Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House facts for kids
The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House was the very first Ronald McDonald House ever built! It's located at 39th and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia. This special house helps families whose children are very sick and need to stay in the hospital. It gives them a comfortable place to live close to the hospital, so they don't have to worry about where to sleep or eat while their child gets better.
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How the House Started
The first Ronald McDonald House opened its doors on October 15, 1974. It was located at 4032 Spruce Street and could host seven families. The idea for the house came from Dr. Audrey Evans and Dr. Milton 'Mickey' Donaldson, who were doctors at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. They saw how families had to spend nights at the hospital while their children were getting medical care. They dreamed of a better way for families to stay together.
Around the same time, the Philadelphia Eagles football team was raising money for player Fred Hill's daughter, Kim, who was battling leukemia. The Eagles' manager, Jimmy Murray, heard about Dr. Evans' idea. He promised to help make her dream of a house come true. He then asked McDonald's, who advertised with the Eagles, for help. McDonald's agreed to fund the house by using money from their Shamrock Shake sales.
In 1981, the house moved to a bigger location at 3925 Chestnut Street, which meant it could welcome 19 families. In 1995, it grew even more, adding 24 rooms to reach a total of 43 rooms! Later, two more bedrooms were added, bringing the Chestnut Street house to 45 rooms.
In 2008, a second house was opened at 100 E. Erie Avenue, right next to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. This house started with 18 guest rooms and later added two more, making it 20 rooms in total.
Special Programs and Rooms
The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House does more than just provide rooms. In 1986, they started a special summer camp for children with cancer and their brothers and sisters. This camp gives them a fun week away.
In 2006, they opened the first Ronald McDonald Family Room inside The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. This room is like a cozy living room for families right in the hospital's Oncology Unit. It has a dining table, comfy seats, a kitchen, and a bathroom. There's even a laundry room so families can wash clothes. In 2008, another Family Room was built in the Cardiac Unit.
In 2013, a Hospitality Kiosk was set up at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. This kiosk offers snacks, drinks, toiletries, books, and games for families. It's a quick stop for things they might need.
The Chestnut Street Building
The main house on Chestnut Street is a beautiful old mansion built in 1893. It was designed in a style called Romanesque, which has strong, rounded arches. It was first built for a man named William James Swain. Years later, in 1926, it became a funeral home before finally being sold to the Ronald McDonald House.
What the House Does
The main goal of the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House is to support families with seriously ill children. They create a warm and caring community where families can find comfort and hope during tough times.
How the House Works
The Ronald McDonald House is run by a small team of paid staff and many wonderful volunteers. These people help provide a safe and welcoming place for families. Most families staying at the house have children getting treatment at hospitals like Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Temple University Hospital, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Wills Eye Institute, and Shriner's Hospital. Families can stay for just one night or for more than a year, depending on their child's treatment needs.
See also
- Ronald McDonald House New York
