History
The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia, PA in 1974. Since
then, more than 260 Houses have been licensed around the world, all with
a common mission of providing a "home away from home" for the
families of hospitalized children.
The Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor has served more than 12,000 such
families since opening in 1985. Spearheaded by the Junior Service League
(now the Junior League of Ann Arbor), the project jointly involved that
organization, Mott Children's Hospital, and the community. Originally
able to accommodate 24 families each night, an expansion in 1992 increased
that number to 29. The House is an independent non-profit organization
whose Board of Directors consists of community leaders, employees of the
University of Michigan Health System, and representatives of the McDonald's
Corporation, its owner-operators, and of Ronald McDonald House Charities
since 1985. Volunteers, now numbering nearly 150, have provided a great
deal of the service to families as well as serving on committees such
as house operations, fundraising and special events.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
of the Huron Valley
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Huron Valley supports
programs which directly benefit children in three areas:
Health Care and Medical Research, including the Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor; Education and the Arts; and,
Civic and Social Services.
Facts
about the Ann Arbor Ronald McDonald House
Mission: The mission of the Ann Arbor Ronald McDonald House is
to provide families of children experiencing a serious illness or injury
requiring hospitalization or
treatment on an outpatient basis, a "home away from home" that
assists in alleviating the families' emotional and financial stress.
Families Served: Since opening in 1985, the House has welcomed
about 600 families each year. Their length of stay may range from a day
or two to many months. These families generally live at least an hour
from Ann Arbor, and many have come from out of state and from other nations.
The capacity of the House is 29 families, and each is afforded a comfortable
sleeping room and access to the kitchen and pantry where they may prepare
meals. Each family completes a daily maintenance chore to assist with
the upkeep of the House.
Volunteers: Nearly 150 volunteers are involved with the House.
Many serve on shifts which staff the House in three-hour increments, 12
hours per day, 365 days per year. Others are members of committees which
manage such aspects of the House as its daily operations, fundraising,
public relations, and maintenance. As a result, the House is able to operate
with a staff of four.
Finances: The building, valued at more than $2.2 million and including
more than 23,000 square feet, is fully paid for. Twenty per cent of the
revenue for the operating budget is provided by room fees ($10.00 per
night per family) paid by families and by third parties. The remaining
80 percent of revenue comes through donations and special events which
the House sponsors.
Status: The Ronald McDonald House is incorporated in Michigan as
a non-profit organization. Donations to the House are tax deductible as
allowed by law. While licensed by the McDonald's Corporation, the Ronald
McDonald House is independently governed by its local Board of Directors.
McDonald's provided generous capital support when the House was built
and at the time of its expansion, and is the source of about five percent
of annual operating funds through Ronald McDonald House Charities and
from area McDonald's owner-operators.
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1999 Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor 1600 Washington Heights Ann Arbor, MI 48104 USA 734-994-4442 734-994-4919 (fax) email:info@rmh-annarbor.org |
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