This post is brought to you by Ronald McDonald House Charities®. All opinions are my own.

Show Your Lovin’ #forRMHC & Support Families of Sick Children| Supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities is as easy as heading to your favorite McDonalds location and buying a paper heart for $1, $3 or $5 from now until May 10.

As a mom of a preemie who spent 13 days in the NICU after his birth, Ronald McDonald House Charities is an important organization to me. While I didn’t personally stay in a Ronald McDonald House, I know many families who did. Without that valuable resource, they wouldn’t have been able to stay close to their baby.

Jacob preemie RMHC

Trust me, I know how difficult that is! I couldn’t stay close to Jake. My own post-operative complications forced me back to my home town (and doctor) 40 miles away. I traveled back and forth almost every day when I had rides and called every hour when I wasn’t there. If my complications didn’t keep me away, I would have stayed in the nearby Ronald McDonald House.

Ronald McDonald House Charities: More than just a place to sleep

When most of us think of Ronald McDonald House Charities, we think of, well, the Houses, right? It makes sense! They’re definitely the most well-known part of the organization. Did you know, though, that RMHC actually offers several other different ways of supporting families of sick children? These include:

  • Ronald McDonald Family Rooms: They offer a peaceful place to rest and regroup at hospitals. While facilities vary depending on the hospital, families will often find a kitchen area, showers, laundry facilities and sleeping rooms. Each day, the Ronald McDonald Family Room program, provides a place for families to relax, regroup and regain the strength they need, while allowing them to stay just steps from their child.

 

  • Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles: Think of them as mini healthcare facilities on wheels. They service children in vulnerable areas where medical care is seriously lacking; from across the globe in Western Europe to right here in the United States, there are 50 Ronald McDonald Care Mobile units in 9 countries and regions. The Care Mobiles bring much-needed services like dental care, vision services and vaccines.

 

  • Ronald McDonald Houses: I know I mentioned them above and we all know about them already, but I wanted to make sure families know one important fact: you DO NOT have to pay to stay at the Houses. While they ask for a donation, you’ll never be turned away if you can’t afford it. Ronald McDonald Houses are all over the world, in fact there are 347 Houses in 38 countries and regions. Each night, the Ronald McDonald House program provides a “home away from home” to thousands of families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child. This proximity helps families participate in important medical decisions and allows them to connect and heal together.

Are you surprised to find out all the different things RMHC does? I know I was! It really is an extraordinary organization. The fact is the first Ronald McDonald House was inspired by a family’s struggle to stay together while fighting their child’s devastating illness.  Today, the program has grown to 347 Houses and has a volunteer network of more than 300,000. The bottom line is, they help families stay together and close by their children when they are receiving treatment.

Lovin’ #forRMHC at McDonalds

Supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities is as easy as heading to your favorite McDonalds location and buying a paper heart for $1, $3 or $5 from now until May 10. Jacob LOVES McDonald’s nuggets, so we eat there once a week. For about the cost of one extra item (or value meal), you can help provide stability and vital resources to families so they can get and keep their child healthy and happy.

All proceeds from the donations go straight to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. While the Lovin fundraiser only runs through May 10th, you can always make a contribution through the Donation Boxes located inside your local McDonald’s restaurants.  Your small change adds up and last year, it helped to raise over $27 million in the U.S. alone!

Tell me in the comments what you love about the RMHC! Do you know anyone who stayed at the Ronald McDonald House or used the Ronald McDonald Family Room?