RMHC of the Bluegrass 2023 Annual Report

We know that a family with a sick child is a sick family

and that being together is key during these stressful times It is this heartfelt understanding that both drives and defines RMHC of the Bluegrass and our commitment to family-centered care.

LETTER FROM THE C.E.O.

Dear Friends,

As we celebrate our 40th anniversary of serving families here at Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of the Bluegrass, I am filled with immense gratitude and pride for what we accomplished together in 2023. It was a year of significant impact, growth, and heartfelt connections, all of which were made possible by your unwavering support

2023: A Year of Remarkable Achievements

Community Engagement: Our events, including Swing Fore the House and the McDazzle Auction & Gala, were more successful than ever, raising 41% of our annual budget The sense of community and solidarity at these events was truly inspiring and we were proud to welcome over 765 guests to these events.

Enhancing Our Facilities: Thanks to your generous support, we were able to begin upgrades to our Guest Rooms, ensuring a more comfortable and welcoming environment for our families These improvements have made a tangible difference in the daily lives of those we serve.

Expanding Our Reach: This year, we welcomed over 417 unique families at the House, providing them with a home away from home while their children received critical medical care Our commitment to Keeping Families Close has never been stronger, and we are humbled by the stories of resilience and hope that fill our House every day

Program Expansion: Our team grew Care Cart impact by 323%, further supporting families and enhancing their well-being during long says spent at the Hospital Additionally, as we continue to encounter a waiting list, we were able to host 95 families in our Hotel Program, providing 215 additional nights of stay to families with sick children at no charge to them Finally, our Care Mobile team - headquartered in Hazard, KYprovided 2,164 pediatric dental visits to underserved children, providing a value of $531,583 in services and education.

Volunteerism: We witnessed an incredible growth in volunteer support, with over 13,105 hours of service from individuals and groups dedicating their time and talents across our programs. Their contributions have been invaluable in maintaining the warm and nurturing atmosphere of our House and Family Room.

2024: A Milestone Year

We are filled with excitement and anticipation as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass ALL YEAR

LONG This milestone is a testament to the enduring commitment of our community, volunteers, and supporters like you.

Through the year, we will focus on four primary strategic areas - detailed on page 4 of this report - all with the goal of serving more families in-need from Kentucky and beyond

And, of course, we will CELEBRATE our legacy! We will commemorate our 40th anniversary with special events and campaigns that honor our history, celebrate our achievements, and set the stage for the next 40 years and beyond.

As we reflect on the past year and look forward to the future of serving families in-need, we are reminded of the strength and compassion of our community. Your support has been the cornerstone of our success, and we are deeply grateful for your continued commitment to our mission

Together, we will continue difference in the lives of fa medical challenges, provid comfort, care, and hope Th being a part of our journey

With heartfelt gratitude,

Nate Graham RMHC of the Bluegrass, CE

our story

so far

Our Mission

RMHC of the Bluegrass is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that creates, finds, and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families

Our vision

A world where all children have access to medical care and their families are supported and actively involved in their children’s care

Our values

POSITIVITY

COMMUNITY

INNOVATION

RESPECT

INTEGRITY

Our purpose

We understand that a family with a sick child is a sick family and that being together is critical during these stressful times. It is this heartfelt understanding that both drives and defines RMHC of the Bluegrass and our commitment to family-centered care.

strategy our 2023

1

Programs

Increase Capacity, Maximize Impact

Maximize the utilization, capacity, and positive impact of RMHC of the Bluegrass' Core and Sub-Programs.

Long term objective:

To serve more families in-need, from Kentucky and beyond.

2 People

Right People, Right Places

Continue to build the capabilities, capacity, and culture required to support our growth, across the RMHC Staff, Board, Committees, and Volunteers

3

Marketing

Know Us, Join Us

Develop tailored campaigns to elevate RMHC of the Bluegrass' awareness and drive engagement and action across key audiences

4Money

More Money, More Mission

Establish & deploy a multifaceted fundraising plan to diversify & grow our revenue streams.

Funding summary

$2,224,445 $1,874,711

REVENUE EXPENSES

Ronald McDonald House

We believe that “home” is more than four walls and a roof over your head. That’s why the House in Lexington is a safe haven that provides all the comforts of home, plus the compassion and hospitality from staff, volunteers, and other families — all just minutes away from local medical facilities.

417

Unique families served

538

Meals served by Volunteers

90%

Occupancy in the House

Our 21-bedroom house serves families who must travel far from home and keeps families close to the medical care their children need. The House has all the amenities of a home including a full kitchen where daily meals are prepared, laundry facilities, internet access, a play area for children & multiple communal areas where families can benefit from the community of others going through a similar situation. Each year we serve nearly 500 families because we know that children and families are stronger when they are together.

Total nights stayed 6,805

Volunteer hours served 4,814

641

Children served

332

House to Home bags gifted

181 nights

Longest stay

98%

of guest families rated RMHC 4.97/5 stars

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile

Launched in 2005, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile enables access to oral health care in Eastern Kentucky counties where children and families need it most.

The Care Mobile provides children free professional dental services and education because we know that dental disease has broader health impacts, including heart disease & poor academic performance. Each year, our mobile dental clinic serves 2K+ school aged children in Perry, Knot, Leslie and Letcher Counties. By providing comprehensive dental treatment in a convenient school-based setting, we are bridging the gap between children and the care they desperately need.

Patient visits

2,164 Value provided $531,583

1,529

Dental exams

2,164 Health education visits

Ronald McDonald Family Room

Opened in 2008, the Ronald McDonald Family Room inside Kentucky Children's Hospital (KCH) is a quiet place for families to recharge, grab a bite to eat, and get rest during long days of testing and/or treatment.

1,412

Families served

9,943

Total visitors

1,609

Lunches with Love served

A welcoming place located inside KCH, we are proud to offer families comfort and hospitality steps away from their child's bedside. We know that a quiet place to fellowship with family and a warm cup of coffee can make the day a little less hard and sometimes “a little less hard” is enough. Since we opened, more than 140,000 families of hospitalized children have been served through our Family Room and Care Cart programs.

1,395

Volunteer hours

742

Adults served by Happy Wheels Carts

4,682

Children served

We'd like to thank you for your generous support

Dr. Matthew Bacon, Tyler Clarke, Amy DiLorenzo, Scott Downing, Will Fite, Sarah Geegan, Todd Harris, Sarah Heck, Katie Anne Lester, Gail Moses, Derek Motsch, Brad Nahra, Hannah Sawyer, Dr. Alison Slone, Scott Vollet, Elijah Zimmerman

$1,405,562IN EXPENSES!