The Ronald McDonald House is a "home-away-from-home" for families whose child is being cared for in area hospitals: Blank Children's Hospital Iowa Methodist Medical Center Mercy Medical Center

Take a pictorial tour of our House! Click here to begin.

The House was developed to provide a homelike atmosphere for families facing the stress of medical treatment for their child. Families are able to share their concerns and experiences with others facing similar circumstances.

You are eligible to stay at our House if:

	Your child is 21 years of age or younger
	Your child is being cared for by a local physician or staying at a local hospital due to illness or injury.
	You have been referred to us by a hospital staff member

How do I get admitted?
The Ronald McDonald House of Des Moines only takes referrals from the hospital social workers or hospital nurse staff. The Ronald McDonald House of Des Moines is a 12-bedroom, non-smoking facility. The House is accessible to the handicapped.

We provide:
One private bedroom for as many as four family members
Bed and bath linens
Fully-equipped, double kitchen area
Free laundry facilities
Two living areas, with TV, VCR, and Nintendo system
Children's inside and outside play areas
A well-equipped library

You provide:

	$10.00 per night. If you are unable to meet this request, talk with your hospital social worker to make special arrangements. No family is ever turned away because of inability to pay.
	Care for your children. We are unable to provide child care.

Check-in Procedures
Once your social worker has reserved a room for you, you are free to check in anytime!

Each House is owned and operated by a not-for-profit organization in the community in which it is located and each is governed by a local volunteer Board of Directors. The RMHC of Central Iowa board, which governs the Des Moines Ronald McDonald House program, is comprised of 25 directors who serve on various committees that deal with all facets of House operation.

Internationally there are over 250 Ronald McDonald Houses. The first House opened in Philadelphia in 1974. Each House is owned and operated by a not for profit organization in the community were they are located. They are governed by local volunteer Board of Directors. The Des Moines House board is comprised of 25 directors who serve on various committees that deal with all facets of the operation.

The development of the Des Moines Ronald McDonald House began in 1977, and with the aid of many wonderful people, opened its doors on August 29, 1981. We were the 26 House in the world to open. This large 12 bedroom facility is located on the corner of 15th and Pleasant Street, on the Iowa Methodist Medical Center campus.

Families with critically-ill children ages newborn to 21, who are hospitalized in any Des Moines hospital, the Children's Habilitation Center in Johnston, or On With Life Center at Ankeny, are eligible to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. Referrals are taken from the hospitals staff.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa, Inc., staff includes an Operations Manager, an Administrative Director, a Resident Manager and an Executive Director. We are open on a 24-hour basis to insure the admittance of families any time, day or night.

The Ronald McDonald House is a "House that Love Built" run with compassion and caring for the resident families who make it their home-away-from-home.

The Ronald McDonald House is a "home-away-from-home," a temporary home for families of seriously ill children who come to Des Moines for medical treatment. If the child is an outpatient, he or she may also stay at the House with family members. The Ronald McDonald House helps ease the suffering these children and families experience by providing an inexpensive refuge from the hospital where families have a room of their own, a comfortable bed, kitchen and laundry facilities, play areas for the children and the emotional support they need through the sharing and caring of other families in similar circumstances.

For more information or to schedule a time as an individual or group to volunteer, contact Tiffany Finch, Volunteer Coordinator, 515.243.2111, tiffany@rmhdesmoines.org.