Ronald McDonald House Charities




	*Mission* The mission of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass, Inc. is to own and operate a "home away from home" for children and their families who come to Lexington for medical treatment and to support health related programs and projects for Kentucky's children. *History* The idea of a home for families of hospital patients first developed in Philadelphia, PA, in 1973. Fred Hill, a member of the Philadelphia Eagles football team learned that his daughter had leukemia. During the course of her successful treatment, Hill and his team members and management asked what they could possibly do to help the children's hospital. The idea of a place for children's families to stay was born at that time. The Eagles football team worked together with the local McDonald's stores to raise funds, and eventually a home was opened in Philadelphia. That house became the first Ronald McDonald House in the country. Today there are 207 houses in operation including houses in Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Finland, France, England, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Ireland, and Japan. In Lexington, this same need was recognized by doctors and parents of children who had undergone treatment in our area hospitals. The Fayette County Medical Society and Auxiliary, parents, McDonald's representatives and other volunteers formed a non-profit organization called Children's Oncology Services of the Bluegrass, Inc. It's purpose was to establish and operate the Ronald McDonald House of Lexington. (COS is now called Ronald McDonald House Charities.) The University of Kentucky Athletic Department provided a 1.43 acre site near Commonwealth Stadium and convenient to all area medical centers. Successful fundraising by committed volunteers resulted in a 17 bedroom house opening debt-free in December 1984. Since that time, the Lexington Ronald McDonald House has served families from 116 of Kentucky's counties, 35 states and several foreign countries. To date, the House has logged 15,475 family visits. *Today's House* Today, our Lexington Ronald McDonald House continues to provide a "home away from home" for families with children being treated at local hospitals. At the house, families find comfort and support as well as a comfortable place to stay with kitchen, laundry and indoor and outdoor play facilities. Our 20 bedrooms, all with private bathrooms, have just been renovated. Newly painted and furnished, they provide a bright and cheery atmosphere for our families. The house generally maintains an 85% occupancy rate, indicating the continuing need for this service in the Lexington area. The house operates a van to transport families to and from area hospitals and grocery stores. Van service is provided by volunteers. Families, if they can afford it, pay only $7 per night for their stay at the house. Because our nightly fees provide only 4% of our operating budget, we rely on donations and on-going fundraisers to keep the house in operation. Ronald McDonald House Charities is a private, non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. The house has one full-time employee, our Resident Manager. Part time positions include an Administrative Assistant, Relief Managers and a Development Specialist. Much of the house's work is still done by dedicated volunteers. Volunteers check families in and out of the house, serve as van drivers, help with yard work and cleaning projects, conduct fundraisers and serve on a variety of committees. At least one third of the current Board have been involved with the house since its inception. Affiliated Hospitals & Medical Centers The Ronald McDonald House accepts referrals from all following area hospitals and medical centers. These include Cardinal Hill, Central Baptist, Charter Ridge, Good Samaritan, St. Joseph, Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, UK Children's Hospital, and local outpatient surgery centers. Families staying at the Ronald McDonald House for the first time must be referred by a physician or hospital/medical center personnel. House volunteers provide van service to these locations three times per day. Board of Directors RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE BLUEGRASS, INC. 2002 BOARD MEMBERS Laura Gardner - President Pat Miller - President Elect Cindy Derer - Past President Mary Evans - Secretary Martha King - Treasurer Cecilia Page - Assistant Treasurer Julie Burwell Brooks Meador Phyllis Cronin Win Meeker Alberta Gerson Jodilyn Mendelsohn Matthew Grant Al Nahra Jeannie Hackett Jackie Nicholson Louie Hillenmeyer Bettye Page Mary Jean Jenkins Dave Prewitt Terri Johnson Sue Russell Jamie Keller Tom Snyder Christy Larkin Joyce Trivette Ray Larson Tom Weller Linda Lightfoot Phil Wilkins Elizabeth McGee Ronald McDonald House Staff 2002 Sally B. King - House Manager 268-0757 or 268-1651 Hours: 8:30 am-12:00 noon, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Monday - Thursday Friday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Barbara Gilliam - Relief Manager 268-0757 or 268-1651 Hours: 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm Monday - Thursday Marianna Brightwell - Weekend Manager 268-0757 or 268-1651 Hours: 6:00 pm Friday - 9:00 pm Sunday 1st weekend of the month Barbara and Gordon Gilliam - Weekend Manager 268-0757 or 268-1651 Hours: 6:00 pm Friday - 9:00 pm Sunday 3rd and 5th weekend of the month Debbie Pinkston - Weekend Manager 268-0757 or 268-1651 Hours: 6:00 pm Friday - 9:00 pm Sunday 2nd weekend of the month Jerrie Zaranka - Weekend Manager 268-0757 or 268-1651 Hours: 6:00 pm Friday - 9:00 PM Sunday 4th weekend of the month Debbie Radcliffe - Administrative Assistant 268-0747 Hours: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Monday - Friday Beth Blackman - Development Specialist 266-8683 Hours vary Monday - Thursday