Having a child in the hospital is a parent’s worst nightmare. Long days spent away from home only add to a situation that already seems unbearable. Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis offers respite for families of seriously ill children.

While the organization is known for providing out-of-town families a place to stay, Ronald McDonald Family Rooms offer a home-away-from-home for all families with seriously ill children. Three area hospitals have the facilities, open to both local and out-of-town guests. Judy Schuler, vice president of operations for Ronald McDonald House, describes them as apartments without bedrooms.

“They are much more than just waiting rooms,” she says. “We want our families to feel like they are stepping out of the hospital, even if only for a few minutes .”

The rooms are staffed almost entirely by volunteers and are open for 12 or more hours every day, providing laundry facilities, showers, a kitchen, computers with Internet access, toys and games. There is also a quiet room where people can take naps or simply have a moment alone. “This space offers an opportunity to take in what doctors have said and process the information,” Schuler says. She adds that there also are areas for families to gather. Complimentary food and drinks are available, including light meals for those unable to use the hospital cafeteria.

Each family is surveyed after they use the room, and Schuler says the comments have been very rewarding. From a cup of coffee in the morning to a quiet place to wind down, people are grateful for the Family Rooms. One note read: “Thank you so much for giving me a place to take a break (and sneak in a nap!) during my son’s stay in the NICU. It made all the difference knowing I could go somewhere that felt like home. Your many kindnesses are very much appreciated.”

The first Ronald McDonald Family Room was built in 2005 at Mercy Children’s Hospital. Two years later, St. Louis Children’s Hospital opened its first room, and a second one was added there this past March. The hospital’s original space is currently undergoing renovations to make it more comfortable and functional, thanks to a grant from Ameren; when it reopens, it will serve the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. There also is a Family Room inside SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Schuler is excited for the continued growth of the program, which served more than 12,000 families in 2017. “It takes a lot of money to help that many families,” Schuler says. “As an organization, we are very fortunate to have the support of McDonald’s owner-operators.”

McDonald’s sponsors the nonprofit’s Scramble for Charity Golf Tournament, which will celebrate its 25th aniversary this year. The tournament is Sept. 28 at The Legends Country Club in Eureka, and golfers can hit the green with tee times at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Schuler notes that one of the highlights of the event is a food and beverage tent hosted by the Ladies of McDonald’s. “All golfers get to spend some time in the tent having fun,” she says. “It’s always a big hit.” Last year, the tournament raised $150,000 to support local and out-of-town families.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis provides respite for families of seriously ill children and supports organizations that serve the needs of children. Its 25th annual Scramble for Charity golf tournament is Sept. 28 at the Legends Country Club. Pictured on the cover: Jim Sramek, Carla Valenti, Chris Giarla, Colleen Schoendeinst. For more information and to register, call Abby Bandelow at 314.92.4116 or visit rmhcstl.com/scramble.

Cover design by Allie Bronsky
Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography

Pictured above: A.J. Vaughn’s family used the family room at St. Louis Children’s Hospital when he was receiving cancer treatment.