronald McDonald House collection canister Feed the clown.JPG
Ronald McDonald House collection canister

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is an independent American nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to create, find, and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. [3]

Contents

RMHC has a global network of chapters in 62 countries and regions under three core programs: Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. [4]

Programs

The first Ronald McDonald House was opened in Philadelphia in 1974. [5] Jim Murray, general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, was raising funds for one of his players' (Fred Hill) daughters when he met Children's Hospital of Philadelphia oncologist Dr. Audrey Evans. They partnered with Elkman Advertising which handled marketing for McDonald's, and the charity took the name of the latter's mascot. [6] [7]

Houses

There are over 380 Ronald McDonald Houses in 64 countries. [8] These accommodate families with hospitalized children under 21 years of age (or 18 or 26, depending on the House), who are being treated at nearby hospitals and medical facilities. [9] These houses are located just minutes away from the special care hospitals that are required to help children get back to full health. Ronald McDonald Houses allow families to stay free of charge. They also provide families with home cooked meals. Houses like these scattered throughout the world allow families to have a home away from home and focus on what is important, their child's health.

Family Rooms

There are currently over 260 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in 28 countries. [8] These family rooms are inside of hospitals. They allow families to stay right beside their children, but also allow them to take a break and relax during a rather stressful situation. These rooms provide families with a safe space to get a snack, take a nap, or even take a shower. They also provide toys for the children to play with to help get their mind off of the setting they are in. [10]

Care Mobiles

There are currently 40 Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles in ten countries. [8] These care mobiles travel throughout select regions of the world and provide health care to many families in need. Millions of families worldwide are without basic medical, health, and dental care. Which is part of the reason why these buses are so crucial in the Ronald McDonald House's project to provide people across the world with the ability to have access to quality health care. [11]

International

In 1981, the first Ronald McDonald House outside the United States opened, in Toronto, Ontario. [5] In 1991, the 150th Ronald McDonald House opened, in Paris, France, although it has closed.[ citation needed ] On July 25, 2005, the 250th location opened in Caracas, Venezuela, but it has since been closed. The first in-hospital Ronald McDonald House in APMEA (Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa) opened at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7, 2011.

Australia

The first Ronald McDonald House in Australia was opened in Camperdown, New South Wales, in 1981. The number of Houses has since grown to 18. The program has since helped 100,000 families and houses up to 260 families per night. [12] Each House is attached to a major children's or women's hospital. Each House has an independent board that manages its own day-to-day funding. [13] [14]

The Ronald McDonald's Learning Program (Australia only) was formed in 1997 to help children who had suffered minor illness and returned to school. Its stated mission is to provide "educational support" to these children who have fallen behind in their education. It is the only program of its kind in Australia. [15] The program now works with over 1,000 students each week. It was first piloted in 1997 by Tracey Webster.

The Ronald McDonald's Learning Program supplies students with a cognitive and educational assessment by an educational psychologist, 40 hours of individual tutoring by a qualified teacher and 10 sessions of speech or occupational therapy, if required.

Other RMHC Australia activities include Family Rooms in 14 hospitals. They are located at Canberra Hospital, Garran, ACT; Gosford Hospital, Gosford, New South Wales; John Hunter Hospital, New Lambton Heights, New South Wales; Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales; Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, New South Wales; Nepean Hospital, Kingswood, New South Wales; Gold Coast Hospital Children's Ward, Southport, Queensland; Gold Coast Hospital NICU, Southport, Queensland; Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria; Sunshine Hospital, St Albans, Victoria; The Northern Hospital, Epping, Victoria; Wodonga Hospital, Wodonga, Victoria; Peel Health Campus, Mandurah, Western Australia; and Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia. [16]

RMHC Australia also operates Family Retreats that enable families of sick children to take a holiday for a week. The retreats are located in Ocean Grove, Victoria; Jurien Bay and Bunbury, Western Australia; Forster, New South Wales; and Palm Cove in Northern Queensland. [17] [14]

The Charlie Bell Scholarship Program is named after the first Australian Global McDonald's Corporation CEO. The program provides financial assistance in the form of 11 one-off scholarships a year. It assists with expenses related to vocational or tertiary education for children who have been seriously ill. [18] [14]

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is a partnership between RMHC Australia and Royal Far West. It is based in Orange in regional New South Wales and travels throughout rural and remote New South Wales. [19]

Ronald McDonald House Charity Australia is also the major private donor to cord blood banks in Australia, providing a 10-year $A1 million commitment. [20]

Hong Kong

The first Ronald McDonald House in Hong Kong was opened in 1996 in Sha Tin. [21]

The second House plans to establish in Kwun Tong District which is close proximity to the Hong Kong Children's Hospital. [22]

Norway

On May 21, 2016, Ronald McDonald Barnefond (Ronald McDonald Children's Fund), along with Stine Sofies Stiftelse, opened the world's first camp and learning center for children. Stine Sofie Stiftelse first joined forces with Ronald McDonald Barnefond in 2015. The initial purpose was to fix houses where children of abuse and their families could stay for a day free of charge.[ citation needed ]

Pop Tab Program

Through the RMHC Pop Tab Collection Program, to date[ when? ] more than $4 million has been generated. [23] The program was established to allow individuals and businesses to collect soda pop tabs from aluminum cans and donate them to their local RMHC chapter or Ronald McDonald's House. Though each program differs, for the most part, RMHC chapters use the money received from recycling the tabs to help offset operational expenses or to sponsor or support programs. Not all Houses participate in the Pop Tab Program. Collected pop tabs are used by Ronald McDonald House Charities to fund their work. [24]

The Alpha Delta Pi sorority partners with Ronald McDonald House Charities to promote and participate in the Pop Tab Program. [25]

Partnership with McDonalds

The Ronald McDonald House has a program to help support the house through the donation of money from each happy meal purchased at McDonalds. With the purchase of each happy meal two cents is donated to the charity. In 2021 more than $168 million was donated to the Ronald McDonald House through the donations from McDonalds. [26]

Awards

Worth magazine named Ronald McDonald's House Charity one of "America's 100 Best Charities" in 2001 and 2002. [27]

The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the Ronald McDonald's House Charities of Austin and Central Texas (RMHC-ACT) with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, the highest level of sustainable building in the nation. [28]

Criticism

Ronald McDonald House has been criticised as an attempt by McDonald's to distract from its role in contributing to childhood obesity and animal welfare issues. [29] [30] Anne Markwardt of Foodwatch, which researches food industry practices, said that "One has to remember that a large amount of the funding does not come from McDonald's itself but from private, corporate or other donors." In 2013 it was estimated by Corporate Accountability International that McDonald's contributed about 5% of the funding and about 30% came from McDonald's customers' donations. [31] [32] Markwardt said that the houses are "used as marketing ploys for profitable but unhealthy products, as well as means of indirect political influence," noting that politicians regularly visited for photo opportunities. [33]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benevolent Society</span> Charitable organization in Australia

The Benevolent Society, founded by Edward Smith Hall in 1813, is Australia's first and oldest charity. The society is an independent, not-for-profit organization whose main goals include helping families, older Australians and people with disabilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Missouri Women's and Children's Hospital</span> Hospital in Missouri, United States

The University of Missouri Women's Hospital, formerly University of Missouri Women's Hospital, is the only hospital in Missouri exclusively dedicated to the health of women. The hospital was formerly home to MU Children's Hospital, and is currently home to MU Women's Center, and the Family Birth Center. The Women's Hospital no longer has a pediatric Emergency Room and inpatient services, having moved to University Hospital. In Fiscal Year 2009, 1,793 babies were born in the Family Birth Center. The hospital has the da Vinci minimally invasive surgical robotic system. It is located in eastern Columbia near the interchange of Interstate 70 and U.S. 63 at 404 North Keene Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primary Children's Hospital</span> Hospital in Utah, United States

Intermountain Primary Children's Hospital (PCH) is a nationally ranked pediatric acute care children's teaching hospital located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The hospital has 289 pediatric beds and is affiliated with the University of Utah School of Medicine. The hospital is a member of Intermountain Health and is the only children's hospital in the network. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–21 throughout the Salt Lake City and outer region. PCH also sometimes treats adults that require pediatric care. PCH is a ACS verified Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center and is the largest providers of pediatric health services in the state. The hospital serves the states of Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, yielding an enormous geographic catchment area of approximately 400,000 square miles. The hospital is one of the only pediatric hospitals in the region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh</span> Childrens hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP), popularly known simply as Children's, is part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the only hospital in Greater Pittsburgh dedicated solely to the care of infants, children, teens and young adults through around age 26. UPMC Children's also sometimes treats older adults that require pediatric care. The hospital is affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and features a state-verified level 1 pediatric trauma center, one of four in the state. CHP also has a rooftop helipad for emergent transport of pediatric patients.

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford (LPCH) is a nationally ranked women's and children's hospital which is part of the Stanford University Health system. The hospital is located adjacent to the campus at 725 Welch Road, Palo Alto, California. It was founded in 1991 and is staffed by over 650 physicians with 4,750 staff and volunteers. The hospital specializes in the care of infants, children, teens, young adults aged 0–21, but sometimes treats older adults and expectant mothers. Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is an ACS verified Level 1 regional pediatric trauma center, 1 of 7 in the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House</span>

The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House was the first of the Ronald McDonald House Charities and now stands at 39th and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia.

CoxHealth is a six-hospital, 1,050 bed not-for-profit healthcare system headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. It serves a 25 county region of Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas. CoxHealth is Springfield's largest employer, and the 7th largest non-governmental employer in the state of Missouri with more than 12,605 people employed throughout the system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt</span> Hospital in Tennessee, United States

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, also known as Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, is a nationally ranked pediatric acute care children's teaching hospital and entity of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The hospital is affiliated with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lurie Children's Hospital</span> Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, US

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, formerly Children's Memorial Hospital and commonly known as Lurie Children's, is a nationally ranked pediatric acute care children's hospital located in Chicago, Illinois. The hospital has 360 beds and is affiliated with the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–21 throughout Illinois and surrounding regions. Lurie Children's also sometimes treats adults that require pediatric care. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago also features a state designated Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, one of four in the state. The hospital has affiliations with the nearby Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the attached Prentice Women's Hospital. Lurie is located on the university's Streeterville campus with more than 1,665 physicians on its medical staff and 4,000 employees. Additionally, Lurie Children's has a rooftop helipad to transport critically-ill pediatric patients to the hospital.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada (RMHCC) is a non-profit organization that provides temporary accommodation for families with seriously ill children who have to travel to access necessary medical care. RMHCC's 33 programs across Canada consist of 16 Ronald McDonald Houses, which provide families with a home near the hospital while their child is receiving treatment, and 17 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, which provide families with a room within the hospital.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arcos Dorados Holdings</span> Public company operating McDonald chains

Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. is a company that owns the master franchise of the fast food restaurant chain McDonald's in 20 countries within Latin America and the Caribbean. As of December 31, 2010, it represented 6.7% of McDonald's franchised restaurants globally. It has more than 81,250 employees. It is the largest quick-service restaurant (QSR) chain in Latin America and the Caribbean serving over 4.3 million customers daily.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randall Children's Hospital</span> Hospital in Oregon, United States

Randall Children's Hospital is the children's hospital at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center in Portland in the U.S. state of Oregon. Formerly Legacy Emanuel Children's Hospital, it was renamed in 2011 during construction of the new 165-bed patient tower.

The Orange Health Service is a public hospital located on the Bloomfield Health Campus, approximately 4 km (2.5 mi) south of the city Orange, New South Wales in Australia and is operated by Western NSW Local Health District.

A patient hotel provides accommodation for patients, and often their family, who need to be close to a hospital, but do not need a hospital bed. They are usually in the grounds of a hospital, and are used by people who are recuperating or awaiting treatment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comer Children's Hospital</span> Hospital in Illinois, United States

The University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital (UC CCH) formerly University of Chicago Children's Hospital is a nationally ranked, freestanding, 172-bed, pediatric acute care children's hospital adjacent to University of Chicago Medical Center. It is affiliated with the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and is a member of the UChicago health system, the only children's hospital in the system. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–21 throughout Chicago and features an ACS verified level I pediatric trauma center. Its regional pediatric intensive-care unit and neonatal intensive care units serve the Chicago region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida</span> Hospital in Florida, United States

Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida (NCHFL) is a freestanding, 130-bed, pediatric acute care children's hospital located in Lake Nona Medical City in Orlando, Florida. It is affiliated with the University of Central Florida College of Medicine and is a member of the Nemours Children's Health, one of two freestanding hospitals in the system. The hospital, a multi-year recipient of The Leapfrog Award for quality and safety, provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–21 throughout Central Florida and beyond. It features a regional pediatric intensive-care unit, neonatal intensive care units, and cardiac intensive care unit, serving both central Florida and the greater Florida regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital</span> Hospital in Los Angeles, CA

UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital (MCH) at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is a nationally ranked pediatric acute care children's hospital located in Los Angeles, California. The hospital has 156 pediatric beds, is affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, and is a member of UCLA Health. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to pediatric patients aged 0–21 throughout California. Mattel Children's also sometimes treats adults that require pediatric care. UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital features an ACS verified pediatric level 1 trauma center. The UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital is located on the third and fifth floors of the newly constructed Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

OSF HealthCare Children's Hospital of Illinois known simply as Children's Hospital of Illinois is a nationally ranked pediatric acute care children's hospital located within OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois. The hospital has 144 pediatric beds. It is affiliated with The University of Illinois College of Medicine, and is a member of OSF HealthCare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital</span> Hospital in Texas, United States

Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital (CMHH) is a nationally ranked women's and pediatric acute care teaching hospital located in Houston, Texas. The hospital has 234 pediatric beds and 76 beds for women. CMHH is affiliated with the John P. and Kathrine G. McGovern Medical School at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and is a part of the Memorial Hermann Health System. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–21 throughout Houston and surrounding regions. Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital also sometimes treats adults that require pediatric care. CMHH also features an American College of Surgeons designated Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center, 1 of 5 in the state. The hospital is located within the vast Texas Medical Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salah Foundation Children's Hospital</span> Hospital in Florida USA, opened 1996

Salah Foundation Children's Hospital (SFCH), formerly Chris Evert Children's Hospital, is a pediatric acute care children's hospital located within Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The hospital has 135 pediatric beds. It is affiliated with Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and is a member of Broward Health. The hospital provides comprehensive pediatric specialties and subspecialties to infants, children, teens, and young adults aged 0–21 throughout southeastern Florida. The hospital is also a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.

References

  1. ↑ "Our History". RMHC.org. Ronald McDonald House Charities. Archived from the original on 2016-05-21. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
  2. ↑ "RMHC Board Members". RMHC.org. Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  3. ↑ "Mission and Vision". RMHC.org. Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 2013-07-31.
  4. ↑ "About Us". RMHC.org. Ronald McDonald House Charities.
  5. 1 2 "About Us". rmhccanada.ca. Canada: Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "Mission & History". RMHC Philadelphia Region. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  7. ↑ "Life is an Audible the Jimmy Murray Story". St. Jude Shop, Inc. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  8. 1 2 3 "Impact Statement". RMHC.org. Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  9. ↑ "FAQ". RMHC.org. Ronald McDonald House Charities.
  10. ↑ "Ronald McDonald Family Rooms | RMHC". Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  11. ↑ "McDonald's Commitment to RMHC | RMHC". Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  12. ↑ "Our History". rmhc.org.au. Australia: Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  13. ↑ "Houses". Australia: Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  14. 1 2 3 "RMHC Quick Facts" (PDF). rmhc.org.au. Australia: Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 9 November 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ "Ronald McDonald Learning Program". rmhc.org.au. Australia: Ronald McDonald House Charities.
  16. ↑ "Family Rooms". rmhc.org.au. Australia: Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  17. ↑ "Retreats". rmhc.org.au. Australia: Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  18. ↑ "RMHC Charlie Bell Scholarship Program". rmhc.org.au. Australia: Ronald McDonald House Charities.
  19. ↑ "Care Mobile". rmhc.org.au. Australia: Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  20. ↑ "Cord Blood Banks". rmhc.org.au. Australia: Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  21. ↑ "Ronald McDonald House Charities Hong Kong". rmhc.org.hk. Hong Kong: Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  22. ↑ "Family rooms for Hong Kong's sick children planned near new hospital". South China Morning Post. October 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  23. ↑ "Pop Tab Collection Program". rmhc.org. Ronald McDonald House Charities. Archived from the original on 2010-11-29.
  24. ↑ House, Ronald McDonald. "Pop Tab Program". RMHC. Ronald McDonald House Charities. Archived from the original on 15 December 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  25. ↑ "ADPI Philanthropy". adpisemo.com. Southeast Missouri: Delta Nu Chapter, Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  26. ↑ "McDonald's Commitment to RMHC | RMHC". Ronald McDonald House Charities. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  27. ↑ "American's 100 Best Charities". Ashoka.org. 2002-11-30. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2013-07-31.
  28. ↑ "LEED Platinum Certification". rmhc-austin.org. Ronald McDonald House Charities, Austin and Central Texas. Archived from the original on 2012-08-17. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Clowning Around with Charity: How McDonald's Exploits Philanthropy and Targets Children | Eat Drink Politics". www.eatdrinkpolitics.com. October 29, 2013.
  30. ↑ "McDonald's charity under fire, responds to allegations". Deseret News. November 1, 2013.
  31. ↑ "McDonald's Accused of Being Cheap Toward Its Charitable Arm". ABC News.
  32. ↑ Horovitz, Bruce. "McDonald's slammed over Ronald McDonald House giving". USA TODAY.
  33. ↑ "Ronald McDonald House garners star architects, criticism | DW | 13.01.2014". DW.COM.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.