Twenty years ago, on June 22, 2000, the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Leading up to its birthday over the past few months, the House continued to serve families with ill children in the hospital while redefining what support looked like to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.

“At the House, we’ve always prided ourselves on celebrating the strength of our families, rather than dwelling on the challenges they’ve overcome,” said Carolyn Hurst, executive director of the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan. “In our 20 years, we’ve seen superheroes triumph and game masters solve the most difficult medical puzzles. We’ve celebrated birthdays and graduations — from the NICU and from high school — and welcomed thousands of babies into this world.”

During the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, the House recognized all families at the Sparrow Children's Center needed help and provided comfort bags and frequent meals to everyone. 

“Even during ‘normal’ times, families experience a full range of emotions and anxiousness while their child is hospitalized. COVID-19 only added to their stress and worry,” Hurst said. “All families at the Sparrow Children's Center could use our support, and we worked hard to provide it.”

For the past 20 years, the House has supported and celebrated the strength of almost 3,000 families of ill children. In that time, House families have traveled from several countries across the globe collectively traveling tens of thousands of miles to receive medical care for their child in mid-Michigan. During their stay, families can focus on their recovering children with the resources and comfort they need only 480 steps away from Sparrow Health System’s pediatric and neonatal units.

“In our 20 years, donations have helped cover some or all costs associated with a family's stay, ensuring all families have a place to stay near their child,” Hurst said. “Regardless of socioeconomic status, all families will always have a place to stay at our House. We’re grateful for the support of our community and partners who’ve helped us keep that promise then, now and always.” 

The House has made adjustments to their operations to serve families safely while providing the same amenities the House has always provided. 

To learn more about the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan’s impact throughout the past 20 years, check out their impact report. Visit www.rmhmm.org for more information on the House, its amenities and to donate. 

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The Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan keeps families with sick children together and close to the care and resources they need. It has served thousands of families by providing them a warm and caring home-away-from-home where they can have home-cooked meals, a place for siblings to play and a comfortable place to sleep near the hospital room where they spend countless hours with an ill child.