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        1720 Treasure Hills Boulevard |
 1. WHAT IS A RONALD McDONALD HOUSE? A Ronald McDonald House is a "home away from" home for families of children being treated for serious illness or injury. Many families travel to large medical centers to get the best treatment for their children. Ronald McDonald Houses provide a safe, comfortable place for a family to stay as they face the trauma of their child's illness. The family can stay in the House at a very nominal charge while the child is being diagnosed and treated for illness. 2. HOW MANY RONALD McDONALD HOUSES ARE THERE? There are 232 Houses worldwide in the United States and 22 other countries. Approximately 6,000 rooms are available every night at Ronald McDonald Houses. 3. HOW ARE RONALD McDONALD HOUSES STARTED? Concerned citizens in a community recognize the need to form a nonprofit corporation to establish a Ronald McDonald House. McDonald's Corporation owns the name "Ronald McDonald House." After meeting with the nonprofit organization and approving licensing of the new chapter and new House, McDonald's allows the use of the Ronald McDonald House name. 4. WHAT IS THE LOCAL McDONALD'S COOPERATIVE ADVISORY COUNCIL? It organizes McDonald's restaurant owners/operators participation with Ronald McDonald Houses. 5. WHAT IS RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES? RMHC was established in memory of Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's. The organization gives start-up grants to new Ronald McDonald Houses and contributes to other projects related to children and families. RMHC helps Ronald McDonald Houses by arranging national contributions for all Houses. 6. IS THE HOUSE A SAD PLACE? The Ronald McDonald House is not a sad place; it's a happy place. Despite the sorrow of illness, there is hope. The children staying at the House are very active much like other children. As a home, the House gives families a refuge from the hospital. 7. DO ALL THE CHILDREN WHO STAY AT RMH DIE? No, there are many success stories. Heart problems can usually be corrected, and there is a continually increasing rate of remission for children's cancers and other illnesses. Often children who have successfully recovered from illness return to visit the House and staff. 8. ARE ALL RMHC'S RUN THE SAME? All Ronald McDonald Houses operate under licensing guidelines from Ronald McDonald House Charities; however each Ronald McDonald House is independent of the others and makes its own rules.
 9. WHERE IS THE RONALD McDONALD HOUSE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY? The House is located at 1720 Treasure Hills Blvd., across the street from Valley Baptist Medical Center's East Tower and between UTHSCSA's Regional Academic Health Center and Su Clinica Familiar in Harlingen, Texas. 10. WHAT HOSPITALS ARE SERVED? We serve all hospitals of the Rio Grande Valley who are serving the medical needs of children. 11. DESCRIBE THE RONALD McDONALD OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY The House is one story, 8,762 square feet with the capacity of housing six families. It includes 6 private bedrooms with private bathrooms, a living room, dining room, laundry room, quiet room, family/game room, play room, dual kitchen, fenced backyard, plenty of storage space and large pantry. 12. DOES THE HOUSE HAVE A DOCTOR OR NURSE ON ITS STAFF? No. The House is a lodging facility that gives families a respite from the hospital. 13. DOES THE HOUSE PROVIDE COUNSELING? There is no formal counseling program, but the families do get support from the staff, the volunteers, and the other families. Families do a wonderful job of counseling each other. They share fears and hope as well as practical information about medications and treatments and often lasting friendships are made. 14. DOES THE HOUSE PROVIDE FOOD FOR THE FAMILIES? The Ronald McDonald House of the Rio Grande Valley provides some staples for families, as donated to the House by the Valley community. Each family is responsible for cooking their own meals in the common kitchen. They are welcome to use these donated items and are assigned refrigerator and pantry space for the foods they purchase. 15. DOES THE HOUSE PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION?
This facility does not provide transportation at this time, however there are some transportation options: 16. IS SMOKING PERMITTED AT THE HOUSE? Smoking is NOT permitted inside the House. 17. IS THERE MAID SERVICE? No. The House has a housekeeper who cleans the common areas of the House, but families are expected to keep their own rooms clean, do their own dishes in the kitchen, and their own laundry. Each family is also assigned a chore to help around the House, as helping out makes the families feel a part of the House. Families are away from their own homes often waiting for lengths of time, so they often ask for more to do. 18. IS THERE BABYSITTING SERVICE? The House does not provide babysitting service. Parents are required to be responsible for their own children at all times providing supervision of any child under the age of 18. 19. IS THERE A CURFEW? No. There is no curfew. Families may come and go as they please. For security reasons, the doors are locked 24 hours a day. There is a volunteer or RMHCRGV staff on duty or on call 24 hours a day to answer the door. A security system is activated during the night. 20. DOES RONALD McDONALD VISIT THE HOUSE? Yes. Ronald McDonald periodically comes to the House to visit as a representative of McDonald's. The McDonald's public relations agency schedules Ronald's time for appearances. He makes publicity appearances on behalf of McDonald's and very seldom is he allowed to make other public appearances. 21. ARE ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THE FAMILIES IN THE HOUSE? On special occasions and holidays, volunteers provide dinner for the families. Other oppurtunities for entertainment may be available from time to time.
 22. WHO CAN STAY AT THE RONALD McDONALD HOUSE? The House accepts the family of any child 18 or under who is being treated at any of the Valley hospitals as an in-patient or out-patient. 23. DO THE PATIENTS STAY AT THE HOUSE? If the child is being treated on an out-patient basis, they may stay in the House. When the child must be hospitalized, only the child's immediate family stays at the House. 24. DOES THE RONALD McDONALD HOUSE ALLOW ONLY THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD TO STAY AT THE HOUSE? Each room must be occupied by a parent/guardian of the patient. In addition, other immediate family members may also stay. "Family" refers to anyone needed for emotional support or to assist in the care of the patient. 25. HOW MANY FAMILY MEMBERS MAY STAY AT THE HOUSE? The House permits up to four (4) immediate family members per family to stay in a room. 26. HOW CAN A FAMILY GET INTO THE HOUSE? They must be referred to the House by their physician, nurse or social worker. We do not make reservations as rooms are only confirmed on the day of arrival. Referrals and family intakes are accepted between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily. Families may stay until they reach a maximum stay of 30 nights. The Executive Director may allow additional nights beyond this under special circumstances if there is no one on the waiting list. 27. ARE ONLY LOW INCOME FAMILIES PERMITTED TO STAY AT THE HOUSE? There are no economic barriers at the Ronald McDonald House. Family income is not a consideration for a family's admittance. All families are requested to pay a $10 payment per night towards the cost of their stay. Further rate reductions may be permitted for families after a meeting with the Executive Director or other House representatives. If a family is Medicaid eligible, payment may be possible through Medical Transportation; however, this is dependent upon the Texas Department of Health's Medical Transportation authorization, and is usually based on urgent medical needs and distances from the home to the medical facility. 28. DOES A FAMILY HAVE TO LIVE A SPECIFIC DISTANCE FROM THE HOUSE TO BE ELIGIBLE TO STAY? No. Even families who live within the city limits of Harlingen may be too far away from their hospitalized child if the child is in Intensive Care or some other critical care unit. 29. WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM STAY? A family may stay for up to 30 nights. They then generally must leave to make room for another guest family. After one week, the family may then be put on a waiting list to return to the House. Under special circumstances, the Executive Director may allow additional nights beyond 30 nights. 30. WILL THE RONALD McDONALD HOUSE HELP FAMILIES FIND AN ALTERNATE PLACE TO STAY WHEN THE HOUSE IS FULL? Yes, but only on a space available basis at specific hotels or other facilities that have established a special rate for Ronald McDonald House families. 31. DOES THE HOUSE ACCEPT AIDS PATIENTS? The House accepts any child with a serious illness. Children with diseases easily transmitted to others (such as chicken pox or hepatitis) are not admitted. Children with AIDS are not excluded. The Board has reviewed this issue with expert help and concluded that transmission of AIDS by infected children is extremely unlikely. 32. WHO RUNS THE RONALD McDONALD HOUSE OF THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY? The Board of Directors of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Rio Grande Valley makes decisions affecting the Ronald McDonald House. The Board has a Chairperson, Chairperson Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Board meets once a month and members serve one to three year terms as elected. 33. HOW MANY STAFF MEMBERS ARE THERE? The official House staff consists of an Executive Director, Secretary, House Coordinators, and a Housekeeper. House Coordinators stay at the House during evenings and on weekends. Of course, the Ronald McDonald House of Harlingen could not operate without the many volunteers who give of their time to help run the House. 34. WHAT DO VOLUNTEERS DO? Volunteers are vital to our operation as they answer the phone, help families in and out of the House, conduct tours, answer questions about the House, help with mailings and much more. Volunteers also work in the reception area, help in the administrative offices, help clean the House and organize fundraisers. Some volunteers cook dinners for the families.
 35. IS IT "FREE" TO STAY AT RMH? There is a nominal $10 payment requested per night for families who can pay. The fee may be scaled down or waived after a meeting with the Executive Director or other House representatives. If a family is Medicaid eligible, payment may be possible through Medical Transportation; however, this is dependent upon the Texas Department of Health's Medical Transportation's authorization and is usually based on urgent medical needs and distances from home to the medical facility. Regardless of the payment situation, no one is ever turned away because of an inability to pay. 36. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RUN THE HARLINGEN HOUSE? Approximately $250,000 per year. 37. DOES McDONALD'S CORPORATION SUBSIDIZE THE HOUSE? No. McDonald's Corporation encourages the owners and operators of local McDonald's restaurants to participate in national and local promotions benefiting Ronald McDonald Houses. We are very grateful for the support received from the Valley's McDonald's restaurant owner/operators. 38. HOW DOES THE HOUSE MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OPERATING COSTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS PER ROOM MADE BY GUESTS? The House receives financial gifts and in-kind goods and services from individuals, organizations, businesses, corporations, and foundations.
 39. HOW ARE FUNDS RAISED TO CONTINUE HOUSE OPERATIONS?
The House receives donations from:
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