The Ronald McDonald House Global Giving Collective (RGGC) unifies McDonald's suppliers in support of Ronald McDonald House. Through the RGGC, we harness and elevate the collective impact of the McDonald’s U.S. and Global Supplier community to help care for families around the world with children who are ill and injured.
Meeting Unique Local Needs for Families
Ronald McDonald House is committed to addressing family needs all along their child’s healthcare journey, and sometimes that means creating programs and services for the unique needs of families in their communities. To illustrate this, check out some unique Ronald McDonald House Local Programs in Europe:
Ronald McDonald House Spain has been collaborating with their hospital partner since 2019 to help supply and distribute donated breast milk. Babies being treated in local neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) throughout Madrid needed breast milk. New mothers at home were willing to donate breast milk but were not always able to deliver the milk safely or in a timely manner.
Ronald McDonald House Spain found a solution by partnering with the regional breast milk bank in Madrid to create a unique breast milk collection service. The chapter’s MilkTruck has not only helped meet the demand for breast milk in local NICUs, but the program has become the primary local means of collecting donated breast milk across Madrid. Over 2,000 families in the Madrid region have been impacted to date!
Research shows that exercise’s ability to enhance mood and decrease stress tendencies is a valuable way to promote healing for families with children who are seriously ill. After receiving generous donation of 15,000 euros, Ronald McDonald House Sweden purchased electric bicycles for families to use at five Ronald McDonald House programs across the country.
“The e-bikes are incredibly appreciated,” said Lotta Sterning from the Ronald McDonald House Uppsala. “Whether families are using them to make a quick grocery run or just for a fun trip around our beautiful outdoor spaces, they’re great for exercising and clearing the head after long, stressful days of treatment.”
Families that have endured a medical crisis or have a child that needs a lot of care at home are mostly exhausted. Most would benefit from a short holiday to retrieve energy and have some quality family time. But so often, they can’t find the right place to go, because few hotels or vacation homes are equipped to accommodate children with special medical needs.
That is why Ronald McDonald House Netherlands offers three different “Holiday Houses” to families after a child’s long-term hospital stay.
A vacation at a Holiday House is a breath of fresh air for the whole family. Families stay for up to a week in an apartment with their own kitchen, bedrooms, and living areas. All are on the ground floor, and all are specially equipped for their children’s needs.
Since there are multiple apartments in each Holiday House, staff and volunteers make sure everything runs smoothly. And if families want to engage with each other, there are even communal spaces to do that. In 2022, 631 families stayed almost 4,000 nights at these special Holiday Houses – giving families a place to disconnect from their ‘normal’ life stresses, restore their energy and feel seen and understood.
“The Kindervallei Holiday Home is a place where everyone can be themselves. What a calm and relaxed feeling that gives us parents” – Anke, Ronald McDonald House mom
The Ronald McDonald House commitment to caring for families has grown exponentially since 1974. Today, with over 1,000 programs and services in 62 countries and regions, the unique, locally focused approach embodied by Chapters like Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands represent the many unique ways Ronald McDonald House helps strengthen families and promote healing worldwide.
Bookmark Ronald McDonald House.org/Our History to read even more stories of positive Ronald McDonald House impact over the past 50 years.
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“Having already endured trauma during the evacuation from Afghanistan, keeping the families together was our top priority.”
“The Ronald McDonald House was extraordinary. The staff was extremely kind and it truly is a home away from home.”
These partners and their consistent steadfast support is essential to our ability to help families around the world feel at home…even when they can’t be.
“It was great to all be together when my brother was sick. When we visited him at the hospital, he was always smiling and happy to see us.”
“Ronald McDonald House helps keep families together and feel supported throughout their journey.”
“Sophia and Yuri found a community of support in other families going through similar situations.”
“It was such a relief because the girls were very compromised in the beginning and it just allowed us to focus on them.”
“The smiles on their faces were priceless and motivated me to continue volunteering.”
“We are grateful to be able to count committed partners like Cargill®.”
“When Juliana was hospitalized, we could rest knowing we were just steps away from her hospital bed thanks to Ronald McDonald House.”
"Thankfully, our valued partners recognize that now more than ever, the Ronald McDonald House system is reliant on their support."
“Ray Kroc Heritage Society donors continue the legacy of Ray Kroc, in whose memory Ronald McDonald House was founded.”
“I am honored to be entrusted with leadership of this truly superb organization.”
"I have to be here by her side."
“We found more than a roof over our head, we found our family."
“This is more than a place to sleep and eat…a place to be supported together.”
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“The gift of being together just makes you feel like you’re going to be okay.”
“We found comfort in spending time with family and newfound friends.”
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