Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass [ View Opportunities ] Last updated on May 14, 2007 Our mission is to own and operate a "home away from home" for children and their families who come to Lexington for medical treatment and to support health related programs and projects for Kentucky's children. Description: We have 20 guest rooms that can each hold up to 4 family members, and we stay about 85% full. We provide services to any family from out-of-town who brings their sick child to be treated at any Lexington hospital or outpatient surgery center. Families may stay with us as long as their child is receiving treatment, so some are with us for one or two nights, and others are here up to a year. We do ask for a small fee, but no family is ever turned away because of inability to pay. History: The idea of a home for families of hospital patients developed in Philadelphia, PA in 1973. Fred Hill, a member of the Philadelphia Eagles football team learned that his daughter had leukemia. During the course of her treatment, Hill and his team members and management asked what they could possibly do to help their local children's hospital. The idea of a place for children's families to stay was born at that time. The Eagles football team worked together with the local McDonald's stores to raise funds, and the first Ronald McDonald House was opened. In Lexington, the same need was perceived by doctors and parents of children who had undergone treatment in our area hospitals. The Fayette County Medical Society and Auxiliary, parents, McDonald's representatives, and other volunteers formed a non-profit organization called Children's Oncology Services of the Bluegrass, Inc., which founded our Ronald McDonald House. Our house was constructed on a 1.43 acre site near Commonwealth Stadium and we opened our doors to families on December 14, 1984. We have served over 17,000 families since we opened. Contact person: Anna Cooper, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone this person), (email this person) Office fax number: (859) 266-6771 Address: 1300 Sports Center Drive Lexington, KY 40502 This location is handicap accessible (See a map) Web Site: http://www.rmhclexington.org Directions: From Nicholasville Road/Limestone, turn on Cooper Drive toward Commonwealth Stadium. Take a right at the 2nd light (beside KET) onto Sports Center Drive and the Ronald McDonald House will be on your left. From Tates Creek Road, turn. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: Tates Creek/Cooper or Nicholasville Road/Cooper, 10 Minutes minute walk Be the first person to offer feedback on this agency! Post a volunteer reflection to share your experiences with other volunteers!

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