Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada

At the heart of our community commitment is Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC^®) Canada. RMHC Canada is the national organization that supports Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms across the country, which provide families of sick children a home-away-from-home or a place of peace and calm within a hospital. RMHC Canada is dedicated to giving sick children the one thing they need most…their families.

It all starts with the diagnosis. For the family, the world stops, and nothing matters but healing their sick child. They often need to travel far from home for the essential medical care, and to stay for extended periods of time during tests and treatments. Repeat visits may be necessary.

For some families, their stay at a House offers final moments and memories that last a lifetime. During this difficult time, parents not only struggle to support their sick child; they have to care for their other children, keep their jobs, pay bills, and manage the responsibilities of everyday life. With so much to balance, they shouldn’t have to worry about anything else.

Ronald McDonald House^®This is where Ronald McDonald Houses come in. They provide a home away from home for the families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at a nearby hospital.

Our Houses offer families so much more than just a roof over their heads. Qualified staff and dedicated volunteers are committed to providing comfort and care to the families, so they can focus on healing their sick child. And they are filled with families who share a common bond – love for their sick child.

There are currently 12 Ronald McDonald Houses across the country, serving more than 10,000 families every year. But there are still many families who need our help and are turned away due to lack of space. Some Houses report turn-away rates as high as 70 per cent.

To help respond to the need, two new Ronald McDonald Houses are under construction: one in Red Deer, AB the other in St. John’s, NL. And ten Houses are either relocating or undergoing extensive renovations to increase available space. By 2014, we expect our Houses to more than double the number of bedrooms available, from 219 to 465 bedrooms and family suites.

Ronald McDonald Family RoomsSome of the Ronald McDonald Houses also operate a Ronald McDonald Family Room^®. Located directly in the hospital, a Family Room allows for peace and calm away from the noise and pressures of the hospital, while still giving parents the chance to be just steps away from their child’s bedside.

RMHC Canada Quick Facts

• Founded in 1982 to give Ronald McDonald Houses lasting support


• McDonald’s Canada covers all of RMHC Canada’s administrative and operating costs, making it possible for 100% of every directly donated dollar to go to Ronald McDonald Houses and their programs.


• Each Ronald McDonald House is independently owned and operated by not-for profit organizations relying on the support of McDonald’s, RMHC Canada and individual donors, corporate donors and community groups.


• Over 227,000 Canadian families have been served since the opening of the first Toronto House in 1981. 
  
  
• Since 2004, McDonald’s Canada and its Owner/Operators have donated 10 cents from the sale of every Happy Meal  sold in Canada to Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada, raising more than $34 million to date.


• McDonald’s restaurants across the country host McHappy Day, an annual day of giving to support local children’s charities, including Ronald McDonald Houses.


• Every year, McDonald’s Canada Owner/Operators, executives and employees volunteer thousands of hours.


• Coin Boxes at local McDonald’s restaurants continue McDonald’s tradition of giving to local Ronald McDonald Houses and many local community charities.

For more information, please visit the RMHC Canada website at www.rmhc.ca.