Ronald McDonald House History
In 1980, Ronald McDonald House® of San Diego opened its doors in the Serra Mesa community of San Diego as the 19th Ronald McDonald House in the world. This was a result of a small, dedicated group of parents who knew, first-hand, what it was like to have a child with a serious illness. The idea to form the House originated in the late 1970’s, when Irma Gusfield, a social worker, brought families of cancer-stricken children together to provide moral and emotional support for each other during their stay at the hospital.
Together, the founding families, hospital staff, community and McDonald’s owner operators, made the dream a reality. Since opening its doors in 1980, Ronald McDonald House of San Diego has provided over 140,000 night of lodging for more than 14,000 families, while their children are undergoing treatment. Families have come from as far away as Ireland, France, Mexico, Japan, Argentina, Guam, and as close as San Diego and Imperial counties. Children being treated at most major hospitals in San Diego County have stayed at the House, including Rady Children’s Hospital, UCSD Medical Center, Balboa Naval Hospital, Sharp Memorial Hospital, Scripps Memorial Hospital, Mercy Hospital and Kaiser Permanente.
After almost thirty years in the original 12-bedroom House, a new House opened in June 2009 to accommodate more families now and in the future. The new House sits atop a parking structure, is almost two football fields long and four times the size of the previous House. In addition to 47-bedrooms, the new House has a Family Care Center for day visitors that include a dining area, a computer lab, outside amphitheatre and play area, arts and crafts room, chapel, work-out room and even a beauty salon. On a monthly basis, the House provides day services to nearly 1,100 local families whose children are receiving care at local hospitals, giving them a sanctuary to take care of themselves so they can take care of their sick child.
All of these services and amenities help keep families together in a home environment in their time of need.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego is an independent 501 (c)3 organization governed by a local Board of Directors. It is not part of McDonald’s Corporation or Rady Children’s Hospital.
Visit www.RMHCSD.org to see how you can volunteer, donate, or learn more.
