An Idea is Born
Fred Hill, a father of a child with leukemia and Philadelphia Eagles football player, along with his wife Fran, prompted the efforts of an NFL team, the local children’s hospital, the McDonald’s restaurant chain and the citizens of Philadelphia to build the first Ronald McDonald House.
Friends of K.I.D.S., Inc. is established
Friends of K.I.D.S., Inc. was established by representatives of Neo-Fight, Candlelighters and local McDonald’s Owner/Operators to pursue the opening of a Ronald McDonald House in Columbia.
The First Ronald McDonald House Opens
After a fundraising drive, Columbia’s first Ronald McDonald House opened at the corner of Stadium and Monk Drive.
Expansion Plans Begin
After serving 2,000 families, the Board of Directors began expansion plans for the House, increasing the number of bedrooms from 10 to 14.
MU Women’s & Children’s Hospital Opens
MU Women’s and Children’s Hospital opened at their current location on Keene Street, prompting RMHC to accelerate efforts to build a new House within walking distance of the hospital.
Construction begins on the new house
Construction began on the new Ronald McDonald House located at 3501 Lansing Avenue.
The new Ronald McDonald House Opens
The new House, which features 18 guest rooms all with private bath facilities, opens. Since that time, we have served thousands of kids and their families.
Happy Wheels Hospitality Cart begins making the rounds
The Happy Wheels Hospitality Cart begins traveling the halls of MU’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital. It serves necessity items, snacks and fun activities to over 10,000 people annually.
Lunch on the House begins
Complimentary sack lunches are served every Friday to families in the neonatal and pediatric units at MU’s Women’s and Children’s Hospital.