Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) partners with local hospitals to offer inexpensive housing to families with children receiving medical treatment so the families can stay together, minimizing the stress of separation and transportation.

“Ronald McDonald House is an organization that provides a safe and warm ‘home away from home’ for families with children facing medical challenges,” Director of Volunteers Marc Seymour said.

There are four locations in the Twin Cities: two in Minneapolis (connected to the University of Minnesota Medical Center and Children’s Hospital) and two in St. Paul (connected to Gillette Children’s and Children’s Hospital St. Paul). In addition to housing, RMHC offers schooling, therapy, and other resources to families staying in their facilities.

RMHC relies heavily on volunteers for fundraising efforts. To get involved this holiday season, volunteer at one of the three races that RMHC is involved with: Beast 2 Feast and Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, and the Reindeer Run on Dec. 9.

“Easy ways for students to get involved is to help with our community fundraisers. We have two Thanksgiving races, where we will be filling water stations and filling registration stands,” Seymour said.

RMHC is paid for every volunteer they enlist, so helping at the aid stations contributes to their fundraising efforts.

Aside from these immediate efforts, there are numerous ways for high school students to get involved: groups of 3-15 with one adult present can cook and serve a buffet-style meal through the Cooks for Kids program. Individual opportunities are also available–like tutoring in one of the full-time schools at RMHC–for students over 18, or for minors with a parent/guardian present. To begin the individual volunteer process, submit an online application. Orientation training is required for the specific position applied for.

If students are unable to volunteer due to time or age constraints, they can also get involved with RMHC by organizing gift drives to supply much needed resources to the families.

Whether students donate their time or money, their efforts will enable RMHC to fulfill its mission of keeping families united and supporting them during times of medical crises.