Ronald McDonald House, a program of Ronald McDonald House Charities^® of Memphis (RMHC of Memphis) is a very special place…a “home away from home”, where every child can still be a child thanks to a safe, nurturing environment with all the comforts of home. Where every family can stay a family, sharing compassion and love while finding respect and privacy. Where every dedicated staff member and caring volunteer knows the most important thing is the well-being of a child.

 

RMHC of Memphis is solely associated with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a primarily out-patient hospital (with only 56 in-patient beds), meaning that the actual patients, not just their families live within our House. We have a total of 51 hotel-style rooms. The average stay of our residents is 35 days. The patient age range is from birth to 19. Since opening in 1991, we have housed over 5,700 children from nearly every state and 45 countries.

 

All of our families stay free of charge.

 

The partnership between McDonald’s Corporation and Ronald McDonald House Charities^® and its programs dates back to the inception of the charitable organization. Collectively McDonald’s utilize their restaurants, advertising dollars, packaging and crew to create customer awareness and support of the charity. Local McDonald’s Owners/Operators participate in fundraisers, volunteer their time to special events, and serve on our Board of Directors and Advisory Board.

Ronald McDonald House is a “home-away-from home” for the patients and families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. RMHC of Memphis provides large living rooms with fireplaces, common dining rooms with play areas for small children, assigned kitchen space to prepare meals, a newly renovated Teen Room, a Pre-teen Room, three laundry rooms, an Exercise room, Meditation Room, Craft Room, two TV lounges, a Conference/Board Room, a video check-out area, several patios and two playgrounds. Families receive free transportation (via shuttle) to the hospital, Walgreen’s and the nearby Kroger. Each family receives a $80 dollar food stipend each week to spend as they need. This is supplemented by a huge assortment of pantry items that they may choose from. Toiletries, paper goods, and phone cards are also provided for the families as they become available to the House via donations.

 

Ronald McDonald House is a residential housing unit only – the patients receive no medical attention or treatments at the house. Ronald McDonald House is non-discriminatory and non-sectarian. Our doors are open to every St. Jude patient, regardless of religion, ethnicity, race, gender, national origin, and age.