For the families of sick children receiving medical treatment, it acts as a "home-away-from-home."
The first Ronald McDonald House came about in 1974 as the result of the dedication of Fred Hill, who was then a Philadelphia Eagles football player. After Hill's daughter, Kim, was treated for leukemia at the local children's hospital, Hill decided to help other families faced with similar situations.
Hill's teammates and then General Manager, Jim Murray, as well as the local McDonald's restaurant franchises raised money to purchase and renovate the first Ronald McDonald House. And at that time, very few institutions provided sufficient accommodations for such families.
But now there are more than 30,000 volunteers who act as the backbone of the program by helping with fundraising, program development and other House operations. Last year, volunteers contributed nearly 3 million hours of their time in support of the 282 Houses, which are located in 33 countries.
The families who stay at Ronald McDonald House are asked to make a donation of under $25 per day; but no sweat if this isn't possible, their stay is free. The average stay is approximately 9 days.
The Houses serve families whose children are being treated for such problems as cancer, organ transplants, heart disease, burns and major accidents. Studies show that the presence of family members helps children heal better and faster.
