Ronald McDonald House of Providence Inc.

I have been involved with the Ronald McDonald House of Providence for 5+ yeats as a volunteer and donor. I have seen first-hand the excellent work this organization does and the necessary support it provides to families of sick children in the region. This organization deserves a 5-star rating!!!

As the past president of the Providence Ronald House I can tell you it is the best thing to hear about when your children is ill. My child past away before the house in Providence was built. First hand I can tell you how important it is to have such a place to be close to the hospital. When it came time to build the house I quickly got involved. We have a great staff and volunteer base that keeps all things running. Thanks for letting me tell my story. Jeanette Bucci Past President of the Board

The Ronald McDonald House of Providence is truly a home away from home for families going through serious medical situations. The staff and daily volunteers of the House are amazing & they take the time to get to know each family and make them feel welcome. The House is comforting, supportive and provides a must needed respite from the nearby hospitals.

RMH Providence provides a safe and caring environment to a number of families each year, and they do so without a lot of fanfare. Instead, they quietly provide support and a "home away from home" for people when they are distressed over the life and care of children. Our company has proudly "adopted" a room at RMH Providence for multiple years due to the House's dedication to mission: to provide services that assist families during times of medical crisis.

I have visited RMH Providence on multiple occasions, and always find a helpful smile, strong leadership, and genuine hospitality to all who enter their doors. The city and families across Rhode Island are very fortunate to have the House.

Ronald McDonald House consistently follows its mission by providing support to people who are at one of the most vulenerable times of thier lives and allows them to focus on what is important, caring for their loved ones, while RMH Providence takes care of their other needs. The volunteers are comitted to fulfilling the needs of as many patients' and families as they can.

I became involved with this charity because of the wonderful caring place it gives to those families who have serious ill children . The PRMH is truly a home away from home when families are dealing with a very serious illness with a child. I became involved in a RMH years ago and when we had a son who was very ill with cancer, we were fortunate enough to live close to the hospital he was treated in . We were able to see first hand , families who had no where to stay and often lived in their vehicles. The entire staff, volunteers, and board members truly care about the well being of the child and their family and everything they do comes from their heart.

This is one of the most important organizations I have ever worked with.

When our oldest son was born, we never knew about the Ronald McDonald House or how it would play such a significant role in the life of our family. While we had heard of the organization, we had never been intimately aware of the physical and emotional support that they provide to families in need. While our son was in the intensive care unit at Women & Infants, we tried to keep a round the clock bedside vigil. When I was released from the hospital after 48 hours accomplishing that became a difficult task because there was nowhere to change our clothes, wash or rest. The social work staff referred us at that time to the Ronald McDonald House.

What the PRMH provided us was a clean bed; plentiful, nutritious food; a warm shower; a smiling face to greet us each day and an attentive listener if we needed to unburden ourselves. Best of all, it was right across the street from our baby.

During our stay we met other families at the house. There was a young couple whose daughter had been born three months prematurely on the Cape; she had been transferred to W&I and the mother was staying at the PRMH for the duration. We also met several families from Greece whose children were being treated for congenital defects at Hasbro Hospital. And we met some incredible volunteers. When my father and uncle left the hospital to “check us in” at RMH, they came back with full stomachs; the volunteers had insisted that they stay for a meatball dinner. One Sunday morning, I recall a couple of older women making us a delicious hearty breakfast and letting us talk at length about our son. Everyone we met there was truly special.

One year later, our second son was born and he too was admitted to the intensive care unit. Again, we availed ourselves of PRMH. In fact, I almost felt compelled to pre-register before delivering again in 2004. Thankfully that son was born healthy but it was reassuring to know that there was a friendly, convenient, safe and affordable place to stay if circumstances had been different.

The Ronald McDonald House only charges its guests if they can afford to pay. Maximum charge per day is $10. Generous donors cover other expenses and most is raised on their annual walk. Please consider making a donation. Your gift will assist families in what may be their greatest time of need.

Although I currently serve as a board member, nine years ago my only nephew was born when my sister was a mere 28 weeks pregnant. As a resident of MA, she was fortunate that RMH had "room at the inn", so to speak. The intensity of the decisions that she and her husband needed to make regarding their son's health far exceeded anything I had ever dealt with when my sons were born. This was my first introduction to any of the Ronald McDonald Houses. As a bystander, an ear, a shoulder or a supplier of personal supplies when necessary, I stood in awe of this House which had given my sister and brother in law a place to retreat and sleep and make these ever so important decisions. The volunteers at this House are loving and kind and they listen, and they clean and they answer the phone to relay incredibly important and hopefully joyful messages, messages like "He's definitely strong enough and weighs enough to go home". When that news was delivered, my one resolve was to somehow give back to the House. I started by raising money when I ran endurance races, when the opportunity to become involved at a committee, and then a board level arose he decision was simple.
Ultimately, the goal at the board level is to ensure that we can provide comfort for as many people as possible and to maintain a true home for folks who desperately need a room close to their child.

After an unexpected , early, and scary delivery , I spent two months at PRMH while my daughter was across the street at the Women&Infants NICU. Over two hours from my home, my husband and I were faced with the reality that we would either spend a fortune on a hotel or essentially miss out on the first two months of our child's life. When the hospital suggested the PRMH I felt uneasy - I didn't want to be a charity case. Walking in to the house the first night, I cried. The warmth I felt from the volunteers and other families was overwhelming. I recieved so much support and love within those walls and never once felt pitied or judged.
While staying there I was able to bond with my daughter during those crucial months. I was able to give my daughter my heart while having the retreat of PRMH just steps away.
The moments I cherish most from the house are having a midnight bowl of cereal in the kitchen and being able to blow kisses goodnight to my daughters hospital room window. Also, doing my very first load of heavenly smelling baby laundry and folding it in the family room. These moments are priceless to me and I thank PRMH for all that they have done for my family.

Last month my youngest son was born pre-term and experienced difficulty breathing and eating. The little guy ended up spending a week in the NICU at Women and Infants. This week pales in comparison to the ordeals that many other families and babies will experience in the W&I NICU. However, my family lives about an hour from W&I and we still needed to care for our two year old son, while being there for the baby.

Being invited to stay at the Ronald McDonald House allowed me to do both with little hardship. I could come and go from the NICU as I pleased which allowed me to assist my wife who spent most of her time there nursing and caring for our baby. This arrangement also allowed my wife to see our two year old son often throughout the day and for him to meet his new baby brother.

Honestly, the Ronald McDonald House turned what could have been a frustrating and emotional week into a sort of mini vacation for my two year old son and I. The room was comfortable and homey. The kitchen was huge and accommodating for my picky toddler. The beautiful basement family room provided a regular retreat where my son and I shared a lot of laughs and hugs - he even made some new playmates there! On sunny days he begged to play on the swing set outside. Every staff and volunteer was friendly and helpful.

I'm so grateful for my brief time at the Ronald McDonald House and I hope to contribute in whatever ways I can to help other future guests.

This was my first experience with a RMH. Thankfully, there has never been a need. When I first considered bringing my daughter to RI for treatment, I immediately became stressed. How would I be able to afford this? Two weeks for a hotel, and money for meals was more than I had. Then someone suggested RMH. What a wonderful experience! The employees and volunteers were considerate, professional, and compassionate. The rooms are beautiful and spacious and homey. The kitchen was large and more than inviting.
We formed friendships while there, that will last a lifetime.

I first became involved with the House as a member of the capital campaign that raised $2.5 million in 9 months and allowed the House to open debt free. Later I was a night time volunteer a couple of nights a week. I was elected to the board and then was honored to be elected president. I am stiill involved with the House and proud to say. that the passion we had at the beginning to provide a home away from home for parents with critically ill children being treated on the RI Hospital campus, is still the same. We still have so many people who volunteer their time to help others in such a dire situation. I will always be proud to be associated with this outstanding non profit.

My daughter,myself and my 2 year old granddaughter stayed at the RMH of Providence for 2 months as my other granddaughter was in the NICU at Woman & Infants hospital.. Visiting from NJ my daughter gave birth at 25 weeks. The RMH was TRULY a blessing that has changed my life. All of the Volunteers and staff were the most wonderful people who greeted you each day with smiles and helping hands. In the evening we would come back to the house & enjoy delicious food provided by VOLUNTEERS. There is NO WAY to say how much peace of mind we had staying there. We have made friends that have a bond . Thank You again for helping our family and countless more families during a trying time. We will always remember what a BLESSING we were given. Maureen Seguna..LI ,N.Y.

The RMH of Providence is such a great organization! My husband and I and our 6 yr old son Conner stayed there in June 2011 after Conner was involved in a lawnmower accident in which he injured his foot. We needed to be close to the hospital since Conner was requiring weekly procedures and additional surgeries. Though I am from Rhode Island, we currently live in Georgia and were visiting my family when the accident occurred. The RMH provided us a much needed home away from home, and I couldn't have asked for a better one. From the staff to the volunteers to other families staying at the house, it was a great experience. Loving support, hot meals, smiling faces and warm embraces helped get us through this difficult time. They are a top notch organization and do so much for the local community. Providence is very lucky to have them helping so many!

My husband and I stayed at the RMH Providence during October and November 2009 while our son was in the Women and Infants NICU. I don't know what we would've done without the house. You can feel the kindness and compassion from the moment you walk through the doors. The volunteers are all such wonderful people. Each time we saw them, we were greeted with a smile and asked how our son was doing. I can't tell you how much that meant to us. It was such a relief to know that at the end of our day we knew we would return "home" to a hot meal and smiling faces. The volunteers even put together a Thanksgiving meal for us. That truly touched my heart. We were able to bring our son home on Thanksgiving, but it was very moving to know that these people were spending their holiday at the house, providing a holiday meal for perfect strangers instead of dining with their families. This is a very special place. Although the time we spent there was short in comparison to some families, our lives were forever changed by it. The kindness, compassion and support we were given while there showed us that good still does exist in this world. We will never, ever forget the RMH Providence for all that they did for us.

The RMH Providence was nothing short of amazing for our family during our 4 week stay there Dec 2007 to Jan 2008. Besides always being our home away from home, we were always greeted with a smile and a warm welcome. We were so thankful for a place to rest between visiting our son, Benjamin. When we left the house, the circumstances were not good. We were bringing Ben home because there was nothing more that could be done for him. When we told the staff we were sending someone to clean our room and pack our stuff, they insisted they would do it for us. What a huge help! One less thing for us to have to do! We will always be thankful for the support we received during our stay there. And though it is a very difficult time to think about, we couldn't be more thankful that the house was there for us. It gave us more time to be with our precious Benjamin for the short time we had with him. Thank you RMH Providence!

My daughter and I stayed for 3 weeks the end of November, beginning of December 2010 while my daughter attended a Pain Management program at Hasbro Children's. Without RMH of Providence she would never have been able to attend this wonderful program that helped her to heal so much. It was unbelievable to have warm, clean and welcoming environment to stay in at a reasonable price near the hospital. Not only that, but there was food and company to talk to that understood what we were going through at the end of the day. I think the companionship of other children and parents with similar problems helped us both heal a little. Thank you RMH!

Their staff and volunteers were both so amazing. I was impressed with how welcoming and comforting they were through tough times.

I have been a volunteer at the Providence Ronald McDonald House for 12 years. I came to the house initially as a thank you for the help the Spokane House gave my brother and sister-in-law when their first son was born. I continue to volunteer as I see the need for the help we provide. Parents are constantly telling me they don't know what they would have done without us. We provide a "home away from home" and help them through a very scary time in their lives.

We (me and my wife) had twins at Women & Infants. It was great that we could stay at a place so close to them while they were being treated.

My son has been battling an illness for three years now. WE came to Providence Ronald McDonald House in order for my son to attend a Program at RI Hospital. I am very uncomfortable with change and was very anxious about staying somewhere unfamiliar. I was pleasantly surprised by how at home and welcome we feel here. PRMH has made being away from home a much better experience. We are truly grateful.

I came to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House of Providence at a time when I was looking for an environment in which I could contribute meaningfully and interact with pleasant, interesting people. Having had contact with the house in NYC, I knew and was in sync with the mission and non-sectarian approach here. After retiring from a career directing a school and counseling and working with young families, the Ronald McDonald House has encouraged me to use my abilities and experiences in a wonderful variety of different ways. My life is considerably richer for being able to help families from every segment of our society at a vulnerable period in their lives.