History
History
How We Started
The idea for a Ronald McDonald House began in Philadelphia in 1973, when Fred Hill, a member of the Philadelphia Eagles football team, learned that his three year old daughter, Kim, had leukemia. The Eagles organized fundraising efforts to assist Kim's, as well as other children's, fight against leukemia. During the course of these efforts, the idea of a 'home-away-from-home' where out-of-town families could stay during their child's hospital treatment, was born.
Why Ronald McDonald?
The Eagles enlisted the help of their local McDonald's restaurants to raise money for the first-ever house. In 1974, the Philadelphia House opened bearing the name of McDonald's happy clown, Ronald McDonald. Today there are over 300 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide, all serving the needs of families during their child's hospitalization. Each House is independently owned and operated. McDonald's is only one of many generous donors, so community-wide support is the essential ingredient for each House.
The Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City
The Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City, opened in 1985, has been a "home away from home" for over 63,000 family members from all 99 Iowa Counties, all 50 states, and 55 foreign countries. Since opening, the House has grown in capacity from 15 rooms to the current capacity of 31 rooms following the House expansion in 1999-2001.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa
In 2008 we embarked on an expanded mission to help families and children in Eastern Iowa outside the walls of the Ronald McDonald House, resulting in a change in our organizational name to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa. While the Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City continues to be our cornerstone program, the grants and scholarhip programs have made significant impacts in surrounding communities.
Since 2008 we have granted funds to 31 non-profit organizations whose programs improve the quality of life for children and their families in Eastern Iowa. We have also offered 22 scholarships to graduating seniors from Eastern Iowa intent on continuing their education after high school.
