History of the Ronald McDonald House
This is a story about a rare and wonderful house-- 200 houses by the end of 1999, to be precise, and with more coming every day. The idea behind Ronald McDonald House is simple: provide a "home-away-from-home" for families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. In these houses, the families of children with serious illnesses can sleep, eat, find solace, sympathy, and counsel. The Houses have a name that children love and identify-- Ronald McDonald House. In the 25 years since the first House opened in Philadelphia, more than two million families have used them.
For the child, it's knowing that mom and dad are close by, in a good place near the hospital. For mom and dad, it's knowing that they are not alone, that others have gone through similar situations and survived. It's people drawing hope and strength from late-night conversations in corridors and kitchens, and it's a place to treasure every moment of having a child "home," even if for just a short visit sometimes.
For the child, it's knowing that mom and dad are close by, in a good place near the hospital. For mom and dad, it's knowing that they are not alone, that others have gone through similar situations and survived. It's people drawing hope and strength from late-night conversations in corridors and kitchens, and it's a place to treasure every moment of having a child "home," even if for just a short visit sometimes.
Alpha Delta Pi and RMH
In 1979, members of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority adopted the Ronald McDonald House program as its national service project, uniting all of its members in the commitments to service and to the community. 2017 marked the 43rd anniversary of the Ronald McDonald House program and the 38th year of Alpha Delta Pi's commitment to Ronald McDonald House.
Individually, ADPi chapters and alumnae associations have always shown their love of community and their dedication to service through fund raising efforts for various charities. Adopting Ronald McDonald House gave the sorority a single focus: a common goal for the general good and welfare of others, and the opportunity to act as "big sisters" to the families with ill children who stay at the Ronald Houses.
Individually, ADPi chapters and alumnae associations have always shown their love of community and their dedication to service through fund raising efforts for various charities. Adopting Ronald McDonald House gave the sorority a single focus: a common goal for the general good and welfare of others, and the opportunity to act as "big sisters" to the families with ill children who stay at the Ronald Houses.
Epsilon Chi Chapter and RMH
Sisters at the RMH in Richmond
The Epsilon Chi chapter of Alpha Delta Pi is lucky enough to have two Ronald Houses close to Longwood; one in Richmond and another in Roanoke. Each and every Epsilon Chi sister volunteers her time to RMH during semesterly visits. Every fall, we host Miles 4 Smiles, a 5k run/walk, and every spring we host Kicks for Kids, a kickball tournament, in which all proceeds are donated to RMH. Throughout the year we collect pop tabs from aluminum cans to donate to RMH. The funds generated from recycling these tabs help offset the House's expenses.
Check out the Richmond RMH's blog post about our partnership! http://www.rmhc-richmond.org/alpha-delta-pi/
Check out the Richmond RMH's blog post about our partnership! http://www.rmhc-richmond.org/alpha-delta-pi/