Many people know that the Ronald McDonald House Charities Dayton (RMHC) provides a place for families to stay while their children are in the hospital. This stay may not always be long-term. A 501C3 non-profit organization, the RMHC Dayton relies on the contributions of individual donors or corporations or foundations for funds and supplies for their families. Sinclair’s Young Scholars are currently collecting donations from the RMHC’s wishlist through March 19.
The RMHC Dayton has fourteen guest rooms, but only eleven are currently being filled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Extra cleaning procedures take place in between stays as well. The nightly stays do not require payment from the families:
“We ask each family for a donation of $15 a night, but we never turn anyone away if they can’t pay,” said RMHC Dayton Development Director, Amanda Burks.
The RMHC Dayton has two areas in particular that it focuses on when accepting families into the house:
“There are lots of things that we look at in order to bring someone into the house, but the first two are the distance that they traveled and the criticality of the case for the child,” said Burks.
Along with a place to stay, the RMHC provides families with supplies such as food, toothpaste, trash bags or soap. It collects these items through donations or purchases them using financial contributions.
“We’re a house and we need everything that you might need in your home,” said Burks.
While Dayton Children’s Hospital brings in the highest number of guests to RMHC Dayton, it is not the only healthcare facility that the organization serves. Families with children in the NICUs at both Miami Valley Hospital and Kettering Medical Center also stay with the RMHC. Other partners include the Proton Therapy Center, 4 Paws for Ability, Brigid’s Path and Shriners Hospital.
“We have been around in Dayton for 40 years,” said Burks. “In 2020, we celebrated our 40th anniversary.”
Contrary to some beliefs, the RMHC Dayton is not actually affiliated with Dayton Children’s Hospital or the restaurant chain, McDonald’s.
“McDonald’s has been a supporting company for 45 years,” said Burks. “The original house opened 45 years ago in Philadelphia. So, we have a really good relationship with them. We consider them ‘mission partners.’ We really wouldn’t be here without them.”
Some McDonald’s restaurant owners are on the RMHC’s board of trustees, while others volunteer with the organization. Many McDonald’s restaurants provide donation boxes or offer to round up the cost of a customer’s order to donate that extra amount to the organization. For the past 45 years, it has sold its Shamrock Shakes during March and donates a quarter for each one sold to the local RMHC. A penny of every Happy Meal sold also goes to the organization.
The RMHC Dayton also has family rooms inside Dayton Children’s Hospital and Emmett’s Place at Miami Valley Hospital:
“Both of those are pretty much like a Ronald McDonald House inside a hospital,” said Burks. “The only difference is that they don’t have the overnight rooms. They do have…kitchens that are fully stocked… showers… rest space…[and] laundry facilities available. If you’ve been in the hospital for a few days and you just need to refresh…that’s what they’re for and they’re really close…to a child’s bedside so you don’t even have to leave the hospital to be able to come in and get some much needed rest and reenergize a little bit.”
The RMHC Dayton can always use extra help, whether that be donations that are financial or those of supplies for their families:
“The greatest need right now is…keeping our pantries full. Our kitchen is always open and it’s always available for them [the families] so that they can come in and have whatever it is that they need…without having to worry about it,” said Burks.
Normally the RMHC serves buffet style dinners, but due to the pandemic, it now serves food individually packaged. This leads to a greater need for food packaging supplies like plastic containers as well.
“We’ve been here forty years,” said Burks. “We’re not going anywhere. Our need continues to grow. It’s because of healthcare…that our community is providing. It’s all just increasing the positive experience that parents can have in our region and finding the right care.”
The RMHC Dayton website has all the necessary information for those who wish to contribute to the organization or find a way to get involved. Although the organization currently cannot allow volunteers due to the pandemic, it is something that people may consider doing in the future. Volunteers help in areas such as yard work, organization and cleaning.
“We rely a lot on volunteers,” said Burks. “It’s unfortunate that we don’t have that support right now.”
The families who stay at the RMHC Dayton have proven to be very happy with the service that they have received as the chapter has about a 98% satisfaction rate.
“Our families are amazing,” said Burks. “They’re going through challenges that you and I can’t even begin to imagine on a daily basis. The fact that they are still generous and thoughtful and appreciative of what they’re able to receive thanks to RMHC and the donors that support us: it’s really incredible.”
Rebekah Davidson
Intern