Philadelphia, 1973 - That's where and when it all began. Fred Hill, a pro football player for the Philadelphia Eagles, and his wife learned their daughter had leukemia. They soon met other families with similar circumstances, some who had to drive for hours to get to and from their child's treatment. To stay near their child, they either had to sleep in a waiting room or pay the cost of an expensive hotel room. Likewise, they had to buy their meals or eat from hospital vending machines.
Fred made his fellow players, the players' wives, and the Eagle management aware of the situation, and they decided to do something about it. After discussing options with the lead oncology doctor at the hospital, they decided to create a "home away from home" near the hospital. The Eagles, the hospital, and the McDonald's owner/operators in the Philadelphia area teamed up to purchase, restore, and remodel a house in the neighborhood of the hospital. In 1974, the very first Ronald McDonald House welcomed families of hospitalized children through its doors. There are now 258 Houses throughout the world (Jan. 2006).
The Ronald McDonald House of Dayton, originally located a block down the street from the present location, was the fourteenth House, and its doors first opened in February, 1980. Just like the Philadelphia House, the original Dayton House was an older neighborhood house. Once it was remodeled, there were 7 guest rooms with shared bathrooms.
After over a decade in the original House, a need for more guest rooms was recognized. A huge fund raising effort took place, and a brand new House was built. The doors of the present House opened in November of 1998 with 14 guest rooms, each having its own individual bathroom, and many other amenties. Some of those amenities are described in the Tour section of this website.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Miami Valley Region, which operates the Ronald McDonald House of Dayton, is a private, nonprofit organization, responsible for its own fundraising. It is not owned by Dayton Children's or by McDonald's. Although there are Houses throughout the United States, as well as around the world, each House is autonomous and has its own Board of Trustees.
