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About
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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:
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Your child is 21 years of age or younger
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Your child is being cared for
by a local physician or staying at a local hospital due to illness or injury.
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You have been referred to us by a hospital
staff member
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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:
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$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.
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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! |
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Mission
Statement |
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The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa, Inc., is, primarily, to assure the perpetual operation of the Ronald McDonald House in a safe and secure manner, and enrich the quality of life for children and families under treatment at area hospitals; and secondarily, to make grants to other organizations exempt under Section 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (or corresponding section of any future tax code), for the benefit of children around the local area of the Corporation. |
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History |
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The Des Moines Ronald McDonald House is a program of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa, Inc.
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. |
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Volunteer
Information |
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The Des Moines Ronald McDonald House operates at its best
with the help of volunteers. We get many requests from individuals and groups wanting to know what they can do to help. The following list will give you an idea of what is needed and what you might want to do for the House.
Meals
Provide dinner for our families. Food can be brought in or
prepared at Ronald McDonald House. This can be done on a
one time or monthly basis. |
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Maintenance
Paint a room, install a fan, or do any of a number of
maintenance tasks that need to be done around the house to
make it a home away from home.
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Baking
Treat families to brownies or cookies. Bring in something
you’ve made or use our kitchen to bake up something
special. |
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Relief Help
Provide relief help for vacations, holidays, or weekends.
The need varies from a few hours to a weekend. Training is
provided. |
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Special Events
Help with one of our fundraisers during the year that
benefit Ronald McDonald House or donate an auction item. |
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Cleaning
Come on in and clean the house. This can be done on a one
time or weekly basis. Instructions will be provided. |
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Landscaping
Plant and water flowers, pull weeds and rake leaves. Help
our yard look great for families staying at the house. |
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Baskets
Assemble baskets of personal care items. These baskets are
placed in each room for the convenience of our families. |
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Adopt-A-Room
Update one of the bedrooms with new paint, bedspreads, and
curtains. Add some other items to make it complete. |
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Pop
Tabs
Collect aluminum pop tabs to be recycled. Help the
environment and the house. Bring your full container of
pop tabs to the house.
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Holidays
Make Thanksgiving decorations for the doors. Bring in
Valentine cookies or provide Easter baskets for the
families.
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Wish
List
Collect items needed by the house such as canned food and
paper products at your school, church, or business. We’ll
provide a list of needed items. |
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Click here to download a
PDF version of this list. |
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.
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Contact
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