As a major pediatric medical center, St. Louis has some of the best children’s doctors in the world. But even the most skilled surgeon is no substitute for the healing power of love. When a sick child cries out in the night, there’s no mistaking what it means: I need my mommy or daddy. That’s why, since 1981, Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis has provided a home away from home for more than 40,000 families of children who travel here for medical treatment.
“We offer shelter, home-cooked meals, and a warm, community-style environment for families of seriously ill kids,” says RMHC president Dan Harbaugh. “Being surrounded by caring volunteers, and by other families who are going through the same thing, strengthens parents for whatever the next day brings. With their basic needs covered, moms and dads can be there for their children, calming their fears and making sure they heal.”
Three conveniently located Ronald McDonald houses serve more than 1,750 families a year from all over the world. RMHC also offers eight extended-stay apartments, used primarily by families of young transplant patients, and family rooms at Mercy, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and SSM Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. “The rooms are equipped with snacks, showers, laundry facilities, a TV and other amenities,” Harbaugh explains. “They’re an oasis for some 12,000 families each year, allowing them to escape the hospital environment for a while.” And the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, a traveling eye care unit, provides free eye exams and glasses for more than 2,000 underserved kids annually.
The financial hardship that comes with having a severely ill child can be overwhelming, especially when families must move elsewhere for medical treatment. “We’re aware of this burden, so families who stay at a Ronald McDonald House pay no more than $5 a night, and the fee is waived completely for families who can’t afford it,” Harbaugh says. “Thanks to the generosity of St. Louisans, we’ve been able to keep our costs down. We never turn a family away.”
RMHC relies on donations to keep its doors open. A major fundraiser, the annual DTZ/RMH Golf Tournament & Dinner Auction, takes place May 31 and June 1 at Meadowbrook Country Club. The event is co-chaired by Scott Bazoian of commercial real estate firm DTZ, and Steve Fahrig of Schnuck Markets. DTZ serves as title sponsor. “The event generates about 25 percent of our annual operating budget,” Harbaugh says. “Every dollar raised stays in the St. Louis area.”
Families appreciate having a refuge during a stressful time. “The help you provide to those in need is an incredible blessing,” says a mom whose daughter underwent a lung transplant. “The volunteers were so kind and helpful, and the other families were a wonderful support system. After a peaceful night, we were able to return to our daughter’s side and fight another day. Thank you for welcoming us to the house that love built!”
Pictured: Ronald McDonald House hosts more than 1,700 families annually from all over the world.
Photo: Amy Dunn Images
[The 30th annual DTZ/RMH Golf Tournament & Dinner Auction, benefiting Ronald McDonald House, takes place May 31 and June 1 at Meadowbrook Country Club. To register, visit rmhcstl.com/golf. For more information, call 314.932.4116.]
