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A Place for Families to Rest, Recharge, and Stay Close

Located next to ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House® provides families with a welcoming place to stay while their children receive medical care. With private rooms, meals, and staff available on-site 24 hours a day, families have access to essential comforts and support just minutes from their child's hospital bedside. By helping ease the everyday burdens of lodging and meals, we give families more time and space to focus on what matters most—being there for their child.
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Our Core Values

We lead with compassion.

We are deeply respectful.

We act with integrity.

We are deeply committed.

Our Mission

To provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.

Our Vision

A world where every family has what they need to ensure the best health outcomes for their children.

Our History

Our History: A Legacy of Care and Support
Explore the history of Ronald McDonald House Northwest Ohio® and the milestones that have shaped our mission. From our earliest days to today, the generosity and dedication of the Northwest Ohio community have helped us provide essential services, remove barriers, and support thousands of families with children receiving medical care. Discover the people, partnerships, and moments that have helped make our mission possible.
1974: The First Ronald McDonald House Opens in Philadelphia
On October 15, 1974, the first Ronald McDonald House® opened in Philadelphia, marking the beginning of a global movement to support families with children receiving medical care. The House was made possible through the vision and collaboration of Dr. Audrey Evans of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Philadelphia Eagles player Fred Hill and his wife, Fran, whose daughter Kim was receiving treatment for leukemia; Philadelphia Eagles owner Leonard Tose; and McDonald's.
1982: Doors Open at Toledo's First Ronald McDonald House
On December 9, 1982, the first Ronald McDonald House® in Northwest Ohio opened its doors, becoming the 44th House in the United States and the fifth in Ohio. The original House was located in an 8,000-square-foot farmhouse built in 1906, which later became the Emmert Funeral Home. With 14 guest rooms, it marked the beginning of more than four decades of providing accommodations and essential support to families with children receiving medical care in the Toledo area.
1984: The First Jamie Farr Classic Supports Ronald McDonald House
In 1984, Don Michel, a McDonald's franchise owner and childhood friend of Toledo native and MASH* star Jamie Farr, helped establish the Jamie Farr LPGA Classic. Michel rallied fellow McDonald's franchise owners to help underwrite the inaugural tournament, which supported Ronald McDonald House® and other children's charities. The tournament became a longstanding Toledo tradition, bringing the community together to support local charitable organizations.
1996: A New Chapter of Growth
In 1996, Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Children's Charities merged to form what was then known as Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio. This milestone marked an important chapter in our organization's history, creating opportunities to expand programs and strengthen support for families with children receiving medical care throughout Northwest Ohio.
2000: A Kitchen Renovation Brings the Community Together
In 2000, Ronald McDonald House® underwent a kitchen renovation to better accommodate the needs of families staying at the House. Made possible through the generosity of donors and the dedication of volunteers, the project reflected the community's ongoing commitment to supporting families. Toledo native Jamie Farr was among those who joined the volunteers, bringing a little fun and laughter to the effort.
2010: Planning Begins for a New Ronald McDonald House
In 2010, Ronald McDonald House Northwest Ohio® began exploring plans for a larger, more accessible House to better serve families with children receiving medical care. The proposed expansion would nearly double the number of guest rooms and provide a location closer to Toledo Children's Hospital, allowing families to reach their children's bedside without crossing a busy roadway. Plans also included a larger kitchen for volunteer-prepared meals, additional laundry facilities, and expanded common areas where families could rest, connect, and spend time together.
2012: A $10 Million Capital Campaign Begins
In 2012, Ronald McDonald House Northwest Ohio® launched its capital campaign, “A Place to Feel Like Home,” to help bring the vision of a new, larger Ronald McDonald House® to life. Over the next three years, the campaign raised $10 million through the generosity of donors and community partners, helping lay the foundation for expanded accommodations and essential services for families with children receiving medical care.
2014: Groundbreaking Begins a New Chapter
In 2014, Ronald McDonald House Northwest Ohio® broke ground on a new, larger Ronald McDonald House®, marking an exciting milestone in the organization's history. The project was supported by generous community and corporate partners, including La-Z-Boy, which donated furniture for common areas; Owens Corning, which provided building materials; and Lumber Liquidators, which contributed flooring. Their support helped bring the vision of a new House closer to reality, creating more space and opportunities to serve families with children receiving medical care.
2015: A New Ronald McDonald House Opens in Toledo
In 2015, Ronald McDonald House Northwest Ohio® opened its new 38,000-square-foot House in West Toledo, marking a major milestone in the organization's history. The new facility doubled the number of guest rooms from 14 to 28, allowing more families to stay close to their children receiving medical care. Located just steps from the hospital, the new Ronald McDonald House® also provided expanded spaces for meals, relaxation, and family support, helping ease everyday burdens during challenging times.
2015: Community Volunteers Build a New Playground
In 2015, 262 volunteers came together to build a playground at the newly opened Ronald McDonald House® in just one day. Funded by Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Wildwood Athletic Club, the playground created a welcoming outdoor space where children and families could play, relax, and spend time together. The project demonstrated the generosity and dedication of the Northwest Ohio community in supporting families with children receiving medical care.
2016: Honoring our Founders
Ronald McDonald House Northwest Ohio® honors the vision and dedication of Gary Yunker, Don Michel, and Dr. Pierre Vauthy, M.D., whose efforts helped establish Ronald McDonald House® in Toledo. Named in their honor, the Founders Society celebrates their lasting legacy while recognizing generous supporters who help sustain essential services for families with children receiving medical care.
2019: Expanding Support Beyond the House
In 2019, Ronald McDonald House Northwest Ohio® expanded its support for families through the introduction of its Hospitality Suite and Hospitality Cart programs at local hospitals. These programs brought essential comforts closer to families with children receiving medical care, offering welcoming spaces to take a break and convenient access to refreshments without traveling far from their child's bedside. This expansion marked an important step in extending the organization's mission beyond the walls of Ronald McDonald House®.
December 2022: Celebrating 40 Years of Supporting Families
In December 2022, Ronald McDonald House Northwest Ohio® celebrated 40 years of providing essential services to families with children receiving medical care. Since opening in 1982, the organization had provided more than 150,000 overnight stays to over 10,000 families, offering comfortable accommodations, meals, and compassionate support during challenging times. This milestone also celebrated the generosity of countless donors, volunteers, and community partners whose dedication helped sustain our mission and keep families close to the care their children need.
2023: Bringing Healthcare Closer to Families
In 2023, Ronald McDonald House Northwest Ohio® expanded its services with the launch of the Ronald McDonald House® Care Mobile: Northwest Ohio. The mobile healthcare program helps reduce barriers to pediatric healthcare by bringing essential services directly to children and families in communities throughout the region. This milestone marked an important expansion of our mission, allowing us to support families beyond the walls of Ronald McDonald House® and reach children closer to where they live. Since opening in 1982, the organization had provided more than 150,000 overnight stays to over 10,000 families, offering comfortable accommodations, meals, and compassionate support during challenging times. This milestone also celebrated the generosity of countless donors, volunteers, and community partners whose dedication helped sustain our mission and keep families close to the care their children need.
2026: A New Look, the Same Commitment to Families
In 2026, Ronald McDonald House Northwest Ohio® introduced a refreshed brand identity, reflecting our continued commitment to supporting families when children need healthcare. While our look has evolved, our mission remains at the heart of everything we do: We provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. With four programs serving families throughout our region, we look toward the future with a renewed commitment to providing comfort, care, and support to those who need it most.

The House That Love Built

Ronald McDonald House Northwest Ohio opened its doors on December 9, 1982 as a home away from home for families to stay when their children are hospitalized. By partnering with WGTE Public Media, Ronald McDonald House Northwest Ohio was able to showcase the origins of the very first House in Toledo, what went into building the grand new structure that stands on 3883 Monroe Street, and looks at some of the families that this house of love has helped shape.

Critically Acclaimed 

The House That Love Built was a 2023 Bronze Telly Winner in Television – Public Interest/Awareness.

The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks and production companies.

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