Agency Details:

The House provides critical care and support to families and youth in the midst of healthcare crises.

Description:
Ronald McDonald House Charities works to better the lives of children and their families in the greater Washington, DC area. The organization provides programming that directly improves the heath and well-being of children. The core programs are the two Houses - one in Falls Church and one in Washington, the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Children's National Medical Center and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile in partnership with Georgetown University Hospital.

History:
The Washington,DC Ronald McDonald House originated in the late 1970's when Carey Randall, then president of the metropolitan Washington, DC chapter of the Candlelighters, became interested in the RMH concept. With the active support of the Greater Washington Advertising Cooperative of the McDonald's Corporation, RMH was incorporated as a non-profit, volunteer organization in 1978 and the project was launched.

After extensive renovation, the 30-room, 16 bedroom house at 1326 Quincy St, NE, was opened in June of 1980. The turn of the century Spanish colonial style mansion is located on one and a half acres in a quiet, residential neighborhood in northeast Washington not far from Children's national Medical Center. The Washington RMH was the sixteenth House to open nationwide. A new wing was opened in May, 1987, providing increased living and office space as well as additional rooms for families.

In December 1995, RMH merged with Ronald McDonald House Charities to become Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC, Inc. The mission expanded to include the disbursement of grants to other qualified children's charities in our geographic region. Funding for the Grants Program is made possible by the efforts of McDonald's promotions.

In May 1998, the Ronald McDonald House Family Room opened in Children's National Medical Center. The room offers respite to families with children undergoing treatment on the hematology/oncology unit.

In January 1998, the new Northern Virginia RMH at INOVA Fairfax Hospital became a reality. The eight bedroom facility with common living areas stands in wonderful tribute to dedicated community involvement.

In January, 2004, RMHC partnered with Georgetown University Hospital and RMHC's national program to acquire and staff a Care Mobile which serves children in Wards 5 and 6 in Washington DC.

Contact person: Claudia Lewis, Director Of Community Relations, (703) 698-7080, (email)

Address:

1326 Quincy Street, NE Washington, DC 20017 (See a map)