News

Ronald McDonald Charities opens 300th house

September 21, 2010

On Sept. 29, 2010, the new Ronald McDonald House will celebrate its grand opening of the third house in metro St. Louis and its 300th location in the world.

More than 700 families travel each year so their children can receive treatment in the St. Louis area.

The ceremony and ribbon cutting will take place at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center at 11 a.m. Members of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis, St. John’s Mercy Children’s Hospital, McDonald’s Corporation, McDonald’s Owner/Operators and the local St. Louis community will be in attendance.

“McDonald’s and our St. Louis franchisees remain committed to helping families and supporting the Ronald McDonald House provides us a unique avenue to strengthen families when they are dealing with incredible hardship,” said Cassie Nelson, general manager, vice president of McDonald’s Heartland Region. “The communities in and around St. Louis, along with our many McDonald’s customers, have always been incredibly supportive of RMHC and that makes us extremely proud and honored to have the 300th Ronald McDonald House built right here.”

Ronald McDonald House of Charities of Metro St. Louis has been a part of the St. Louis community for more than 29 years. The Ronald McDonald houses has served as a “home-away-from-home” to more than 30,000 families since 1981, providing a comfortable beds, hot meals and showers, and a community of families who share the experience of having a seriously-ill child.

In 2009, the Ronald McDonald House Charities celebrated 35 years.

Families staying at the Ronald McDonald house are encouraged to make a donation of only $5 per night, however, the house doesn’t turn away any family who can’t donate, which is more than 40 percent of all the families who stay at the house. The average stay for families is 10 days; however, some families have stayed for months and even up to a year. For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis, call (314) 773-1100 or visit us online at www.rmhcstl.com.