The Houses:
Ronald McDonald House near University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital
About the House
Ronald McDonald House near University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital opened its doors on September 13, 1986 as the second House in Chicago. The staff and volunteers of this 18 bedroom House are proud to have welcomed more than 7,700 families from across the world over the past 20 years, half of whom have returned to stay at the House many times, totaling almost 15,000 visits. This House was located at the corner of 57th and Drexel, in Chicago's Hyde park neighborhood. The original House needed to be eliminated to make room for the new Comer Children's Hospital, so the House moved to "temporary quarters" till a new House was built.
The new House opened its doors on December 13th at 5444 S. Drexel Avenue Chicago, IL 60615. The amenities of the new House include:
- 30,000 sq. ft in size, more than double the original House
- 22 bedrooms, 4 more than the other House
- Each bedroom has its own private bath
- 15 of the bedrooms have been designed large enough for up to 5 people, so that siblings or grandparents may join parents. (The old House could only accommodate 3 or fewer in each room.)
- A larger kitchen, living room, dining room, and play room
- Laundry rooms on each bedroom floor
- Added common rooms: a game room, computer room, chapel, outdoor porch.
- An outside play area
- Parking on the property
For more information please email Mardelle Gundlach, House Manager, or call: (773) 324-KIDS (5437)
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Visions ’07 “Movin’ on up!”
Annual Fashion Show
was held on November 11th
The show kicked off with children that have stayed at the House strutting their stuff down the catwalk while showing the fashions of the season. The event raised $25,000 thanks to the many guests and wonderful donated items for silent auction and a raffle.
Make sure to check back about future events!
"CHOP AROUND THE CLOCK"
Craig Foltos and his crew gave haircuts for 30-hours straight in early June at the 18th Annual "Chop Around the Clock" event benefiting our RMH. This event raised over $10,000 this year alone! Thank you to Craig and his team for all of your hair-raising efforts!
Save the Date!
19th Annual "Chop Around the Clock"
June 5th at 5pm till June 6th at 5pm
Foltos Tonsorial Parlor
7 E. Wilson
Batavia, IL
"MANY HANDS, MAKE EASY WORK..."
Li-Or, an 11 year old from Isreal and Troy, a three year old from Indiana fill the Coke Machine. Li-Or and his Mom have spent about a year here (all visits combined) and Troy was here helping his Mom and Aunt be Volunteer Weekend Managers. We joke that Li-Or "could run the joint" and he probably could - but today he is busy with daily chores & training his protegee... Thanks Boys!
"Around the House"
Ronald even brought his BIG scissors for our Ribbon Cutting!
Joann Shegog and her children were the first family
welcomed into the new House!
Santa even came to visit the new House and
gave out some great toys!
Thanks to many donors the House even had a “Santa’s Workshop” so that families that were staying with us over the holiday season had presents to open.
For the 2nd year the Paape family held a wish list drive to honor the memory of Gavin Pappe. They collected so many items that it completely filled up our living room!
With up to 22 families staying with us every night the House goes through a lot of household goods. So we are always seeking a variety of new and unused goods like:
* Laundry detergent and dryer sheets
* Individually wrapped snacks
* Powdered creamer and sugar
"DRIVING FORCE BEHIND
OUR ORIGINAL HOUSE"
Ann Pettigrew, Ann Eppen & Marge Saville pose after touring the construction site of our new House. These self-proclaimed "Professional Beggars" were the driving force behind our original House which opened on September 13, 1986. They have planned and witnessed many changes from the original three-story, 12 bedroom House. As they toured our almost completed new location, you have to assume they never could have imagined what their hearts, sweat and tears could have evolved into in just 20 years. Ladies, thank you for your dreams and guidance – the spirit of our House that you set forth at the beginning, moves with us to our new home.
