Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada

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Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada is a non-profit organisation that gives a home to families with seriously ill children who must leave their own homes in order to seek medical attention at a nearby hospital. There are currently fifteen^[1] Ronald McDonald Houses as well as six Family Rooms in Canada that are funded by donations. These houses provide a home away from home to over 10,000 families and their sick loved one. McDonald's has committed to financially supporting all of the Ronald McDonald Houses administrative and operating costs.^[2]

Objective[]

When a child is diagnosed with a critical illness, they are not always able to get the right medical attention where they originally reside. When families have to travel to out of town hospitals in order to get the medical assistance required; may it be tests, treatments or therapy, Ronald McDonald House provides these families with an affordable, comforting, and loving environment while their child is in care at a nearby hospital.^[3] Founded by George Cohon, the first Canadian Ronald McDonald House opened its door in 1981 in the city of Toronto.^[4]

Donations[]

Each Ronald McDonald House is independently operated by its own charitable organization within its community. These Houses rely on the support of corporate donors as well as individual donors.

Corporate donors provide Ronald McDonald Houses with the essential amenities needed in order to provide families with a comfortable stay. In addition to this, they also help through funding, in-kind donations and volunteering. The corporate donors that are currently involved with the Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada are Benjamin Moore, Bissell, Coca-Cola, Cossette, Ecolab, Electrolux, Ikon, Kruger Products, Microsoft, Moneris, Sealy and Sharp.^[5]

McHappy Day[]

McDonald restaurants all over the country stage "McHappy Day", a fundraising event that collects funds for Ronald McDonald Houses. $1 for every BigMac sandwich, Happy Meal and hot McCafé that is sold will be donated to local children's charities. The fundraiser attracts McDonald’s owners/operators, local celebrity, radio stations, politicians as well as Ronald McDonald House volunteers and staff, all of which how donate their time. Since its creation in 1977, the annual fundraiser has raised over $35 million for its beneficiaries nationwide.^[6]

Coin box[]

McDonald's restaurants are making yearlong contributions to Canada’s Ronald McDonald House Charities, a coin box placed in front of every cash register in efforts to collect public donations from customers.^[7]

Happy Meals[]

McDonald’s also donates 10 cents of each happy meal sold in Canada to the Ronald McDonald House Charity; over $34 million so far have been collected.^[8]

Houses[]

Ronald McDonald Houses were created to provide a "home away from home" environment for families to live in while their ill child is being treated at a nearby hospital. They are a non-profit organization that creates "community houses" that a run many on donations given by members of the community. These Houses offer a warm and welcome place to stay where families can find support while dealing with the emotional distress of having their sick child in the hospital. Because these houses are in such high demand, Ronald McDonald Houses are not always able to accommodate all of the families that are in need of a place to stay. Ronald McDonald House Charities are currently able to lodge a total of 219 families across Canada. However they are expanding, relocating or renovating houses in order to provide accommodations for many more families to come. They plan to more than double their available space by 2014, expanding to 465 available bedrooms across Canada.^{[9][needs update]}

British Columbia and Yukon[]

The Ronald McDonald House in BC opened in 1983 with 13 bedrooms in the Shaughnessy neighborhood of Vancouver. In 2014, a new House opened on the grounds of BC Children's Hospital that serves 73 families every night and offers many expanded services. This Ronald McDonald House, completed by MGA Michael Green Architecture, is built to LEED Gold Standards and won the 2016 Governor General's Award for Architecture. This Chapter also operates a family room at Surrey Memorial Hospital with four sleeping rooms.^[10]

Northern Alberta[]

Open in 1985, The Ronald McDonald House in Northern Alberta is a home to 872 families a year and has been home to over 13,700 families since it opened its doors. Hosting programs such as Science Experiment, Recreation, Physical Movement, Campouts and Craft Nights, the volunteer and staff try to make the patients of Stollery Children’s Hospital, Royal Alexandra, Glen Rose, Grey Nuns and Miseria Acordia as comfortable as possible.^[11]

Central Alberta[]

One of the newest House’s in Canada has been host to approximately 33,000 families since its opening in February 2012. Children who are staying at The Ronald McDonald House of Central Alberta are treated at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.^[12]

Southern Alberta[]

Opened in 1985, The Ronald McDonald House of Southern Alberta has accommodated 389 families every year.^[13]

Saskatchewan[]

Having opened in 1985, The Ronald McDonald House in Saskatchewan hosts events and fundraisers in order to accommodate the average of 661 families that stay with them per year. Children staying in this residence are treated at the Royal University Hospital.^[14]

Manitoba[]

The Ronald McDonald House of Manitoba, open in 1984 has been home to an average of 500 families per year; 14,300 since its opening. The sick children that reside here are treated at Winnipeg Children’s hospital as well as St-Boniface Hospital.^[15]

Southwestern Ontario[]

Since its opening in 1985, this Ronald McDonald House has lodged over 10,000 families whose sick family member is being treated at either the Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Parkwood or University. Over 552 families per year are greeted by staff and volunteers who provide them with home cooked meals.^[16]

Hamilton[]

The Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton has accommodated over 1,325 families since its opening in 1993, averaging at over 700 families per year. Affiliated with McMaster Children Hospital, this House provides meals for its residents.^[17]

Toronto[]

Open in 1981, The Ronald McDonald House in Toronto is a home to 246 families per year. Hosting programs such as Expressive Arts, Child Life, Home for Dinner and Play Program, the volunteers and staff try to make the patients of The Hospital for Sick Children (Sick Kids), Mount Sinai Hospital as happy as possible.^[18]

Ottawa[]

Having helped a total of over 13,000 families since it opened its doors in 1984, The Ronald McDonald House in Ottawa promotes many programs such as Teddy Bear Program, Yoga, Meditation, and Massage Time in order to accommodate the average of 500families that stay with them per year. Children staying in this residence are treated at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario and the Ottawa Hospital.^[19]

Montreal[]

Since its opening in 1982, this Ronald McDonald House has lodged over 1,068 families whose sick family member is being treated at either the Ste. Justine, Montreal Children’s or Shriner’s Hospital. The staff and volunteers provide the families with Meal Programs and Knitting Programs.^[20]

Quebec City[]

Opened in 1988, The Ronald McDonald House of Quebec City has been used by 2,000 families every year making it the most trafficked House in Canada. The patients that stay in this House are treated at Centre Hospitalier de L’Université Laval^[21]

Atlantic Canada[]

The Ronald McDonald House of Atlantic Canada, open in 1982 has been home to an average of 1,030 families per year; 29,000 since its opening. The sick children that reside here are treated at IWK Health Centre and QEII. There is also a house at the Moncton Hospital which provides hot meals, showers, wifi, books & games.^[22]

Newfoundland and Labrador[]

One of the newest House’s in Canada has been host to over 500 families thus far since its opening in 2012. Children who are staying at The Ronald McDonald House of Newfoundland and Labrador are treated at Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre.^[23]

See also[]

• Ronald McDonald House Charities
• Ronald McDonald House New York

References[]