Friends of Ronald

Friends of Ronald is a voluntary organization committed to providing service activities and fund-raising, thereby assisting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis in promoting public awareness and improving the quality of life for children and their families.

--“Friends of Ronald” Mission Statement

Why join Friends of Ronald?

Membership is open to anyone interested in helping the children and families who stay at one of the Ronald McDonald Houses or Ronald McDonald Family Rooms.

Benefits of Membership

“Kicking it up a notch” with extra fun in giving is what we’re all about!
Giving of time, inspiration, creativity, and sometimes dollars helps Ronald McDonald House Charities of Metro St. Louis provide a “home-away-from-home” for families of seriously ill children. Membership is what you make it. It can be as simple as writing a check or it can be serving on a committee to create a new program for families.

Involvement

All members can participate through volunteering and/or attendance at the following events and activities:

An annual holiday store where families can shop for one another “free of charge.” This committee also prepares gift bags for holidays throughout the year.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. A fundraiser with many indulgences for the ladies.

Young Friends of Ronald. Young adults meet frequently throughout the year for both social and service activities. (See bottom of page for more info...)
Host or attend a party where the price of admission is “goodies” for families using one of the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms located at St. Louis pediatric hospitals.
Annual membership events throughout the year including the Annual Meeting.

Since its Inception

Friends of Ronald has had great success organizing projects such as the “Welcome to our House” charity cookbook, the Holiday Store, Family Serenity Porch, and raising almost $30,000 in in-kind donations.

Membership Levels

All members receive:
* E-mail News Blasts, alerting you to activities and events
* RMHC “Heartbeat”. A tri-annual publication featuring stories about RMHC.
* Discounts to all Friends of Ronald Events
* Discounts on RMHC and Friends merchandise
* Invitation to Young Friends of Ronald Events

Regular Member $25
A gift of $25 will cover five nights lodging for a family staying at RMH. At this level you will receive a Friends of Ronald pin.

Contributing Member $50
A gift of $50 will provide snacks for a day for families taking a respite in a Ronald McDonald Family Room. At this level you will receive a Friends of Ronald Cookbook.

Sustaining Member $100
A gift of $100 will buy a rocking chair so a mother of a preemie can sooth her baby to sleep. At this level you will receive a Friends of Ronald wine stopper, VIP entry to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and an invitation to the Presidents Lunch (see below).

Life Member $500
A gift of $500 will buy an overstuffed chair for our Family Room so an anxious parent of a child receiving treament can take a nap. Life Members receive all of the level gifts upon joining and then an annual VIP entry to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and an invitation to the President’s Lunch (see below).

The President’s Lunch
This exclusive informative event is hosted by the RMHC President. Attending members will be briefed on news of exciting initiatives coming down the pike from both the global and local RMHC systems. Opportunities to attend will be offered to Sustaining and Life Members twice throughout the year.

VIP entry to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (For the member or member’s spouse).

The VIP entry will include:
* Friends of Ronald discount on price of admission ticket
* VIP Reception one half hour before opening of the event
* VIP early sign up for indulgences during reception

For further information on the “Friends of Ronald” Volunteer organization, please e-mail Friends@rmhcstl.com