Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska? Who owns and operates the Seattle Ronald McDonald House? Who runs the Seattle Ronald McDonald House? How many Ronald McDonald Houses are there? How big is the Seattle Ronald McDonald House? How is the House funded? Does McDonald's Corportion subsidize the House? How can I support the Seattle Ronald McDonald House? Who can stay at the House? How much does it cost to stay at the Seattle Ronald McDonald House? How long do families usually stay at the House? What do volunteers do? How much does it cost to run the Ronald McDonald House?

FOR FAMILIES

When can I check in? Does the House provide food or transportation for the families? How do I make a reservation? How can a family stay at the House? Are only low-income families permitted to stay at the House? Does a family have to live a certain distance from the House to stay there? Does the House provide counseling? Is there a curfew? How many people can stay in each room? Can families have visitors? Is smoking permitted? Do I have to bring my own linens? Is there maid service? Is there a babysitting service? Are activities planned for families in the House? What is the maximum stay? What is in a guest room?

General

What is Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska?: Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Western Washington & Alaska is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization and a chapter of the global RMHC. Our cornerstone is the Seattle Ronald McDonald House which provides a caring home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children being treated at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle. RMHC extends its reach by awarding grants to children’s health-related nonprofits in Western Washington and Alaska. Back to top
Who owns and operates the Seattle Ronald McDonald House?: The House is owned and operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska and is governed by a Board of Directors. Back to top
Who runs the Seattle Ronald McDonald House?: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Washington & Alaska has a paid staff that runs the day-to-day operations. They are supported by volunteers. Back to top
How many Ronald McDonald Houses are there?: There are 259 Ronald McDonald Houses throughout the United States and world. All operate under licensing guidelines from the global Ronald McDonald House Charities. However, each Ronald McDonald House is independently operated. Back to top
How big is the Seattle Ronald McDonald House?: The Seattle House can accommodate 80 families each night in three buildings. House A houses 48 families; House C houses 22 families, and our Bone Marrow Transplant Apartments are self-contained units for 10 families. These facilities are within walking distance of Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center. Back to top
How is the House funded?: By generous supporters like you! Over 80 percent of our operating funds come from individuals, organizations and businesses in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. It costs about $3.2 million annually to operate RMHC. The majority of that amount is raised through individual and corporate donations. These include the Share-A-Night program, RMHC-sponsored and other fundraising events, grants, will bequests, property and goods donations. Back to top
Does McDonald's Corportion subsidize the House?: Local McDonald’s restaurant owner/operators and the McDonald's Corporation fund between 15 and 20 percent of our annual operating costs. This funding comes from in-store canister donations, sales of newspapers sold in McDonald’s restaurants and in-store promotions. Back to top
How can I support the Seattle Ronald McDonald House?: By donating and volunteering! We could not operate the House without donations from individuals and groups. Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our House - and the reason we can accomplish so much with such a small staff. Back to top
Who can stay at the House?: Families of seriously ill children undergoing medical treatment at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center who live more than 60 miles from Seattle may stay at the House. Most of our families come from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. However, we serve families from throughout the U.S. and world. See our housing eligibility guidelines. Back to top
How much does it cost to stay at the Seattle Ronald McDonald House?: We ask families to pay $20 per night to stay at the House, but the fee is waived for those who cannot afford it. In contrast, it costs $80 per night to house a family. Thanks to your support, we never turn a family away because of their inability to pay. Back to top
How long do families usually stay at the House?: It varies greatly, depending on the child's illness and treatment. Stays may last several weeks to several months and even extend to a year or more. Back to top
What do volunteers do?: Volunteers are vital to our operation as they work the front desk and greet visitors, help in family services and help with cleaning and day-to-day operations. They also organize fundraisers, cook dinners and sponsor activities for the families. Back to top
How much does it cost to run the Ronald McDonald House?: RMHC of Western Washington & Alaska has a $3 million operating budget. This is used for maintaining and operating the Ronald McDonald House every day of the year. Back to top

FOR FAMILIES

When can I check in?: Check-in time is between noon and 8 p.m. seven days a week. Back to top
Does the House provide food or transportation for the families?: House A and House C each have a communal kitchen and pantry of non-perishable foods that are offered free to all families. Each family has a locking refrigerator and cupboard where personal food can be stored. Outside volunteer groups regularly visit the House to make dinners for the families. There is no eating allowed in the rooms or anywhere in the House outside of the kitchen and dining room. Back to top
: There is an RMHC van and volunteer drivers who occasionally take families on outings and shopping trips. Children’s Hospital provides a complimentary van shuttle between the House and the hospital between 8 a.m. and midnight. The van runs on every even hour. Back to top
How do I make a reservation? How can a family stay at the House?: Please read our section on housing eligibility. Up to one week before your arrival, you can contact our Housing Office at (206) 838-0610 to be put on a waiting list. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Between 24 and 48 hours prior to your arrival, call again to see if a room will be available. For arrivals on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, please call on Friday. If you are seeking housing in our Bone Marrow Transplant Apartments, please see your hospital social worker. Back to top
Are only low-income families permitted to stay at the House?: Family income is not a consideration for admittance. Our only requirement is that families have a child who is aged 21 or younger undergoing medical treatment at Children’s Hospital in Seattle. All families are requested to pay $20 a night towards the cost of their stay; however, no one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay. Back to top
Does a family have to live a certain distance from the House to stay there?: Generally, families must live at least 60 miles away from the Seattle Ronald McDonald House. Families living on islands where they must take a ferry are the exception. Back to top
Does the House provide counseling?: There is no formal counseling program, but families get support from staff, volunteers and other families going through similar experiences. Back to top
Is there a curfew?: The House is open 24 hours a day for families staying here to come and go. Visiting hours are between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Back to top
How many people can stay in each room?: In House A, rooms can accommodate up to six immediate family members. In House C, it varies between four and six people. Back to top
Can families have visitors?: Visiting hours are between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Visitors are welcome, but must sign in at the front desk. The children living at Ronald McDonald House are medically fragile and highly susceptible to infections. Please do not plan on coming to the House if, within the last month, you or any family members have been exposed to: chicken pox, shingles, measles, tuberculosis, influenza or flu, hepatitis A or any other infectious disease such as e. coli, or if you have any of the following symptoms: sore throat, runny nose, watery eyes, cough fever, chills, unexplained rash, general aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. If you received flu mist, the anti-flu nosespray vaccine within the last seven days, you may not enter the House. Back to top
Is smoking permitted?: There is no smoking anywhere in the House. A Washington State law prohibits indoor smoking and smoking within 25 feet of any entrance. Back to top
Do I have to bring my own linens?: We provide bed linens and towels; however, families are responsible for laundering them. Back to top
Is there maid service?: No. All families have a daily chore in addition to keeping their rooms clean and doing their own dishes and laundry. Families are asked to clean their room before checking out of the House. They are also expected to clean up any communal areas they use. Back to top
Is there a babysitting service?: No. Parents are required to be responsible for their own children and provide supervision at all times. Back to top
Are activities planned for families in the House?: Yes. Groups regularly visit the House to make dinners for the families. There are outings to events and shopping. Movie nights, arts and crafts and other activities occur on a regular basis. Back to top
What is the maximum stay?: As long as a child is being treated at Children’s Hospital, families are welcome to stay at the Ronald McDonald House. Back to top
What is in a guest room?: Rooms in House A and House C each have two twin or queen size beds, a private bathroom, closet space and dresser, television/ DVD, telephone and high-speed DSL internet access. Please visit our section on The House to take a photo tour of the House.
Check-in time is between noon and 8 p.m. seven days a week. Back to top