You Can Help Keep Families Close
You Can Help Keep Families Close to Their Hospitalized Kids
“The Ronald McDonald House kept us close to our babies in the hospital. We could hold them and love them instead of being stuck in traffic while critical moments slipped by.” ─ Bell Family
Ronald McDonald House Charities® of San Diego provides a welcoming “home-away-from-home” that keeps families close to their hospitalized children. Our Ronald McDonald House gives families a comfortable place to take a break, have a hot meal, get some sleep, and so much more. We also provide a supportive ear, warm hugs, and relief from the stress and expense of caring for a sick child.
What started in 1980 as an 8-room bed-and-breakfast service for families of young cancer patients has become a center of nonmedical care and support for families whose children face a range of life-threatening conditions. Though we now offer 56 guest suites, our rooms are always full and our nightly wait list frequently tops 30 families. 15,000 people typically find respite with us each year, including overnight guests and day visitors. Approximately:
• 1,100 families stay with us as resident guests for an average of 10 nights each, saving each family around $2,500 in lodging, meals, and transportation costs.
• 12,000 additional people use our Family Care Center, coming for naps, meals, showers, and other resources close to the hospital (around 50,000 daytime visits).
• 125,000 meals are served free of charge to family members with hospital identification by more than 400 volunteer groups.
• 120 siblings of hospitalized children take part in onsite education and enrichment programs operated with San Diego Unified School District
A True Community Resource: We are an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is separate from McDonald’s, our partner hospitals, and all 375+ other Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide. Our doors are open to families in need thanks to generous donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations, and wonderful volunteer support. To learn more about San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House and how you can make a difference, visit www.rmhcsd.org