McDonald’s Corporation celebrates with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) the opening of the world’s 300th Ronald McDonald House this week in St. Louis on the campus of St. John’s Mercy Medical Center.
A dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting will be held at the new Ronald McDonald House on tomorrow at 11 a.m. Central.
“At today’s opening of the world’s 300th House, we are proud to honor all of the families who have found strength over the years while fighting for their children’s recovery,” says Jim Skinner, McDonald’s CEO.
“Ronald McDonald House Charities is the heart and soul of McDonald’s, and our support of this charity is one of the most rewarding things we do.”
The seeds were sown for this 300th Ronald McDonald House 36 years ago in Philadelphia. The daughter of former Philadelphia Eagles player Fred Hill underwent years of intense medical treatments, and out of that hardship grew the idea to create a “home away from home” near a hospital where families could stay together during difficult times.
The generous McDonald’s owner/operators in Philadelphia rallied together with the company to raise funds to build the very first Ronald McDonald House. That powerful idea has been repeated 300 times in communities around the world and here in St. Louis.
“When our very first Ronald McDonald House was built in 1974, no one could have imagined that one day, we might open another – let alone 300 of them,” says Marty Coyne, RMHC president & CEO.
“The new House in St. Louis is a testament to the commitment and support of the local chapter, deep relationships with the medical community and the generous support of the staff, volunteers, and individual and corporate donors. Just like the 299 Houses before it, this House will ensure families have more than a place to stay, but also a place to find strength – emotionally, physically, and spiritually – as they focus on healing their children.”
Ronald McDonald Houses welcome nearly 7,200 families every single night, saving them approximately $250 million a year in hotel costs alone.
The Houses provide comfortable beds, warm meals, hot showers, and families who share similar challenges of having seriously-ill children.
The newest house is a $4.5 million Ronald McDonald House and is the third in Metro St. Loui, serving about 700 families annually.
It was made possible by lead gifts from St. John’s Mercy, the St. Louis McDonald’s Co-Op, and other generous contributors. The project is contracted by Kadean Construction, designed by Gray Design Group, and financed through UMB.
