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THANK YOU
25th ANNIVERSARY
SPONSORS:

Portland Trail Blazers
Maletis Beverage

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who owns and operates the Ronald McDonald Houses?
  Portland's two Ronald McDonald Houses are owned and operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington and governed by a Board of Trustees.
  
• Who funds Portland's two Ronald McDonald Houses?
  Generous supporters like you! The majority of our operating funds comes from individuals and corporate donors. While we ask families to pay $20 per night, this fee is often reduced or waived completely for families. These fees cover approximately 5% of our operating costs and the remaining 95% is generated through donations and fundraising activities -- so you can see that your support is needed.
  
• What is the Outreach Program and how is it funded?
  RMHC, with support from RMHC Global, offers grants to charitable organizations that provide free immunizations and dental care to children in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Since 2002, RMHC's outreach program has served approximately 47,000 children and distributed $435,136 in grant money for this purpose. RMHC's Outreach Program is funded by donations made in canisters at McDonald's restaurants throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington.
  
• What's the relationship between RMHC and McDonald's?
  Many McDonald's franchisees and McDonald's Corporate generously support RMHC through in-restaurant fundraisers such as the RMHC Canister Program and World Children's Day. McDonald's Corporate also owns the licensing rights to the Ronald McDonald House Charities name, but each RMHC chapter is individually owned and operated.
  
• Does McDonald's subsidize the Houses?
  Donations made through the Canister Program and other McDonald's promotions fund between 15 and 20 percent of RMHC's annual operating costs. This amount varies from chapter to chapter.
  
• Are all of the Ronald McDonald Houses the same?
  All Ronald McDonald Houses throughout the world share a common purpose to provide a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. However, each one is individually owned and operated and programs and eligibility requirements will vary from house to house.
  
• How can I support Portland's two Ronald McDonald Houses?
  By donating and volunteering! We could not operate the House without donations from individuals and groups. Our volunteers help keep our operating costs low - and are the reason we can accomplish so much with such a small staff.
  
• How much does it cost to run the Ronald McDonald Houses?
  RMHC of Oregon and Southwest Washington has a $1.7 million operating budget. This is used for maintaining and operating the Ronald McDonald Houses every day of the year.
  
• How many Ronald McDonald Houses are there?
  There are two in Portland and 259 independently owned and operated Ronald McDonald Houses throughout the world.
  
• How many families can the Ronald McDonald Houses accommodate?
  The East House can accomodate 24 families and the West House can accommodate 16 families.
  
• Who runs the Ronald McDonald Houses?
  RMHC has a paid staff that runs the day-to-day operations. They are supported by volunteers.
  

• How do I make sure that my donation goes directly to Portland's two Ronald McDonald Houses?
  It is easy to do. Whether you make a donation through our website, mail us a check, or register for a fundraising event, your gift will be used to fund the continued operations of the Houses.
  
• Do the Houses accept donations of furniture, toys, clothes, food, etc.?
  We appreciate you thinking of us. We always want to make sure that the items you donate are needed and will be put to use right away. We accept only NEW and UNUSED items. Our House Hero packs are the best way to donate items that the Houses need the most. Please contact us directly, and we will let you know if it is something we can use -- East Ronald McDonald House, 971-230-6700, West Ronald McDonald House, 503-494-5200.
  
• How can I help a family I know during their stay?
  To support a family you know, we suggest making a cash donation designated to cover their stay -- our lodging fee is $20 per day. Other items that are usually appreciated are food baskets (alcohol not permitted) or gift certificates to a local restaurant or grocery store. Still not sure? Just contact our House Managers, they are happy to suggest items.
  

• What do volunteers do?
  Volunteers are vital to keeping our doors open to families. Volunteers greet visitors, help with cleaning and day-to-day operations. They also organize fundraisers, cook dinners and provide support at fundraising events.
  
• How can I get my business involved with RMHC?
  Let us customize your company's volunteer and giving experience. Check out our Corporate Involvement page or contact Kimberlee Harper Hanken at khanken@rmhcoregon.org or 971-230-6707.
  
• Can I work with children?
  Most often, it is the families of the seriously ill or injured children staying with us, not the patient themselves. Occasionally, children stay with us on an outpatient basis and during school breaks we may have siblings at the House. During these times volunteers are able to play games or do craft activities with them, but there is no guarantee that children will be in the House while volunteers are working.
  
• During Christmas or other holidays, can families be adopted?
  Many of our families are not certain if they will be staying with us during the holidays so we don't have a family adoption program. During the holidays, we encourage people to either make a cash contribution or provide a House Hero pack that provides essential items the Houses need.
  

• Who can stay at the Ronald McDonald House?
  Families of seriously ill or injured children who have traveled more than 50 miles to receive treatment at Portland hopsitals may qualify to stay at the Houses. See our housing eligibility guidelines.
  
• How much does it cost to stay at the Ronald McDonald House?
  We ask families to pay $20 per night to stay at the House, but the fee is often waived or reduced for families who cannot afford it.
  
• How close are the Houses to the hospital?
  The East Ronald McDonald House is located on the campus of Legacy Emanuel Hospital just steps away from the entrace to the Children's Hospital. The West Ronald McDonald House is located adjacent to the entrance of Doernbecher Children's Hospital and OHSU -- a short walk from Shriners Hospital for Children.
  
• How far away from Portland must a family live to stay at Ronald McDonald House?
  Families must live at least 50 miles away from Portland.
  
• Are only low-income families permitted to stay at the Houses?
  Family income is not a qualification for admission.
  
• Are reservations accepted and what happens when the Houses are full?
  We always do our best to accommodate as many families as possible. However, we frequently receive more requests than we have rooms available. We do not accept reservations, but do accept requests for rooms. As rooms become available during the day and other families check out, families are notified of any openings. If the House closest to the treating hospital is full, the family may be referred to our other House if there is availability. We encourage families to accept this option, however, some families refuse because of the distance from the hospital. If we do not have availability for a family, a family may decide to stay at a hotel or at the hospital.
  
• What can families expect when they arrive at the Ronald McDonald House?
  After a family is referred by a hospital social worker/case manager and it is determined that the house has room availability, they must complete a check-in with House staff or volunteers. During this check-in process, they receive a brief introduction, review House policies and procedures and take a quick tour. A Ronald McDonald House representative will also show them their private bed/bathroom and provide them with a set of keys. After this orientation, families are able to return to the hospital, relax in their room, enjoy a meal with their family and other guests in the dining room, or spend time in any of the common areas within the House.
  
• How long do families usually stay the Houses?

  A family is eligible to stay at Ronald McDonald House up to 30 days as long as their child is receiving medical treatment. After 30 days, extensions must be approved by the House Manager. Depending on the child's illness and treatment, stays may last several weeks to several months and even extend to a year or more.

  
  
• Why would a family stay at Ronald McDoanld House if they could stay at a hotel?
  The Ronald McDonald House provides a "home away from home" for families in a clean, affordable, comfortable and supportive environment close to the hospital.
  
• Do the Houses provide meals or transportaton for the families?
  Each House has a communal kitchen and pantry of non-perishable foods that are offered free to families. Each family has a shared refrigerator designated for their personal items and cupboard where their food can be stored. Outside volunteer groups regularly visit the House to make dinners for the families. There is also volunteer van drivers who take families to the grocery store once or twice a week.
  
• Are there televisions in the guest rooms?
  No. However, we encourage families to use any of the televisions and DVD players available in the common areas of the Houses. A selection of videos are also available free of charge.
  
• Does each room have a private bathroom and place to sleep?
  All of the rooms are private and have their own bed(s) and bathroom.
  
• How many people can stay in a room?
  Room sizes vary but five occupants is typically the maximum permitted.
  
• Can a family stay at the House if they have a child older than 18 or an adult relative in the hospital?
  No. To qualify to stay at the Ronald McDonald House, the family must have a child 18 years old or younger being treated at the hospital.
  
• Who do I contact if I know a family that needs to stay at Ronald McDonald House?
  To stay at a Ronald McDonald House, a family must be referred by a hospital social worker/case manager. To find who is assigned to the patient, please contact the hospital directly. They will contact us if the family qualifies.
  
• Can flowers, packages, and gift baskets be sent to a family staying at a House?
  Yes. We accept deliveries during normal business hours and will be happy to forward them to the family. Because families sometimes check-out unexpectedly, it is best to call and confirm that they are still staying at the House before you send anything.
  
• Do the Houses provide counseling?
  There is no formal counseling program, but families get support from staff, volunteers and other families going through similar experiences.
  
• Can families have visitors?
  Visitors are welcome, but must sign in at the front desk. The children living at Ronald McDonald House are medically fragile and highly susceptible to infections. Any person who has a physical condition that would endanger the health of our other guests such as the flu, chickenpox, etc. should not visit the Houses.
  
• Do I have to bring my own towels and sheets?
  We provide bed linens and towels. However, families are responsible for laundering them and we have free washers and dryers in each House.
  
• Is there maid service?
  No. All families have a daily chore in addition to keeping their rooms clean and doing their own dishes and laundry. Families are asked to clean their room before checking out of the House. They are also expected to clean up any communal areas they use.
  
• Is there babysitting service?
  No. Parents are required to be responsible for their own children and provide supervision at all times.
  
• What is in a guest room?
  Rooms in both of our Houses have either twin, double, or queen-size beds, a private bathroom, closet space, dresser, and telephone. Please visit our House Guest section to take a tour of the Houses.
  
• Is smoking permitted in the Houses?
  The buildings and grounds of both houses are completely smoke free.
  
• Is there a curfew?
  The Houses are open 24 hours a day for families staying here to come and go. Quiet hours are between 10 pm and 8 am.
  

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