Supporting children and families in their time of need.
RMHC®
The first Ronald McDonald House opened in 1974 in Philadelphia, PA thanks to Dr. Audrey Evans, a pediatric oncologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She had long seen the weary parents of the young patients she was treating and knew that if there was a safe, home-like setting for these parents to live while their children received medical treatment, the entire family would benefit. The parents would be better rested and less stressed, and the children would have the comfort of knowing their parents were nearby.
When his daughter, Kim, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, Fred Hill, a former NFL player with the Philadelphia Eagles, experienced first-hand the difficulties a family experiences when a child is seriously ill. Hill approached the Philadelphia Eagles General Manager Jimmy Murray about raising funds to support the medical efforts for critically ill children. Dr. Evans shared with Murray her vision of a ‘Home-away-from-home’ for the parents of these seriously ill children.
When Jimmy Murray approached the McDonald’s ad agency in Philadelphia, a beautiful partnership was born. Through the sale of Shamrock Shakes, McDonald’s and the Philadelphia Eagles raised the funds needed to purchase a historic mansion on Chestnut Street in downtown Philly. The idea of a Ronald McDonald House then spread to cities all over the country and the world near pediatric medical facilities.
RMHC Charleston
On September 10, 1983, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston opened its doors as a 12 bedroom House located steps from MUSC Children’s Hospital. On November 9th, 2006 the Darby Family Wing opened, doubling the size of the original House with a total of 25 guestrooms. In 2012, two additional guest rooms were added. Our most recent expansion, in 2015, included the addition of five more transplant bedrooms and bathrooms, a renovated kitchen, a new kitchenette, and a new computer area.
Since our opening, over 70,000 moms, dads, and children have stayed in our home, leading a life as normal as possible during their traumatic times, without the financial burden of costly hotel, meal, and travel expenses.
McDonald’s, Our Founding Mission Partner
One of our largest supporters is our local McDonald’s Owner/Operators who has generously helped thousands of families since we opened our doors. Their support takes shape in many ways including hosting restaurant campaigns, serving on our Board of Directors and committees, donating and preparing meals for our families, and sponsoring special events.
We rely on the support of many donors, partners, and individuals to help the families of sick children. Today, the need is so vast that one company or individual simply cannot provide all the support required. Our local McDonald’s owners and their customers make up 6% of our annual operating budget, and the other 94% is raised in the Charleston area and beyond.
In 2023, customers at our local McDonald’s restaurants contributed $120,000 through in-store fundraisers, Round-Up for RMHC, and RMHC Donation Box Programs.