Ronald McDonald House Charities is well known for being a home away from home for families of children receiving medical treatment, regardless of their ability to pay.
The comfort offered goes beyond clean sheets and home-cooked meals, as evidenced by cheerful smiles on the faces of guests at the local house in Greenville. Despite facing some of the most difficult times of their lives, it is a place they can relax, play and spend time doing whatever feels normal.
“Our goal is to keep families together,” said Marti Spencer, who has served as executive director of RMHC of the Carolinas for 17 years. “The last thing we want is for them to delay treatment because they don’t know where they will stay, have meals and do laundry. We provide all of that for free.”
Constructed in 1989, the house includes a 17,000-square-foot extension completed in 2018, bringing the total number of families it can host to 24. The light, spacious reception area leads to multiple sitting rooms, a great room with a play area, a fully stocked kitchen, a business center and a library. Outdoor spaces include patios, private courtyards, a gazebo and an inclusive playground, all surrounded by a protective screen of landscaping featuring native species maintained without pesticides.
“Families feel like they’re at home here,” Spencer said. “They can cook their own meals, put on their favorite music. Sometimes two parents will cook together while another watches the children. With a hospital referral, they can come and relax and have a meal here even if they are not staying overnight.”
It serves families of patients getting care at nearby treatment centers. The average stay is 10 days, but some stay as long as 200 days, Spencer said.
“Everything is celebrated here — anniversaries, birthdays and holidays, and also milestones in care like getting new prosthetics,” she said.
RMHC of the Carolinas staff members advocate for families and help connect them to local services specific to their needs, like schools or faith communities.
“The Ronald McDonald House is more than just a place to stay. We do whatever is needed to heal families as well as the child so they don’t feel isolated,” Spencer said. “We also maintain the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. It’s kind of an extension of what we do here, so families can stay close to their child and relax.”
Although the nonprofit’s presence is local, Spencer says its impact is regional and global. At any given time, the house may host families from several states and foreign countries where the necessary treatment is not available.
“Last year alone we saved our families $400,000 on meals and lodging,” Spencer said. “It’s a labor of love to be able to do this program. Families are resilient. You can’t help but be inspired by their resilience and efforts to give their child their best life.”
Spencer said there are multiple ways for individuals or groups to get involved, from staffing the reception desk or the family room to serving as a guest chef or adopting a pantry. A meeting space within the house can be rented out for a donation that goes to support the nonprofit.
“Without the community, we wouldn’t be able to survive. Greenville should be so proud,” she said. “Of every dollar donated, 82 cents goes to our program.”
In 2022, the Community Foundation of Greenville awarded RMHC a $7,500 Capacity Building Grant. The funds provided tech upgrades to improve communication with donors and volunteers, and better meet the needs of guests.
To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit rmhc-carolinas.org.
