Ronald McDonald House Charities Of Idaho

Ronald McDonald House Program: When families must travel long distances to access top medical care for their child, accommodations and support can be expensive or not readily available. The Ronald McDonald House program located in Boise, Idaho, helps families stay close to their ill or injured child without financial obligation. The House provides temporary lodging, meals, clothing, toys, emotional and physical comfort, and more. The program reduces burdens and removes barriers so families can spend more time with their child, interacting with their child's clinical care team, and participating in critical medical care decisions.(Continued on Schedule O)More than 1,206 families with ill or injured children called the Ronald McDonald House home in 2023. We provided 7,174 nights of lodging for these families. The House continued to provide shelter for families from across Idaho, eastern Oregon, northern Nevada, and other states across the country. The average length of stay was 12 days and over 68% of the families that used the House paid nothing out-of-pocket for their stay. A nominal $10 per day donation is requested, however, no one is turned away if they are unable to make a donation. In 2023, the House had 11,567 volunteer hours to support families in need.

Hospitality Cart Program: Designed to serve families who wait for hours without leaving the hospital or their child's bedside, the "Happy Wheels" hospitality carts provide a bit of comfort as they travel the hallways of local hospitals bringing parents a hot beverage and snack while keeping the little ones entertained with books, fun activities, and toys. Run by volunteers at each hospital, the carts are active between two and five days a week to provide comfort and care for hundreds of families each month.(Continued on Schedule O)In 2023, the Ronald McDonald Hospitality Cart was fully functional at St. Luke's Children's Hospital in Boise and was reinstated at St. Luke's Magic Valley in October. During these times, the carts served over 2,707 caregivers and children.

Family Room Program: When a child is critically ill, parents may be reluctant to leave the hospital. In order to provide comfort and support to their child, it is important that parents have an opportunity to rest, have a meal, or have a moment of quiet. Located within the walls of Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, the Ronald McDonald Family Room program serves families from across eastern Idaho and beyond. The Family Room serves as a place for respite, relaxation, and privacy for family members, often just steps away from where their child is being treated. The Ronald McDonald Family Room program provides parents with an opportunity to remain close to their hospitalized child and to be an active member of their child's healthcare team. (Continued on Schedule O)In 2023, the Family Room served 673 unique families totaling 3,701 visits. 112 families used the program for overnight stays. The average length of stay was 9 days and 100% paid nothing out-of-pocket for accommodations. In 2023, volunteers provided 2,633 hours of support at the Family Room.