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Our History
Since 1988 Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area has been keeping families close in a place that feels like home – providing stability and resources when they need it most. The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area (RMHC) is to surround families with the support they need to be near and care for their seriously ill or injured children. We provide a home-away-from-home to ease daily burdens and empower families of hospitalized children with meaningful experiences and quality time together. RMHC is committed to providing exceptional programs for families with seriously ill or injured children with fiscal responsibility, accountability – and thoughtfulness.
Home-Away-From-Home
Our Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room provide a temporary home-away-from-home that serves and sustains families of children receiving treatment at area hospitals. Seriously ill or injured children cope better when surrounded by loved ones. Our mission is made possible through the help of our partner-in-care, McDonald’s, and thanks to the donations and gifts from generous individuals, corporations, organizations, and foundations. The Ronald McDonald House in Salt Lake City continues to open welcoming doors to families in need, by keeping families close, so that together they can rest and regroup; hope and heal; laugh and love.
The Park Love Built
The Park That Love Built by O.C. Tanner for Ronald McDonald House was completed in May 2020. This backyard park sits directly North of the Ronald McDonald House and offers pediatric patient families a beautiful, green space to retreat, recreate and heal. The park features winding pathways, a soothing bird bath fountain, a shaded pergola area with picnic tables, raised planter boxes that grow our own vegetables, an accessible playground with a splash pad, a children’s stage, and our Legacy of Love Wall. You can learn more about this space and take a virtual tour by clicking here.
A Look Back on 30+ Years
What started as a 13-room house in 1988 has grown to a 72-room house in Salt Lake City, along with two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in Primary Children’s Hospital each with 4-rooms, and our Hospitality Cart at Ogden Regional Medical Center. With the help of our community over the last thirty years, we have served over 100,000 families! Click here to celebrate this legacy of love and look back on the last 30 years of incredible moments through photos and a timeline.
A 30 Year Legacy of Love
What started as a 13-room house in 1988 has grown to a 72-room house in Salt Lake City, along with two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in Primary Children’s Hospital each with 4-rooms, and a Hospitality Cart at Ogden Regional Medical Center. With the help of our community over the last thirty years, we have served over 100,000 families! We celebrate this legacy of love and look back on the last 30 years of incredible moments through the photos and milestones highlighted below.
Ollie
Proudly serving as CPO (Chief PAWSitivity Officer) at RMHC, Ollie is our official Therapy Dog. Ollie’s role at the Charity is to offer love and support for our pediatric patient guest families by entertaining them with his arsenal of tricks, snuggling when it’s most needed, and just generally being everyone’s favorite pal. (He’s getting excellent job reviews!)
Ollie was born on December 29th, 2015 in Westfield, Indiana. With the help of Keller Williams, Ollie was brought to RMHC in May 2016 to offer joy, love and snuggles to families, volunteers, and staff alike.
Ollie was trained by Jessica and her team of trainers at Ultimate Canine. He has continued his training thanks to Willow Creek Pet Clinic who makes sure is on the top of his game.
Willow Creek Pet Center donates Ollie’s bi-weekly grooming and glam sessions, as well as all of his veterinary care. Thanks, Willow Creek! Ollie’s food has been donated by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, making sure this growing boy gets the very best to keep him strong and healthy.
Ollie has been taken care of by his DAWG TEAM, made up of wonderful volunteers who see to his every need and make sure pediatric patient guest families get plenty of time to visit with him.
Part of Ollie’s regimen is to swim weekly at Barley’s Dog Recreation Center. He and his pal Annie race for tennis balls and chase each other around the pool.
Ollie loves hanging out with guests in the house! He is always willing to listen to a good book, cuddle up, and even occasionally share his toy or bone. If guests ask nicely, Ollie will show off and give ‘knuckles’ or do another trick for his friends.
Nothing makes Ollie happier than greeting his friends and giving them love.
Ollie welcoming his new pals Lyndon and Crosby to the Ronald McDonald House. Ollie regularly welcomes new guests and makes them feel right at home.
Ollie now has a new sister, Olive, and together they visit the families at the Ronald McDonald House and Family Room with their amazing handler, Duncan!
Fun facts about Ollie
One of his favorite parts of the day is letting his ears flap in the wind as he drives to and from work
He goes swimming and hiking at least once a week
His favorite snack is hot dogs
His favorite trick is ‘knuckles’
He does a mean downward dog and cobra pose but he’s still working on his warrior 1, 2,and 3
Partnership with McDonalds
McDonald’s Corporation, McDonald’s Owners, Customers and Vendors
Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of the Intermountain Area is proud to call McDonald’s our mission partner. We are a local, autonomous, 501(c)3 charitable organization, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area has licensing agreements with Ronald McDonald House Charities Global and McDonald’s to operate trademarked programs of RMHC. To maintain the licensing agreement, each local RMHC is held to a high standard of program excellence and fiscal accountability. RMHC of the Intermountain Area was established locally with the help of the Kroc Family and McDonald’s.
Local Intermountain Area McDonald’s owner/operators and the entire McDonald’s family generously support RMHC by: sponsoring fundraising partnerships in their restaurants everyday (e.g. Fries for Families, in-store promotions, collection canisters, and Round-Up), sponsoring special events (e.g., Gala, Golf Classic, and other events) and making personal financial & volunteer contributions. Ronald McDonald House Charities Global provides: training support, oversight of the global charity, and assistance securing in-kind gifts and services from vendors (e.g. Kohler, Lazy-Boy, Bissell, Coca-Cola, Corian, Brand Source, DirecTV, Benjamin Moore, etc.).
Pediatric patient guest families are invited to make a minimal contribution toward the cost of their stay as they are able. No family is ever turned away for the inability to pay. Support from our McDonald’s family—together with voluntary guest contributions— comprise approximately 25% of our budget. We rely on and must earn the charitable support of our local community to generously provide approximately 75% of our annual income through private charitable dollars. We appreciate our strong partnership with McDonald’s, and our work is only possible with additional meaningful support from people like you from the communities that we operate in and serve.
Pure Gratitude
A big thank you to:
