By Josiah Kopp & Jakelle Hoffmann
Since 1982, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley has provided housing and support for families with hospitalized children, offering the comforts of home while children receive medical care in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Each year, the community rallies together to help 800 families find hope during the healing process— and you can be a part of it. RMHC provides five key opportunities for people to volunteer, get involved, and help make a difference in families’ lives.
Did you know?
Ronald McDonald House in Fargo has over 1,500 volunteers yearly, investing over 6,000 volunteer hours.
1. Volunteer
Roll up your sleeves and make a difference! Enjoy a family fun night or pull your co-workers together for a teambuilding event. Volunteers are truly the heart that makes the Ronald McDonald House a home for families. Volunteer shifts include:
- Cleaning – chores are more fun at Ronald McDonald House!
- Baking – from muffins to cookies to bars – nothing says “welcome home” like the aroma of fresh baked goodness!
- Share A Meal – whip up your favorite hotdish or secret family recipe in the Ronald McDonald House kitchen to feed 20 people.
- A La Carte from the Heart – prepare healthy grab-and-go snacks for families to enjoy on the run.
Invest your time to help families feel loved while getting their children healthy and home! To sign up for a shift, email [email protected].
2. Host a Supply Drive
Anything you need at your house, the Ronald McDonald House needs! From laundry soap to shampoo to pantry food and diapers, they provide everything their families need. Help Ronald McDonald House offer all necessary home amenities by coordinating a supply drive at your workplace, church, or within your neighborhood.
3. Donate
Did you know that thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, there is no charge to stay at Ronald McDonald House? If a family wishes to contribute toward their stay, the suggested donation is simply $20/night. In 2023, 91% of families experienced the comforts of home while paying nothing to stay at RMHC.
“Working with a company like McDonald’s that is passionate about giving to others is something we are all about. For us, it’s all about caring for our McFamily; for the development of those working for us, and the families in the community through RMHC. For us, life is about family and relationships.”
– Kevin Cook and Emily Cook,
Fargo-Moorhead McDonald’s Franchisee Owners
4. Collect Pop Tabs
Collecting pop tabs is a small thing that makes a big difference! Drop off your collection at Ronald McDonald House anytime. From the lake to the tailgating lot, pulling pop tabs is a great way for kids to get involved in not only helping the environment but working together with others to make life better for the community.
If you need a pop tab collection container in your workplace, email [email protected].
Did You Know?
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley offers two key programs in our region. The first is the hotel-like Ronald McDonald House, offering the comforts of home for families who live outside the F-M area and are receiving medical care at Sanford, Essentia or Prairie St. John’s.
The second program is the Ronald McDonald Family Room located within the neonatal intensive care unit at Essentia Health. This room functions as an extended waiting area, complete with a shower, kitchenette, play area, and lounge. Volunteers keep the room stocked with snacks and coffee, and they are available to answer questions and provide support to families with a hospitalized child.
5. Round-Up at McDonald’s
The only thing better than enjoying the most delicious french fries is knowing you’re helping others at the same time. On your next visit to any of the ten McDonald’s locations in the Fargo-Moorhead area, choose to “Round-Up” your order to the nearest dollar or add your spare change to the collection bin.
“The McDonald’s Round-Up Program is a way for customers to donate to our local Ronald McDonald House—it’s a great way to give families the funds to have a safe place to stay and not have to worry about the other day-to-day stuff,” Fargo-Moorhead McDonald’s Franchisee Co-Owner Emily Cook said.
Your contribution supports Fargo’s Ronald McDonald House and goes right to work helping families in the community when they need it most.
Start making a difference in your community!
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley
rmhcfargo.org
701-232-3980
Facebook | /RMHCRRV
Instagram | @rmhcfargo
