Since 1990, we have been a place of hope and healing when families felt alone. We provide care, comfort, community and a free place to stay so families can focus on what’s most important – the health of their child.
Dr. Audrey Evans, a pediatric oncologist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in the 1970s, saw families spend night after night sleeping in hospital chairs while their children received life-saving medical treatment. She knew that families needed to heal together because a sick child is a sick family. She envisioned a house where families could stay together during these stressful and uncertain times.
At the same time, the Philadelphia Eagles were raising funds for player Fred Hill’s daughter, Kim, who was receiving treatment for leukemia at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. During that effort, Eagles General Manager Jimmy Murray learned of Dr. Audrey Evans’ vision for a home away from home for families and became a champion of the idea. With support from McDonald’s and proceeds from Shamrock Shake sales, the first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia on October 15, 1974.
Ronald McDonald House West Michigan house has 25 rooms on 5 beautiful acres of land.
Ronald McDonald House West Michigan opened on March 23, 1990, as a 19,000-square-foot home away from home for families traveling to Grand Rapids for their child’s medical care. Located on five park-like acres, the House was designed to give families a comfortable place to stay together, with private bedrooms, shared kitchens and dining spaces, laundry facilities, play areas and outdoor space.
In 2024, the House expanded through the $2.5 million More Rooms, More Love campaign, adding eight new private suites and renovating the original spaces. The expansion increased the House’s capacity from 17 to 25 bedrooms and brought enhanced accessibility, updated kitchen and dining areas, expanded laundry facilities and a new playground for families to enjoy. Today, the House continues to provide a welcoming place where families can stay close, find comfort and focus on what matters most—their child.
