Who stays at the House?
Families who live more than thirty miles from Tucson, and who have a child, 21 or younger being treated by area hospitals, are eligible to stay at the House. Families are referred to the House by their hospital social worker.
Tucson is home to world-class programs for treatment of pre-maturity, pediatric cancer and bone marrow transplant, cardiac care, and heart, lung and liver transplant.
Families from all walks of life, from all ethnic and socioeconomic groups use the Ronald McDonald House. They have one thing in common – they will do anything to help their child get well.
How long do families stay?
In 2009, the overall average stay was 14 nights. Families stay anywhere from one night for a check-up or outpatient procedure, to six to nine months for organ and bone marrow transplants. Over the years, we have hosted a number of families for a year or more. There is not a maximum number of nights a family can stay at the House because we want to ensure that they have a place to stay during their entire hospital visit.
How is the Ronald McDonald House staffed?
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona has 6 full-time and 5 part-time staff members who are assisted by more than 100 regular volunteers.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona is governed by a twenty-four member Board of Directors who serve as volunteers and oversee the financial and legal health of the organization.
Is there a fee for the families who stay at the House?
The nightly rate per room is $25, however, if a family does not have insurance or their insurance will not cover their stay we only ask that the family pay our discounted rate of $15. Families can choose to pay weekly, monthly or at the end of their stay. No family is turned away due to an inability to pay – their fees are offset through donations to the Adopt A Family Program.
How is the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona funded?
We rely on the community to help support our programs and services. 90% of our annual budget comes from individuals and corporations in the community. The cost of housing a family for one night is $90 – but through the support of Corporations and Foundations, and most importantly, Individuals – we are able to ask only $15 each night from our Families.
What is the relationship between McDonald’s Corporation and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona?
McDonald’s restaurants have been a significant partner in the development of all Ronald McDonald Houses around the world. Each Ronald McDonald House is independently owned and operated and develops an individual relationship with the restaurants in their community. Our partnership is unique and extremely beneficial, but often misunderstood by the general public.
The McDonald’s Corporation provides a license agreement allowing each Ronald McDonald House to use the trademarks of the corporation. The name recognition and the outstanding reputation of Ronald McDonald House Charities are a tremendous asset to our organization. Each Ronald McDonald House is governed in full by a separate Board of Directors, establishes its own mission and policies and manages its own budget and fundraising process. Assets are not co-mingled.
Our local McDonald’s Restaurants wholeheartedly support the House by participating in various fundraising activities that happen inside the restaurants. The prominent placement of change canisters in restaurants make it easy for the community to support families facing a medical crisis. Our local restaurants also participate in local and national promotions and provide valuable advertising in each store on behalf of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona. Although the relationship with our local restaurants and their owners is our single largest source of funding, the funds that are contributed through McDonald’s accounts for only 10% of our annual operating budget. A member of the local McDonald’s owner-operator community serves on the Charities’ Board of Directors.
Where did the idea for the Ronald McDonald Houses originate?
The first Ronald McDonald House opened in October 1974, as the result of the perseverance and dedication of Fred Hill, a former Philadelphia Eagles football player. After Hill’s daughter, Kim, was treated for leukemia, he and his teammates were determined to do something to benefit families of hospitalized children. A joint effort by the Eagles and Philadelphia-area McDonald’s restaurant owners raised enough money to build the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia.
Currently there are 298 Houses in 30 countries around the world, 169 of which are located in the United States. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona opened on February 14, 1981.
Does the House need volunteers?
Volunteers are the “heartbeat of the House.” We welcome the participation of volunteers on many levels.
House Warmers – Help families by providing day-to-day support, including: cleaning, restocking the food pantry, laundry, sorting and culling donations, decorating, etc.
Family Support Programs – Lead activities such as the bounce house, yoga activities, birthday parties, BINGO, arts & crafts, etc.
Chef for a Day Program – Provide a meal – Breakfast, lunch, or dinner for our families. Duties include purchasing groceries, prep and clean-up. Learn more.
Group Activities – Gardening, cleaning windows, decorating for the holidays, and other activities are available
Ambassador Program (Speaker’s Bureau) – Brings information about the House to community groups, corporations and schools
Special Events Volunteers – Assist in a variety of activities including securing auction items, helping at the annual Grape Expectations Event or annual golf tournament, and providing administrative assistance prior to events.
Administrative/Office Volunteers – Fold and stuff thank you letters, send out tribute cards, address invitations/thank you cards, answer phones, greet visitors and accept donations
Are there other ways to be involved with the House?
Members of the community are needed to provide comforts to families such as blankets or quilts, basic food and beverages, toiletries, toys, DVD’s, books (for the school, as well as individual children), school supplies, Holiday and birthday gifts, etc. Our wish list shows the current needs of the House.
