Nonprofit Spotlight Ronald McDonald House

Nonprofit Spotlight

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma’s mission is to create, find and support programs that improve the health and well-being of children in Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. Do South® reached out to learn more.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma 1333 Arapaho Avenue, Suite C Springdale, Arkansas Fort Smith Family Room/House 7301 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, Arkansas 479.756.5600 / rmhcofarkoma.org

Next month, we’ll showcase another worthy charity in our area free of charge. If you have a nonprofit you’d like to see recognized, email us at catherine@dosouthmagazine.com.

DS: How did Ronald McDonald House Charities come to be? In Philadelphia in 1974, Dr. Audry Evans, a pediatric oncologist, worked at The Children’s Hospital. After seeing families staying several nights while their children received treatment, she envisioned a simple house where families could stay during uncertain times. At the same time, the Philadelphia Eagles were raising funds for a player whose daughter was in treatment for leukemia. It was then the Eagles’ general manager learned of Dr. Evans’s concept. He reached out to McDonald’s, received approval to have the proceeds of the Shamrock Shake benefit the House, and the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House was born. RMHC of Arkoma has been fulfilling its mission, with the help of the Northwest Arkansas and River Valley communities, since 1999, serving over 12,000 children and families, thanks to your support!

DS: Who does Ronald McDonald House Charities serve, and in what ways? We provide a home-away-from-home for families of children under 21 who are active patients receiving medical treatment. Distance from the hospital, financial situation, nor the unit the patient is in exclude a family from utilizing the space. The Ronald McDonald House in Fayetteville and the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in Rogers and Fort Smith provide a comfortable space for families to stay while their child receives medical treatment. Private rooms, food, toiletries, entertainment, and more are available at no cost.

DS: Tell us how RMHC's mission impacts our community. We provide a comforting place to sleep, eat, and relax at no cost, which eases the emotional burden of being away from your sick child and the financial burden of paying for a hotel. Being close allows caregivers to be a part of their child’s treatment and provides healthcare workers an opportunity to educate for continuity of care.

DS: How can our community get involved and support RMHC? We have begun the public phase of a $3,015,000 capital campaign to build an 11-bedroom House at Mercy Fort Smith! The House will provide many amenities for families to ensure they are comfortable. Through the generosity of the River Valley and Northwest Arkansas communities, we have been able to raise 85% of our goal, and we need your help to complete the remaining 15%! Ways to give can be found at thefortsmithhouse.com.

DS: Tell us about your immediate needs or upcoming events. We are hosting our 7th Annual Red Shoe Soiree at Osage House in Cave Springs on July 9 and our 11th Annual Red Shoe Shindig at The Bakery in Fort Smith on October 23. For more information, sponsorship, and tickets, visit us online at redshoesoiree.com and redshoeshindig.com.