In March 2021, our youngest daughter, Allison, decided to arrive at 23 weeks and one day. She was tiny - weighing one pound, three ounces. When she was born in Evansville, IN, there were complications. Doctors made a recommendation to helicopter lift Allison more than 100 miles to Louisville.
Soon after arriving in Louisville, we knew we had a long road ahead of us, and we promised ourselves we were going to be there for Allison. We had to find somewhere to stay, but we had never been to Louisville. We knew we couldn’t afford a hotel long-term. We talked about trying to get an apartment, but as parents and going to school, we quickly realized that wasn’t an option. The hospital informed us about Ronald McDonald House, and it was just what we needed. This has been our second home really. Without RMHCK, we wouldn’t have been able to be by our daughter’s side. We wouldn’t have had any other option than to probably drive back and forth to Madisonville on weekends.
While we were here, everything was taken care of. We didn’t have to worry about where our meals were coming from. Here, in this atmosphere, you get a sense of hope because you aren’t the only one going through this situation.
The Ronald McDonald House has meant so much to us as a unit simply because we do not have to be separated during this time of crisis. In a time of crisis, they keep families together and they serve others.
Our journey hasn’t ended. Allison still has appointments in Louisville. Initially our stay was three and a half months. Then we came back for another month and a half after Allison caught RSV. And even now when she has her pulmonary appointments and her heart appointments, those are specialists in Louisville, so we have to come back out here. And every time we pick up the phone and call, we’re met with welcoming, open arms.
It’s our “home-away-from-home,” it truly is. We could never forget RMHCK and we don’t ever want to. We are so grateful for everyone who has been so generous to Ronald McDonald House.
Erica and Jermonte RushingMadisonville, KY (152 miles from Louisville)
“Our daughter’s birth is something that would be considered a miracle.”
Ronald McDonald House®
OUR 2022 IMPACT PROVIDING MORE THAN A HOUSE
$2.98 Million Saved By Families
8.3 Nights Average Length of Stay $108 RMHCK Nightly Cost Per Family
344 Nights Longest Stay
$896
RMHCK Average Cost Per Family Stay
2,391 Miles Farthest Distance Traveled
4,902 Volunteer Hours
84 Shift Volunteers
RMHCK
930 Families Served
3,348 Individuals Served
14,276 Nights Provided
1,417 Children Served
87 Kentucky Counties
21 Other States 206 Service Groups 471 Meals Served 114 Activities Offered
Ronald McDonald Family
Programs (located in hospitals)
Founded: September 10, 1984
379 Families Served
32 Volunteers
Mission: To provide the home and support that allows families to stay together while they focus on the healing of their sick children at a critical time. All programs and services are free of charge to families.
25 Indiana Counties
758 Nights Provided
1,132 Volunteer Hours
Home Away From Home:
56 Guestroom Ronald McDonald House
3 Ronald McDonald Family Room Programs
Annual Operating Budget: $2,955,000
RMHCK Staff: 16 full-time
