What is the Ronald McDonald House?
Ronald McDonald House is the not for profit corporation that operates our home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children ranging from newborn to age twenty-one who must travel far from home to area hospitals for urgently needed medical care, and operates RMH Family Rooms at Southern New Jersey hospitals.

What does the House provide?
A family may stay at our House while their child is under a physician's care, whether the child is hospitalized or receiving outpatient care. Residents enjoy a homelike setting, the privacy of their own bedroom, and most importantly, the understanding of other parents who share the same burden of having a seriously ill child.

Who does Ronald McDonald House of SNJ help?
Each year more than 800 families whose children need medical care stay at the House when they have traveled from the 9 southern counties of New Jersey and beyond, including 40 other states, and 28 foreign countries.

What is a Ronald McDonald House Family Room?
In 2003 we expanded our programs beyond the doors of our House to include the first Ronald McDonald House Family Room in New Jersey. We currently operate eleven RMH Family Rooms in Atlantic City Medical Center Mainland & City Divisions, Capital Health in Trenton, Cooper University Hospital in Camden, Kennedy Hospital in Washington Twp., Shore Memorial Hospital in Somers Point, South Jersey Healthcare in Vineland and Virtua in Voorhees & Mount Holly. The family room, usually located within a Pediatric unit, is designed to be a quiet, comfortable place for families to rest, enjoy refreshments and use the computer to e-mail family and friends or do research on their child's condition and medications, all while remaining close to their hospitalized children.

Who runs the House?
A 25 member volunteer Board of Trustees governs Ronald McDonald House of SNJ and is responsible for policy making, governance, and financial oversight. The Board hires the Executive Director who manages the ongoing operations including staffing, public relations, and fund raising. In addition to the small staff, there are more than 500 volunteers annually, who team with the Board and Staff to assist with family care and fund raising.

How is Ronald McDonald House of SNJ funded?
Ronald McDonald House receives approximately 10-20% of its operating budget in combined donations from local McDonald Owner/Operators, United Way designated gifts and the nominal $15 nightly donation from families who can afford to contribute. The remaining funds, more than 80%, needed to operate the House and Family Rooms, come from the generous support of individuals, foundations, and businesses through local fund-raising activities.

How is McDonald's involved with the House?
McDonald's involvement in the Ronald McDonald House program dates back to 1974 when McDonald's joined with the Philadelphia Eagles in creating the first Shamrock Shake promotion. The proceeds went to purchase and renovate the first Ronald McDonald House which opened in Philadelphia in October 1974. McDonald's Corporation has since formed Ronald McDonald House Charities, the local chapters of owner/operators, which support a variety of children's charities, including Ronald McDonald Houses, Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles and many more.

Little known facts about our House:

• We occupy a 26,000 square foot four story building
• The average length of stay is 10 days
• No one is turned away due to an inability to make a nominal contribution.
• The House receives no local, state or federal tax dollars, relying entirely on private donations.
• Volunteers, in-kind and cash donations are always needed.
• The House has a very small staff assisted by more than 500 volunteers annually
• All donations are used locally