About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Our History

1974
First Ronald McDonald House opens in Philadelphia.

1982
Children's Family Center is formed to start a Ronald McDonald House in Spokane.

1987
Ronald McDonald House of Spokane opens at 1015 West 5th Ave with 14 private guest rooms.

1996
Ronald McDonald Children's Charities and Ronald McDonald Houses merge on a national level; Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane is formed.

1997
RMHC of Spokane begins participating in the national RMHC grant program.  In 2005 this program is temporarily put on hold to prioritize time and funding toward addressing the need for additional capacity for the core RMHC program - housing of families with ill children

2000
Ronald McDonald House of Spokane expands to 21 private guest rooms to meet the growing demand for service.

2001
RMHC of Spokane begins participating in the national RMHC scholarship program.  In 2005 this program is temporarily put on hold to prioritize time and funding toward addressing the need for additional capacity for the core RMHC program - housing of families with ill children.

2002
RMHC of Spokane enters agreement with Sacred Heart Medical Center for cooperative venture for two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at the new Sacred Heart Children's Hospital. The rooms are enhanced waiting areas that replicate the homelike atmosphere of the Ronald McDonald House inside the hospital. The rooms will be operated by RMHC of Spokane.

2002
RMHC of Spokane brings the national Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program to the region in a joint venture with the Intercollegiate College of Nursing (ICNE).  In 2006 the ICNE discontinues operating the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.

2003
Two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital were opened August 25th, 2003.

2006
Family waiting list for temporary lodging consistently exceeds ten families.  The board of Directors forms a committee to study the need for a third expansion to address the growing need for temporary lodging.

2007

The Ronald McDonald House provides over 7,000 nights of temporary lodging

2008

Family waiting list for temporary lodging consistently exceeds fifteen families.  The Board of Directors secures property from Sacred Heart Medical Center for future expansion

2009
RMHC of Spokane reinstates the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program in central Washington in a joint venture with Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic.