Ronald McDonald House of Houston Turns 20

Cowboys, youngsters decked out in western duds, and even a long-horned steer were on hand to help celebrate the 20th birthday of Ronald McDonald House of Houston. More than 800 children and adults donned cowboy hats and played old-time party games at the House's "Old Fashioned Texas Birthday Party," held on the grounds of the Ronald McDonald House. Cowboys twirled lariats in a show of western flair, while the crowd devoured mountains of grilled hamburgers provided by the McDonald's Corporation, followed by a giant, four-tiered birthday cake. The evening culminated with a "Power of Houston" fireworks spectacular provided by Reliant Energy especially for the celebration. The merrymaking commemorated two decades of service provided by Ronald McDonald House to seriously ill children and their families.

Since 1981, the "House," as it is informally called, has served as a home-away-from-home for the families of children undergoing treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses at hospitals in the Texas Medical Center. Families remain in a home-like environment as they gain support from other families who are also undergoing the trauma of childhood illness.

"As I look back over the years, I cannot believe the changes the House has seen, but more importantly, what has stayed the same," said Melissa Garlington, director of development and 10-year employee of Ronald McDonald House. "We're still here serving families in need, but how we've grown!"

In 1997, 16 years after the first Ronald McDonald House opened on LaConcha St. in the Astrodome area, a new, larger Ronald McDonald House was constructed at 1907 Holcombe Blvd., with land donated by the Texas Medical Center. The three-story brick atrium building includes 50 private bedrooms, an eight-station kitchen, special needs kitchen, dining room, meeting areas, business offices, resident manager quarters, playrooms, laundry, outside play area, and even a schoolroom.

"I remember the old House running with five employees - it now takes 21 staff members to run the new one," said Garlington. "Our budget quadrupled in size when we moved," she said.

The House is always looking for new opportunities to help families, and this May a Ronald McDonald House Family Room was opened in Texas Children's Hospital. Liz Kelley, a founder of Ronald McDonald House, was on hand to greet visitors to the Family Room, which provides weary parents with a place to rest, watch TV, or visit with other parents. A well-stocked kitchen provides parents the opportunity to cook their own meals and feel "at home," while their children's hospital rooms are just down the hall. Another Family Room opens this October in Texas Children's West Tower, on the eighth floor Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. Twenty overnight sleeping rooms will open in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit early next year, courtesy of Ronald McDonald House.

Garlington credits the vision of board members with the growth the House has seen over the years.

"Our Board members never sleep - they're constantly looking for new ways to help families," she said.

For more information or to volunteer, call (713) 795-3500 or visit http://www. ronaldmcdonald-houston.org.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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