Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities® South Central Ontario About Us

How We Help

Ronald McDonald House Charities® South Central Ontario (RMHC®SCO) is part of a network of 15 Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada. We provide a home away from home for families of children who are seriously ill and being treated at nearby hospitals. 


RMHCSCO expanded from our original 15 bedroom home to a 40 bedroom house in the Spring of 2012 to serve more families in their time of need.

Built in 1993 and located next to McMaster Children’s Hospital, RMHCSCO is independently owned and operated by Kid’s Care Oncology Central West Ontario and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, managed by a small staff team and supported by a full complement of dedicated volunteers.

Try to imagine being a child with a chronic or life-threatening illness – frightened, hurting, questioning. Now try to imagine being a parent – short on answers, long on helplessness and scared beyond words. What both need most are each other. RMHCSCO provides families in crisis a home to everyday moments when life is far from ordinary.

The Paul Family
Our Mission

To provide a warm, compassionate and safe home away from home for families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at our local children’s hospital.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada

The McDonald's Relationship

The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Canada in 1981. In 1982, Ronald McDonald House Charities® Canada was created by McDonald’s ensuring that every future House would have a foundation of support. Since then McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada have been committed partners in helping sick children and their families in the following ways:

  • 10 cents from the sale of every Happy Meal is donated to Ronald McDonald House  Charities® Canada.
  • McDonald’s Restaurants across Canada host McHappy Day, which is an annual day of giving to support Ronald McDonald Houses and other local children’s charities.
  • Restaurants also collect public donations through coin boxes and cashless kiosks to support their local Ronald McDonald Houses.
  • McDonald's Restaurants across Canada donate five cents from the sale of the RMHC Cookies to Ronald McDonald Houses. 
  • Many McDonald’s suppliers support Ronald McDonald Houses as contributors, volunteers and national donors. 
 

Approximately 30 per cent of the House’s annual operating costs come from our Founder and Forever partner, McDonald's Restaurants. (Happy Meal Program, McHappy Day, RMHC cookie, cashless donations and coin boxes)

 

At this time, RMHCSCO does not receive funding from government agencies and the remaining 70 per cent of the annual budget is raised through fundraising activities and through the contribution of our generous donors.

2019 Statistics

  • 728 Out-of-town families stayed at the House
  • 12.64 Nights was the average length of stay
  • 543 Families stayed with us more than once
  • 304 Nights was the longest stay by a single family
  • $3.6 Million dollars saved in out-of-pocket expenses for families
  • 12,918 Total nights stayed by families

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why are the Houses Needed?

    McMaster Children’s Hospital is one of the top paediatric academic health science centers in Canada. It serves a community of over 2.3 million people from South Central Ontario and beyond. This large geographic region results in many children under their care from cities and towns many kilometres away. These children need the support of their parents and siblings while undergoing treatment, and parents and siblings need a safe and supportive environment to stay strong. Ronald McDonald House Charities® South Central Ontario attempts to help families feel closer to home when life is far from ordinary.

  • How much does it cost to stay at the House?

    While it costs about $159 to care for a family for a night, our House provides families with an emotionally supportive home away from home for only $12 per night. However, no family is ever turned away due to their inability to pay.

  • How is the House funded?

    Approximately 30 per cent of the House’s annual operating budget comes from Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada, donations from McDonald’s Happy Meal Program, coin boxes, the RMHC Cookie program, McDonald's kiosk donations and the nominal fee for families to stay at the House. No funding is received from any agency or government, so the remaining 70 per cent is raised through fundraising activities and through the contribution of our generous donors.

  • How can I donate?

    Please contact the House directly at 905-521-9983 to arrange a donation drop off. Alternatively, donations can be made online or mailed to:

    1510 Main St. West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 1E3

     

  • How can I get involved?

    Ronald McDonald House Charities® South Central Ontario offers countless ways for you to make a difference and help provide families with a home to everyday moments. You can host a fundraiser, volunteer at the House, the Family Rooms or at an event, make a donation, or purchase a gift from our online wish list. Visit the volunteer or donate section to learn more.

Our House Insider Newsletter

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