Frequently Asked Questions

Who can stay at Ronald McDonald House Coastal Empire?

Families with critically ill or injured children receiving treatment at partner hospitals in the Coastal Empire may be eligible to stay.

Families are referred by hospital social workers or medical professionals. Each referral is carefully reviewed, with priority given first to families facing the most critical medical circumstances and second to families traveling the greatest distance for care.

While distance is considered, medical urgency is always our highest priority.

How can a family request a stay?

Families cannot apply directly.

All stays begin with a referral from a hospital social worker, case manager, or medical professional at one of our partner hospitals. Once a referral is received, our team reviews eligibility and availability and contacts the family with next steps.

If you are seeking information about a potential stay, we encourage you to speak with your hospital care team.

For general questions, you may contact our House directly.

How can I support Ronald McDonald House Coastal Empire?

There are many ways to help families stay close.

You can:

• Make a financial gift
  • Sponsor a night for a family
  • Volunteer your time
  • Attend our signature events or host a fundraiser
  • Provide meals or in-kind donations
  • Partner with us as a business or organization

Every act of generosity strengthens our ability to serve families facing medical crisis.

Together, we ensure no family has to navigate it alone.

How much does it cost to stay?

There is no charge for families to stay at Ronald McDonald House Coastal Empire.

The actual cost to provide a room, meals, and comprehensive support for one family exceeds $150 per night– a cost fully covered through the generosity of donors and community partners.

Families may choose to make a voluntary contribution ($10/night) if they are able, but it is never required. No family is ever turned away because of an inability to give.

As one parent shared:

“Without the Ronald McDonald House, I would have been sleeping on the floor of my son’s hospital room.”

What does the House provide?

Our House offers:

• Private bedrooms
  • Shared kitchen and dining areas
  • Laundry facilities
  • Comfortable common spaces
  • A supportive community of families facing similar challenges

More than amenities, we provide stability, a place where families can rest, recharge, and stay together while their child receives medical care.

Is there a waitlist?

Yes. Due to high demand and limited capacity, we operate on a waiting list much of the year.

On average, multiple families are waiting for a room each day. In 2025 we averaged 22 families per day, on our waitlist and unable to stay at Ronald McDonald House

This growing need is why community support is so critical to our mission.

What medical conditions do families typically face?

Families staying at our House most commonly have children receiving care related to:

• Premature birth and neonatal intensive care
  • Hematology and oncology treatments
  • Trauma and emergency care

We support families facing a wide range of pediatric medical challenges. We serve every illness and injury and serve children from newborn to 22 years of age.

What other programs do you operate?

In addition to the Ronald McDonald House, we operate:

• Family Rooms inside partner hospitals, offering respite just steps from a child’s bedside
  • The Hospitality Cart, delivering comfort items, snacks, and essential supplies directly to families in pediatric units

Each program is designed to remove practical and emotional barriers ensuring families can remain close, supported, and focused on their child’s care.