About Ronald McDonald House
In 1974, the first Ronald McDonald House opened its doors in Philadelphia,
PA thanks to Fred and Fran Hill, the Philadelphia Eagles, local McDonald's
restaurant owners, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Throughout
the last 34 years, over 280 Ronald McDonald Houses have opened in more
than 30 countries around the world in order to provide a temporary residence
for families of children being treated at local hospitals.
In 1998 the Sacramento Ronald McDonald House opened its doors providing
a 'home away from home' for families who have children age 0-18 being
treated in one of the five Sacramento-area hospitals; UC Davis Medical
Center, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Mercy, Kaiser, and Sutter Medical
Center. Since then, the 20-bedroom facility has provided affordable, temporary
housing for approximately 10,000 families who have traveled from all across
the United States as well as countries around the world in order to provide
their child with the best medical treatment available.
Global Ronald McDonald House Charities provides each House with seed,
expansion and emergency grants, as well as in-kind goods and services.
However, each House relies on the people and businesses in its own community
to provide additional funds, goods and services necessary for operations.
McDonald's restaurants play an important role by providing assistance
with the campaign to build the House initially and offering their stores
as a vehicle for additional fundraising, but they are not the sole financial
provider to the Charity. It is through community donations, corporate
support, and volunteers that Ronald McDonald House Charities is able to
support these children and their families during their time of need.
Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake
Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake is a 'special place for special children.'
The 35 acre, fully handicap-accessible site provides a true summer camp
experience to disabled and/or disadvantaged children. At-risk kids with
emotional, physical, or developmental disabilities are provided the opportunity
to experience a week of summer camp with typical activities including
hiking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, arts and crafts, talent shows, and
much more. For one week each summer, these campers are able to experience
an environment without limitations or boundaries.
Sacramento Ronald McDonald House
The Sacramento Ronald McDonald House is a nonprofit organization whose
mission is to help children and their families by providing an atmosphere
where families can rest, reflect, and find mutual support. This home-away-from-home
provides shelter and comfort to families who must travel to the Sacramento-area
in order to receive medical treatment for their child. The House offers
family members of seriously ill and injured children a refuge from the
hospital setting.
Additional Programs
As part of its mission to support children and their families, Ronald
McDonald House Charities Northern California also facilitates a grant
program for local children's charities as well as a scholarship program
for graduating high school seniors. The funds used for these two programs
are raised through the Charity's community partners and matched by the
Global Ronald McDonald House Charities organization. These additional
programs make it possible to lift even more children and their families
within the local community to a better tomorrow.