Ronald McDonald House Announces Location of New House & Lead Campaign Gift From Vets United Foundation

Minutes matter when your child is in medical crisis, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri firmly believes that parents should be within steps, not miles of where their child is receiving treatment.

Because MU Health Care is closing Women’s and Children’s Hospital on Keene Street and building a new Children’s Hospital tower on their main medical campus, the RMHC Board of Directors made the decision to sell the existing Ronald McDonald House and construct a new facility within walking distance of the new Children’s Hospital.

The new Ronald McDonald House will be located at 1110 S. College Avenue, at the Northeast corner of Stadium Boulevard and College Avenue. The House will accommodate up to 24 guest families per night, which is 8,760 nights of lodging annually. Ronald McDonald Houses are known around the world as the “Houses That Love Built” because of the generous outpouring of community support that makes each House possible. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri is thrilled to announce an $800,000 gift from Veterans United Foundation in support of construction of the new Ronald McDonald House.

“Veterans United has always supported our Ronald McDonald House, and we are so excited that they are helping to fund construction of our new House with a lead gift to our campaign,” said Terri Gray, Executive Director of RMHC Mid-Missouri. “This legacy gift will ensure that families who travel to Columbia seeking medical care for their child will have a place to stay – at no cost to them—for years to come.”

“On behalf of the employees of Veterans United, we are so pleased to be able to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri to help with this important next phase and construction of the new home. Our mission is to impact lives on a daily basis, and it has been obvious for many years that Terri, her staff and the board of RMHC are focused on doing the same.

Families facing health challenges need all the support they can get, and it was important to our Foundation and employees that we use our collective resources to ensure families are close to their loved ones while receiving the utmost treatment and care. We look forward to seeing the amazing things that the Ronald McDonald House will be able to do in their new facility and the increase in families served,” said Erik Morse, President, Veterans United Foundation Board of Directors.

The Ronald McDonald House is built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on healing their child. Faced with mounting medical bills and hurdles with their child's healthcare, the Ronald McDonald House gives parents a home near the hospital for a good night's sleep; nourishing meals and snacks to sustain them each day; and relief from the financial and emotional burdens of traveling for their child's medical care. “Thanks to the generosity of the Veterans United Foundation, we will be leveraging their gift with other donors,” said Gray. Construction is anticipated to begin in Fall 2022, with an anticipated opening date of Spring 2024.

The Ronald McDonald House is more than just a bed for sleeping. The new House will provide the daily amenities families require – warm meals prepared every evening, comfortable beds in private guest rooms with attached bathrooms, laundry facilities, TV rooms, family play areas (indoor/outdoor), internet access and more.

The new House will be larger than the existing facility and will include: • 31,000 square feet of finished space • 24 private guestrooms with private baths (current location has 18 bedrooms) • Capacity to add an additional 11 guestrooms in the future • Large Kitchen and Dining area • Large, covered deck • Hearth room / Living area • Exercise Room • Loft / Library • Laundry facilities • Administrative offices • Board Room • Outdoor gardens, walking trails and play areas • Ample parking

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Mid-Missouri is to provide a home away from home that serves and sustains families of children being treated at area hospitals and health-related facilities. In 2021, 438 courageous families were welcomed as guests for 4,113 nights. The charity served families from 59 Missouri counties.

For additional information including House renderings and floorplans please visit rmhcmidmo.org/media.

About Veterans United Foundation

Veterans United Foundation is the charitable arm of Veterans United Home Loans and is supported entirely by employees and the company. The Foundation is committed to enhancing the lives of Veterans and military families nationwide, by supporting nonprofit organizations that strengthen local communities and honor the sacrifices of those who served our country. The Foundation partners with local and national organizations who are on the ground making a difference in their communities, and over 90 percent of Veterans United employees donate a portion of their salary to make a difference. More than $100 million has been raised since its founding in 2011. Learn more at EnhanceLives.com