Tonight’s Blackbaud Non-Profit of the Match is the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston. Ronald McDonald House originally opened its doors 42 years ago in Philadelphia with the goal of providing a home away from home for children who need extensive medical care and their families. Today, the organization has over 350 houses in countries all over the world including Poland, Russia, Japan, and China.
The Ronald McDonald House of Charleston opened nine years after the original right across from MUSC in the heart of the city. The facility has 12 bedrooms and the ability to serve 32 families 365 days a year. In the 33 years since its opening, RMHC over 50,000 moms, dads, and kids have stayed at the house cost-free. RMHC hosted 806 families in 2015 alone.
In addition to the building located on Calhoun Street, Ronald McDonald has a Family Room at MUSC to provide a sanctuary within the hospital for families to rest and relax while their child heals near by.
The Charleston Battery caught up with the Quince Cody, the President and CEO of the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston, to learn more about the organization.
CB: What is RMHC’s goal when hosting a family? To help parents and siblings lead a life as normal as possible during their traumatic times without the financial burden of costly hotel and travel expenses.
CB: What types of kids/families do you host at RMHC? Heart surgery is the largest single diagnosis of our families with premature births being second.
CB: What sets your facility apart from others like it? Our Home offers families comfortable beds, hot meals, a caring staff, and lots of emotional support, all just steps from the hospital.
CB: How many kids/families do you host per year? Last year we helped over 800 families who traveled to Charleston for their child’s medical treatment. This year we expect to care for approximately 900 families.
CB: How is RMHC funded? Funding for the RMH is dependent upon support from individuals, families, and corporate contributions. From poptabs, to leaving change in the donation box at area McDonald’s, to supporting our Lights of Love campaign, it is through the communities support that we are able to continue to help these families during their darkest hours.
CB: How can Battery fans get involved/help RMHC? We believe that when a child is in time of greatest need, families and communities can come together to create solutions, ultimately changing a child’s life forever. Come cook a meal for our families; volunteer your time inside or outside the RMH; and our wish list of items is posted on our website: www.rmhcharleston.org. It costs the RMH $100 a night to host one family. Help share the cost to ensure that these families are able to enjoy the comforts of their “home away from home”. Donations can be made on-line or take out your cell phone and text RONALD to the number 33923.
